New Delhi, May 12: Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her application to become a government witness in the ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to Sukesh Chandrashekhar. This development occurred after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed her request in the Patiala House Court just a day earlier.
The ED argued that Jacqueline’s conduct during the investigation was “unsatisfactory” and that she failed to provide “complete and truthful information” in her statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The central agency informed the court that Jacqueline did not fully cooperate during the investigation and consistently failed to provide complete and truthful details regarding the money earned through criminal activities by Chandrashekhar.
In opposing her application to become a government witness, the ED alleged that Jacqueline maintained contact with Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal history.
According to the investigation agency, Chandrashekhar arranged “various benefits, gifts, and valuable items” for Jacqueline using the money earned from money laundering activities. The ED has accused Jacqueline of receiving expensive gifts worth approximately ₹7 crore from Chandrashekhar. However, the actress has consistently claimed that she had no knowledge of Chandrashekhar’s criminal activities or the source of the money used for those gifts.
Last September, the Supreme Court denied hearing Jacqueline’s plea to quash the money laundering proceedings initiated against her by the ED. Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, representing Jacqueline, argued that she could not be prosecuted under Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA, as she was unaware that the gifts from Chandrashekhar were purchased with money derived from crime.
However, a bench led by Justice Dutta referenced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the “Vijay Madanlal Choudhary case,” which upheld the ED’s powers under the PMLA. The bench remarked that the allegations made at the stage of framing charges should be accepted in the form they were presented.
The ED has filed multiple charge sheets in this case, and in a supplementary prosecution complaint, Jacqueline has been named as an accused, while another Bollywood actress, Nora Fatehi, has been questioned as a witness.
The investigation agency has alleged that Chandrashekhar’s associate, Pinky Irani, assisted in delivering luxury gifts and expensive items to Jacqueline.
This money laundering case is connected to allegations that Chandrashekhar defrauded the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of around ₹200 crore. Jacqueline, however, maintains that she had no role in the alleged laundering of Chandrashekhar’s illicit assets.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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