Jacqueline Fernandez moves court to turn approver in Sukesh Chandrashekhar money laundering case

In a development in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, actor Jacqueline Fernandez has informed a Delhi court that she wishes to turn approver in the matter. Upon hearing her submission, the court said that she would need to file a formal request before the Enforcement Directorate to initiate the process.

The Patiala House Court on Friday issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate on her plea and scheduled the next hearing for April 20. As per legal procedure, the request must first be examined by the agency, which will record her statement and decide whether to move the court seeking approval to make her an approver.

This move comes months after the Supreme Court declined to quash the criminal proceedings against the actor in the same case. Chandrashekhar, who remains in judicial custody in connection with multiple cases, has repeatedly claimed that he was in a relationship with Fernandez and has sent her letters from jail on several occasions.

While pictures in the public domain indicate that the two were acquainted, Fernandez has maintained before the court that she was misled into believing that Chandrashekhar was a legitimate businessman. In September last year, the Supreme Court refused to entertain her plea challenging the Delhi High Court order that allowed the money laundering proceedings to continue.

The actor has denied all allegations and stated that she had no knowledge of any criminal background. The Enforcement Directorate, however, has named her as a co accused in its chargesheet filed in August 2022. In an earlier statement, she said, "Sukesh played with my emotions and made my life hell," adding that he "misled me" and caused damage to her career and livelihood.

According to the agency, Fernandez received gifts worth over Rs 7 crore, including jewellery, designer wear and vehicles, despite being aware of Chandrashekhar’s alleged activities. The ED has also alleged that she deleted phone data after his arrest and initially withheld details of financial transactions before acknowledging them when confronted with evidence.

The case relates to an alleged Rs 215 crore fraud where Chandrashekhar is accused of targeting high profile individuals through impersonation and deception.