Raj Kundra Gave Bribe of Rs 25 Lakh to Mumbai Crime Branch Officials to Avoid Arrest
NEW DELHI: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty's husband, Raj Kundra paid Rs 25 lakh to the Mumbai Crime Branch officials to avoid getting arrested for allegedly creating pornographic films.
According to a report in Mid-Day, one of the accused in the case, Arvinda Srivastava alias Rash Thakur, had complained to the Anti-Corruption Bureau via email in March, about the money exchange between the police and US-based firm Feliz Movies (or Nukeflix as it was previously called), and the officials.
Srivastava owned the US-based firm and was named as the kingpin of the porn scandal in March. Police had then seized two of his bank accounts with approximately Rs. 4.50 crore rupees in them.
According to the report, the email contained screenshots of Whatsapp conversations about the alleged bribe. It stated that a "demand, through a police informer, to pay an equal amount was also made to the firm".
Mumbai police's official spokesperson DCP Chaitanya S told the news outlet that he is not aware of the accusations.
Businessman Raj Kundra has been receiving regular payments, amounting to Rs 9.65 lakh, in his bank account from Hot Hit, a porn app that was named in the racket busted by Mumbai Police earlier this year.
Hot Hit describes itself as "Best Indian movies and web series. Your search comes to an end at HotHit Movies and Originals. To watch our video content you need to subscribe with one of the following plans using: Paykun Payment method and get instant access."
In February this year, Mumbai Police arrested nine people for allegedly forcing aspiring actors to shoot nude scenes for pornographic films. These films were streamed on paid websites and mobile applications.
Gehna Vasishth, who has featured in several soap operas, is said to be a prominent player in this racket.
Those arrested include Rowa Khan alias Yasmeen, who claims to be a producer-director. Police also arrested Dipankar Khasanvis alias Shyam Banerjee, who is Khan's husband.
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