SC judge recuses himself from Jacqueline Fernandez plea

A Supreme Court judge recused himself on Thursday from hearing a petition filed by Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez challenging a lower court's decision to frame charges against her in a 200 crore money laundering case. Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra cited a potential conflict of interest, stating his son had previously appeared for the government in a connected matter. The case has been adjourned and will now be heard by a different bench on June 25.

Fernandez's legal team approached the Supreme Court earlier this week, seeking to overturn a May 30 order from the Patiala House Court in Delhi. That order, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma, found sufficient prima facie evidence to proceed with charges against Fernandez, alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, and numerous other individuals. The charges relate to a money laundering investigation conducted by the Enforcement Directorate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which is linked to a separate extortion case.

Judge Sharma concluded that the material presented by the Enforcement Directorate raised a strong suspicion Fernandez committed money laundering offenses. The court noted there was prima...