Raj Kundra porn film case: The crime branch on Monday arrested businessman Raj Kundra on charges of creating pornographic films and publishing them through mobile applications. Police also said that Kundra is charged for being the alleged “key conspirator” in the case.
A well-known businessman and husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, Kundra has been booked under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. The Property Cell of the Mumbai crime branch had in February registered an FIR in connection with the case. Kundra’s name came up during the interrogation of the accused persons in the case, police officers said.
Reports also suggest that Shetty didn't turn up for the shoot of a dance reality show that she is part of, on July 20. Whether or not the actor will be called in for question following her husband's arrest remains unclear as of now.
Here are ten things to know about the case:
1. On Monday (July 19), police summoned Kundra for questioning and then subsequently arrested him, based on the evidence.
2. Kundra, a British-Indian businessman, is the latest person to be arrested after the Mumbai Police charged eleven other people for their alleged involvement in creating pornographic films and publishing them through mobile apps. More here.
3. Mumbai Police Commissioner Hemant Nagrale said that Kundra appears to be the "key conspirator" in this case. "We have sufficient evidence regarding this," the commissioner said the force has enough evidence to bring the businessman in and prove his involvement in the case. He also added that an investigation in the matter is in progress.
4. Nagrale said the arrest was made in connection with the case registered with Crime Branch Mumbai in February this year when a woman approached the Mumbai Police against Kundra and alleged that he is involved in luring young women and men on the pretext of offering roles in web series and short films.
5. It is understood that the 45-year-old has been booked under sections 292 and 293 (related to obscene and indecent advertisements and displays), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of IPC besides relevant sections of the IT Act and the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act.
6. In the racket busted by the crime branch, the police had said women were allegedly forced to act in pornographic films with promises of roles in web series. After shooting the porn videos, the people involved would send them to a foreign-based company and the same was uploaded on various apps to evade Indian laws.
7. The other accused -- involved in creating pornographic films and publishing them through some apps -- arrested were the owners of streaming platforms where these films were available for viewing with a subscription fee.
8. An officer said that Kundra's involvement is evidential since he has links to one of the companies involved in putting up such movies on digital platforms.
9. Kundra’s name was also mentioned in a similar case that had been registered by the Maharashtra Cyber police last year. He has filed for anticipatory bail and the court is likely to decide on his application next week. Raj Kundra has reportedly denied the allegations against him.
10. On July 20, Kundra was presented in front of Esplanade Court in Mumbai by the police, alongside his close aide Ryan Tharp. The businessman was remanded to police custody till Friday, July 23 by the court.
Raj Kundra time in police custody has been increased from July 23 to July 27. Kundra and his wife moved to Bombay High Court challenging his arrest and calling it illegal. Mumbai police has come out with many revelations so far,Kundra allegedly bribed police officers before to keep the illegal pornographic film production racket under wraps.
While Crime Branch officials have made a fresh raid at Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra’s Juhu residence on Friday, Mumbai Police have recovered WhatsApp chats which reportedly revealed details about Kundra’s international business deal worth 1.2 million dollars. Read more
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