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.