Jacqueline Fernandez closely involved in Conman’s profits in Rs 200-crore money laundering case: ED
The statement claimed that Fernandez was aware of Chandrasekhar's criminal history yet continued to accept, enjoy, and hold the fruits of crime for herself and her family
According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Bollywood star Jacqueline Fernandez, who is charged in a Rs 200-crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, deliberately possessed and used proceeds of crime. The ED’s statement came in response to Fernandez’s request to have a FIR against her in the money laundering case quashed. The ED alleged that following Chandrasekhar’s arrest, Fernandez suppressed facts, interfered with evidence, and deleted data from her phone.
In its affidavit, the ED alleged that Fernandez neglected to divulge the truth regarding financial dealings with Chandrasekhar and continued to hold back facts. The agency said that evidence showed her active involvement in the possession and use of criminal proceeds.
The statement claimed that Fernandez was aware of Chandrasekhar’s criminal history yet continued to accept, enjoy, and hold the fruits of crime for herself and her family.
Fernandez originally denied accepting significant quantities of money and costly gifts from Chandrasekhar, claiming to be a victim. However, the ED said that she could not give sufficient evidence to demonstrate victimisation. The agency accused her of profiting from illicit activity.
“She continues to hold back the truth even till date. It is also a fact that Fernandez wiped out the entire data from her mobile phone after the arrest of Chandrasekhar, thereby tampering with the evidence. She also asked her colleagues to destroy the evidence. Evidence proves beyond doubt that she had been enjoying, using and is in possession of proceeds of crime. Thus, it is proved that Fernandez was knowingly involved in the possession and use of proceeds of crime of accused Chandrasekhar,” the investigation agency stated.
Regarding Fernandez’s disagreement that she was presented as a prosecution witness in the underlying offence and so cannot be charged in the money laundering case, the ED explained that the concept of money laundering does not need involvement in the predicate offence.
The ED rejected Fernandez’s plea on the basis of maintainability, claiming that a special court had heard the prosecution complaint and determined a prima facie case to continue. The case is slated for another hearing on April 15.
The case was scheduled before Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri, and Fernandez’s attorney requested time to write a reply in response to the ED’s affidavit.
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