The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken Rakesh Gupta, the chairman and managing director of the Delhi-based Sadhna Group, into custody as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation. The federal agency estimates the proceeds of crime involved in the case to be approximately ₹168 crore. Following his arrest at Ishwar Farms, a local court granted the agency five days of custody to further its probe, with the next hearing scheduled for October 15.
The ED’s investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing on September 29, which includes allegations of criminal breach of trust and cheating. According to the ED, Gupta is accused of orchestrating the insolvency of Sadhna Media Pvt Ltd through connected creditors, who reportedly held over 99% of the committee of creditors. Investigators allege that significant income-tax dues were settled at a fraction of their value, while funds were diverted to companies linked to Gupta, including Sharpline Broadcast Ltd.
Furthermore, the agency has cited a Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) order, which identified Gupta as a key figure in alleged share manipulation involving Sadhna Broadcast Ltd, with an estimated involvement of ₹58 crore. The ED has also pointed to suspected financial transactions occurring through hawala channels and USDT platforms during the resale of Aryan TV. As part of the ongoing inquiry, officials are currently working to trace cash flows, examine seized electronic devices, and scrutinize company financial records to account for missing bank trails.
The 63-year-old businessman is well-known for operating various media outlets, including Sadhna TV, Ishwar TV, and Sadhna Plus News, as well as maintaining a digital presence through his personal YouTube channel. Beyond media, his professional interests have spanned diverse sectors, including outdoor advertising, solar energy installations, and a Bio-CNG plant located in Mathura.
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