Mumbai (Maharashtra):

Businessman Raj Kundra on Tuesday questioned the Enforcement Directorate over attaching his properties in the case related to Amit Bhardwaj’s Bitcoin scam.

Speaking with ANI, Mr Kundra said that he met Mr Bhardwaj when he was a respected businessman and had introduced him to an Israeli friend.

“That introduction has caused me too much that my properties are attached” Mr Kundra reflected.

“In the attachment order, it is clearly written that we have no evidence of any funds going to Raj Kundra. There was a crypto king called Amit Bardwaj, he was a respected businessman, I met him, he had to do a lot of work in bitcoin mining and I knew a friend in Israel who is a great expert in this technology. So I brought both of them together,” Mr Kundra said.

He further questioned ED authority in the investigation against him, saying, “A British citizen (Raj Kundra), I met him (Amit Bhardwaj) in Dubai and there was an Israeli party, so how is ED involved in this?”

Mr Kundra further mentioned that he was called as a witness six years ago and provided all the facts. He expressed shock over ED attaching his properties in relation to that Bitcoin case.

“I was called as a witness 6 years ago and asked if you had some dealing with Amit Bhardwaj. I went there 6 times, I gave all the facts as a witness…Then in 2024 without any information, all my property was attached, I did not understand this. They called me again and asked the same thing as they asked 6 years ago, now what can we do? We will fight this in the Court and we will win this,” Mr Kundra said.

In April of this year, ED attached properties worth Rs 97.79 crores belonging to Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty alleging that they had collected huge amounts of funds in the form of Bitcoins. Also, they had made false promises of 10 pc returns to the public in the form of Bitcoins. ED revealed that Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi Scam Amit Bhardwaj. Mr Kundra is still in possession of these 285 Bitcoins which are presently valued at Rs 150 Cr.

Mumbai:

Businessman Raj Kundra has written a scathing note on Instagram amid raids at his house and offices as part of a money laundering probe linked to the production and distribution of pornographic content. Stating that he’s fully cooperating with the investigation, he said it was “unacceptable” for the media to use his wife and actor Shilpa Shetty’s name amid the probe.

“While the media seems to have a flair for drama, let’s set the record straight: I’m fully complying with the ongoing investigation that has been unfolding for the last four years,” he said in an Instagram story late Friday night. “As for the claims of ‘associates’, ‘pornography’ and ‘money laundering’, let’s just say that no amount of sensationalism will cloud the truth, in the end, justice will prevail,” it further read.

In a “note to the media”, he also asked them to respect the privacy of his family. “It’s unacceptable to repeatedly drag my wife’s name into unrelated matters. Please respect the boundaries,” he said.

Shilpa Shetty’s lawyer has also clarified that she had “nothing to do with any offence” and trashed the media reports of her being raided as “misleading”.

Mr Kundra’s remarks follow raids by the Enforcement Directorate at his 15 premises, including his Juhu residence.

Read: Raj Kundra’s House Raided By Enforcement Directorate In Porn Content Case

The 49-year-old businessman is accused of being involved in a scheme that monetised explicit content streamed via the ‘Hotshots’ app. The app was earlier available on Apple and Google Play, but was removed after public and legal scrutiny.

Mr Kundra faces allegation that he used his company, Armsprime Media Pvt Ltd, to manage the app’s operations and later facilitated the app’s sale to the UK-based Kenrin Pvt Ltd, which helped the streaming of explicit content.

Aspiring actors were allegedly lured by the ‘Hotshots’ app under the pretext of web series auditions and then coerced into filming semi-nude or nude scenes against their wishes. Cops claim that they found evidences in Mr Kundra’s phone of financial transactions linked to the UK-based company and selling 119 adult films for $1.2 million.

Read – “Misleading”: Shilpa Shetty’s Lawyer Dismisses Reports Of Probe Agency Raids

Mr Kundra, who was arrested in the case in 2021 by Mumbai Police and later granted bail, has denied the charges and said he was made a “scapegoat” in the case. He has also claimed that he had no active involvement in the production of pornographic content.

