Raj Kundra has been granted bail by a PMLA court in the 150 crore rupee Bitcoin scam case. He must provide a one lakh rupee surety and take prior permission for any travel outside the country
Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty
Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, has found himself in hot waters again. The actor-cum-businessman appeared at the court for a hearing in the Ponzi Bitcoin scam case. Last month, the special PMLA court had issued summons to Raj Kundra and New Delhi-based businessman Rajesh Satija. Now, the actor has finally got bail in the matter.
Raj Kundra gets bail in Bitcoin scam case
Raj Kundra has been granted bail by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai in the Rs 150 crore Bitcoin scam case. The PMLA court has asked Kundra to provide a surety of 1 lakh rupees. The court has further instructed the businessman to take prior permission in case he wishes to travel out of the country.
Speaking to reporters after getting bail, he said, “If you have done nothing wrong in life, you are bound to get relief… All is good… Satyamev Jayate…”
The special judge for cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, R. B. Rote, had in January issued a summons to Kundra after taking cognizance of a charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the case. Kundra appeared before the court and filed a bail plea, which the court allowed.
His lawyer, Prashant Patil, submitted that Kundra had cooperated with the ED's investigation since 2021. The court, while taking cognizance of the charge sheet, had said that the statements of witnesses and other evidence "prima facie show" that Kundra and Dubai-based businessman Rajesh Satija were involved in an offence punishable under the PMLA.
About the case
Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoins from the alleged mastermind of the Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scam, Amit Bhardwaj, for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine. As the deal did not materialise, Kundra was still in possession of 285 Bitcoins, presently valued at more than Rs 150 crore, the ED claimed.
As per the charge sheet, Kundra claimed to have acted only as a mediator, but did not provide "any underlying documentary evidence to prove the same."
An agreement titled "Term Sheet" was signed between him and Amit's father, Mahendra Bhardwaj, and hence, Kundra's claim of being only a mediator was not tenable, the charge sheet said.
Despite having multiple opportunities since 2018, Kundra failed to provide the wallet addresses where the 285 Bitcoins were transferred.
Kundra was also seen as one of the contestants in Prime Video's reality show The Traitors. However, he was eliminated on Day 2. His most recent release was the Punjabi drama Meher, in which he was seen sharing the screen with Geeta Basra for the first time.
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