Jacqueline Fernandez Can’t Be Prosecuted for Money Laundering, Says Lawyer in Delhi High Court

New Delhi: Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has argued in the Delhi High Court that she should not be prosecuted for money laundering in connection with the criminal activities of conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Her legal counsel stated that Jacqueline had no involvement in any criminal activity for economic advantage, and as such, she should not be held liable under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Appearing before Justice Anish Dayal, senior advocate Siddharth Agarwal representing Fernandez, argued that a person can only be prosecuted for money laundering if they derive economic advantage from a scheduled offence. Jacqueline Fernandez, the lawyer stated, was not part of any such activity and had not benefitted from the alleged crimes involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

Agarwal emphasized that Jacqueline was unaware that the gifts she had received from Chandrashekhar—who has been accused of a ₹200 crore extortion racket—were proceeds of a crime. The lawyer further contended that the extortion offence only came to light after the FIR was filed by Aditi Singh, the wife of a jailed businessman, exposing the criminal activities of Sukesh.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which filed the charge sheet against Fernandez, is expected to make its submissions in response to Jacqueline’s plea. The next hearing has been scheduled for December 3, 2024, when the Special Counsel for the ED will present their arguments.

Jacqueline Fernandez has previously claimed that she was unaware of the illicit origin of the luxurious gifts she received from Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and she has maintained that she was not involved in the criminal activities surrounding the extortion case.