New Delhi: Proceedings in Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez’s challenge against charges framed against her in the Rs 200-crore money laundering case have been delayed after Supreme Court judge Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra recused himself from hearing the matter.
A Bench comprising Justice Mishra and Justice Atul S. Chandurkar informed both Fernandez’s counsel and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that the case would be placed before another Bench. During the hearing, Justice Mishra stated that his son had appeared for the government side in the matter, making it inappropriate for him to continue hearing the case.
Following the recusal, the matter is now scheduled to be listed on June 25 before a Bench that does not include Justice Mishra. The case will first be placed before the Chief Justice of India for assignment to an appropriate Bench.
The petition arises from Fernandez’s challenge to the charges framed against her in connection with the ED’s investigation into an alleged Rs 200-crore money laundering racket linked to jailed conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The actor has maintained that she had no involvement in the alleged criminal activities and sought relief against her arraignment in the case.
In September last year, the Delhi High Court rejected Fernandez’s plea seeking to become an approver in the case. The ED has alleged that despite being aware of Chandrasekhar’s criminal background, she continued her association with him, accepted expensive gifts and benefited from proceeds allegedly generated through unlawful activities.
The money laundering case centres on allegations that Chandrasekhar defrauded several high-profile individuals, including Aditi Singh, the wife of former Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh. Investigators have also linked the case to allegations involving the families of former Ranbaxy promoters Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh.
The Supreme Court’s next hearing is expected to determine the future course of Fernandez’s challenge against the charges in the high-profile case.