Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her plea seeking permission from the court to become an approver in the money laundering case linked to Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The plea, filed last month, was taken back on Tuesday before the Patiala House Court in Delhi.
Background of the case
Earlier, when Jacqueline moved the plea, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed it. The agency stated that the actress was “a significant beneficiary of the proceeds of crime and an active participant in the money laundering scheme under PMLA, 2002”.
Opposing the request to grant her the status of an approver, the ED further said, “It would undermine the gravity of the offence she has committed,” calling such a move a miscarriage of justice. According to a report by Bollywood Hungama, the actress officially withdrew the plea on Tuesday.
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The case traces back to allegations against Sukesh Chandrashekhar, whose name surfaced in connection with an alleged Rs 200 crore extortion racket involving high-profile individuals, including the family of former Ranbaxy promoters. During the investigation, the ED also named Jacqueline Fernandez as one of the accused in the money laundering case and initiated a probe into her alleged links with Chandrashekhar.
According to the ED, the actress allegedly received expensive gifts worth several crores from Chandrashekhar, which investigators suspect were proceeds of crime. However, Jacqueline has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and maintained that she was unaware of the illegal origin of the gifts.
Over the years, the high-profile case has witnessed several developments, including repeated questioning of the actress by the ED, legal attempts to quash proceedings, and continued public attention because of Chandrashekhar’s claims and letters from jail.
Her current professional stand
On the professional front, Jacqueline Fernandez is preparing to return to the Cannes Film Festival this year for its 79th edition. The actress, who attended the festival in 2024 and represented India at the premiere of The Substance, has frequently drawn attention for her fashion appearances and presence on the global red carpet.
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In cinema, Jacqueline’s upcoming project is alongside Akshay Kumar in Welcome to the Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan. The film features an ensemble cast of more than 30 actors, many known for their comic timing and performances.
