The case is linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who is accused of orchestrating a massive extortion racket from behind bars.
The apex court bench advised Fernandez that she could approach them again at an appropriate stage but refrained from intervening at this juncture. Following the rejection, the actress promptly withdrew her plea, marking another setback in her legal battle against the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Background of the Jacqueline Fernandez Money Laundering Case
Jacqueline Fernandez had moved the Supreme Court after the Delhi High Court upheld the ED's proceedings against her. She sought to quash the agency's case report and the supplementary charge sheet filed on August 17, 2022, which named her as the 10th accused. The ED alleges that Fernandez knowingly accepted lavish gifts, including luxury items and cash, from Chandrashekhar despite being aware of his criminal background. Prosecutors claim she concealed proceeds of crime and even deleted data from her phone to tamper with evidence.
In her defense, Fernandez maintains she is an "innocent victim" of Chandrashekhar's deceitful schemes. Her petition emphasized that the ED's own records show Tihar Jail officials allowed the conman unrestricted access to mobile phones, enabling him to dupe multiple celebrities, including herself, using a consistent fraud pattern. She argued that since she was initially treated as a prosecution witness, her subsequent inclusion as an accused is unjust and should be nullified.
ED's Allegations and Fernandez's Counterclaims
The Delhi High Court sided with the ED, accepting claims of evidence tampering and knowledge of illicit activities. Fernandez, however, denies any awareness of Chandrashekhar's history, stating she was targeted maliciously. This case has drawn widespread attention, highlighting issues of celebrity involvement in financial crimes and jail system lapses.
As the investigation continues, legal experts suggest Fernandez may refile at a later trial stage. The scandal underscores the ED's crackdown on money laundering networks, with Chandrashekhar facing multiple charges. Stay tuned for updates on this evolving story.
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