Jacqueline Fernandez Challenging the order to frame charges against him in the Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged fraudster Sukesh Chandrashekhar, he has approached the Supreme Court.On Tuesday, the Supreme Court agreed to hear his petition, with the case scheduled for June 11.
The Supreme Court agrees to hear Jacqueline’s petition
ANI reported that a bench comprising Justices PK Mishra and AS Chandurkar agreed to list the matter after Jacqueline’s counsel sought an urgent hearing.The actor has challenged the May 30 order passed by the Patiala House Court, according to which there was sufficient material on record for charges against him, in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering (ED) Act.
The court has found a prima facie case against the actor
On May 30, Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma observed that a prima facie case was made out against Jacqueline based on the material placed before the court by the ED.The court stated that there was sufficient prima facie material to show that Jacqueline had received luxurious gifts from Chandrashekhar despite the alleged knowledge of his criminal record.“I conclude that prima facie there is sufficient material on record to raise a strong suspicion that accused Jacqueline Fernandez committed the offense under Section 3 of PMLA, punishable under Section 4 of PMLA,” the court said while ordering the framing of charges.The court further observed that there was prima facie material to suggest that “Sukesh was in connivance with Chandrashekhar to conceal the use of proceeds of crime”.
Jacqueline denies the charges, demands a trial
On June 3, the court formally framed charges against Chandrashekhar, Jacqueline and other accused in the money laundering case and in a separate case registered under the Maharashtra Control of Organized Crime Act (MCOCA) in connection with the extortion of Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh.Jacqueline appeared before the judge and denied the charges against her, asking for trial. The accused is only in the money laundering case.While Chandrashekhar signed the charges in the money laundering case, he reportedly refused to sign the charges in the MCOCA case. His wife, Leena Maria Paul, signed the charges under protest in the MCOCA proceedings.According to court records, there are 21 accused in the money laundering case and 17 accused in the MCOCA case. The money laundering case is scheduled to be heard on July 16, while the MCOCA case is listed for July 14.Earlier this year, Jacqueline brought an application seeking to become an approver in the ED case. However, after the agency objected to the request, it withdrew the request on April 16.
