ED names Jacqueline Fernandez as accused in Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s extortion case

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has been named by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as an accused in the Rs 215 crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

While Jacqueline Fernandez initially denied involvement with the conman, Sukesh Chandrashekhar told the ED that they were dating each other. Her name cropped up in the case after her pictures with Sukesh Chandrashekhar surfaced. The pictures were allegedly taken in April-June of 2021, when the millionaire conman was out on interim bail.

In October 2021, Sukesh Chandrashekhar's lawyer Anant Malik also told the media that Jacqueline and Sukesh were dating each other.

The actor was then called for questioning by the ED for the first time.

Sukesh Chandrashekhar has been involved in extorting hundreds of crores from businessmen, politicians and celebrities. While he was lodged in a Delhi jail, he has been accused of extorting Rs 215 crore in one year from a businessman's wife over spoof calls.

In April 2022, during a questioning by the ED, Jacqueline Fernandez admitted that she received several luxury gifts from the conman, including expensive bags, clothes, jewellery, etc, worth Rs 5.71 crore. The actor also told the ED that Sukesh Chandrashekhar had hired private jets as well as booked helicopter rides for her. The actor also told the ED that Sukesh Chandrashekhar had introduced himself as the owner of Sun TV and that he belonged from the political family of Jayalalitha.

Jacqueline Fernandez told the ED that Sukesh Chandrashekhar had tried to get in touch with her during December 2020-January 2021 but she did not respond to his calls. The actor claimed that she was contacted by someone from the government office and was told to get in touch with Sukesh Chandrashekhar, who posed as one Shekhaar Ratna Vela.

On April 30, 2022, the ED attached assets worth Rs 7.27 crore belonging to Jacqueline Fernandez. Sources said Jacqueline was the beneficiary of the proceeds of the money extorted by Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Sources said that Jacqueline was aware that Sukesh Chandrashekhar was an extortionist and she was a beneficiary of the proceeds of the extorted money.

The actor was on a Look Out Circular (LOC) and had to furnish a security amount of Rs 50 lakh to fly to Abu Dhabi in May this year. Jacqueline Fernandez had sought permission from a Delhi court to travel to Abu Dhabi to attend the IIFA awards.