Actor Jacqueline Fernandez has approached a Delhi court seeking permission to turn an approver in the ₹200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation.
According to reports, Jacqueline filed an application before the Patiala House Court expressing her willingness to become a prosecution witness and assist investigating agencies. The court has taken note of her plea and issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), seeking its response. The matter has been listed for further hearing on April 20.
An approver, in legal terms, is an accused who agrees to cooperate with the investigation and provide crucial information in exchange for a potential pardon or reduced liability. Jacqueline’s move signals a shift in her legal strategy in the high-profile case that has been under scrutiny since 2021.
The ED had earlier named Jacqueline as an accused in a supplementary chargesheet filed in connection with the case. The agency has alleged that she received expensive gifts from Chandrashekhar, who is accused of orchestrating a ₹200 crore fraud by impersonating government officials and duping high-profile individuals.
Chandrashekhar, currently lodged in jail, has been accused in multiple cases across the country. In this particular case, he allegedly defrauded the wives of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh.
Jacqueline has been questioned multiple times by the ED over her alleged links with Chandrashekhar. She has consistently maintained that she was unaware of his criminal background and has denied any involvement in illegal activities. Her legal team has previously argued that she was falsely implicated in the case.
Earlier legal developments had not been in her favour. The Delhi High Court had dismissed her plea seeking to quash the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR), and the Supreme Court had also declined to interfere with that order.
In her latest plea, Jacqueline has reportedly told the court that she possesses “material information” related to the case and is willing to cooperate fully with the investigation. This includes sharing details that could assist authorities in establishing the sequence of events and the alleged financial transactions involved.
The court’s decision to seek the ED’s response indicates that the matter will now depend on the agency’s stance. Under legal procedure, the investigating agency must evaluate the request and decide whether to support the application before the court can grant approver status.
The development is being viewed as a key turning point in the case, which has attracted significant public and media attention due to the involvement of prominent figures from the entertainment industry. Jacqueline’s potential cooperation could influence the direction of the investigation and the prosecution’s case against Chandrashekhar.