ED issues second summons to Raj Kundra in connection with pornography money laundering case | File Photo
Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a second summons to Shilpa Shetty’s husband and businessman Raj Kundra in connection with a money laundering case linked to the pornography case. He was initially asked to appear for questioning on Monday but failed to do so. Instead, Kundra requested more time to appear before ED officials. The ED has now rescheduled his appearance and sent a fresh summons, directing Kundra to join the probe on Wednesday, December 4.
Kundra was summoned for Monday and was expected to provide details related to allegations of financial irregularities linked to his firm and his role in the pornography case.
The ED had summoned the Kundra to appear on Monday shortly after ED officials concluded a search operation at his Juhu residence and office premises early on Saturday morning. These searches are part of an ongoing effort to trace the flow of funds and uncover potential links to illegal pornography rackets. Besides him, the agency has also summoned small time actress Gehna Vashisht in the same case asking her to join the investigation on December 9.
In May 2022, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a money laundering case against Raj Kundra in connection with the pornography racket. This case was based on an FIR filed by the Mumbai Police in 2021, alleging that Kundra was involved in operating a pornographic content racket. Kundra had been arrested by the Mumbai Police for his alleged role.
The alleged porn racket pertains to February 2021 when Mumbai police made the first arrests in the case wherein women were performing in porn films. Prior to this, Mumbai Police Crime Branch conducted raids at a bungalow in Madh Island where porn movies were being shot.
Subsequent investigations identified Kundra as a key conspirator in the case, leading to his arrest. The pornographic content was reportedly distributed through subscription-based mobile applications such as HotHit Movies and Hotshots.
The Hotshots app was developed by Armsprime Media, a company founded by Raj Kundra in 2019. Armsprime later sold Hotshots to Kenrin, a UK-based firm owned by Kundra’s brother-in-law, Pradeep Bakshi.
The Mumbai Police has already filed a chargesheet and supplementary chargesheet against Kundra and several other individuals linked to the case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also scrutinizing a significant number of overseas transactions related to the matter.
Kundra spent two months in Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail in 2021 in connection with the pornography case. He was granted bail in September 2021 by a metropolitan magistrate’s court in Mumbai.
The ED is also investigating a money laundering case against Kundra related to the Bitcoin case. In April of this year, the agency provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs 97.79 crore belonging to Kundra, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in connection with the Bitcoin investment fraud case.
