Supreme Court cites Vijay Madanlal judgment to dismiss Jacquline Fernandez's plea for quashing PMLA case

The Supreme Court today dismissed Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez's plea to quash proceedings initiated against her in connection with a Rs 200 crore money laundering case.

A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and AG Masih noted that Vijay Madanlal judgment was still in place. "We appreciate that the law is such that anyone can be involved. If one friend gives something to the other friend, ultimately if it is found that the other person is involved in a predicate offence, very difficult. Vijay Madanlal has considered this part and we are bound by that", the bench observed.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Fernandez defended his client and said, "I came in touch with this man, I never went to any jail. I never asked him to give me any money, I met him because I am a film star, someone introduced me.".

Court went on to ask Fernandez to approach it at a later stage.

Fernandez moved Supreme Court of India with a petition to quash proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a Rs 200 crore money laundering case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.

The actor challenged the Delhi High Court July 3 order refusing her relief in the case. The matter was heard by a single-judge bench presided over by Justice Anish Dayal, who dismissed Jacqueline's plea.

In her plea before the High Court, Fernandez had urged the court to quash the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and the supplementary chargesheet filed by the ED. Further, the Bollywood actress submitted that the ED’s own evidence revealed she was innocent and a victim of a calculated attack orchestrated by Chandrasekhar." Opposing the plea, the ED’s counsel argued that the petition was not maintainable since a trial court had already taken cognisance of the prosecution complaint and found a prima facie case to proceed further.

Fernandez is accused in a Rs 200 crore money laundering case against Chandrasekhar. She has previously appeared before the ED for questioning in the investigation. Chandrasekhar, along with his wife Leena Paulose, is facing proceedings in a money laundering case registered by the ED. The Delhi Police had earlier registered an FIR against Chandrasekhar for allegedly duping the spouses of former Ranbaxy promoters, Shivinder Singh and Malvinder Singh, of Rs 200 crore.

Chandrasekhar and his wife were arrested by Delhi Police, and the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) has been invoked in the case. The police allege the use of hawala routes and shell companies to park money earned from the proceeds of crime.

In November 2022, a Delhi Court had granted bail to Fernandez in the alleged Rs. 200 crores money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. Additional Sessions Judge Shailender Malik has granted bail to Fernandez on furnishing of regular bail of Rs. 2 Lakhs. According to the ED, Sukesh used to send expensive gifts to actresses, including Fernandez, from the proceeds of crime.

For offences punishable under Sections 170 (Personating public servant), 384 (Extortion), 386, 388, 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating), 506 (criminal intimidation) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, as well as Section 66(D) (cheating by personation using computer device) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Special Cell of the Delhi Police had filed an FIR against Chandrasekhar, Fernandez, and others.

Case Title: JACQUELINE FERNANDEZ vs. DIRECTORATE OF ENFORCEMENT

Bench: Justices Datta and Masih

Hearing Date: September 22, 2025