**ED Charges Raj Kundra in ₹150 Crore Bitcoin Scam**
*By Apoorva Rastogi | Sep 27, 2025, 11:45 AM*
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed charges against actor and businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Shilpa Shetty Kundra, in a money laundering case linked to a Bitcoin scam. According to the agency’s chargesheet submitted to a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court, Kundra is the beneficial owner of 285 Bitcoins worth ₹150.47 crore. These Bitcoins were allegedly received from the late crypto-scam mastermind Amit Bhardwaj.
### Allegations Against Raj Kundra
The ED accuses Kundra of deliberately hiding crucial evidence, including Bitcoin wallet addresses, and failing to surrender the Bitcoins obtained from Bhardwaj. The agency claims that Kundra is still in possession of these proceeds of crime. Additionally, the ED alleges that Kundra conducted a “genuine transaction” with his wife at a price “far below market rate,” purportedly to conceal the source of the funds derived from criminal activities.
### Charges and Obstruction of Proceedings
The ED further alleges that Kundra obstructed the ongoing PMLA proceedings by layering illicit funds and presenting them as legitimate assets. The money laundering case stems from FIRs registered by Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against Variable Tech Private Limited and individuals including Mahendra Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, and Simpy Bhardwaj.
These individuals are accused of running a Ponzi scheme involving Bitcoins purportedly used for mining operations, promising high returns to investors.
### Kundra’s Role Disputed
The chargesheet mentions that Kundra claimed to be a “mediator” in the Bitcoin transactions but failed to provide any evidence to substantiate this claim. An agreement titled “Term Sheet” was signed between Kundra and Mahendra Bhardwaj. The chargesheet states, “He was indeed the recipient of bitcoins as a beneficial owner and not acted merely as a mediator.”
### Missing Evidence and Deliberate Concealment
Despite multiple opportunities since 2018, Kundra has not disclosed the wallet addresses where the 285 Bitcoins were transferred. He explained his inability to provide this information by citing damage to his iPhone X following his initial statement. The ED views this as a deliberate attempt to destroy evidence and conceal proceeds of crime.
The investigation into this high-profile Bitcoin scam continues as authorities seek to bring all involved parties to justice.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/entertainment/raj-kundra-charged-in-bitcoin-scam-case/story