Actress Jacqueline Fernandez has filed a plea in a Delhi court seeking permission to become an approver in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, according to Hindustan Times and Times of India. If accepted, Fernandez would provide testimony as a prosecution witness that could grant her immunity or a reduced sentence.
Fernandez submitted her formal application to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is currently investigating the alleged extortion and money laundering racket, Hindustan Times reports. The move represents a significant development that may influence the direction of the inquiry and subsequent legal proceedings against Chandrashekhar.
The court has asked the ED to respond to Fernandez’s plea, as noted by The Hindu. Fernandez, who had been summoned multiple times by the ED, was named as an accused for the first time in a supplementary charge sheet filed by the agency in connection with the case.
NDTV adds that Fernandez’s cooperation marks a shift as she has started testifying against Chandrashekhar, who was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly duping the spouses of former Ranbaxy promoters. This ongoing investigation has brought renewed scrutiny to the Rs 200 crore financial scam linked to the accused.
The next key developments will involve the court’s decision on Fernandez’s approver plea and how her cooperation affects the evidence presented by the ED. The outcome could shape the prosecution’s strategy and impact the broader crackdown on financial crimes tied to the case.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar
Enzo Fernandez
ED
