Raj Kundra summoned in money laundering case over alleged Rs 150 crore bitcoin holdings

Raj Kundra summoned in money laundering case

• Raj Kundra summoned by Mumbai PMLA court in GainBitcoin fraud case
• Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoins linked to the scam, worth over ₹150 crore
• Court appearance set for January 19, 2026

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A fresh legal development has once again placed businessman Raj Kundra in the spotlight, as a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Mumbai has summoned him in connection with the long-running GainBitcoin cryptocurrency fraud case.

Raj Kundra, who is married to Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, has been asked to appear before the court on January 19, 2026, following a supplementary chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The court has also issued summons to Rajesh Ram Satija, a Dubai-based businessman, for his alleged role in the same matter.

As reported by Bollywood Hungama, the special judge observed that “a prima facie case has been made out to take cognisance and to proceed against accused Nos. 17 and 18 (Kundra and Rajesh Satija) for the offence under Section 3 … of the PMLA and to issue process against them."

At the heart of the case is the GainBitcoin scheme, a cryptocurrency investment project that allegedly duped thousands of people across India.

The scheme promised high and assured returns through Bitcoin mining, but investors later claimed that payouts never arrived. Investigating agencies have stated that the operation was masterminded by Amit Bhardwaj, who has since died.

According to the Enforcement Directorate’s allegations, Raj Kundra received 285 Bitcoins as proceeds of crime from Amit Bhardwaj. At the time the agency assessed the assets, their value was estimated to be over ₹150 crore.

The ED has claimed that these Bitcoins were directly connected to the GainBitcoin scam and alleged that Raj Kundra continued to hold them without offering a satisfactory explanation regarding their legitimate source.

Also Read: More trouble for Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra as Section 420 added in Rs 60 crore fraud case

Officials have also suggested that Raj Kundra’s involvement was not merely peripheral. The agency has described him as a “beneficial owner”, indicating that he may have exercised control over or benefited directly from the alleged proceeds.

In addition, investigators have flagged a property transaction involving five apartments in Mumbai’s Juhu area. These flats are reportedly registered in the name of Shilpa Shetty.

The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that the properties were sold at prices far below market value, raising suspicions that the transaction may have been used to portray allegedly tainted funds as legitimate assets.

With the court now taking cognisance of the matter, further clarity is expected as the legal process unfolds. For now, all eyes remain on the upcoming court appearance.