December 3, 2024: Businessman Raj Kundra, under investigation for his alleged role in a pornography-related money laundering case, skipped a scheduled hearing with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday. A fresh summons has now been issued requiring him to appear on December 4. The probe, which also implicates actress Gehana Vashisht, centers on Kundra’s financial involvement in the alleged pornographic content racket.
Fresh Summons Issued
Kundra, the husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, was summoned regarding the first ED case tied to money laundering in connection with a pornography scam unearthed by Mumbai Police in 2021. Although he sought additional time and missed Monday’s hearing, the ED has now rescheduled the session, insisting on his presence on Wednesday. Actress Gehana Vashisht has also been summoned to appear before the ED on December 9.
The investigation focuses on unraveling Kundra’s financial transactions, his precise role in the racket, and details of the “Hotshots” app, alleged to have been used to stream obscene content.
Kundra’s Defense
Raj Kundra has maintained his innocence, stating last week that he is “fully complying” with the ongoing probe. His legal counsel claims the businessman is cooperating to ensure the “truth comes out.” Kundra had previously told a local court that there was no evidence directly linking him to the creation of pornographic content, insisting he was falsely implicated.
His legal team contends that Kundra was not named in the original FIR and is being made a “scapegoat” for reasons known only to the investigators.
ED’s Actions So Far
The ED recently raided at least eight locations connected to Kundra and others. This case marks the second money laundering investigation involving the businessman. Earlier this year, the ED had attached assets worth ₹98 crore belonging to Kundra and Shetty in a cryptocurrency-related case. However, the Bombay High Court granted relief to the couple regarding the attachment order.
Background of the Case
The controversy traces back to 2021 when Mumbai Police uncovered an alleged pornographic content racket. The “Hotshots” app was identified as the platform used to distribute the material. Kundra was arrested in July 2021 but released on bail in September of the same year.
In May 2022, the ED began investigating the financial aspects of the case separately. FIRs were filed based on complaints from women who claimed to have been exploited for creating explicit content, some of which was allegedly filmed in Lonavla.
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#RajKundra #MoneyLaundering #EDSummons #PornScam #BollywoodNews #ShilpaShetty #HotshotsApp #MumbaiCrimeNews #GehanaVashisht
