ED Raids Film Producer Linked to Shekhar Suman amid his Satirical Jabs Against Government
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches against film producer Dharmesh Narendra Sangani, an associate of actor and television host Shekhar Suman, as part of an investigation under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The searches, carried out in Mumbai on Thursday, have drawn attention because they come shortly after the launch of Shekhar Suman's YouTube programme Shekhar Tonite, in which the actor has taken satirical jabs at government policies and bureaucracy.
Who Is Dharmesh Sangani?
According to officials, Sangani is the director of Kalanee Impex Private Limited and is also associated with Shekhar Suman as a film producer. He is a co-founder of the Shekhar Suman Film Academy.
The ED said the searches were conducted as part of an investigation involving Kalanee Impex Private Limited and Sangani.
ED Alleges FEMA Violations
According to ED officials, investigators found that export proceeds that should have been repatriated to India had allegedly not been received despite the lapse of a substantial period.
Officials further alleged that:
- Export proceeds from certain overseas buyers were not realised.
- No extension of time was obtained from the authorised dealer bank.
- There were allegedly no documented recovery efforts.
The agency also claimed that export proceeds were received from third-party entities instead of the buyers named in export invoices and shipping documents.
Undisclosed Foreign Assets Allegedly Found
During the searches, the ED claimed to have found evidence of undisclosed overseas assets and foreign bank accounts.
According to officials, investigators identified:
- An alleged undisclosed Canadian company in which Sangani reportedly held a significant shareholding.
- Associated foreign bank accounts linked to that company.
- An alleged undisclosed business entity in the UAE.
- Bank accounts in the United States that were allegedly not disclosed to authorities.
Phone Allegedly Thrown During Search
The ED further alleged that Sangani attempted to destroy digital evidence when officers arrived at the premises, as per reports.
According to officials, he allegedly threw his mobile phone from the 13th floor of a building. The agency said it later recovered and seized the device after lodging a complaint with Mumbai Police.
Previous Cases Under Scanner
Officials also claimed Sangani is under investigation by US Customs authorities over certain transactions.
They further referred to a 2016 incident in which UK Border Force officers allegedly seized around 7.4 kg of gold jewellery that Sangani was carrying into the United Kingdom after it was allegedly under-declared.
The ED said further investigation is underway.
