Nora Fatehi Reveals First Meeting With Leena Maria Paul in Sukesh Case
Nora Fatehi appears in Delhi court to testify about her first meeting with Leena Maria Paul and phone call with Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court on Friday to record her statement in the high-profile case involving Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The actress, summoned as a prosecution witness, provided details regarding her interactions with Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paul, in connection with a massive extortion racket.
The Chennai Event: Where it All Began
During her examination-in-chief, recorded by Special Judge (MCOCA) Gagandeep Singh through Special Public Prosecutor Akhand Pratap Singh, Nora Fatehi recounted her visit to Chennai in December 2020. She stated that she had been booked for a charity event organized by Leena Maria Paul through an agency called Exceed Entertainment.
Fatehi clarified that she met Leena Maria Paul for the first time at the event venue. While she was preparing for the appearance, her team informed her that Leena and her family wished to meet her. According to the actor, Leena arrived at her room accompanied by videographers and other individuals, bringing along several gifts.
The First Interaction with Sukesh Chandrashekhar
In her testimony, Nora revealed that Leena introduced herself as the owner of the Nail Artistry Salon. During this meeting, Leena informed her that her husband wanted to express his gratitude for her presence at the event.
Fatehi told the court:
"Leena Paulose called her husband and put the mobile phone on speaker, on which her husband told me, 'Thank you for coming'."
It was during this speakerphone conversation that the actor first interacted with Sukesh Chandrashekhar. She further stated that during the call, Leena mentioned gifting her a car, a gesture which Chandrashekhar subsequently requested she accept.
Financials and Professional Ties
Addressing the nature of her appearance at the Chennai event, where she served as a chief guest and judge, Fatehi submitted that she did not receive a professional fee. However, she noted that her flight expenses and the costs for her staff were covered. She also mentioned that T-Series was her employer at that time.
Background of the Rs 200 Crore Scam
The actress's testimony is part of a larger investigation into a shocking extortion plot. Sukesh Chandrashekhar, while incarcerated in Delhi's Rohini Jail, allegedly impersonated high-ranking government officials to swindle approximately Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh, the wife of former Ranbaxy promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
Chandrashekhar allegedly promised to secure the release of Aditi Singh's husband from prison in exchange for the vast sums of money. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police investigated the matter, leading to a chargesheet filed under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Nora Fatehi had previously been questioned by the EOW regarding her associations with the couple. Her statement was recorded under Section 164 of the CrPC, leading to her being named as a prosecution witness in the supplementary chargesheet. The court has deferred her further chief examination until November 30.