In a major development in the money laundering case against alleged fraudster Sukesh Chandrashekar, actress Jacqueline Fernandez has formally submitted an application to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to transfer approval of the case.
Earlier in the day, Fernandes told a Delhi court that she wanted to become an approving body in the matter, after which the court informed her that she would have to submit a formal application to the central agency to do so.
HT learned that the actor then filed a formal application before the ED seeking approval in the money laundering case against Chandrasekar.
Sukesh Chandrashekar is an accused in the Rs 200-crore money laundering case, apart from dozens of fraud cases against him. Fernandez was also charged in a money laundering case for receiving gifts purchased with the alleged proceeds of the crime.
The latest application was made by Jacqueline’s lawyer before Special Judge Prashant Sharma while hearing arguments relating to the charge in the case. In September, the Supreme Court rejected the actress’s request to dismiss the case against her.
According to this procedure, the central agency will record her statements and then decide whether to move an application to the court to make it approved.
The ED had named Fernandez as a defendant in the supplemental prosecution complaint filed on August 17, 2022. According to the ED, Fernandez was charged with possession of proceeds of crime in the form of various gift items worth more than that. $7 Crores.
Chandrasekhar, who is currently lodged in jail, has consistently claimed to be the actor’s friend and wrote several emotional letters to the actor from jail.
Jacqueline claimed in court that Sukesh misled her into believing he was a legitimate businessman. In February 2024, she accused Sukesh of trying to damage her image and even filed a harassment complaint, but later withdrew it.
