Money Laundering Case: Delhi HC Order Rejects Actor Jacqueline Fernandez ‘Pick & Choose’ Claim

The Delhi High Court has rejected Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea seeking the quashing of an Enforcement Case Information Report filed against her in connection with the ₹200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.

In a detailed 95-page order passed on July 3, Justice Anish Dayal dismissed Fernandez’s argument that the Enforcement Directorate followed a “pick and choose” approach by acting against her while sparing other actors who had also allegedly received gifts from Chandrasekhar.

Court: ‘Parity Argument Not Valid for FIR Quashing’

Fernandez cited the example of television actors Nikki Tamboli, Chahatt Khanna, and Sophia Singh, who she claimed were not proceeded against despite similar interactions and gifts from the accused. She also mentioned a relative of actor Nora Fatehi, who allegedly received a luxury car from Chandrasekhar.

However, the court ruled that the principle of parity, which may apply during bail hearings, cannot be invoked to quash an FIR or ECIR, as it would result in erasing the criminal complaint altogether.

“Whether the investigating agency chose a pick and choose policy or decided not to proceed against others… is not an issue under consideration before this court,” the order stated, adding that the petitioner is free to raise such contentions at the appropriate stage of trial.

No Dispute Over Gifts Worth Crores: ED

The ED opposed the petition, stating that Fernandez did not deny receiving gifts from Chandrasekhar worth over ₹7.12 crore, and items worth ₹1.12 crore were also sent to her sister in Sri Lanka. These were alleged to be proceeds of crime, making her liable under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The court noted that Fernandez’s references to earlier judgments pertained to bail in PMLA cases, and not to the quashing of complaints.

Fernandez Named In PMLA Case

Fernandez has been formally named as an accused in the case and has appeared before the ED multiple times for questioning. Her plea claimed she was being unfairly targeted and others similarly placed were spared, amounting to disparate treatment.

The ECIR in question stems from a Delhi Police case against Sukesh Chandrasekhar, who allegedly defrauded the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters, Shivinder and Malvinder Singh, of ₹200 crore.

Wider Investigation Ongoing

Chandrasekhar and his wife Leena Paulose were arrested and are facing charges under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), along with money laundering allegations. Authorities allege they created shell companies and used hawala networks to launder proceeds of crime across jurisdictions.

The High Court’s rejection of Fernandez’s plea clears the way for continued proceedings against her under the PMLA.

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