New Delhi, 03 June (H.S.): In the ₹217-crore extortion case, alleged mastermind Sukesh Chandrashekhar, his wife Leena Paul, and actress Jacqueline Fernandez appeared before the Patiala House Court on Wednesday. Additional Sessions Judge Prashant Sharma directed that formal charges be framed against all the accused.

During the hearing, the court asked the accused whether they pleaded guilty to the charges. They denied the allegations and stated that they would face trial. Following their response, the court ordered the formal framing of charges against them.

The court directed that charges be framed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), as well as Sections 170, 186, 384, 386, 388, 406, 409, 420, 468, 471 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code, in addition to Section 66 of the Information Technology Act.

Apart from Sukesh Chandrashekhar, the court named Leena Paul and Jacqueline Fernandez among the principal accused in the case. However, while charges related to extortion have been ordered against Jacqueline Fernandez, the court directed that no charges under MCOCA be framed against her.

The case originated from a complaint filed by Aditi Singh, following which Delhi Police registered a case. Subsequently, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also initiated a money-laundering investigation.

During earlier proceedings, the ED informed the court that Sukesh had admitted to receiving ₹57 crore from Aditi Singh. However, the agency’s investigation allegedly found that he had actually obtained ₹80 crore. The ED maintained that Sukesh was the mastermind behind the entire operation. According to the agency, the first call made to Aditi Singh was placed from a landline telephone. The ED further stated that Sukesh admitted the money was used to purchase luxury vehicles, high-end items and expensive gifts.

The court granted bail to Jacqueline Fernandez on November 15, 2022. Earlier, on August 31, 2022, the court had taken cognisance of the supplementary chargesheet filed against her. The ED had filed that supplementary chargesheet on August 17, 2022, naming her as an accused in the case.

The ED has already attached assets worth approximately ₹7 crore belonging to Jacqueline Fernandez. According to the agency’s chargesheet, Sukesh Chandrashekhar gifted her items worth more than ₹5.71 crore. The gifts were allegedly delivered through his associate, Pinky Irani. These included a horse valued at ₹52 lakh and a Persian cat worth ₹9 lakh.

According to the ED, Sukesh Chandrashekhar used proceeds of crime—allegedly obtained through fraudulent extortion from high-profile individuals, including Aditi Singh, wife of Shivinder Singh—to purchase gifts for Jacqueline Fernandez. The agency maintains that Sukesh designed and executed the entire criminal operation. Delhi Police has invoked MCOCA provisions against Sukesh Chandrashekhar in connection with the case.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar