The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive raids on Friday at the residence and office of businessman Raj Kundra in Mumbai, escalating its investigation into a money laundering case linked to an alleged pornographic content network.
ED raids Raj Kundra’s premises over Pornography racket probe
Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, has been at the centre of a complex legal investigation since his initial arrest in June 2021. He was subsequently granted bail in September 2021 after spending two months in judicial custody.
Mumbai Police officials have consistently maintained that Kundra was the “primary conspirator” in a sophisticated operation that systematically exploited aspiring models and actors. The investigation revealed a disturbing pattern where talent was lured with false promises of film roles and subsequently coerced into producing explicit content.
Here’s what officials said:
The network’s modus operandi involved recruiting young performers through deceptive recruitment practices. Actresses were reportedly manipulated into performing beyond their initial understanding, with those resisting facing threats and financial penalties.
“The recorded clips were uploaded to subscription-based platforms, creating a monetized content ecosystem,” a senior investigating officer stated.
When did probe start in Raj Kundra’s Pornography row?
The investigation initially began in February 2021 when Mumbai Police uncovered a pornography racket, leading to multiple arrests. The HotShots app, owned by Kundra’s company, emerged as a critical element in the investigation, with seized servers revealing explicit content.
During legal proceedings, Kundra’s legal team argued against direct responsibility, claiming neither he nor his IT head were responsible for platform content. However, Mumbai Police maintained they possessed substantial evidence supporting the charges.
Who all are indicted in this probe?
Apart from Raj Kundra, other notable individuals named in the case include actors Poonam Pandey, Sherlyn Chopra, and Umesh Kamat. The ongoing investigation continues to unravel the complex network’s operational mechanisms.
The ED’s current raids represent a significant escalation in the legal proceedings, signalling continued scrutiny of the alleged pornographic content network and its financial transactions.
As the investigation progresses, the case remains a complex intersection of digital content, exploitation, and potential financial misconduct, drawing significant attention from law enforcement agencies and the media.
