Mohit Singh
Sukesh Chandrashekhar, also known by his aliases Balaji and Shekhar Reddy, is an Indian conman and businessman born in 1989 in Bangalore, Karnataka. He gained notoriety as the prime accused in a Rs 200 crore money laundering and extortion case that shook India’s business and entertainment circles. He has been arrested multiple times since the age of 17 for various fraud and cheating cases, making him one of India’s most notorious serial conmen.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Wiki / Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Sukesh Chandrashekhar |
| Date of Birth | 1989 |
| Age | 37 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Bangalore, Karnataka, India |
| Aliases | Balaji, Shekhar Reddy |
| Profession | Businessman, Conman |
| Religion | Not publicly disclosed |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Father | Vijayan Chandrashekhar |
| Wife | Leena Maria Paul |
| Known For | Rs 200 crore extortion case, multiple fraud cases |
| Current Status | Lodged in Delhi prison |
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Early Life
Sukesh Chandrashekhar was born in 1989 in Bangalore, Karnataka, into a lower-middle-class family. His father, Vijayan Chandrashekhar, worked as a contractor, part-time mechanic, and salesman of automobile spare parts. The family struggled financially, which may have influenced Sukesh’s desire for a lavish lifestyle from a young age.
Police officials who questioned him revealed that Chandrashekhar always wanted to lead an extravagant life and started conning people from his early teens. He began his criminal activities at a remarkably young age to fund his dreams of luxury. By age 17, he had already executed his first major fraud worth Rs 1.5 crore.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Education
Sukesh Chandrashekhar attended Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in Bangalore for his schooling. This prestigious institution is known for educating children from affluent families, which likely exposed him to the wealthy lifestyle he aspired to achieve.
He later completed his college education at Madurai University. Specific details about his degree or major are not publicly disclosed. Despite receiving formal education, he chose the path of fraudulent activities rather than legitimate business.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Family
Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s father is Vijayan Chandrashekhar, who worked as a contractor, part-time mechanic, and salesman of automobile spare parts. Information about his mother is not publicly disclosed.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Career
Early Criminal Activities
Sukesh Chandrashekhar began his career in crime during his teenage years. In his early teens, he started conning people to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle that his family background could not provide. He was first arrested in 2007 at the age of 17 for cheating a businessman of Rs 1.15 crore.
In his first major fraud, he claimed to be the friend of the son of a renowned senior politician to gain the trust of his family friend before defrauding them of Rs 1.5 crore. From Bangalore, he later moved to Chennai to expand his operations.
Modus Operandi
Chandrashekhar is believed to be fluent in all South Indian languages, Hindi, and English, which helped him execute frauds across different regions. He is said to have conned more than 100 people, ranging from poultry farmers to bank executives to businessmen. His ability to impersonate high-ranking government officials became his signature tactic.
He used various aliases including Balaji and Shekhar Reddy to avoid detection and continue his fraudulent activities. His smooth talking and convincing personality allowed him to gain the trust of his victims quickly.
The Rs 200 Crore Extortion Case
Sukesh’s most notorious crime occurred between June 2020 and May 2021. While lodged in Delhi’s Central Jail, he used mobile applications and voice modulation software to make calls to Aditi Singh, wife of former Ranbaxy owner Shivendra Singh who was also in jail.
He posed as various high-ranking officials including the Law Secretary, Home Secretary, representative of Home Minister Amit Shah, and representative from the Prime Minister’s Office. Using these false identities, he extorted over Rs 215 crore from Aditi Singh on the pretext of helping her husband get out of jail.
Sukesh emotionally manipulated Aditi to liquidate assets urgently, taking advantage of her vulnerable state and constant pressure for fund delivery. This racket of intimidation, extortion, threats, and coercion continued until April 2021 when over Rs 200 crore had been paid to him.
Operations from Jail
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused Chandrashekhar of running an illegal extortion business from Delhi’s Central Jail in connivance with jail officials. His ability to operate sophisticated fraud schemes even while incarcerated demonstrated the extent of his criminal network.
He allegedly contacted people claiming to be a government officer and conned them by offering help for a price. His operations from inside prison walls shocked investigators and exposed serious security lapses in the jail system.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Personal Life
Sukesh Chandrashekhar leads an extravagant lifestyle funded by proceeds from his fraudulent activities. He has been arrested and imprisoned multiple times but continues to make headlines even from jail through his letters and statements. He has been lodged in Delhi prison since 2015 and remains there due to multiple pending cases.