He is also being probed for his alleged involvement in a crypto-ponzi scheme by Amit Bhardwaj, who was the mastermind behind the Gain Bitcoin Scam. The ED attached assets worth Rs 98 crore, belonging to him and his wife, earlier this year over charges that they acquired the proceeds from illicit activities.

Mumbai:

After several media reports emerged on social media claiming an Enforcement Directorate (ED) raid at actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra’s house, her lawyer issued a statement, saying she has “nothing to do with any offence.”

In a statement, advocate Prashant Patil called the reports “misleading.”

“There have been reports in the media saying that my client Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra has been raided by the Enforcement Directorate. These reports are not true and are misleading. As per my instructions, there is no Enforcement Directorate raid on Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra as she has nothing to do with any offence of whatsoever nature,” the statement read.

Mr Patil also mentioned the case in question is an ongoing probe regarding Raj Kundra, and that he has been cooperating with the authorities.

“However, the case in question is an ongoing investigation regarding Mr Raj Kundra and he is cooperating with the investigation for truth to come out,” he mentioned.

The lawyer also requested media personnel to refrain from using pictures and videos of Shilpa Shetty while mentioning the case in the reports.

“Would request the electronic and print media to refrain from using the videos, pictures and name of Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra as she has nothing to do with the case. Strict cognisance shall be taken against irresponsible journalism wherein the pictures or videos of Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra are shared on this matter,” the statement concluded.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Giving relief to Bollywood star Shilpa Shetty, the Rajasthan High Court on Thursday quashed a criminal case registered against her under the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in Churu Kotwali in December 2017.

Shilpa Shetty was booked on a complaint alleging that she had used a casteist word in a 2013 TV interview in which actor Salman Khan was also present.

A complaint was made to police alleging that the use of the word had allegedly hurt the sentiments of the Valmiki community.

Shilpa Shetty moved the High Court seeking quashing of the case. It was stated in court that Ashok Panwar had lodged a police complaint alleging that he saw an interview of two film actors i.e. Salman Khan and Shilpa Raj Kundra (petitioner herein) on TV, wherein they used the word whih allegedly hurt the sentiments of the people belonging to the Valmiki community.

On the basis of the complaint, an FIR was registered and an investigation was launched.

Counsel for the petitioner argued that, admittedly, the purported interview resulting in the impugned FIR was recorded in 2013, whereas, the FIR was belatedly lodged on December 22, 2017, i.e. after more than 3 years.

It was argued that the SC/ST Act also does not apply, as the alleged remarks lack intent to humiliate based on caste. It is thus contended that the FIR is legally untenable and constitutes an abuse of process.

Accordingly, the court held that there were no allegations against the petitioner that merited continuation of the present complaint and quashed the case.

“The contents of the FIR above show that there is neither any evidence nor any malicious intent and nor any means to commit any offence, as alleged. There is no indication in the FIR or accompanying evidence that the accused intended to demean or insult the Valmiki community. At the most, their interview statements, which appear to have been made casually, are being interpreted and taken totally out of context. The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act requires that the accused must act with a specific intent to humiliate, insult, or harm members of the SC/ST community,” the order said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Entrepreneur Raj Kundra, who is also the husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra, has initiated legal action against those who made defamatory claims about him in a news article and a YouTube channel, which linked him to an illegal immigration case involving Riya Barade.

A case has been registered by Raj at the Juhu Police Station in Mumbai against the authors of these reports under Section 356(3) of the Bharruya Nyay Sanhita, 2023. The complaint, filed based on court orders, aims to address what Kundra describes as deliberate attempts to tarnish his reputation.

Talking about the same, Raj Kundra said, “I have been compelled by the media to take this step. On multiple occasions, they have tarnished my image by publishing false and defamatory statements. Despite sending takedown notices and giving them the opportunity to retract, no action was taken. My matter is subjudice, I have been fighting in court for my discharge”.

He further mentioned, “It’s been three years in which three judges have changed. Whilst it’s frustrating I have full faith in the law. I don’t deserve to be pronounced guilty in a trial by the media”.

The court has granted permission to the Juhu Police to investigate the case and file an FIR against those responsible. This signals the start of a thorough investigation into the matter, which Kundra hopes will restore his reputation and hold the responsible parties accountable.

