One more FIR registered against Raj Kundra and 4 others in porn apps case

MUMBAI: Another FIR registered has been against businessman Raj Kundra at Malvani Police Station in connection with his role as an alleged “key conspirator” in a case of making pornographic films and publishing them through mobile applications. He was arrested on July 19.

The Mumbai crime branch has taken up the case for further investigation.

On Tuesday, the Mumbai Police lodged a case against 3-4 producers of businessman Raj Kundra’s company in connection with the porn film racket. Actress Gehana Vasisth, who had been arrested in February, has also been named as one of the accused in the case.

Out on bail, it was Gehana Vasisth who had shared the name of Umesh Kamat in the case through which Raj Kundra’s links to the racket were found. She was part of the initial series of arrests made by the Crime Branch earlier this year along with actor Rowa Khan alias Yasmeen, photographer Monu Sharma, actors Bhanu Thakur, Arish Shaikh, and creative director Pratibha Nalawade.

Earlier, the Crime Branch had told the court that several victims were coming forward to record their statements in the case. The statements and investigation had brought forward the name of two more accused, Yash Thakur and Pardeep Bakshi, whose roles had also been confirmed in the racket.

On Tuesday, the Bombay High Court sought a response from the Mumbai Police in a plea by Kundra, alleging that his arrest was illegal as he was not served legal notices as per law. The court said it cannot decide on granting interim relief and pass an order without hearing respondent authorities and adjourned the hearing in the plea.

It alleged that the police searched Kundra’s office and, therefore, had directed him to remain present at the crime branch office. The petition also claimed that he was arrested without being served a notice in violation of laws safeguarding a person from arrest when the offense carries less than seven years of imprisonment.