A Delhi court on Monday, November 2, issued fresh summons to actor Nora Fatehi after she did not appear to testify as a prosecution witness in the Rs 200 crore extortion case linked to alleged conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar. Special Judge Gagandeep Singh of the Rouse Avenue Court turned down her plea for exemption from personal appearance and directed her to appear on November 6.
It is important to be clear about her role: Nora Fatehi is a witness in this case, not an accused. The court's sharp remarks were about her absence on the date she was called to give evidence.
What happened in court today
Fatehi had been summoned to appear on November 2 as a prosecution witness. When the matter came up, her counsel sought exemption from personal appearance and told the court she had been informed of the summons on October 29. Delhi Police said it had no information on whether she would attend.
The judge was not impressed. Rejecting the exemption request, the court observed that she was a witness and was expected to be present, remarking: "Her conduct is not up to the mark. Don't take the court for granted." Fresh summons were then issued for her to appear and record her evidence on November 6.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Court | Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi |
| Judge | Special Judge Gagandeep Singh |
| Nora Fatehi's role | Prosecution witness (listed as LW-3 in the third supplementary chargesheet) |
| Main accused | Sukesh Chandrashekhar |
| Alleged amount | About Rs 200 crore |
| Complainant | Aditi Singh, wife of former Ranbaxy promoter Shivinder Mohan Singh |
| Investigating agency | Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing (EOW) |
| Law invoked | Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) |
| Next date for Fatehi | November 6, 2026 |
Background: the Rs 200 crore extortion case
According to the prosecution, Sukesh Chandrashekhar, while lodged in Delhi's Rohini Jail, posed as senior government officials and extorted about Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh during 2020–21. He allegedly promised to secure the release of her husband, Shivinder Mohan Singh, from jail in exchange for the money.
The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing investigated the case and filed a chargesheet under MCOCA, a stringent law on organised crime that applies in Delhi. At least three supplementary chargesheets have since been filed.
Where Nora Fatehi fits in
The EOW questioned Fatehi about her alleged association with Chandrashekhar and his wife, Leena Maria Paulose. She told investigators that her interaction with Chandrashekhar was through his wife. Investigators also questioned her about an event she attended in Chennai in December 2020.
Her statement was later recorded before a magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC, and she was named as a prosecution witness in a supplementary chargesheet. As a prosecution witness, she is expected to support the investigating agency's version of events through her testimony, and she may be cross-examined by the defence.
Who is Sukesh Chandrashekhar?
Chandrashekhar has been in judicial custody for several years and faces multiple cases. In this matter, the prosecution's core allegation is that he used phone calls from inside jail, while pretending to be senior officials, to convince the complainant that he could get her husband out of jail. The money she allegedly paid is what investigators are trying to trace, which is why people who were in touch with him during that period have been questioned.
Why a witness's attendance matters
A criminal trial moves forward only as fast as its witnesses. When a summoned witness does not turn up, the hearing for that day is often wasted, and the trial is pushed back. Courts therefore expect witnesses – famous or otherwise – to appear on the dates given, and they have powers to compel attendance if summons are ignored repeatedly.
That is the context of the judge's comment. Fresh summons are the standard next step; the court has not taken any coercive action against the actor.
What happens next
Fatehi is now expected at the Rouse Avenue Court on November 6, when her examination as a prosecution witness is likely to begin. The trial against Chandrashekhar and the other accused will continue with the remaining witnesses on the prosecution's list.
Away from the courtroom, Fatehi remains one of the most recognisable dance stars in Hindi cinema, and her appearance in court is certain to draw attention on the next date.
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