Jacqueline Fernandez Supreme Court Plea Withdrawn by Top Court
Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her petition from the Supreme Court challenging proceedings against her in the ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The top court permitted the withdrawal while allowing her to pursue other legal remedies available under law.
The plea had challenged earlier court orders that refused to quash the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint and the trial court’s decision to frame charges against the actor in the high-profile case. Fernandez had approached the Supreme Court seeking relief from the ongoing proceedings.
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the actor informed the bench that she wished to withdraw the petition. Accepting the request, the Supreme Court dismissed the matter as withdrawn while granting liberty to pursue appropriate remedies before the concerned court in accordance with law.
Actor Had Challenged Ongoing Proceedings Before Supreme Court
The latest development marks another important turn in the legal battle surrounding the actor. The petition sought to challenge the continuation of proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged money laundering case.
The actor had moved the apex court after lower courts declined to quash the prosecution complaint and permitted the matter to proceed further. However, before the Supreme Court could examine the merits of the case, Fernandez opted to withdraw her petition.
The court’s order means that while the present challenge has come to an end, the actor remains free to explore other legal avenues available under the law.
Background of the ₹200 Crore Extortion Case
The case stems from an Enforcement Directorate investigation into an alleged ₹200 crore extortion racket involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. According to the agency, Chandrashekhar allegedly operated a network through which wealthy individuals and businesspersons were targeted and defrauded.
The investigation attracted widespread public attention after several celebrities were questioned regarding their alleged interactions with Chandrashekhar and the receipt of expensive gifts and benefits.
The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that proceeds generated through criminal activities were used to fund luxury gifts and other benefits provided to various individuals. The agency has opposed efforts to terminate proceedings at the preliminary stage, maintaining that the allegations warrant a full trial.
Jacqueline Fernandez Continues to Deny Wrongdoing
Jacqueline Fernandez has consistently denied any involvement in money laundering and has maintained that she was unaware of any alleged criminal activities linked to Chandrashekhar.
The actor has repeatedly stated that she had no knowledge of the alleged illegal origins of gifts or benefits she may have received. Her legal team has argued that she should not be treated as a beneficiary of criminal proceeds.
Despite these claims, investigative agencies have continued to pursue the case, leading to multiple rounds of legal proceedings before different courts.
Delhi Court Had Ordered Framing of Charges
Earlier, a Delhi court directed that charges be framed against Fernandez and other accused after observing that sufficient material existed to proceed with the trial.
The court declined requests to halt the proceedings, holding that the evidence collected during the investigation required examination during the trial process. The decision represented a significant setback for attempts to secure relief from the criminal proceedings at an early stage.
The Enforcement Directorate has maintained throughout the case that the allegations should be examined during trial and not dismissed before evidence is fully evaluated.
Proceedings to Continue Before Trial Court
The case has witnessed several legal developments in recent weeks, including changes in the Supreme Court hearing schedule after a judge recused himself from the matter due to a conflict arising from a connected case. The petition was subsequently listed before a different bench.
With the withdrawal of the petition, proceedings in the money laundering case are expected to continue before the trial court.
The Enforcement Directorate is likely to pursue the prosecution complaint as the case moves through the next stages of the judicial process. Further hearings and legal action will now take place before the appropriate court in accordance with established legal procedures.
The development marks another chapter in one of the most closely watched legal cases involving a Bollywood celebrity, with the outcome expected to remain under public and media scrutiny in the months ahead.
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