ED raids Raj Kundra’s house.
Raj Kundra has been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for several months due to allegations of his involvement in a scheme that monetized explicit content. The probe revolves around Kundra’s alleged role in streaming and distributing adult content through the now-defunct ‘Hotshots’ application, a platform that gained notoriety for hosting explicit material.
Authorities claim that Kundra played a pivotal role in the financial transactions linked to the app, allegedly profiting from subscriptions and advertising revenues generated by the content. The ED is examining potential violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), suspecting that the proceeds from the operation may have been funneled through illegal channels.
Kundra, who was previously arrested in connection with the case, has maintained his innocence, stating that he had no direct involvement in the production or distribution of explicit content.
Raj Kundra’s House and Offices Raided by ED in Porn Content Case
Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra’s Juhu residence and several of his offices were raided today by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as part of an ongoing money laundering investigation related to The ED conducted searches at around 15 locations across Mumbai, focusing on gathering evidence of financial transactions linked to the alleged illegal activities.
The probe stems from allegations that Kundra played a central role in a scheme to produce and monetize adult content via the now-defunct app ‘Hotshots.’ The platform, which gained notoriety The app was taken down in 2021 following a police investigation, but authorities have since been examining the financial trail left by its operations.
According to officials, aspiring actors were lured under the pretext of auditions for web series and other legitimate projects. However, once on set, many of them were allegedly coerced into filming semi-nude or fully nude scenes against their will. Several victims have come forward, claiming that they were threatened and pressured to participate in explicit shoots.
The police and the ED have been scrutinizing financial transactions that link Kundra to the app’s operations. A key piece of evidence in the case is WhatsApp chats retrieved from Kundra’s phone, which reportedly reveal detailed discussions about the production and sale of adult content. One notable conversation highlights a proposed deal to sell 119 adult films for USD 1.2 million, suggesting significant financial gains from the distribution of the content.
In addition to examining Kundra’s direct involvement, the ED is investigating potential violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Authorities suspect that the profits from the app were funneled through illegal channels, including offshore accounts and shell companies, to conceal the origins of the funds.
Kundra was previously arrested in July 2021 by the Mumbai Police in connection with the case and spent nearly two months in judicial custody before being released on bail. Throughout the investigation, Kundra has maintained his innocence, asserting that he was not directly involved in the production or coercion of actors and that his association with Kenrin was limited to technical and financial advisory roles.
His legal team has consistently argued that the content hosted on ‘Hotshots’ did not qualify as pornography under Indian law and was instead classified as adult entertainment. However, law enforcement agencies have countered this claim, emphasizing that the coercion of actors and the exploitation of aspiring talent constitute serious criminal offenses.
The ED’s latest raids aim to uncover the full extent of the financial network behind the app and to determine whether Kundra and his associates laundered money derived from the illegal activities. Officials are also investigating links between Kundra’s businesses and other individuals or companies that may have facilitated the operations of ‘Hotshots’ and similar platforms.
Meanwhile, Kundra’s wife, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, has distanced herself from the controversy, stating that she had no knowledge of her husband’s business dealings related to the app. She has also cooperated with authorities in the past, providing statements and clarifying her lack of involvement in the case.
The case has drawn widespread media attention due to its high-profile nature, involving prominent figures from the entertainment industry. It has also raised broader concerns about the exploitation of aspiring actors and the growing prevalence of adult content on digital platforms.
As the investigation progresses, the ED is expected to summon more individuals for questioning and may issue further notices based on the evidence collected during today’s raids. The findings will likely play a critical role in determining whether Kundra will face additional charges related to money laundering and other financial crimes.
For now, Raj Kundra remains under the ED’s scrutiny, as authorities work to unravel the financial and operational intricacies of the alleged pornographic content racket.