Despite being behind bars, he maintains an active presence through public letters, particularly those addressed to actress Jacqueline Fernandez. He often writes to her claiming they are in a relationship, though she has denied these claims in court.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Relationship
Leena Maria Paul (Wife)
Sukesh Chandrashekhar is married to Leena Maria Paul. She was also arrested along with Sukesh and eight others in the Rs 200 crore extortion case. The ED submitted a chargesheet against both of them before the special PMLA court in Patiala House, Delhi.
Leena Maria Paul has been implicated in several of Sukesh’s fraudulent activities. Specific details about when they married or how they met are not publicly disclosed.
Jacqueline Fernandez
Sukesh Chandrashekhar claims to be in a relationship with Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. His lawyer Anant Malik publicly stated that the actor was in a relationship with Sukesh. Leaked pictures of the two together show they knew each other.
However, Jacqueline Fernandez has issued statements denying these “slanderous statements” and has called herself a victim of his con. In her statement to the court, she claims that Sukesh duped her into believing he was a legitimate businessman and is now threatening her using intimidating tactics.
Despite her denials, Sukesh continues to write letters to her from prison, often claiming they are dating and expressing his love. In January 2025, he wrote an apology letter to Jacqueline acknowledging he is “obsessed” with her and promising 2025 would be a “fresh start”.
The ED’s investigation revealed that Chandrashekhar allegedly gave gifts worth Rs 5.71 crore to the actress from the proceeds of crime. This connection led to Jacqueline being named in the investigation.
Controversy
Multiple Arrests Since Age 17
Sukesh Chandrashekhar was first arrested in 2007 at the age of 17 for cheating a businessman of Rs 1.15 crore. Since then, he has been booked and arrested several times by different police and enforcement units, mostly in cheating cases. His criminal record spans nearly two decades.
The Rs 200 Crore Extortion Scandal
The biggest controversy involves his extortion of over Rs 200 crore from Aditi Singh, wife of businessman Shivinder Mohan Singh. Operating from Delhi’s Central Jail between June 2020 and May 2021, he impersonated top government officials to extract money.
The case exposed serious lapses in jail security as Sukesh managed to access mobile phones and run sophisticated fraud operations from prison. He was accused of operating in connivance with jail officials.
Bollywood Connection
Sukesh’s alleged relationship with actress Jacqueline Fernandez brought him into the Bollywood spotlight. The ED investigation revealed he spent Rs 5.71 crore on gifts for the actress using proceeds from crime. This controversy damaged Jacqueline’s reputation despite her claims of being a victim.
Other Celebrity Connections
In September 2022, several other actresses including Chahatt Khanna, Nikki Tamboli, Sophia Singh, and Arusha Patil were named in connection with Sukesh’s cases. According to investigation agencies, these actresses met Chandrashekhar in jail premises where he introduced himself as a producer from the southern film industry.
Bail and Legal Status
In 2024, the Bombay High Court granted bail to Sukesh Chandrashekhar in a 2015 fraud case. However, he will not be released from Delhi prison as he has been arrested in multiple fraud cases. His legal battles continue across various courts.
Sukesh Chandrashekhar Net Worth
Sukesh Chandrashekhar’s exact net worth is difficult to determine as most of his wealth comes from illegal activities and proceeds of crime. He extorted over Rs 200 crore in the major case involving Aditi Singh alone.
His criminal career spanning nearly two decades has involved conning over 100 people from various economic backgrounds. The total amount he has acquired through fraudulent means is estimated to be in hundreds of crores. However, law enforcement agencies have been working to recover assets purchased with proceeds of crime.
Interesting Facts About Sukesh Chandrashekhar
- He was arrested for the first time at just 17 years old in 2007 for a Rs 1.15 crore fraud
- He is fluent in all South Indian languages, Hindi, and English, which helped him execute frauds across different regions
- He has conned more than 100 people ranging from poultry farmers to bank executives to businessmen
- He goes by multiple aliases including Balaji and Shekhar Reddy to avoid detection
- He attended the prestigious Bishop Cotton Boys’ School in Bangalore
- He managed to run sophisticated extortion operations from inside Delhi’s Central Jail using mobile phones
- He used voice modulation software to impersonate high-ranking government officials including representatives of the PM’s office
- He claims to be dating Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez and writes her letters from prison despite her denials
- He spent Rs 5.71 crore on gifts for Jacqueline Fernandez using proceeds from crime
- His father worked multiple jobs as a contractor, mechanic, and spare parts salesman
- He has been lodged in jail since 2015 but continues to make headlines through his letters and statements