Delhi’s Patiala House Court today reserved an order regarding Jacqueline Fernandez’s bail, extending interim protection to her until the next hearing in the case which has been fixed for November 24 and 25. The actress arrived at Delhi's Patiala House court in connection with the Rs 200 crore money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. The Enforcement Directorate also placed its arguments before the court. Earlier, the actress was granted interim relief, on a bail bond of Rs 50,000 till November 10 by the trial court.
ED opposes Jacqueline's bail
The investigating agency said that "cooperating in the investigation does not mean that the accused can leave the country or that the evidence cannot be tampered with."
Previously, the Enforcement Directorate in its reply opposed the regular bail plea of Jacqueline as the agency said that the actress tried to flee India while she was being investigated. The agency further added, 'Fernandez never cooperated with the probe, only made the disclosure when confronted with evidence. Her behavior was not good during the investigation. She can damage the evidence and witnesses. Whenever she was made to sit face-to-face with other accused in the case and presented with evidence, she confessed her crime."
Jacqueline's Lawyer's claims
Jacqueline's lawyer said that "the actress has not done anything and she is cooperating with the investigation." Speaking on Jacqueline's behalf, the lawyer added, "I (Jacqueline) myself surrendered in this matter. The court granted me interim bail. But ED is harassing me."
Referring to a decision of the Supreme Court, the lawyer pointed "if an accused cooperates in the investigation, then he should be sympathetic." "I am not running away from the investigation."
Jacqueline named in Sukesh Chandrashekhar case
Jacqueline Fernandez was named as an accused in the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in a multi-crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar and others. The development came in on August 17. Earlier this year, Jacqueline had been interrogated several times for her alleged involvement in the case, the last session being in June.
The federal probe agency filed the fresh (second supplementary) charge sheet or prosecution complaint in this case recently before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi and, according to sources, the actor has been arraigned in it as an accused. ALSO READ: 'Jacqueline Fernandez has no role in Rs 200 crore case': Sukesh Chandrasekhar in letter to lawyer
According to ED's earlier Chargesheet, Jacqueline and Nora Fatehi examined and stated that they got top models of BMW cars. ED's chargesheet stated that "during the investigation, statements of Jacqueline Fernandez were recorded on August 30, 2021, and October 10, 2021, which stated that the actress received gifts viz three designer bags from Gucci, Chanel, and two Gucci outfits for gym wear. A pair of Louis Vuitton shoes, two pairs of diamond earrings and a bracelet of multi-coloured stones, two Hermes bracelets. Also, Jacqueline received a Mini Cooper which she returned."
ALSO READ: 'Jacqueline Fernandez tried to flee India, tamper evidence' in Sukesh Chandrashekhar case, says ED
(Inputs from Atul Bhatia)
