On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet against businessman Raj Kundra in the Bitcoin scam case. The agency alleges that Kundra was not merely acting as a middleman, but was also a direct and actual beneficiary linked to this scam.
New Delhi: Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and a businessman, has once again found himself in legal trouble. On Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet against him in the Bitcoin scam worth Rs 150 crore. The agency alleges that Kundra was not only a middleman in this case, but he himself is the actual beneficiary of 285 Bitcoins, whose current value is said to be more than Rs 150 crore.
Root of the Scam: The ‘Gain Bitcoin’ Ponzi Scheme
This case is linked to Amit Bhardwaj, a notorious name in the crypto sector, who is considered the mastermind behind the ‘Gain Bitcoin’ Ponzi scheme. Under this scheme, money was collected from thousands of investors with the promise of huge profits from Bitcoin mining. However, the investors' money disappeared, and the Bitcoins were hidden in secret wallets.
The ED claims that Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins from this very network. These Bitcoins were allegedly intended for establishing a mining farm in Ukraine, but the deal could not be finalized. Despite this, Kundra kept these Bitcoins with him and has not yet shared their location or wallet address.
ED's Allegations: Attempt to Mislead
In the chargesheet, the ED stated that Kundra consistently misled the investigating agencies. He feigned that his phone was damaged and consequently, crucial digital evidence was unavailable. The agency asserts that this attitude clearly indicates that he was trying to conceal the truth. Another significant aspect has been revealed in the chargesheet. The ED alleges that Raj Kundra conducted a transaction with his wife, renowned actress Shilpa Shetty, where the deal was shown to be at a price significantly lower than the market value. The agency believes that this method was adopted to convert black money into white and legitimize illegal earnings. Although Shilpa Shetty's direct involvement in this case has not been proven, the transaction linked to her name is under investigation.
Raj Kundra, in his defense, has stated that he was merely an intermediary and had no connection with the ownership of Bitcoins. However, the ED asserts that the available evidence contradicts this claim. According to the agency, due to his knowledge of the terms of the agreement and continuous transactions, it is clear that Kundra was the actual owner and beneficiary of the Bitcoins.
