Raj Kundra summoned by PMLA court in GainBitcoin case
Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, has been summoned by a special PMLA court in Mumbai in the high-profile GainBitcoin cryptocurrency probe. The court has directed Kundra to appear on January 19, 2026, after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet and the court took cognisance of the matter.
What the ED alleges
The ED’s supplementary prosecution complaint claims Kundra received proceeds of crime in the form of 285 Bitcoins, valued at more than Rs 150 crore, from the late Amit Bhardwaj — the alleged mastermind of the GainBitcoin scheme. According to the agency, these assets came from a crypto-mining project that never materialised and were linked to criminal activity.
The ED has described Kundra not merely as a mediator but as a beneficial owner of the Bitcoins, and says he remained in possession of those assets without adequate explanation.
Key allegations at a glance
- Receipt of 285 Bitcoins from Amit Bhardwaj, allegedly worth over Rs 150 crore.
- Assets reportedly derived from a failed cloud-mining project tied to the GainBitcoin fraud.
- An alleged attempt to disguise the origin of funds via a property transaction involving five Juhu flats held in Shilpa Shetty’s name, sold at below-market rates.
- Summons issued for Raj Kundra and Dubai-based businessman Rajesh Ram Satija as accused in the PMLA case.
Alleged property transaction in Juhu
The ED has alleged that a sale involving five flats in Mumbai’s Juhu area — properties held in Shilpa Shetty’s name — was conducted at a rate far below market value. The agency claims this was done to mask the illicit origin of funds received from the GainBitcoin operation.
Court response and next steps
A special judge observed in the court order: “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.” The judge has asked both Kundra and Rajesh Ram Satija to appear before the court on January 19, 2026.
Background of the GainBitcoin case
The GainBitcoin probe traces back to multiple FIRs registered in Pune and Nanded against Amit Bhardwaj and others. Allegations include cheating, criminal breach of trust, conspiracy, and violations of the Information Technology Act, among other offences. Earlier enforcement action by the ED included attachment of movable and immovable properties linked to the case, which was confirmed by the PMLA Adjudicating Authority.
Earlier investigations identified over Rs 6,600 crore involved in the broader cryptocurrency scheme. The GainBitcoin outfit had lured investors with promises of high returns through cloud mining, but the scheme later collapsed, leaving numerous claimants out of pocket.
Where this leaves Shilpa Shetty and public interest
While the current summons names Raj Kundra and Rajesh Satija, Shilpa Shetty’s name appears only in connection with property ownership in the ED’s allegations. Legal processes are ongoing and these are allegations that must be tested in court.
Separately, the Bombay High Court earlier asked Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra to deposit Rs 60 crore as part of a direction relating to their travel and to seek relief from a Look-Out Circular, an order frequently noted alongside developments in this case.
What to expect next
The PMLA court hearing on January 19, 2026 will be a key date as the matter proceeds. The ED’s chargesheet and the court’s decision to take cognisance mean the probe is moving into a more formal stage of prosecution. As always with legal matters, the allegations will be examined in court before any final conclusions are drawn.
