Delhi Court Seeks ED Response on Fernandez Approver Plea

A Delhi court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate seeking its response to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez's application to turn approver in a money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, with the matter listed for hearing on April 20.

The plea, filed in Patiala House Court and presided over by Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma, comes amid ongoing investigations into allegations that Fernandez received luxury gifts worth over Rs 7 crore from Chandrashekhar, proceeds of crime linked to an extortion scheme. The Enforcement Directorate named Fernandez as a co-accused in a supplementary charge sheet filed in August 2022, claiming she accepted items such as jewelry, clothing and vehicles despite awareness of his criminal activities. Fernandez has denied any knowledge of Chandrashekhar's background, stating in court filings that she was misled into believing he was a legitimate businessman.

The underlying case stems from a 2021 FIR lodged by Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh, with Delhi Police. Singh alleged that Chandrashekhar, posing as the Union law secretary, extorted Rs 200 crore from her by...