The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned businessman and Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra regarding an investigation of a pornographic allegation against him. The investigating agency has ordered Kundra to appear at ED’s office in Mumbai on Monday at 11 am.
The ED had conducted raids at various premises associated with Kundra as part of a money laundering investigation into the production and distribution of pornographic content.
The Mumbai Police detained Kundra in July 2021 on allegations of making and distributing pornographic content. He was eventually given bail. However, he has denied the claims against him, stating that he was made a “scapegoat” in the case.
Earlier this year, Raj Kundra came under the attention of the ED, which seized Rs 98 crore in assets as part of a money laundering investigation into the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi Scam. The seized property comprised a residential flat in Juhu, Mumbai, a bungalow in Pune, and equity interests.
The allegation against Kundra at a glance:
Acting on complaints filed by several women, the Mumbai Police began investigation after into the pornography racket. The women claimed they were forced to participate in such content under the guise of auditions for web series and films.
These films were released online on subscription-based mobile apps like HotHit Movies and Hotshots, as well as websites like Nuefliks and Hothitmovies.
Raj Kundra founded Armsprime Media Private Limited in 2019, and he has been accused of being a key conspirator in the scheme. His firm developed the Hotshots app, which was eventually moved to Kenrin Limited, a UK-based company run by his brother-in-law, Pradeep Bakshi.
Kundra kept control of the app and other platforms used to spread sexual content, profiting handsomely from membership fees.
