Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez appeared before Patiala House Court in New Delhi and expressed her willingness to become an approver in the high-profile ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The case revolves around Chandrashekhar’s extortion of Aditi Singh, wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Singh, and has drawn intense public and media scrutiny.
The presiding judge directed Fernandez to file a formal application with the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which will have to respond by April 20. If her request is accepted, Fernandez could be granted a pardon in exchange for her testimony against Chandrashekhar and others involved. This move marks a significant shift in her legal strategy, as she has long maintained that she was unaware of the tainted origins of the lavish gifts she received.
Fernandez has been accused of benefiting from Chandrashekhar’s illicit funds, including receiving a BMW luxury car, expensive jewelry, and other high-value items. Investigators allege that these gifts were purchased using money siphoned from the extortion scheme. Fernandez, however, has consistently claimed that she was misled and had no knowledge of the criminal background of the funds.
In a separate development, the court granted Fernandez permission to travel abroad for professional commitments between April 24 and May 25. She is scheduled to work in Sri Lanka, Dubai, and Kyrgyzstan during this period. The approval underscores the court’s recognition of her ongoing career obligations, even as the legal proceedings continue.
The possibility of Fernandez turning government witness could prove pivotal in strengthening the prosecution’s case. Approvers often play a crucial role in unraveling complex financial crimes, providing insider testimony that helps establish the chain of evidence. Legal experts note that if Fernandez’s application is accepted, her cooperation could significantly impact the outcome of the trial.
The case has already sparked debates about celebrity accountability and the intersection of glamour with financial crime. For Fernandez, the decision to seek approver status may offer a path toward legal reprieve, but it also places her at the center of a courtroom drama that continues to captivate public attention.
