Jacqueline Fernandez Defends Against Money Laundering Allegations, Cites Unawareness of Gift Origins

Jacqueline Fernandez argued in the Delhi High Court that she unknowingly received illicit gifts from Sukesh Chandrasekhar. Her counsel contends she was unaware of their illegal origin, refuting money laundering charges in the ₹200 crore case. The next hearing is set for November 26.

Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez appeared in the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, arguing that she was unaware of the illicit origins of gifts she received from conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, central to a ₹200 crore money laundering case. Her counsel stated that Fernandez did not knowingly partake in any crime, asserting that she had no idea the items were funded by money allegedly extorted by Chandrasekhar.

Justice Anish Dayal, presiding over the hearing, questioned whether recipients have a duty to verify the sources of high-value gifts. Fernandez's legal team, led by senior advocate Siddharth Agrawal, maintained that while Fernandez received gifts through Chandrasekhar’s acquaintance Pinky Irani, she was convinced of Chandrasekhar’s reputable status due to his supposed political ties. She allegedly ceased contact with him after a newspaper report exposed his criminal activities, though her counsel argued this report was not concrete evidence.

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The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleges that Fernandez accepted high-value gifts purchased with funds from Chandrasekhar's illegal activities, implicating her in a possible laundering offense. However, her lawyers claimed she was misled and her association with Chandrasekhar was manipulated by Irani. They contended that while she received gifts, her involvement in money laundering activities was unintentional and that any omission to verify the gift’s origins was not illegal.

The case will resume on November 26 as Fernandez seeks to dismiss the charges.