Delhi court allows Jacqueline Fernandez to withdraw plea to turn approver in money laundering case

New Delhi (PTI): A Delhi court on Tuesday allowed actor Jacqueline Fernandez to withdraw her plea seeking to turn approver in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekar.

Special Judge Prashant Sharma noted that, according to the submissions of Jacqueline’s counsel, the ED had not considered the plea seeking to turn approver and that she would “make a detailed fresh representation to the appropriate higher authorities so that her request for being made approver can be considered in the right perspective”.

The judge said the Enforcement Directorate's prosecutor had stated that the agency had objections to the plea, and considering its response opposing it, the application could be dismissed if the court passed an order based on the merits of the case.

Judge Sharma said, “Further, he (prosecutor) has submitted that ED has no objection if the application is disposed of as withdrawn.”

In a brief order, the judge said, “After hearing arguments, the present application is disposed of as withdrawn. The accused is at liberty to exercise her rights as per the law."

On Monday, the ED had opposed Jacqueline’s plea, saying she remained in contact with the accused despite knowing his criminal antecedents.

The federal agency, in its response to the actor’s plea, had said, "The applicant (Jacqueline) remained in regular and sustained contact with Sukesh Chandrashekar (accused 1) even after having knowledge of his criminal antecedents, who carefully arranged all benefits, gifts and articles for the applicant out of the 'proceeds of crime' involved in the offence of money laundering."

It said that the consistent interaction through numerous ways of communication and receipt of benefits negates any claim of being an "unwitting victim" as claimed by Jacqueline, and instead highlights her conscious association with the main perpetrator.

According to the agency, the actor used and enjoyed the proceeds of crime for herself and her family members, demonstrating a conscious disregard for the source of funds while actively participating in the laundering process.

"Her claim of being a victim is therefore self-serving and contrary to the evidence on record," it added.

The actor, who was summoned by the ED several times in connection with the investigation, was named as an accused for the first time in a supplementary chargesheet filed by the agency.

Jacqueline had filed the plea before the court on April 16 this year.

On July 3, 2025, the Delhi High Court dismissed her petition for quashing the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in the money laundering case.

Two months later, the Supreme Court refused to interfere with the high court's order. The Delhi Police had booked Chandrashekar for allegedly duping the spouses of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh of Rs 200 crore.

There are other ongoing investigations against him in several cases across the country.