Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has approached a Delhi court seeking to turn approver in the ₹200 crore money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate, marking a significant development in the high-profile probe involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma took up the plea at the Patiala House Court, which issued a notice to the ED and scheduled the matter for further hearing on April 20. Fernandez has requested permission to become an approver, a legal status granted to an accused willing to cooperate with the prosecution by providing crucial evidence.
Plea centres on claim of being misled
Fernandez has maintained that she was unaware of any illegal activities and was herself deceived by Chandrasekhar. According to her submission, the alleged conman used similar tactics on her as he did on other victims, including impersonating high-ranking officials from the Prime Minister’s Office and the Union Home Ministry to establish contact.
She argued that she did not knowingly accept proceeds of crime and had no involvement in the alleged fraud. Her legal team also highlighted that she had cooperated with the investigation, appearing before the ED multiple times and recording her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Case background and allegations
The ED’s case stems from allegations that Chandrasekhar duped entrepreneur Aditi Singh of nearly ₹200 crore over several months. Investigators claim he posed as a powerful government intermediary to gain trust and extract money. The agency further alleged that part of these funds was used to purchase expensive gifts for Fernandez. While the initial prosecution complaint filed in December 2021 did not name the actor, she was later added as an accused in a supplementary charge sheet in August 2022. The ED contends that the gifts she received were linked to the proceeds of crime.
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Legal battle continues
Fernandez had earlier approached the Delhi High Court seeking to quash the proceedings against her, but her plea was rejected last year. With the current application to turn approver, the actor is attempting to reposition her role in the case as a cooperating witness rather than an accused.
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If the court allows her request, it could significantly impact the course of the investigation and prosecution strategy. The matter will now be closely watched as the court considers whether her cooperation meets the legal threshold for granting approver status.
