Crime branch tells sessions court that the businessman might influence witnesses as some of them work for his company
The HC recently rejected Raj Kundra’s plea challenging his arrest. File pic
Businessman and actor Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra, the alleged key conspirator in the porn racket, will have to spend more time behind bars. The sessions court on Tuesday deferred hearing on his bail plea till August 20 after the crime branch listed out 19 reasons to oppose it.
In its reply to the court, the crime branch said Kundra was not cooperating and that their investigation was still on. It said a lot of evidence was yet to be collected and that many more witnesses and victims were coming forward to record their testimony.
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The cops have told the court that their probe has established that Kundra was controlling the HotShots app, which hosted blue films created by those alleged in the case, through London-registered Kenrin Limited. It said the company belongs to Kundra’s brother-in-law Pradeep Bakshi, who is now a wanted in the case.
Kundra is among 11 people arrested in the porn racket. They are accused of pushing women into work in adult content after promising them a break in Bollywood and OTT platforms.
Also read: Raj Kundra told me Shilpa Shetty liked my work, says Sherlyn Chopra
The crime branch says the second accused and IT head of Kundra’s firm, Ryan Thorpe, had hired two persons for Kundra’s Viaan Industries on his instructions but they were managing the HotShots app. It also said that Kundra along with another person, Manan Vora, started a company that used to look after the anti-piracy of Hotshot and used to charge Rs 1.5 - Rs 2 lakh from Kenrin Limited.
Opposing Kundra’s bail, the crime branch said he is an influential person and might tamper with the evidence and influence the witnesses as some of them work for his company. It said that he is a British citizen and there is a possibility that he might escape the country.
In his reply, investigating officer Kiran Bidve claimed that Kundra has destroyed a lot of evidence and he might erase more if allowed to walk out on bail. The reply also states that after Kundra’s arrest there FIR was registered at Malwani police station and it is also being investigated by the crime branch.
The reply added that Kundra was in touch with Bakshi and might influence him as well if granted bail. It also cited the rejection of Kundra’s plea, challenging his arrest, by the Bombay High Court.
The defence lawyer sought more time to respond to the points raised by the crime branch. The court then adjourned the hearing till August 20.
11
No. of people arrested in the case so far
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