Relief for Jacqueline Fernandez; Court allows her to travel to Abu Dhabi

A Delhi court has allowed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez to travel abroad after depositing a Fixed Deposit of Rs. 50 Lakhs. The Enforcement Directorate has been investigating a money laundering case related to Rs. 200 crores which was being run from Tihar Jail. For the ED, Fernandez is a "person of interest" in the case.
Relief for Jacqueline Fernandez; Court allows her to travel to Abu Dhabi

Relief for Jacqueline Fernandez; Court allows her to travel to Abu Dhabi

Photo : PTI
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Jacqueline Fernandez counsels said the actor has been in India for the past 13 years and has to return to India as shooting for her next film starts June 10th.
  • The Enforcement Directorate told the court that her status in the case is being investigated and it is not clear whether she is an accused or not.
  • Jacqueline Fernandez has been questioned a number of times in the case and the ED has attached her assets worth Rs 7.12 crores.
New Delhi: In a major relief to Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez, a Delhi court has suspended the lookout circular issued against her. This will allow her to travel abroad and attend a film festival that is being held in Abu Dhabi.
The LOC against Fernandez was issued by the Enforcement Directorate. Last December, Jacqueline Fernandez was briefly detained at Mumbai's international airport because of an active LOC.
Since August 2021, the federal probe agency has questioned Fernandez a number of times in the money laundering case revolving around Rs. 200 crores extortion racket which was being run from Tihar Jail.
The main accused in the case conman Sukesh Chandrasekar has been arrested. It has been alleged that from proceeds of crime, Sukesh Chandrasekar gave expensive gifts to Bollywood actors including Fernandez.
In her application, Fernandez said that she needs to go to Abu Dhabi from May 30 till June 5 to attend a film festival. She said that an active LOC issued against her prevents her from going abroad.
The Enforcement Directorate in its reply said that the status of Jacqueline Fernandez in the case is still being probed. and it cannot be said with certainty whether she is an accused or not. "It is correct that she has been invited to attend a film festival but her status in the case is still not clear and investigation in the case is going on," said ED's special public prosecutor Atul Tripathi.
The ED further contended that she has been evasive in her questioning and while proceeds of crime (up to Rs 7 crore) have been attached, more can be done in the future.
Last month, the ED had attached her bank accounts including fixed deposits up to Rs 7.12 crores and in a statement said that Sukesh Chandrasekar gave her gifts worth Rs 5.14 crores. The probe agency has also said Sukesh through hawala network transferred approximately US $ 1,72,913 to Fernandez's sister who lives in the USA and AUD 2,67,40 to her elder brother in Australia.
ED also told the court that being a Sri Lankan national Fernandez is a flight risk and if the court allows her to travel abroad then strict conditions should be imposed
The Bollywood actor's counsel said she has been in India for the past 13 years and acting is her "bread and butter" and employment. "Acting is her career and she cannot leave India," said Jacqueline's counsel Ajit K Singh. The court was also informed Fernandez has to attend a film shooting which starts on June 13 and has to soon promote another movie.
Fernandez, who was present during the hearing, told the court that because of LOC she could not go and meet her ailing mother who lives in Bahrain.
While temporarily suspending her LOC, the court has asked Fernandez to submit an FDR of Rs 50 lakh before going to Abu Dhabi.
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