Jacqueline Fernandez named as accused in charge sheet filed by ED in ₹200 crore extortion case

Jacqueline Fernandez has been named as an accused in a supplementary charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the ₹200 crore extortion case against conman Sukesh Chandrashekar, according to Times of India report. However, the actor may not be arrested at the moment as the court is yet to take cognizance of the charge sheet, but she may not be allowed to travel abroad.

Jacqueline has been questioned several times by the ED. According to news agency PTI, the ‘Drive’ actor informed the officials that she was in touch with Sukesh Chandrasekhar since 2017 and that he had told her that he is the owner of Sun TV and belongs to late politician Jayalalithaa’s family. As per PTI, Jacqueline also revealed that her sister took a loan of $1,50,000 from Sukesh and accepted that he transferred around ₹15 lakh to the account of her brother who resides in Australia.

Earlier, the ED attached Jacqueline’s assets worth ₹7 crore, which included the luxury gifts received by her including diamond earrings, bracelets, Birkin bags, Louis Vuitton shoes and a mini cooper car.

In January this year, intimate pictures of Jacqueline and Sukesh were leaked online, which created a strong buzz about the couple being in a relationship.

Chandrasekhar had released a hand written note to confirm their romance and stated, ‘As I have mentioned before, Jacqueline and I were in a relationship. Seeing each other and the relationship was not based on any kind of monetary benefits like the way it is protected, commented and trolled in a bad light. The relationship had lots of love and respect for each other, without any expectations. I have gifted her things and done things for her family, are normal things one would do for his loved one in a relationship. It is personal, I don’t understand why it is being made such a big deal. At the same time I would like to again certain that none of it was 'proceeds of so called crime'. It is all from legitimate earnings and the same would be proved in court of law very soon.’

Jacqueline asked for privacy over the controversy and shared a note on Instagram and said, ‘The country and its people have always given me tremendous love and respect. This includes my friends from the media, from whom I have learnt a lot. I’m currently going through a rough patch but I’m sure that my friends and fans will see me through it. It is with this trust that I would request my media friends to not circulate images of a nature that intrude my privacy and personal space. You would not do this to your own loved ones, am sure you would not do this to me either. Hoping that justice and good sense prevails. Thank you.’

Jacqueline’s legal team will reportedly counter the charge sheet on the grounds that the actor was not aware that she was a beneficiary of extortion money.

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