The Delhi High Court has scheduled a hearing on July 2 for the bail application filed by Leena Paulose—actor and wife of alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar—in connection with a money laundering case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Justice Shalinder Kaur, heading the bench, heard preliminary arguments on the matter and listed it for further hearing on the specified date.

Represented by Advocates Anant Malik and John Paul Edison, Paulose has sought bail citing prolonged incarceration of over three years and seven months without the framing of charges. Her legal team referred to the proviso under Section 45(1) of the PMLA, which allows relaxation for women, and pointed out that co-accused including Pinki Irani, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Avtar Singh Kochar have already been granted bail. Reliance was also placed on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Manish Sisodia v. Directorate of Enforcement.

Opposing the bail, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) argued that Paulose was not just aiding but was an active part of an organized crime syndicate led by Sukesh Chandrasekhar. The agency informed the court that out of the 18 accused under MCOCA, 14 remain in judicial custody.

The extortion case, involving Rs 200 crore, originated from an elaborate scam executed through spoof calls, with Sukesh impersonating senior government officials. Paulose was arrested in September 2021 following searches at her Chennai residence, which led to the seizure of 16 luxury vehicles.

The ED alleged that these cars were purchased in her name or through third parties using cash routed via Chandrasekhar’s associates, and the transactions were masked using bogus rent agreements.

An earlier bail application by Paulose was rejected by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, who noted the “sensitive nature” of the case and found prima facie involvement of the petitioner in offences under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA).

Case Title: Leena Paulose v. State (NCT of Delhi)