The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday examined Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez here for over four hours in connection with a money laundering case against conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.

Fernandez is not a suspect or an accused in the case and her statement was recorded as a witness under the provisions of the Prevention Money Laundering Act, officials said.

Lodged at Rohini jail as an under trial, Chandrashekhar has been accused of running a multi-crore extortion racket from behind the bars. He faces over 20 cases of extortion besides charges under money laundering.  The conman is alleged to have extorted money to the tune of Rs 200 crore.

On last Tuesday, the ED had conducted searches at various locations of Chandrasekhar and his wife and Malyalam film actor Leena Maria Paul leading to seizure of a luxurious sea facing bungalow in Chennai and 16 high end luxury cars which included Rolls Royce Ghost, Bentley Bentayga, Ferrari 458 Italia, Lamborghini Urus, Escalade and Mercedes AMG 63 besides BMW and Range Rover.

Searches were also conducted under Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) at the premises of middlemen, one banker and associates of Chandrasekhar. The banker, Komal Poddar, Vice President, RBL Bank was working as conduit for transfer of funds to Chandrasekhar and has also cheated the complainant, the ED had said.

During search at the residential premises of Komal Poddar, unexplained Indian currency to the tune of Rs 82.50 lakh and 24 carat. gold bar weighing two Kg. Poddar was subsequently arrested by the Delhi Police. 

The agency has also conducted searches at the residential and business premises of Paul who is a small-time actress in Malyalam films and has done some small roles in Hindi movies like Madras Café. During the searches, a lavish sea-facing bungalow in Chennai), a benami property owned by the couple was identified. 

“Chandrashekhar led a lavish life in this bungalow in Chennai which is no less than a resort, The house is luxurious sea facing with a home theatre and a fleet of cars and servants,” the agency had said in its statement.