New Delhi, 23 October 2022: Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has requested bail in a Delhi court, but the Enforcement Directorate has challenged the petition as it is argued the actress has made an unsuccessful attempt to leave the country.
This came after Sukesh Chandrashekar, a con artist, was accused of extorting Rs 200 crores from Aditi Singh, the wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh, and Fernandez is charged with allegedly profiting from the crime.
Before Additional Session Judge Shailender Malik at Patiala House Court, Special Public Prosecutor Shailesh N Pathak representing the ED opposed her bail on the grounds that she “made an aborted attempt to run away from India.”
“She was prevented from leaving the country by the immigration authorities because she had a lookout notice issued against her,” Pathak claimed.
According to ED, Fernandez “is not a common person but a Bollywood actress with tremendous financial means and hence has a high standing and influence in the society.” It was further alleged that Fernandez looks to be a wealthy and stable individual. In such circumstances, there is a higher risk that the applicant may adversely affect the ongoing inquiry, making him unfit for release on bond.”
The agency further claimed that Fernandez never assisted with the investigation and only came forward with information after being confronted with proof. Additionally, it referred to the claim that Fernandez had allegedly erased evidence and urged the other parties involved in the case to do the same.
Allegedly, Fernandez has received gifts from Chandrashekar totaling Rs 5.71 crore, but she is “trying to excuse herself that she was, in reality, the victim of Sukesh’s manipulative acts.” According to reports, Chandrashekar allegedly gave Fernandez expensive gifts by using lodging entry providers from Kerala, Chennai, Mumbai, etc.
