PMLA court summons Raj Kundra after ED chargesheet in GainBitcoin probe

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has moved a step forward in its probe into the GainBitcoin cryptocurrency scam, with a special PMLA court in Mumbai reportedly issuing a summons to businessman Raj Kundra after taking cognisance of the agency’s supplementary chargesheet.

According to media reports. Kundra has been asked to appear before the court on January 19, 2026.

The development is part of the ED’s ongoing investigation into the GainBitcoin scheme, a Bitcoin-based Ponzi operation allegedly run by Amit Bhardwaj, who died in January 2022, and his brother Vivek Bhardwaj. The scheme is estimated to have defrauded investors of thousands of crores. The agency has reportedly accused Kundra of being a beneficiary of proceeds generated through the scam.

As per media reports, Kundra allegedly received 285 Bitcoins in 2017 from the main accused for setting up a Bitcoin mining operation in Ukraine. However, investigators have reportedly stated that the proposed project did not take off. The agency has further claimed that Kundra failed to furnish wallet addresses or sufficient documentary proof to support his claim that he acted only as a facilitator in the transaction.

The ED has reportedly maintained that Kundra exercised control over the Bitcoins, making him a “beneficial owner” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. At current market prices, the Bitcoins in question are estimated to be worth over Rs 150 crore.

ED had earlier provisionally attached assets worth over Rs 97 crore linked to Kundra, including a residential property in Mumbai and cryptocurrency holdings, as part of the same investigation. Kundra has denied any wrongdoing and has reportedly stated that he was unaware of the fraudulent nature of the GainBitcoin scheme.

The court summons marks another key development in the ED’s broader crackdown on crypto-related financial crimes. The GainBitcoin case continues to remain one of India’s largest cryptocurrency fraud probes, with multiple accused and several attachment orders issued over the years.