Jacqueline chose to overlook conman’s criminal past: ED
While Jacqueline Fernandez has stated she is a victim of manipulation in the money laundering case involving Sukesh Chandrasekar, in its new supplementary chargesheet, the ED stated she ‘consciously chose to overlook his criminal past’
BOMBAY TIMES (September 2, 2022)

Jacqueline Fernandez “cooked up a false story” to “wriggle out of” the ongoing money laundering probe against Sukesh Chandrasekar, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged in its latest supplementary chargesheet, which names the actress as an accused. Last week, in her response to the freezing of her assets by the ED, Fernandez had stated that she is a victim of manipulation.

Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh, on Wednesday, took cognisance of the second supplementary chargesheet filed by the ED, and asked Fernandez to appear before the court on September 26. Here are the other accusations against Fernandez in the chargesheet.

The ED further said Fernandez, during her questioning, tried to “cover up” her conduct by constantly stating that she has been a victim in the case. However, she “failed to provide any substantial material to establish the victimisation by Sukesh.”

ON ‘THE PROCEEDS OF CRIME’ RECEIVED BY FERNANDEZ
The agency alleged the actress and her family received “proceeds of crime” worth more than ₹7.12 crore between February to August, 2021 and these, apart from another ₹15 lakh cash given to a writer by Chandrasekar on behalf of Fernandez, were attached by the ED few months back. Fernandez filed before the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against a fixed deposite attached by the ED, stating that it was created through her hardwork. She also opposed other attachment of assets. The agency in its chargesheet claimed that Chandrasekar “arranged” funds to the tune of USD 1,72,913 (₹1.37 crore, approx) in the bank account of Fernandez’s sister based in the US, at the request of the actress. Fernandez told the ED that Chandrashekar purchased a horse named ‘Espuela’ which she was “free to use” apart from four cats. The agency was told by Fernandez that she got several gifts from the accused including watches, jewellery, shoes, cloth items, among other things.

‘FERNANDEZ ENJOYED GIFTS; IGNORED SUKESH’S CRIMINAL PAST’
The ED claimed its probe found that Fernandez was “enjoying valuables, jewellery and costly gifts provided by Chandrasekar despite knowing about his criminal antecedents.” “From the statements recorded, it is evident that she (Fernandez) consciously chose to overlook his (Chandrasekar) criminal past and continued to indulge in financial transactions with him. Not only she but her family members and friends have benefited out of the relationship financially,” the chargesheet alleged. The ED added that since Fernandez came in touch with Chandrasekar through her aides, she has been “searching about Sukesh on Google” but she seems to have “conveniently overlooked or preferred to sideline the fact that he has strong criminal antecedents.”

‘SHE KNOWINGLY TAMPERED WITH EVIDENCE’
The ED said Fernandez has “consistently shifted her stance with regard to the gifts being received by her and her relatives (from Chandrasekar)”. It claimed the actress divulged the details “only” after she was confronted with evidence and statements (of other accused/people involved in the case). “The investigation has disclosed that Fernandez has cooked up a false story to wriggle out of the ongoing investigation.” Fernandez has also been accused by the ED of “tampering” with the evidence after she learnt the Chandrasekar was arrested. The actress, it said, “knowingly and deliberately deleted all the data in respect of conversation made by her with accused Sukesh from her mobile phones with the aim of hampering investigation to save herself and her family members.”

The ED claimed Fernandez had first denied that Chandrasekar purchased cars for her parents living in Bahrain, but when confronted with evidence, she “admitted” the same, which “shows her connivance with the accused (Chandrasekar) to conceal the use of the proceeds of crime.”
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HINDUSTAN TIMES (September 2, 2022)

Actor Jacqueline Fernandez knew of conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s criminal past but continued to indulge in financial transactions with him, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating a ₹200 crore money laundering case, said in its supplementary chargesheet.

The actor, who has been named as an accused in the case, was “directly or indirectly involved in the proceeds of crime and acquired, possessed and used part proceeds of crime” in the form of gifts for herself and her family members and “cooked up a false story” to wriggle out of the case, ANI quoted the ED as saying.The chargesheet also added that Fernandez was well aware about “the fact that Leena Maria Paul is his wife in February 2021”.

“Despite being fully aware of his criminal history and that he is lodged in Tihar Jail, Jacqueline Fernendez was knowingly a party or actually involved in the process (money laundering) by using or enjoying the proceeds of crime by the way of valuable gifts,” the agency stated.

As a result, she committed an offence of money laundering under section 3 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002, which is punishable under section 4 of the PMLA, 2002, the chargesheet further added.

“Thus, it can be safely concluded that the lure of money ensured that the criminal history of the person she was engaging with did not matter,” the chargesheet, which was filed at Patiala House court on August 17, said.

On Wednesday, the Delhi court issued a summon to Fernandez to appear before it on September 26.