Actress Jacqueline Fernandez Granted Permission For Overseas Travel Without Prior Court Approval!
This development pertains to the ongoing Rs 200 crore-money laundering case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. Jacqueline Fernandez's legal reprieve comes as the Patiala House Court decided to amend her bail conditions, allowing her to travel overseas. The modification stipulates that the actress must inform both the court and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) three days before her departure from the country.
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"Taking prior permission before leaving the country becomes cumbersome and may be a reason for losing a livelihood," the court observed.
Initially, Jacqueline Fernandez secured bail in the money laundering case in November the previous year, albeit under the condition that she could not travel abroad without prior court consent.
Acknowledging Jacqueline Fernandez's frequent international travel engagements as an integral part of her involvement in the Indian film industry, the court emphasized that certain professional opportunities necessitate her to travel at short notice.
Under the revised bail conditions, Jacqueline Fernandez must furnish comprehensive trip details, encompassing the destination country, duration of stay, accommodation particulars, contact information, and more.
This relaxation in the bail conditions is justified by the fact that the actress has not previously exploited these allowances.
Upon Jacqueline Fernandez's submission of a travel notification application, her passport will be immediately released, contingent on her depositing a fixed deposit receipt (FDR) of Rs 50 lakhs. Upon her return, the FDR will be released, and her passport will be returned to her.
Through her advocate Prashant Patil, Jacqueline Fernandez had previously approached the court seeking a relaxation of her bail conditions. Her plea argued that the necessity of court permission for foreign travel in specific situations was a time-consuming process.
Earlier this year, in May, the Patiala House Court had already permitted Jacqueline Fernandez to attend the International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA Awards) in Dubai, following her plea.
CONTEXUALIZING THE MONEY LAUNDERING CASE:
Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar faces allegations of extorting money from businessmen, politicians, and celebrities. He purportedly extorted Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh, the wife of Shivinder Mohan Singh, the erstwhile owner of pharmaceutical giant Ranbaxy. Chandrashekhar assumed the identity of a high-ranking government official while incarcerated in Delhi's Tihar Jail.
Previous reports indicated that Sukesh Chandrashekhar sent Jacqueline Fernandez a gift worth over Rs 10 crore during his imprisonment. Moreover, sources claimed that he arranged a chartered flight for the actress from Mumbai to Chennai while he was on bail.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also investigating the possibility that a substantial sum extorted by Sukesh Chandrashekhar from a businessman's wife was diverted to Jacqueline Fernandez.
The recent court ruling allowing Jacqueline Fernandez to travel abroad for her professional commitments without prior court authorization represents a significant development in the ongoing money laundering case linked to conman Sukesh Chandrashekar. The amendments to her bail conditions address her unique requirements as a frequent traveler within the entertainment industry.
