Nora Fatehi Not Accused: Legal Team Clarifies Role in Sukesh Chandrashekhar Case
Nora Fatehi's legal team clarifies she is a witness, not an accused, in the Rs 200 crore Sukesh Chandrashekhar extortion case.
Bollywood actor Nora Fatehi has found herself in the spotlight once again, but her legal representatives are quick to clarify that she is not an accused party in the ongoing legal battle involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The actor was summoned by the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi to appear as a prosecution witness in a high-profile extortion case, sparking discussions about her involvement.
Court Pulls Up Counsel Over Absence
During a hearing on Monday, the Rouse Avenue Court addressed the matter concerning the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Special Judge Gagandeep Singh expressed dissatisfaction when it was revealed that Nora Fatehi had not appeared in court. The Delhi Police informed the court that while summons had been issued, they lacked information on whether the actor intended to attend.
Nora's legal counsel moved a plea seeking exemption from her personal appearance, stating that the summons were received on very short notice—specifically on October 29—and that prior professional commitments prevented her from attending. However, the court was not pleased with the explanation.
“Her conduct is not up to the mark. Don't take the court for granted,” the judge remarked to the counsel.
Following this, the court issued fresh summons and adjourned the matter to November 6, directing the actor to appear as a prosecution witness for evidence.
The Rs 200 Crore Extortion Scandal
The case in which Nora Fatehi is a witness revolves around a massive extortion racket allegedly orchestrated by Sukesh Chandrashekhar. The allegations suggest that while lodged in Delhi's Rohini Jail, Chandrashekhar impersonated senior government officials to deceive Aditi Singh, the wife of former Ranbaxy promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh.
It is alleged that between 2020 and 2021, Chandrashekhar extorted approximately Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh by promising to secure her husband's release from prison. The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigated the claims and subsequently filed a chargesheet under the stringent Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).
Nora Fatehi's Connection and Role
The legal team for the actor has emphasized that Nora Fatehi is neither an accused nor alleged to have committed any offense. She has been called solely to assist the court as a witness.
Earlier in the investigation, the EOW questioned the actor regarding her alleged association with Sukesh Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paulose. During those proceedings, the actor clarified to investigators that her interactions with Chandrashekhar were conducted through his wife. She was also questioned about her attendance at an event in Chennai in December 2020.
Following the recording of her statement under Section 164 of the CrPC, she was named as a prosecution witness in the supplementary chargesheet, leading to the current court summons.