Entertainment
Jacqueline Fernandez withdraws supreme court plea in ₹200 Crore money laundering case; Trial to proceed
The Bollywood actor steps back from her legal challenge against ED charges, clearing the way for trial proceedings linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
In a significant development in the high-profile ₹200 crore money laundering case, Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her petition before the Supreme Court, effectively paving the way for the trial to continue in the lower court.
The decision came on Thursday when the matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices B.V. Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi. During the hearing, Jacqueline sought permission to withdraw her special leave petition, a request that was accepted by the court.
With the withdrawal of the plea, the legal proceedings against the actor will now continue before the designated trial court.
What Was Jacqueline Challenging?
Jacqueline’s petition had challenged two key judicial orders. The first was a ruling by the Delhi High Court, which had refused to quash the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prosecution complaint against her. The second was an order by the trial court that framed charges against the actor under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
By withdrawing the petition, Jacqueline has chosen not to pursue a challenge to these orders at this stage and will instead contest the allegations during the trial.
Previous Hearing Took an Unexpected Turn
The matter had initially come up before a different Supreme Court bench earlier this month. However, the hearing could not proceed after Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra recused himself from the case.
The judge informed the parties that his son had appeared on behalf of the government in a related matter, making it appropriate for the case to be heard by another bench to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
Actor Pleaded Not Guilty
Earlier this month, Jacqueline appeared before the Patiala House Court in New Delhi, where she formally pleaded not guilty to the charges framed against her.
Instead of seeking immediate legal relief, the actor opted to face trial and contest the allegations on their merits.
She is among several individuals named in the case. The trial court has also framed money laundering charges against alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paul, and several other accused persons. All have denied wrongdoing and requested a full trial.
ED’s Allegations Against Jacqueline
The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that Jacqueline received expensive gifts and luxury items from Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who is accused of running a massive extortion and cheating network.
According to the agency, the actor received gifts worth approximately ₹7 crore, allegedly purchased using money linked to criminal proceeds.
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Investigators have further claimed that Jacqueline remained in contact with Sukesh even after becoming aware of allegations surrounding his criminal activities. The ED has also argued that she did not fully cooperate during parts of the investigation.
A few weeks ago, Jacqueline withdrew another legal application in which she had sought to become an approver in the case. The ED opposed that move, alleging that she had not made a complete and truthful disclosure during questioning.
Jacqueline Maintains Her Innocence
Throughout the investigation, Jacqueline Fernandez has consistently denied any involvement in money laundering activities.
The actor has maintained that she was unaware of Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s alleged criminal background and had no knowledge of the source of funds used for the gifts she received.
Her legal team has repeatedly argued that she was not connected to any illegal financial transactions and should not be held responsible for actions allegedly committed by others.
Origins of the ₹200 Crore Case
The money laundering investigation stems from allegations that Sukesh Chandrashekhar cheated the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh out of nearly ₹200 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate’s probe into the alleged proceeds of crime later expanded, leading to charges against multiple individuals, including Jacqueline Fernandez.
With the Supreme Court petition now withdrawn, attention will shift back to the trial court, where one of Bollywood’s most closely watched legal battles is set to continue.
