Sri Lankan-born Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez has withdrawn her plea seeking to become an approver in the sensational Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, marking a dramatic turn in one of India’s most controversial financial crime investigations.
The decision came just a day after India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) strongly opposed the actress’s request for pardon, arguing before the court that Fernandez was not merely an innocent victim but an “active participant” who knowingly benefited from proceeds generated through criminal activities.
The actress’s legal team confirmed on Tuesday that the plea had been formally withdrawn. Earlier, Fernandez had attempted to portray herself as a victim allegedly manipulated by Chandrashekhar, who is accused of orchestrating a massive extortion and money laundering racket from inside prison using fake identities, political connections, and high-profile influence networks.
Investigators, however, painted a far darker picture of the relationship between the actress and the alleged fraudster. According to the ED, Fernandez remained in constant communication with Chandrashekhar even after learning about his criminal background and multiple fraud allegations. Officials claimed their interactions were “regular and sustained,” raising serious doubts over her earlier defence that she had been deceived.
The agency further alleged that the Bollywood star received luxury gifts, expensive jewellery, designer handbags, premium vehicles, and overseas travel benefits funded through illegal money allegedly extorted by Chandrashekhar from wealthy businessmen and political figures. Reports linked the gifts to several crores of rupees, turning the actress into one of the highest-profile names dragged into the sprawling scandal.
The ED argued that allowing Fernandez to turn approver would amount to a “miscarriage of justice” because she was not a minor beneficiary. Investigators insisted she enjoyed substantial financial advantages while continuing her association with Chandrashekhar despite repeated warning signs and media exposure surrounding his criminal activities.
The case has captivated Indian media for months, largely due to the glamour, celebrity connections, and shocking details emerging from court proceedings. Several photographs allegedly showing Fernandez with Chandrashekhar previously went viral online, intensifying public scrutiny and triggering widespread debate over celebrity accountability and financial ethics within the entertainment industry.
Legal experts say the withdrawal of the plea could signal a strategic shift by Fernandez’s defence team as the investigation tightens. The actress still faces legal scrutiny under India’s Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), while the ED continues tracing assets, financial transfers, and luxury purchases allegedly connected to the fraud network.
The controversy has also generated intense discussion in Sri Lanka, where Fernandez remains one of the country’s most internationally recognised entertainment figures. The unfolding case now threatens to cast a long shadow over her glamorous Bollywood career, endorsements, and public image as investigators push deeper into one of India’s most sensational celebrity-linked financial scandals.
By a Special Correspondent