Official sources state that actress Jacqueline Fernandez skipped her planned Wednesday questioning by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in relation to a money laundering allegation involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

The 38-year-old Sri Lankan Bollywood actor has already been questioned by the ED about claims of cheating notable people, including Aditi Singh, wife of erstwhile Fortis Healthcare promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh, amounting to almost Rs 200 crore.

Chandrashekhar has been charged by the ED of buying gifts for Fernandez using illicit money. Sources said the agency had acquired fresh data and called Fernandez to offer explanations. Her legal team told the ED officials, nevertheless, that she cannot make it because of medical problems.

The ED is expected to call Fernandez once more, not too far off. The ED claimed in a charge-sheet filed in 2022 that Fernandez took expensive gifts and valuable objects from Chandrashekhar even though he knew of his criminal record. The ED had previously questioned Fernandez at least five times, she has maintained her innocence and denied knowing of Chandrashekhar's illicit activity.

Citing harassment and pursuing legal action against him, Fernandez accused Sukesh Chandrashekhar earlier this year of using the media to slander her. Fernandez then pulled her petition.

According to an affidavit opposing Fernandez's appeal to dismiss the FIR against her in the money laundering case, the ED later told the Delhi High Court that Fernandez was apparently aware of and participated in processing the proceeds of Chandrashekhar's unlawful activities.