Jacqueline Fernandez accuses ED of partiality, says being treated differently than Nora Fatehi

Jacqueline Fernandez has responded in the Prevention of Money Laundering Act case in which the Enforcement Directorate has ordered provisional attachment of her fixed deposit worth Rs 7.2 crore. The actress said that her FDs existed before she had a connection to conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar, and it has no nexus with the crime. She added that her FDs are from legitimate sources, and in the present case, she could be at best, accused as the ‘Recipient of the Gifts’.

In her reply, the Kick actress said that she was manipulated by Sukesh and asked the authorities to release her assets attached by ED. “Just because she is (a) recipient of certain gifts which were forced on her for forming a connect, can’t be used to ignore the fact which the record otherwise clearly shows that she was conned by Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The approach of ED, unfortunately, seems to be highly mechanical and motivated, hence, blinded towards the fact that respondent (Jacqueline) has lost more than what can be measured in money,” she said in a statement.

Also read: Jacqueline Fernandez makes a rare appearance after being named in extortion case, offers prayers at Mukteshwar Temple 

Last week, the ED filed a supplementary charge sheet in the Rs 200 crore extortion case in which it named Jacqueline as an accused. In the same case, Nora Fatehi was also investigated and received gifts from the conman, but she is named as a ‘witness’. Jacqueline further accused ED of malafide by stating that the investigation authority has been biased. “What is surprising is that like the respondent (Jacqueline), some other celebrities, notably Norah Fatehi was also conned by Chandrasekhar and Fatehi and other such celebrities who received gifts from the accused, are made witnesses whereas she is sought to be dragged as an accused. This clearly shows a malafide, motivated and biased approach on the part of investigation authority which cannot be ignored,” she added.

Meanwhile, in the said case, Jacqueline has admitted to receiving expensive gifts viz- 3 designer bags from Gucci, Chanel, 2 Gucci outfits for gym wear. A pair of Louis Vuitton shoes, 2 pairs of diamond earrings and a bracelet of multi-colored stones, 2 Hermes bracelets. She also received a Mini Cooper car which she returned. The actress said that the conman insisted on showing her gifts despite her repeated refusals. She told authorities that the conduct of accepting gifts from a person who had impersonated himself makes her a victim and maximum a prosecution witness.