Jacqueline Fernandez Money Laundering Case: HC Rejects Plea to Quash FIR in Sukesh Case

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has experienced a significant legal setback as the Delhi High Court dismissed her plea to quash the FIR in the ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Jacqueline, accusing her of accepting luxury gifts purchased with illegally obtained funds from Sukesh, who is alleged to have extorted large sums from high-profile individuals

The gifts, which include expensive cars, designer bags, and jewelry, are valued in crores, and Jacqueline is accused of being involved in the money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)

Justice Anish Dayal of the Delhi High Court rejected Jacqueline’s plea, noting that a special PMLA court had already taken cognizance of the chargesheet, establishing a prima facie case against her

The court observed that Jacqueline had not previously challenged the cognizance order, and the ED’s counsel argued that her plea was legally untenable, necessitating further proceedings in the trial court

Jacqueline’s defense team argues that she was unaware of Sukesh Chandrasekhar’s criminal activities when she accepted the gifts and claims she did not knowingly participate in any illegal activities

Her legal counsel contends that receiving gifts does not constitute a criminal act unless there is proven intent, emphasizing that any lapse in judgment should not be treated as an offense under money laundering laws

With the High Court’s dismissal of her plea, Jacqueline must now face trial proceedings in the lower court, and she has already been questioned multiple times by the ED as the investigation continues

The case has become a major topic of discussion in Bollywood, illustrating how celebrities’ associations can lead to serious legal issues

The outcome of this case remains uncertain, with further developments expected in the coming weeks, as attention turns to Jacqueline’s next legal steps