Bollywood: Nora Fatehi was also conned in Rs2 billion laundering case, Jacqueline alleges

Bollywood Actress Jacqueline Fernandez in a plea before the Appellate Authority of PMLA clearly stated that it is surprising that like her some other celebrities, notably, Norah Fatehi was also conned by main accused Sukesh Chandrashekhar in the Rs 2 billion money laundering case.

She and other celebrities who received gifts from the main accused Sukesh Chandrashekhar are made witnesses whereas she is sought to be dragged as an accused.

She further stated that the Fixed Deposits, attached vide the impugned order, have no nexus with a crime nor the Fixed Deposits are created by using the alleged proceeds of crime. The deposits are from the actor's "own legitimate of income and much before in time from even knowing that the main accused Chandrashekhar even existed in this world.

Jacquline stated that she has always cooperated with the investigation agencies and attended all the summons till date. "She has handed over all the information to the best of her ability to the ED. The agencies have failed to appreciate that she was cheated and conned into this matter. She is a victim of the modus operandi adopted by the main accused Chandrasekhar. Taking the entire prosecution case to be true for the sake of arguments, even then, no case is made out against her under the scheme of PMLA or any other law in force. This is a case of malafide prosecution," her plea stated.

Jacqueline in her plea before Appellant Authority also added that in the present case, at the best, the allegation against her is that she is the "Recipient of the Gifts" and The record and the statement relied upon the authority itself clearly show that she was coerced, conned and forced into receiving the said Gift. People other than her who received such gifts are made witnesses in the case.

Jacqueline has moved Appellant Authority challenging Adjudicating Authority order confirming provisional attachment of certain movable properties of her, to the extent of Rs7,12,24,767/- by freezing the Fixed Deposits with her Banks. For this attachment, the brief reason given by the Adjudicating Authority is that "being a foreign national, there is every likelihood that she may leave the country and POC may not be available for confiscation at the time of completion of the trial.

The ED in its recent supplementary charge sheet filed in the Rs 2 billion money laundering case against conman Sukesh Chandrashekar in a Delhi Court has mentioned the name of Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez as an accused.

According to ED, during the investigation, searches were conducted at various places linked to Sukesh Chandrashekar and his associates. During the search, 16 high-end vehicles were seized under section 17 PMLA and these cars are either in the name of firms of Leena Paulose or in the name of third parties. It is further submitted that it has emerged that Sukesh knowingly created the structure for layering and transferring proceeds of crime and thus, actively participated in the process of money laundering.