Money Laundering Case: ED attaches Raj Kundra’s properties worth Rs 98 crore and Shilpa Shetty’s Juhu flat. The action is linked to a Bitcoin ponzi scam of nearly Rs 7,000 crore.
Mumbai: ED has seized properties worth Rs 97.79 crore belonging to Raj Kundra, husband of actress Shilpa Shetty, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. This includes a flat in Juhu owned by Shilpa Shetty. The action is linked to a Bitcoin ponzi scam of nearly Rs 7,000 crore. Properties like a bungalow in Pune and equity shares in Raj Kundra’s name have been attached by the ED. The investigation started after multiple FIRs were filed against Variable Tech Private Limited and others including Amit Bhardwaj, who is accused of accumulating Rs 6,600 crore worth of Bitcoin in 2017.
ED, Mumbai has provisionally attached immovable and movable properties worth Rs. 97.79 Crore belonging to Ripu Sudan Kundra aka Raj Kundra under the provisions of PMLA, 2002. The attached properties include Residential flat situated in Juhu presently in the name of Smt. Shilpa…
— ED (@dir_ed) April 18, 2024
Investors were promised high returns but were cheated as the Bitcoin was concealed in obscure online wallets. Raj Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoin from Amit Bhardwaj for a mining farm in Ukraine. These assets, valued at Rs 150 crore, are believed to be proceeds of crime. “Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from the mastermind and promoter of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scam Amit Bhardwaj for setting up Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine,” the probe agency said.
While Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur, and Nikhil Mahajan have been arrested, main accused Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj are still at large.
Statement From Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s Advocate
Advocate Prashant Patil has come forward to share the update on the case. He told the media, “We shall follow the due process of law and take necessary steps as prescribed under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act to protect the liberty and property of my clients. 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. 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. We stand committed to cooperate with the authorities as and when required.”
