Actor Nora Fatehi appeared before Additional Sessions Judge Gagandeep Singh in a Delhi court on Friday, providing her testimony as a witness in the ongoing Rs 200-crore extortion case involving alleged conman Sukesh Chandrasekhar. During the proceedings, Fatehi detailed the circumstances surrounding her initial contact with the accused, stating that she was introduced to him by his wife, Leena Paulose, during a work engagement in Chennai in December 2020.
Fatehi explained to the court that she had been hired to attend a charity event as an artiste. According to her testimony, Leena Paulose was the organiser behind the booking, which was facilitated through an agency under the name Exceed Entertainment. The actor clarified that, as a Canadian citizen working in the Indian film industry since 2014, she follows standard professional procedures where her services are managed through a company, with payments handled accordingly. She noted that while she did not receive a personal fee for this specific event, her travel expenses, staff costs, and makeup services were covered by the organisers, and she was provided with a stay at a five-star hotel.
Describing the events leading up to the function, Fatehi testified that Leena Paulose and her family visited her hotel room while she was preparing. She stated that Leena introduced herself as the owner of Nail Artistry Salon and arrived with two videographers and other individuals, carrying several gifts. During this interaction, Leena reportedly told the actor that her husband wished to speak with her. She then placed a call to Sukesh Chandrasekhar on speakerphone, enabling the conversation between the two.
Fatehi recalled that during the phone call, Chandrasekhar expressed his gratitude for her presence at the event and mentioned that he was a fan, expressing interest in collaborating on future projects. She further stated that during this same interaction, Leena informed her about the offer of a car as a gift, a gesture that Chandrasekhar also requested she accept. Following the call, the actor attended the event as the chief guest and served as a judge for a dance competition, as originally planned.
The actor also shared that she had previously been questioned by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) during their investigation into the case. She confirmed that officers had asked her specifically about her interactions with both Leena Paulose and Sukesh Chandrasekhar.
The court proceedings on Friday included a reprimand from the bench regarding Fatehi’s presence. Having been summoned twice previously, the actor’s counsel had initially sought an exemption from personal appearance. However, Judge Gagandeep Singh observed that her presence was necessary for the legal process, stating, “Your conduct is not proper. Don’t take the court for granted.”
Following the hearing, the court directed the actor to appear again for further proceedings scheduled for November 30. The case remains a high-profile matter involving accusations of extortion, and Fatehi’s testimony serves as part of the ongoing witness examination process as the judicial proceedings continue.
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