Delhi/Chennai: Actor and dancer Nora Fatehi told the Delhi court on Friday, November 6, that she is in India on an employment visa with T-Series, as her statement was recorded in connection with the Rs 200-crore extortion case involving conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar.
Nora appeared before the Rouse Avenue Court as a witness in the ongoing trial and spoke about her visit to Chennai in December 2020, where she attended a charity event organised by Sukesh’s wife, Leena Maria Paulose. She also shared details of her interactions with the couple.
Unlike actress Jacqueline Fernandez, who is an accused in the case, Nora is not an accused in the Enforcement Directorate’s investigation and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) case. She has been summoned only as a witness to depose about her interactions with Sukesh and Leena.
Nora’s name surfaced during the investigation after she attended a charity event organised by Leena at a five-star hotel in Chennai in December 2020. She was invited as the chief guest and was also asked to judge a dance competition and distribute money among children with disabilities.
During her earlier statement to investigators, Nora said Leena had gifted her a Gucci bag and an iPhone. Leena also introduced her to Sukesh through a phone call. During the conversation, Sukesh thanked Nora for attending the event and told her that he and his wife were fans of hers. He also offered to gift her a BMW car.
Nora told investigators that she was initially uncomfortable accepting the car. However, Sukesh persisted with the offer and eventually contacted her relative, Bobby. The BMW was subsequently linked to Bobby.
Sukesh and Bobby also discussed possible business opportunities, including a film project. Nora had maintained that she did not know Sukesh personally before the Chennai event and that her first interaction with him took place through Leena.
Nora’s appearance on Friday came after the court had initially asked her to attend the November 2 hearing. However, her lawyers had sought an exemption, stating that she had received the summons at short notice and had prior professional commitments. The court subsequently directed her to appear on November 6.
On November 3, Nora’s legal team had also clarified that she was not an accused in the EOW case and had been summoned only as a witness. Her statement is being recorded as part of the ongoing trial.