Raj Kundra gets big court relief in Rs 150-crore Bitcoin scam case

Actor Shilpa Shetty's husband and businessman Raj Kundra was granted bail by a special court on Friday in connection with the alleged Rs 150 crore Bitcoin 'Ponzi' scheme case.

Kundra, one of 18 accused in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), appeared before the court after it took cognisance of the chargesheet filed last month. The court granted him bail on furnishing a surety of Rs 1 lakh and directed that he must seek prior permission before travelling abroad.

Speaking briefly outside the courtroom, Kundra said he had faith in the judiciary but declined further comment. "My wife does not let me speak at home and my lawyer does not allow me to speak in



court," he said.

The special court had earlier issued summons to Kundra and Dubai-based businessman Rajesh Satija after taking cognisance of the ED's chargesheet. Both were directed to appear before the court on January 19. Kundra and Satija were added as accused in a supplementary chargesheet filed in September last year.

Kundra was never arrested during the investigation and was required to formally seek bail following the court's cognisance.

According to the ED, Kundra allegedly received Rs 6.5 crore from alleged Gain Bitcoin scam 'mastermind' Amit Bhardwaj, which was converted into 285 Bitcoins for setting up a Bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine, purportedly to be received by an Israeli citizen.