New Delhi: New Delhi: A Delhi court has ordered framing of charges against Sukesh Chandrasekhar, his wife Leena Maria Paulose, actor Jacqueline Fernandez and 14 others in a money-laundering case linked to an alleged over Rs 200-crore extortion racket.Parallelly, special judge Prashant Sharma also directed framing of charges against Sukesh and 18 others under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in an extortion case registered by Delhi Police on a complaint by Aditi Singh. Three others will face charges of criminal conspiracy and cheating. The matter is listed on June 3 for formal framing of charges, with all accused directed to appear in person.In the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case, the court observed that Chandrasekhar “knowingly indulged in the process of generating and layering proceeds of crime” and committed the offence of money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of the Act.The Enforcement Directorate (ED) case stems from an Aug 2021 FIR by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), alleging that Chandrasekhar posed as the Union law secretary to cheat and extort money from Aditi Singh on the pretext of securing bail for her jailed husband. The ED alleged he used spoofing technology to impersonate senior officials and extorted over Rs 200 crore, routing the proceeds through shell companies, hawala channels and luxury purchases involving associates, celebrities and jail staff.The court rejected Jacqueline Fernandez’s plea that she was being made a scapegoat and could not be prosecuted under PMLA as she was not named in the scheduled offence under MCOCA. It noted that a person can be prosecuted under PMLA even if not accused in the scheduled offence.Observing that Fernandez was “aware” of Chandrasekhar’s criminal background yet continued to receive luxury gifts, payments to her brother and a car for her parents, the court said this attracted liability under PMLA provisions for use of proceeds of crime.The court also rejected arguments by Pinki Irani, alleged to be an intermediary between Chandrasekhar and Fernandez, who claimed she was only a “shopkeeper” in the matter and that the ED was “cherry-picking” evidence against her.In the MCOCA case, Delhi Police said the conspiracy emerged after Singh alleged she received a call in June 2020 from a person posing as a senior law ministry official offering help in resolving her husband’s legal issues in exchange for money. Investigators claim she was extorted of about Rs 217 crore through multiple transactions.A trap laid in Aug 2021 led to the arrest of alleged money collectors, whose interrogation pointed to Chandrasekhar — then lodged in Rohini Jail — as the mastermind of an organised syndicate operating from prison. Prosecutors said he had access to communication devices and projected the routine of an office-goer to avoid suspicion.Finding a prima facie case, the court said there was sufficient evidence to frame charges under IPC provisions, the IT Act and MCOCA. It also noted that Chandrasekhar was involved in 32 criminal cases, indicating continued unlawful activity.The court cited WhatsApp chats allegedly showing communication with the complainant to support the prosecution case of cheating and extortion.The prosecution alleged that Leena Maria Paulose remained in contact with Chandrasekhar during his incarceration and coordinated with associates and jail officials, attracting charges under MCOCA.Calling it a “major achievement”, the Economic Offences Wing said the case reflected sustained investigation over four years. “This stage is the result of meticulous and professional efforts by EOW officers,” additional commissioner of police Ravi Kumar Singh said.
