ED attaches assets worth ₹7.27 crore of actor Jacqueline Fernandez

Assets worth ₹7.27 crore, mostly in fixed deposits, of Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandes have been attached by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering case being probed against conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

Sukesh has been accused of conning ₹200 crore from Aditi Singh, wife of industrialist Shivinder Singh under the promise of helping in her husband’s release from jail.

“During investigation, it was revealed that Chandrashekhar had given various gifts worth ₹5.71 crore to Jacqueline Fernandez from the proceeds of the crime,” the enforcement agency said in an attachment order.

Besides the gifts, ED said, Sukesh gave funds worth $172,913 and AU$26,740 to Jacqueline’s family using the conned money and with the help of co-accused Avar Singh Kochhar, an international hawala agent.

“Sukesh Chandrasekhar had also delivered cash to the tune of ₹15 lakhs to a scriptwriter on behalf of Jacqueline Fernandez as advance for writing a script of her web-series project. This cash amount has also been attached,” the ED added.

Actor received expensive bags, diamonds from conman

During questioning, Jacqueline had told the ED that she had received several gifts from Sukesh – who introduced himself to her as Shekhaar Ratna Vela – including expensive bags, outfits and diamond earrings. He had also paid for her private jet and helicopter rides.

Jacqueline said Sukesh had introduced himself under the alias and said he belonged to political family of Jayalalithaa in Chennai. He had urged Jacqueline to do films down south.

The actor said that the two were in touch since then and he had swamped her with gifts during that time. It included limited edition perfumes, veen alkaline water bottles every week, flowers, chocolates, three designer bags from Gucci and Chanel, two Gucci gym outfits, a pair of Louis Vuitton shoes, two pairs of diamond earring and a bracelet of multi-coloured stones and two Hermes bracelets.

Jacqueline said that while the conman had also gifted her a Mini Cooper, she had returned it.

She, however, said that she had met Sukesh only twice, in Chennai in June last year.