Sukesh Chandrashekhar money laundering case: Nora Fatehi files defamation suit against Jacqueline Fernandez

Bollywood actress Nora Fatehi has filed a defamation case against Jacqueline Fernandez for assertions made against her in relation to the ₹200 crore money laundering case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar [Nora Fatehi v Jacquline Fernandez]..The petition filed before Delhi’s Patiala House Court states that Fernandez’s written pleadings before a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) appellate authority claimed that celebrities such as Fatehi had also received gifts from Chandrashekhar, but were simply made witnesses in the case, whereas she was made an accused..Several media companies that published articles related to this imputation have also been made parties to the defamation suit.These include ANI Media, Opindia, NDTV, Times of India, Economic Tines, The Indian Express, DNA Media, Mint, The Hindu, ABP Live, Pinkvilla, FirstPost, New Indian Express, Outlook India and Zee News..Fatehi argued that over an eight-year-long career, she has built an image for herself and holds an impeccable reputation in India and worldwide. She claims that the media companies worked in connivance with Fernandez to ensure her downfall.“It is pertinent to submit here that the reputation of any person in the Film Industry is an asset and any denting in the same would cause huge and irreparable damage to their career. All accused herein are acutely aware of this and this establishes that the defamation done by them is with mala fide intentions,” reads the petition..The plea filed through Advocates Vikram Singh Chauhan, Umair Ahmed and Tanisha goes on to stress that the allegations are untrue and the claims that Fatefi received gifts from Chandrashekhar were false.“Due to the arbitrary and untruthful statements of the accused no. 1 and lack of care taken by the accused no. 2-16 in publishing libellous statements the complainant has suffered wrongful losses, both to herself and her reputation.".It is also argued that from the imputations, it was clear that criminal defamation was made out. In fact, the “utter brazenness” of the allegation is serious enough for invocation of criminal law.It was thus prayed that all the accused be summoned, tried and punished for the offence of defamation..Last month, a Delhi court granted bail to Fernandez on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh and one surety of the same amount.On August 31, the court had summoned the actor after considering the supplementary chargesheet that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed on August 17. Fernandez was then directed to appear before the court.