In the 200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekar and others, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has rejected Jacqueline Fernandez’s bail request, claiming the Bollywood star appeared to be “deep-pocketed” and might obstruct the current probe.
According to the agency, Fernandez never participated in the investigation and only came clean when presented with proof. The ED also said she made an unsuccessful attempt to leave India but could not do so since the lookout circular had been issued (LOC).
The ED said, “Jacqueline is no ordinary person; she is a Bollywood star with enormous financial resources and, as a result, tremendous standing and influence.”
On Saturday, the Patiala House Court in Delhi renewed Fernandez’s temporary release in the extortion case.
Shailender Malik, the additional sessions judge, mentioned the ED’s response to Jacqueline’s release request during the hearing on regular bail. However, the judge continued the actress’ temporary release and postponed the case until November 10. The charge sheet and other pertinent papers must be made available to all parties, and the court further ordered the ED.
Fernandez physically participated in the court hearings on Saturday. Jacqueline was given conditional bail in the case on September 26.
On the previous date, the extra sessions judge had given notice to ED regarding Jacqueline’s regular bail plea and had granted her temporary release on a 50,000 bail bond.
On August 17, Fernandez was named as an accused in a supplemental charge sheet submitted to a Delhi court by the investigating agency in the case against Chandrashekar.
According to ED’s earlier charge sheet, Fernandez and another star, Nora Fatehi, underwent an investigation and testified that the accused gave them top-of-the-line BMW vehicles as the most expensive presents.
According to the ED charge sheet, “statements of Jacqueline Fernandez were recorded throughout the inquiry on August 30, 2021, and October 10, 2021. Jacqueline claimed to have received presents, including two Gucci gym suits and three beautiful bags from Chanel and Gucci. A pair of Louis Vuitton shoes, two sets of diamond stud earrings, two Hermes bracelets, and a bracelet made of a rainbow of colored stones. She was also given a Mini Cooper, which she returned”.
Meanwhile, Fernandez denied having a “unity of intent with Sukesh” and claimed that the conman and his cronies had victimized her personally due to the circumstances and crimes they had perpetrated.
Despite never disputing receiving presents, the plea said that she was unaware that they were the proceeds of crime at any given time “because of the dishonest and duplicitous behavior of Sukesh owing to which she has experienced, and continues to suffer, significant suffering.”
