The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on the bail plea of actor Leena Maria Paulose in the high-profile extortion and money laundering case.
Arrested in 2021, she has been in custody for over three and a half years. Her legal team argues that she was unaware of the alleged criminal activities of her husband, Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has opposed her bail, citing evidence of financial transactions and alleged involvement in laundering proceeds of crime.
Delhi High Court Reserves Bail Order On Leena Maria Paulose case
The Delhi High Court has reserved its order on the bail pleas filed by actor Leena Maria Paulose in connection with the Rs 200 crore extortion and money laundering case. The case, which has garnered public and legal attention, remains under active consideration. Leena Maria Paulose has been in judicial custody since September 2021. Her bail applications have been pending since 2024, with the Supreme Court earlier directing that a decision be taken within a specified timeframe.
Representing the actor, Advocate Anant Malik argued that the stringent “twin conditions” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should not apply to her. He maintained that she had no knowledge of her husband’s alleged involvement in a criminal syndicate. The defence also highlighted personal circumstances, including her strained relationship with Sukesh Chandrasekhar. It was argued that her association with him should not automatically imply participation in alleged illegal activities. Additionally, her legal team pointed to her prolonged custody and health issues, including a chronic illness, as grounds for bail consideration.
About three weeks ago, The Enforcement Directorate (ED), represented by Advocate Vivek Gurnani, strongly opposed the bail plea. The agency argued that substantial proceeds of crime were involved and alleged that Leena Maria Paulose played an active role in laundering money. The agency further alleged that she used proceeds of crime for personal and business purposes, including establishing a nail artistry venture and availing luxury services such as private jet travel. It has to be noted that Delhi court on April 7, Tuesday granted bail to Sukesh Chandrasekhar in the Rs 200 crore extortion-linked money laundering case, observing that extended incarceration without a timely trial amounts to a violation of the fundamental right to personal liberty.
About Leena Maria Paulose
The case is linked to an alleged Rs 200 crore extortion racket orchestrated by Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Investigators claim that the accused duped Aditi Singh, the wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh, by promising to secure bail for her husband and his brother. Leena Maria Paulose was arrested as part of the investigation into this high-profile fraud. The case also involves charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), adding to its legal complexity.
Leena Maria Paulose, also known as Leena Paul, began her career in Malayalam cinema with Red Chillies in 2009. She later appeared in films such as Cobra and Husbands in Goa. Her entry into Hindi cinema came with Madras Café, directed by Shoojit Sircar, where she shared screen space with John Abraham and Nargis Fakhri. She also appeared in the Tamil film Biriyani, directed by Venkat Prabhu, and starring Karthi in the lead. Despite her early promise in the film industry, her career plans were overshadowed by legal controversies.