Jacqueline Fernandez gets bail in Rs 200-crore money laundering case

Delhi's Patiala House court on Tuesday granted bail to actor Jacqueline Fernandez in Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Jacqueline Fernandez is facing a probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). She is accused of taking expensive gifts from Sukesh despite knowing his criminal antecedents. The court granted bail to the actor on furnishing of a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and one surety in the like amount.

In its chargesheet, the ED has said the actor knew about the criminal history of Sukesh Chandrashekhar and "consciously chose to overlook" his past. It is clear, the probe agency said, that Jacqueline Fernandez was enjoying the valuables, jewellery and costly gifts as provided by the accused (Sukesh), despite knowing about his criminal antecedents.

"From the statements recorded, it is evident that she consciously chose to overlook his criminal past and continued to indulge in financial transactions with him. Not only her, but her family members and friends have benefited from the relationship," the chargesheet said. 

Sukesh, who is currently in jail, has allegedly extorted hundreds of crores by posing as bureaucrats, relatives of politicians, and businessmen. He gave expensive gifts to Fernandez and Canadian actress Nora Fatehi. 

The ED in its chargesheet said that part of the proceeds of the crime had been directly received in India and abroad as well by Fernandez for the use and enjoyment by herself and her family members and thereby, projecting a loan amount in the form of transfers made into the accounts of the sister and brother of accused Jacqueline Fernandez and also bought cars for the father and mother of accused Jacqueline Fernandez and thereby acquired and enjoyed the proceeds of crime.