ED opposes Jacqueline Fernandez’s bid to turn approver in Rs 200-crore Sukesh money laundering case – The Tribune

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday opposed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking to turn approver in the Rs 200-crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, telling a Delhi court that she was not a “victim” but an “active participant” and a major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime.

The agency argued before the Patiala House Court that allowing Fernandez to become an approver would amount to a “miscarriage of justice”. The ED claimed that she knowingly continued her association with Chandrashekhar despite being aware of his criminal background and continued to enjoy expensive gifts allegedly purchased using laundered money.

Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma sought Fernandez’s reply to the ED’s objections and listed the matter for further hearing on May 12.

Fernandez had last month moved an application seeking pardon and permission to become an approver in the high-profile case in which Chandrashekhar is the main accused. The actor has been accused of receiving luxury gifts and other benefits from Chandrashekhar, who allegedly projected himself as a powerful government-linked figure while carrying out a massive extortion racket.

Opposing her plea, the ED told the court that Fernandez’s role in the case could not be treated as minor. The agency claimed she remained in “regular and sustained” contact with Chandrashekhar even after learning about his criminal antecedents and continued accepting costly gifts and benefits for herself and her family members.

The agency further argued that all gifts and luxury items received by Fernandez were carefully arranged using proceeds generated through criminal activities linked to the money laundering offence.

In its reply, the ED said Fernandez was fully aware of Chandrashekhar’s “real identity and criminal background” but still chose to maintain ties with him and utilise the alleged proceeds of crime. The agency said her claim of being a victim was “self-serving” and contradicted by evidence collected during the investigation.

The ED also questioned Fernandez’s conduct during the probe, alleging that she did not make complete and truthful disclosures despite her statements being recorded on five separate occasions under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Chandrashekhar is accused of impersonating a senior government functionary allegedly connected to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry to cheat businesswoman Aditi Singh of nearly Rs 200 crore over several months.

The ED had initially filed its prosecution complaint in December 2021 against eight accused persons, but Fernandez was not named at that stage. She was later arraigned as an accused after the agency filed a supplementary prosecution complaint on August 17, 2022.