ED Conducts Raids At Raj Kundra's Home, office In Connection With Pornography Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted raids at bollywood businessman Raj Kundra's residence and office as part of a money laundering investigation related to porn racket case.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on friday conducted raids at multiple locations, including the residence and office of businessman raj Kundra, as part of an investigation into a money laundering case tied to the alleged distribution of pornographic and adult films. raj Kundra, 49, is the husband of bollywood actress shilpa Shetty.

The searches were carried out at approximately 15 locations across mumbai and parts of Uttar Pradesh. 

All about cases against raj Kundra

The case involves allegations that funds generated within india through controversial videos were transferred abroad. According to sources, a significant amount of money was moved across data-borders in multiple transactions, prompting the ED to initiate a thorough probe.

This money laundering case, initiated in May 2022, stems from two FIRs and subsequent chargesheets filed by mumbai police against Kundra and others. The police had arrested Kundra and several associates, who were later released on bail.

The allegations revolve around the use of an app named Hotshots, which was reportedly used for uploading and streaming obscene content. Kundra has repeatedly denied these claims, asserting that there is no evidence linking him to the creation or distribution of pornographic material.

In a 2021 court plea, Kundra stated, "There was not even an iota of evidence with the prosecution (Mumbai Police) that would connect the app Hotshots, used in the alleged porn films racket, with an offense under the law." He also claimed he was being "falsely implicated" and labeled as a "scapegoat" by investigators.

The police investigation began after complaints from multiple women, including one filed at Lonavla police station near Mumbai. According to the police, aspiring actors were allegedly lured with promises of roles in web series or short films. These auditions often required the actors to perform "bold" scenes, which later turned into semi-nude or nude shoots without their consent.

The investigation further revealed the existence of several apps involved in distributing adult content online. The police alleged that Kundra’s company, Armsprime media Pvt Ltd, acquired the Hotshots app through a London-based entity, Kenrin Pvt Ltd, to upload objectionable material.

Evidence cited by the police includes whatsapp conversations found on Kundra's phone, which allegedly detailed economic transactions involving Kenrin Pvt Ltd and discussions about selling 119 adult films for $1.2 million.

Previous ED case against Kundra

This is the second money laundering case involving Kundra. Earlier this year, the ED attached assets worth ₹98 crore belonging to Kundra and shilpa shetty in a cryptocurrency case. The couple later obtained relief from the bombay high court against the attachment order.

This case is not new, as similar allegations in the past had led to Raj Kundra's arrest by the mumbai Police. 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting raids at 15 locations across mumbai and Uttar Pradesh in the case.