ED arrests Sadhna Group MD on money laundering charges: Who is Rakesh Gupta? What is the case of ₹168 crore?

Dr. Rakesh Gupta, chairman and managing director of Sadhna Group, has been arrested. He was detailed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case involving alleged proceeds of crime. The agency estimates these revenues at approx ₹168 million.

The court sent Gupta to five-day ED custody early on October 10. Gupta was arrested at Ishwar Farms. The group operates Sadhna TV and other media networks.

Who is Rakesh Gupta?

Gupta, 63, is the founder, chairman and managing director of Delhi-based Sadhna Group. The group operates channels covering spiritual programmes, culture and regional news.

These include Sadhna TV, Ishwar TV, Sadhna Plus News and Har Khabar. Sadhna TV has over 3.9 million subscribers on YouTube.

Gupta has a YouTube channel called “The Dr Rakesh Gupta Show Plus Minus”. He presents himself as a senior journalist and mentor. The YouTube channel has 18,700 subscribers.

Its programs cover motivational stories, startups, UPSC success and ancient Indian history. They also highlight local innovators and entrepreneurs who are solving social problems. On social networks, he invites young entrepreneurs to share business ideas.

His business interests include a bio-CNG plant in Mathura, solar installations and outdoor advertising. His companies also hold the marketing rights to various metro stations.

what is ₹A case of 168 million?

The ED investigation follows a Delhi Police Economic Offenses Department FIR registered on September 29. The police case includes allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust. Gupta is named as the second accused.

The ED alleges that Gupta orchestrated the insolvency of Sadhna Media Pvt Ltd through connected creditors. These creditors held 99.41% of the members of the creditors’ committee. According to ED, tax levies from ₹110.10 million crowns were settled ₹20 lakhs.

The agency says the company has paid ₹4.48 crore for the connected lenders. This included approx ₹2.99 crore paid to Gupta’s company Sharpline Broadcast Ltd.

It also lists cash income ₹2.50 million crowns ₹2.82 million crowns. These reportedly came through USDT and hawala channels during SMPL/Aryan TV resale.

The ED further cited the SEBI order regarding the alleged manipulation of shares of Sadhna Broadcast Ltd. It said that SEBI had identified Gupta as the mastermind and was holding him accountable along with others. It was an amount of approx ₹58 million.

Investigators want to trace the cash, examine the seized devices and review company records. They are also looking for details about ₹8.98 crore due without any bank trace.

The court granted a five-day remand keeping in view Gupta’s age and the specific tasks of the investigation. He must appear again on October 15 by 4:00 p.m.