Jacqueline Fernandez’s Lawyer Defends Her in Sukesh Chandrashekhar Money Laundering Case
Actress Jacqueline Fernandez, entangled in the ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, continues to deny allegations of involvement. Her lawyer argued before the Delhi High Court that she was unaware of Sukesh’s criminal activities and cannot be prosecuted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Defense: Lack of Knowledge of Illicit Activities
Jacqueline’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Siddharth Agarwal, contended that she received gifts from Sukesh without knowing their illegal origins. As per PMLA, a person can only be prosecuted if they knowingly derive economic advantage from a listed offense, which her counsel asserted was not the case.
The defense emphasized that Jacqueline’s actions did not constitute participation in Sukesh’s alleged crime syndicate. The actress had no knowledge that the money used for the gifts came from extortion activities.
Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) Response Pending
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which filed the charge sheet against Jacqueline, will present its arguments on December 3. Justice Anish Dayal has scheduled the next hearing to review the submissions.
Legal Arguments
The defense referred to previous judgments, including Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary’s case, to highlight that attached properties during investigations are not necessarily proceeds of crime. Jacqueline’s lawyers also pointed out that she is a witness in the extortion case against Sukesh under MCOCA and cannot be prosecuted for the same offense under different charges.
Challenging the Charge Sheet
Jacqueline has challenged the ED’s charge sheet, asserting she was unaware of the illicit origins of the gifts. The case involves Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s alleged ₹200 crore extortion racket, in which several high-profile figures have been implicated.
This legal battle continues to be a significant chapter in Jacqueline Fernandez’s ongoing fight to clear her name. The upcoming hearing will determine the next course of action in this high-profile case.