Earlier, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra got relief from the Bombay High Court after their eviction notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was put on hold. The couple had earlier contested their eviction notice in court concerning a money laundering case.

Prashant Patil, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s lawyer, had denied any involvement in the Ponzi scheme in a statement calling out the false media reports in the case.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

The ED told the Bombay High Court on Thursday that it would not act upon the eviction notices issued to actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra till their application challenging a property attachment order is heard and decided by an appellate tribunal.

On September 27, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) issued notices to Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband, directing them to vacate their house in Mumbai’s Juhu area and a farmhouse in Pune in connection with a money laundering case.

The duo challenged the same in the HC, terming it as arbitrary, illegal and uncalled for.

The notices were issued pursuant to an attachment order passed by the agency against the couple’s properties.

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan had on Wednesday asked the ED what was the urgency to issue an eviction notice after the attachment order was passed when the couple has a legal remedy to appeal against the order.

On Thursday, the ED told the court that the eviction notices shall not be acted upon till the petitioners file their appeal against the attachment order and the same is decided by the tribunal.

The bench accepted the statement and said in the event of an adverse order by the tribunal, the notices shall not be brought into effect for a period of two weeks thereafter.

The court disposed of the petitions.

Ms Shetty and Raj Kundra, in their petitions, challenged the ED notices dated September 27 directing them to evict their residential premises here and a farmhouse in Pune within 10 days in connection with a money laundering case linked to an alleged Bitcoin fraud.

The couple’s advocate, Prashant Patil, said Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra received the eviction notices only on October 3. He termed the notices arbitrary and illegal and sought them to be quashed.

According to the pleas, there is no grave urgency for the petitioners to vacate their premises and that the issuance of such eviction notices was uncalled for.

“The petitioners are also seeking relief on humanitarian grounds as the premise in question is their residential premise in which they have been staying with their family of six members for almost two decades,” the couple said in their pleas.

The petitions also demanded that the HC stay the effect of the eviction notices.

As per the pleas, the ED in 2018 lodged a complaint against one Amit Bhardwaj and others for an alleged Bitcoin fraud and on charges of money laundering. Shilpa Shetty and her husband have not been named as accused in the case.

The ED, during its probe, summoned Kundra for questioning on several occasions. Raj Kundra appeared before the agency after each summons, the pleas said.

In April 2024, Ms Shetty and Raj Kundra received a notice based on an order passed by the ED provisionally attaching their assets, including their residential premise in Mumbai’s Juhu area which was purchased by Raj Kundra’s father in 2009.

Both Ms Shetty and Raj Kundra submitted their response to the notice.

“However, in contravention to the provisions of law, the adjudicating authority confirmed the provisional attachment order on September 18, 2024. This order clearly states that the attachment is confirmed only till the conclusion of trial and is subject to its outcome,” the pleas said.

“The petitioners (Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra) on October 3 received two notices dated September 27, 2024, directing them to vacate their residential premises and the farmhouse,” the couple said.

No eviction order/notice can be issued prior to conviction, the petitions said.

The couple in their pleas also said their residential premise has no connection with the scheduled offence or any proceeds of crime.

The petitions further claimed that Raj Kundra had absolutely no connection with the alleged fraud.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Mumbai:

Actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra have moved the Bombay High Court challenging ED’s notice directing them to vacate their house in Mumbai’s Juhu area and a farmhouse in Pune in connection with a money-laundering case.

The pleas came up for hearing on Wednesday before a division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan.

The court issued notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and posted the matter for hearing on Thursday.

Their petitions challenge ED notices dated September 27 issued to Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra directing them to evict their residence in Mumbai and a farmhouse in Pune within ten days in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an alleged Bitcoin fraud.

The couple’s advocate Prashant Patil said that Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra received the eviction notices only on October 3. He termed the notices arbitrary and illegal and sought them to be quashed.

According to the pleas, there is no grave urgency for the petitioners to vacate their premises and that the issuance of such eviction notices was uncalled for.

“The petitioners are also seeking relief on humanitarian grounds as the premise in question is their residential premise in which they have been staying with their family of six members for almost two decades,” the petitions said.

The pleas also sought HC to stay the effect of the eviction notices.

