Actor Jacqueline Fernandez was called by the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday for additional interrogation in connection with a money laundering case involving suspected scammer Sukesh Chandrashekhar, according to official sources.
The 38-year-old Bollywood actor with Sri Lankan ancestry has already been questioned by the federal agency about allegations of high-profile infidelity, including the alleged theft of approximately Rs 200 crore from the wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
According to the ED, Chandrashekhar bought gifts for Fernandez with these “proceeds of crime” or illicit funds.
In the Conman Sukesh case, the ED claims that Jacqueline Fernandez knew she was in possession of criminal proceeds.
The actor was “enjoying valuables, jewellery, and costly gifts provided by Chandrashekhar despite knowing about his criminal antecedents,” according to a 2022 charge sheet.
In this case, Fernandez has already been questioned by the ED at least five times.
The actor has consistently maintained her innocence and denied any knowledge of Chandrashekhar’s purported illegal actions.
The actress received lavish presents that included a horse valued at Rs 52 lakh, three Persian cats valued at Rs 9 lakh apiece, expensive clothing and underwear, Gucci and Chanel bags, Louis Vuitton shoes, Hermes jewelry, and a Mini Cooper that she allegedly returned. The ED further disclosed that Chandrashekhar gave a BMW automobile, a Rolex watch, and a loan of Rs 15 lakh to Fernandez’s brother in addition to lending USD 1,73,000 to her sister.
According to ED investigations, Fernandez and Chandrashekhar had “regular contact” up until August 7, 2022. When Chandrashekhar mentioned the gifts in a statement in 2021, the actress’s gifts came to light. in present, Chandrasekhar is incarcerated in Tihar jail for masterminding a Rs 200 crore extortion scheme. Apart from Fernandez, he was also connected to another actress, Nora Fatehi, who was released on bond from the ED.