'Why Jacqueline not arrested yet?': Court questions ED's 'pick and choose policy'

The court questioned why the central probe agency was adopting a “pick and choose” policy in the case.

“Why haven't you arrested Jacqueline yet despite issuing an LOC? Other accused are in jail. Why adopt a pick-and-choose policy?” the court asked the Enforcement Directorate, reported NDTV.

The court posed the question as the ED has been opposing the bail pleas of the actor stating that she has never cooperated in the investigation and made revelations only when confronted with evidence.

Jacqueline Fernadez faces charges linked to a Rs 200 crore extortion case involving jailed conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.

It has also told the court that Jacqueline was informed about Sukesh's criminal antecedents within 10 days of her introduction to him.

The financial crimes probe agency has also said that Jacqueline is not an ordinary person but a Bollywood actor with huge financial resources and high stature and influence. She also tried to flee India while being probed in the case but failed as a LOC had been already issued, it alleged.

The actor had received interim bail earlier.

Today, the court was hearing a regular bail plea. A ruling is likely to be delivered tomorrow, said media reports.

“We have not seen Rs 50 lakh in cash in our entire life but Jacqueline frittered away Rs 7.14 crore for fun. She has tried every trick in the book to try and escape because she has enough money,” the Enforcement Directorate said, report said.

The Sri Lanka-born Bollywood actor has been named an accused by the ED in its chargesheet.

She is learnt to have confessed to receiving a 1.5 lakh dollar loan from Chandrashekhar, along with gifts that included  five watches, 20 pieces of jewellery, 65 pairs of shoes, 47 dresses, 32 bags, 4 Hermes bags, nine paintings, and one Versace crockery set as gifts from the conman, according to the chargesheet.

She reportedly also "received" a Mini Cooper car which she later returned.