Jacqueline's fate in Chandrasekhar's case to be decided in September
The Delhi High Court has listed actor Jacqueline Fernandez's plea for final arguments in the money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, according to recent reports. The 39-year-old actor of Sri Lankan origin was named in a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2022. Fernandez has sought the quashing of the chargesheet against her. The court will announce its verdict on September 18.
ED has summoned Fernandez for questioning multiple times
The ED has summoned Fernandez for nearly six rounds of questioning over the past two or three years. The actor has been questioned in connection with conman Chandrasekhar and the case is centered around the purported embezzlement of approximately ₹200 crore from high-profile individuals. Among those allegedly defrauded is Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
Fernandez enjoyed valuables, jewelry, costly gifts from Chandrasekhar: ED
The ED's chargesheet against Chandrasekhar stated that he used the "proceeds of crime" to buy gifts for Fernandez. The agency claimed that the actor was "enjoying costly gifts despite knowing about his [Chandrasekhar] criminal antecedents." The gifts allegedly given to Fernandez include a horse worth ₹52 lakh, three Persian cats each valued at ₹9 lakh, and luxury items from Gucci and Chanel. However, Fernandez has maintained that she is innocent and had no knowledge of Chandrasekhar's alleged criminal activities.
Fernandez wiped out data from phone after Chandrasekhar's arrest: ED
The ED also alleged that Fernandez wiped out all data from her mobile phone after Chandrasekhar's arrest, thereby tampering with evidence. She also reportedly asked her colleagues to destroy evidence. The agency said this proves "beyond doubt" that she had been enjoying the proceeds of crime. Further, ED investigations revealed that Fernandez was in "regular contact" with Chandrasekhar until his arrest on August 7, 2022.
