The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed actress Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking to become an approver in the money laundering case linked to Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
The ED stated that Jacqueline Fernandez was not cooperative during the investigation and that her conduct was not satisfactory.
ED Opposes Jacqueline Fernandez’s Plea
The agency further said that Jacqueline’s attitude during the probe was ‘far from cooperative,’ alleging that she consistently failed to make a full and truthful disclosure in her statements recorded under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED also claimed that Jacqueline Fernandez remained in regular and continuous contact with Sukesh Chandrashekhar even after becoming aware of his criminal background. According to the agency, Sukesh had allegedly arranged all benefits, gifts, and luxury items for the actress using proceeds of crime linked to the money laundering case.
‘That the applicant was well aware of the criminal antecedents of the main accused, ie. Accused No.1 i.e. Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Despite this knowledge of his real identity and criminal background, she chose to continue her association and accept valuable benefits, possess, receive, use and enjoy the ‘proceeds of crime’ for herself and her family member, thereby demonstrating a conscious disregard for the source of funds and actively participating in the laundering process. Her claim of being a “victim” is therefore self-serving and contrary to the evidence on record,’ Bar and Bench quoted ED as saying.
The Patiala House Court granted Jacqueline Fernandez’s lawyer time to file a response to the ED’s submission.