In a rather shocking update on Monday night, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s husband, businessman Raj Kundra was arrested by Mumbai’s Crime Branch after he was alleged to be the “key conspirator” in creating hundreds of pornographic content. After a whirlwind of events later, Raj and his partner Ryan Thorpe were produced before the Magistrate Court wherein an extension of the custody (until July 27) was granted as appealed by Mumbai Police.

After Raj Kundra moved Bombay High Court to challenge that his arrest was “illegal”, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stepped in to look into the money laundering angle in the pornographic scandal.

A Times Now report had it that ED is now involved in the matter and has asked for FIR copy, case files and some other relevant documents from Mumbai Police. Reportedly, the purpose of ED’s involvement in the matter is to understand the foreign links and any other issues pertaining to the money laundering angle.

The report had it that Mumbai Police, in their various Court submissions, had claimed that they had gone through various Whatsapp chats and in which Raj Kundra and others involved in this have mentioned that once they have sold 121 clips, they could earn around 1.2 million dollars. It is to be noted here that Raj had alleged that he invested most of the money in online betting. As per the report, ED officials have claimed this to be a clear case of money laundering and if they find any key evidence against Raj after going through several sources, ED will file a case of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against the businessman.

As per the same report, ED has also said that they would like to go through the bank account statements of Shilpa Shetty Kundra and Raj Kundra and if any evidence of money laundering comes out from the search, a case of PMLA will be file. ED has written a letter to Mumbai Police seeking a copy of the FIR and other related documents as mentioned above.

In one of the first statements issued against Raj Kundra for the pornographic scandal, Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale had said, “There was a case registered with Crime Branch Mumbai in February 2021 about creation of pornographic films and publishing them through some apps. We’ve arrested Mr Raj Kundra in this case on 19/7/21 as he appears to be the key conspirator of this. We have sufficient evidences regarding this. Investigation is in progress.”

As for the latest updates, Raj Kundra’s bail hearing will be held in Bombay High Court on July 27.