The Enforcement Directorate has objected to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea, seeking the dismissal of the FIR and supplementary chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the ₹200 Crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, stating that it is not maintainable.

Jacqueline alleged involvement in money laundering

In its response, the Enforcement Directorate clarified that its investigation, conducted under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002, differs from the police authorities’ investigation for scheduled offences. The ED emphasized that the accused in money laundering offences are distinct and additional to those in the predicate offence.

The nature of the offences is different, making the charges separate and distinct. The agency argued that being named as a witness in the predicate offence doesn’t automatically absolve the petitioner of the money laundering offence, which is a distinct and separate offence. The Delhi High Court had requested the ED’s reply on Jacqueline Fernandez’s petition, to which the ED had previously objected, asserting that she continued to accept gifts from Sukesh despite knowing his criminal history.

More about the Sukesh Chandrashekhar case

ED opposes Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea, arguing it’s not maintainable. The agency states that the investigation under PMLA is distinct from the police probe, emphasizing the separate nature of money laundering offences. Jacqueline’s counsel contends she is a victim, seeking not to quash the complaint entirely but only concerning her.

The plea asserts her innocence, stating there’s no indication of involvement in Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s alleged money laundering activities.

Jacqueline Fernandez alleges biased treatment by the Enforcement Directorate, pointing to the agency giving a clean chit to Nora Fatehi, despite acknowledging that Nora’s family received a BMW car from Sukesh Chandrashekhar on her instructions.

Jacqueline questions the Directorate’s impartiality, emphasizing Nora’s involvement in the “dissipation of proceeds of crime.”

Jacqueline’s connection to the case

Jacqueline Fernandez accuses the Enforcement Directorate of inconsistent treatment, highlighting the agency’s failure to arraign artists like Nora Fatehi, who received a BMW car from Sukesh Chandrashekhar. She claims a biased investigation against her while pointing out the discrepancy in handling similar cases.

The entire case against Jacqueline is built on a single news article shared with her, suggesting she might have known about Sukesh’s imprisonment but still accepted gifts from him.

The Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police filed a supplementary chargesheet, involving Jacqueline and others, in the ₹200 crore extortion case led by Sukesh Chandrasekhar.

The ED’s case originates from an FIR filed by Delhi Police against Sukesh Chandrasekhar for cheating and extorting Aditi Singh. Sukesh and his associates posed as government officials, duping Aditi into transferring money to secure her husband’s bail.