As per the pleas, the ED had in 2018 lodged a complaint against one Amit Bhardwaj and others for an alleged Bitcoin fraud and on charges of money laundering. Both Shetty and her husband have not been named as accused in the case.

The ED, during its probe, had summoned Mr Kundra for questioning on several occasions. Kundra had appeared before the agency after each summons, the pleas said.

In April 2024, Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra received a notice based on an order passed by the ED provisionally attaching their assets including their residential premise in Juhu that had been purchased by Kundra’s father in 2009.

Both Ms Shetty and Mr Kundra submitted their response to the notice.

“However, in contravention to the provisions of law, the adjudicating authority confirmed the provisional attachment order on September 18, 2024. This order clearly states that the attachment is confirmed only till the conclusion of trial and is subject to its outcome,” the pleas said.

“The petitioners (Shetty and Kundra) on October 3 received two notices dated September 27, 2024, directing them to vacate their residential premises and the farmhouse,” the petitions said.

The petitions said no eviction order/notice can be issued prior to conviction.

The pleas added that their residential premise has no connection with the scheduled offence or any proceeds of crime.

The petitions further claimed that Kundra had absolutely no connection with the alleged fraud.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

Businessman Raj Kundra shared a cryptic post about staying calm late last night after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized his assets worth Rs 97.79 crore in a probe linked to a Bitcoin ponzi scam.

Mr Kundra, the husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, shared the photo of a roaring lion on Instagram Stories with a text on it reading: “Learning to stay calm when you feel disrespected is a different type of growth.”

The assets seized from them include a residential flat in Juhu, which is registered in Shilpa Shetty’s name, a residential bungalow in Pune, and equity shares of Mr Kundra.

The couple have denied any involvement in the case. In a statement yesterday, their lawyer said no case is made out against them and they have faith in a fair investigation.

“There is no prima facie case made out against my clients Mr Raj Kundra and Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra. I believe when we make our fair representation before the Honourable Enforcement Directorate, even the investigation agencies may grant justice to us. We have faith in the fair investigation,” said their lawyer Prashant Patil.

A Ponzi scheme is an investment fraud where investors are lured with promises of huge profits at little or no risk. But instead of investing the money, the conmen try to lure more investors and pay initial investors with funds from the recent ones.

The latest probe pertains to allegations that Mr Kundra had received 285 bitcoins from the mastermind behind the Ponzi scheme, which he intended to use to establish a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. However, the deal did not materialize and left Mr Kundra with Bitcoins worth over Rs 150 crore.

This is not the first time Mr Kundra is facing a police probe. In 2021, he was arrested in a case involving the production and distribution of pornographic films. The Supreme Court later granted him bail.

New Delhi:

Raj Kundra, businessman and actor Shilpa Shetty’s husband, has landed on the radar of the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to a Ponzi scheme. The probe agency has seized properties worth Rs 97.79 crore, which also includes a Mumbai flat registered in the name of Shilpa Shetty. Raj Kundra, though, is not the prime accused in the case.

The case pertains to the masterminds launching an investment scheme called ‘Gain Bitcoin’ in 2017. They approached investors with a false promise of a 10 per cent a month return, but in the form of bitcoins.

In a short span, they managed to raise Rs 6,600 crore.   

The main accused, Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj, told investors that they would use the amount to mine bitcoins which would give instant and huge rewards.

The first couple of months they paid profits to their initial investors from the money that came in from the recent ones. But they stopped when they could not get enough new investors on board.   

They bought bitcoins with the remaining money and hid them in obscure online wallets.

The Enforcement Directorate launched the probe after multiple FIRs were filed by Maharashtra and Delhi Police.

The probe revealed that Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind and promoter of the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi Scam, Amit Bhardwaj, for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine, ED said.

“Since the deal didn’t materialise, Raj Kundra is still in possession and enjoyment of 285 Bitcoins which are presently valued at more than Rs 150 crore,” an ED official told news agency IANS.

Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty have denied any involvement in the case and said that they are confident of being cleared after the probe.

“On the face of it, there is no prima facie case made out against my clients Mr Raj Kundra and Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra. We have complete faith in the Honourable Judiciary,” the couple’s lawyer Prashant Patil said.