A Delhi Court has sought a response from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on an application moved by Bollywood actor Jacqueline Fernandez seeking permission to release her passport for urgent travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE, Nepal, and France for 15 days.
Ms Fernandez is being investigated by the ED in Rs 200 crore extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
She had earlier appeared before the probe agency for questioning in a money-laundering investigation against Sukesh Chandrashekhar and others.
The Additional Sessions Judge Praveen Singh on Wednesday sought a response from the probe agency and listed the matter for May 18, 2022, for hearing.
The plea submitted that Ms Fernandez is a Sri Lankan national living in India since 2009. It said she belongs to the Bollywood fraternity and holds a good name in the Hindi movie industry.
Advocate Ajit Singh, representing the actor, submitted that the ED has filed the chargesheet and has not named the applicant as an accused in the present matter. However, without citing any reason to the applicant, the ED has seized the passport of the applicant.
The plea states that being a renowned film actor the applicant is invited to events, press conferences, rehearsals and participation in events.
The applicant prays for the release of her passport and seeks permission from this Hon'ble Court to travel to Abu Dhabi, UAE, tentatively from May 17, 2022, to May 22, 2022, as International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards is organizing the 2022 IFA weekend and awards in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
