In the new supplemental charge sheet that it is anticipated to submit before a PMLA court on Wednesday in Delhi, the ED is likely to name Jacqueline Fernandez as one of the suspects in the 200 crore money laundering case.
According to news agency PTI, Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, who has been questioned in relation to the $200 million money laundering case involving alleged con artist Sukesh Chandrashekar, is likely to be identified as an accused party in the case. The actor was allegedly aware of the extortion, which is why the Enforcement Directorate decided to name her.
The ED is expected to file a supplementary charge sheet or prosecution complaint in the money laundering case before a special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court in Delhi on Wednesday. Officials confirmed to PTI that Jacqueline has been “arraigned” in it as an accused.
During interrogation, Jacqueline admitted to having been gifted by Sukesh Chandrashekhar but the actor refused to have any knowledge of the money laundering case. According to ED, Sukesh Chandrashekhar gave gifts worth ₹5.71 crore to the actor, including cars, diamond jewellery, a horse, three Persian cats etc.
In an earlier statement, ED said, “…funds to the tune of USD 1,72,913 (about ₹1.3 crore as per current exchange rate) and AUD 26740 (approx. ₹14 lakh) to the close family members of Fernandez out of the proceeds of crime through co-accused Avtar Singh Kochhar, an established and well known international hawala operator.”
Jacqueline earlier told the ED officials that she was approached by Sukesh with scripts and Sukesh initially gave a false identity to her as well. Pinky Irani was the contact person between Sukesh and Jacqueline.
The case the ED is investigating is based on an FIR filed by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing against Sukesh who was allegedly contacting people by spoofing calls impersonating government officers. From the jail, he allegedly contacted Aditi Singh, wife of the former promoter of Religare Enterprises Shivinder Mohan Singh, and extorted ₹200 crore money from her over one year. In his calls, he claimed to be Union home secretary, Union law secretary, an officer from the PMO etc. In exchange for the money, he promised bail for her jailed husband. Investigation into this case led ED to Jacqueline who was even photographed with Sukesh.
