Actress Leena Paul non-cooperative in money-laundering case, profited directly from fraud: ED

The Enforcement Directorate has come down hard on actress Leena Paul, alleging that she profited directly from the crimes committed with her husband Sukesh Chandrashekhar who is accused of defrauding the wife of jailed Fortis healthcare CEO of ₹200 crores. The actress was not cooperating with the probe and was giving statements contrary to the evidence submitted the ED alleged.

"[She] is not merely beneficiary of the proceeds of crime but apparently was playing an active role in movement of the proceeds of crime, its projection as untended money," the ED submitted in a statement. A Delhi court has extended the custodial interrogation of actor Leena Maria Paul till October 23.

Sukesh and Leena are accused of defrauding Aditi Singh of ₹200 crore by pretending to be high-ranking officials in the Law Ministry, with connections to the BJP party. Sukesh had promised to secure her husband Shivender Singh bail if given the money. Former Fortis Healthcare CEO Shivender Singh and his brother Malvinder are currently in jail following a money laundering case related to the alleged misappropriation of funds at Religare Finvest Ltd (RFL) in 2019.

The agency said that Leena Maria Paul's company Nail Artistry has done business to the tune of Rs.4.79 crore in Chennai, Rs.1.21 crore in Kochi and charged that the said sum of money is nothing but proceeds of crime which were laundered by her. Actresses Nora Fatehi and Jacqueline Wilson were also summoned in the case. Nora Fategi is cooperating with officials while reports say that Jacqueline has not responded to the three summons issued by the directorate. Sukesh is alleged to have had regular contact through phone calls and messages with the Sri-Lankan actress.