Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez charged in money laundering case
INDIA’S Enforcement Directorate (ED) last Wednesday (17) filed charges against Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez in a money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, official sources said.
The federal investigating agency filed a fresh (second supplementary) charge sheet or prosecution complaint before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi last week. The court will hear the charge sheet next Wednesday (31).
Fernandez, 37, and a Sri Lanka national, made her debut in the Hindi film industry in 2009. She has been questioned multiple times by the agency in relation to the case, the most recent instance being in June.
In a statement, the ED said, “Sukesh Chandrashekhar had given various gifts worth `57.10 million to Jacqueline Fernandez from the proceeds of crime generated by criminal activities including extortion.
“Chandrasekhar had put Pinky Irani, his long-time associate and co-accused in this case, to deliver the said gifts to her.”
Fernandez told the ED in her statement recorded in August and October last year, that she “received” gifts such as three bags from Gucci and Chanel; two Gucci gym wear outfits; a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes; and two pairs of diamond earrings, a bracelet of multi-coloured stones, and two Hermes bracelets from Chandrashekhar.
She added that she had returned a gift of a Mini Cooper car.
Chandrashekhar also gave “funds... of $172,913 [£147,029] and AUD$26,740 [£15,624] to the close family members of Fernandez out of the proceeds of crime through co-accused Avtar Singh Kochhar, an established and well-known international hawala operator,” the ED added.
The agency found Chandrashekhar was in “regular contact” with Fernandez from February until he was arrested on August 7 last year by Delhi Police.
The ED has arrested eight people so far, including Chandrshekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paul, and Pinky Irani, and has also filed two charge sheets before a Delhi court.