Raj Kundra has had a rather vexatious day at the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) office where he was summoned this morning in connection with the Bitcoin scam amounting to more than Rs. 2,400 crore. Shilpa Shetty’s flamboyant husband was reportedly interrogated for over nine hours about his alleged dealings with Amit Bhardwaj who is known everywhere as the kingpin of the cryptocurrency market. Bhardwaj was arrested two months ago in Delhi and a criminal case filed against him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

At the time, Kundra is still being interrogated and sources say he revealed the names of several Bollywood celebs who helped him promote the ponzi scheme GainBitcoin for its founder Amit Bhardwaj in Dubai. About 8,000 investors lost over Rs. 2,000 crore by transacting in this scheme. The names given out by Kundra to ED officers include those of Sunny Leone, Prachi Desai, Aarti Chhabria, Sonal Chouhan, Karishma Tanna, Zareen Khan and Neha Dhupia.  It is almost certain all of these Bollywood starlets will also be interrogated by the ED for their role in the Bitcoin scam.

Recommended Read: ED summons Shilpa Shetty’s husband Raj Kundra in bitcoin scam

Meanwhile, Kundra just released a statement in which the businessman says: “This is to clarify that I have no connection or involvement in the Bitcoin scam whatsoever. I was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate merely as a witness. An inquiry is underway and I am cooperating with the law enforcement agency as Amit Bhardwaj is an acquaintance and protocol is being followed. Amit Bhardwaj was to buy a team in Match Poker League and had got into contact with us and I have come as a witness to the same.” Kundra is said to own the Match Poker League in which a number of city teams have to play for the title.

He took to Twitter to speak up on the same and wrote:

[embed]https://twitter.com/TheRajKundra/status/1004048849231462400[/embed]

However, an ED source reportedly told the media, “We suspect certain Bitcoin transactions between the main accused Amit Bhardwaj and Raj Kundra. And we are investigating Kundra to ascertain if he has gained anything from it. Kundra and Bhardwaj might have some links in Hash mining for Bitcoin in China.” The FIR registered in Delhi mentioned that Bhardwaj’s company duped hundreds of investors in a ponzi scheme. The case was filed after he was arrested by Pune Police at Delhi Airport following a complaint registered against him in the Pune Police’s Cyber Crime Cell by one Bhimsen Agarwal.

In this connection, Kundra's company wishes to state that:

"Mr Raj Kundra CMD of Viaan Industries Ltd was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate merely as a witness. An enquiry is underway by the concerned regulatory authorities and Mr Raj Kundra stands committed to extend all his cooperation to the law enforcement agency.

Commenting on the articles, Mr Raj Kundra, CMD said “I am terribly disappointed by the irresponsible reporting carried out by some sections of the media. Clarity on the issue should have been sought before carrying such headlines. The authorities, summoned me merely as a witness, as the accused Amit Bharadwaj happens to be an acquaintance and some introductions were made hence there is a certain protocol being followed by the agencies. Amit Bharadwaj was intending to buy a team in our poker league and got into a contract with us for the same. However, he was expelled on account of non-payment of fees and I was called as a witness in this connection. While we continuously strive to keep taking steps to improve our reputation, these type of unconfirmed, baseless, reports severely dent our market perception and erode investor sentiments”

He continued “Notwithstanding what has happened, at Viaan Industries, we shall continue to focus on growing our gaming and media vertical. We remain excited about the company’s future and strive to keep adding shareholder value”