Jacqueline Fernandez a 'flight risk', ED tells Patiala HC in Rs 200 cr money-laundering case

Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez appeared before the Patiala High Court in Delhi on Thursday for her bail hearing in connection with the Rs 200-crore money-laundering and extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. The actress moved the petition for regular bail on Thursday after her interim relief for bail expired.

The court in October had granted the actress an interim bail in the matter till November 10. While hearing Fernandez' petition on Thursday, the HC also heard the response filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the actress.

The HC said that the matter has been fixed for consideration of charge. But as all the accused are in judicial custody, the court decided it was time to take the case ahead for trial.



During the hearing, the ED opposed Fernandez's regular bail plea and stated that the actress never co-operated in the ongoing investigation, and only disclosed details when she was confronted with evidence. The probing agency also called the actress a 'flight risk', and said she tried to run away during the pandemic. The court said that it will not give any preferential treatment to the actress, and will take necessary action when the time comes.

The Delhi court will not hear the arguments on November 24 and 25.

Ever since the Bollywood star's name appeared in the Rs 200-crore money-laundering case, Fernandez has been summoned by the ED several times for questioning. Advocate Prashant Patil, Fernandez' lawyer, had earlier said that his client has always co-operated with the investigation agencies and has attended all the summons.

The actress had filed a rejoinder on ED's reply, according to Mirror Now.

On August 17, ED filed a supplementary charge sheet in the extortion case and named the Bollywood star as an accused. Apart from ED, the actress has also been grilled by several different agencies including the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police.

Chandrashekhar, the main accused in the matter, is currently in jail in Delhi. He is accused of cheating several people, including high-profile individuals such as former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh's wife Aditi Singh.