Law & Justice
ED Seizes Sadhna Group MD Rakesh Gupta in ₹168-Crore Money‑Laundering Probe
Dr Rakesh Gupta, 63, chairman and managing director of the Delhi‑based Sadhna Group, was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on 10 October. The arrest follows a money‑laundering investigation that estimates the proceeds of crime at approximately ₹168 crore. Gupta was detained at Ishwar Farms and is scheduled to appear before the court again on 15 October at 4 p.m. The ED’s case, built on a Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing FIR filed on 29 September, alleges cheating and criminal breach of trust. Gupta is named as the second accused in that filing.
The ED claims that Gupta orchestrated the insolvency of Sadhna Media Pvt Ltd through connected creditors who held 99.41 % of the committee of creditors. It further alleges that the company settled income‑tax dues of ₹110.10 crore for only ₹20 lakh, paid ₹4.48 crore to connected creditors—including about ₹2.99 crore to Gupta’s company Sharpline Broadcast Ltd—and received cash receipts of ₹2.50 crore to ₹2.82 crore via USDT and hawala channels during SMPL/Aryan TV’s resale. The investigation also cites a SEBI order that identified Gupta as the mastermind behind alleged share manipulation at Sadhna Broadcast Ltd, involving about ₹58 crore.
The ED seeks to trace cash, examine seized devices, review company records and obtain details of ₹8.98 crore payable without any bank trail. Gupta’s arrest was granted five days of custody, with the court citing his age and the specific tasks of the investigation.
Sadhna Group operates several media outlets, including Sadhna TV, Ishwar TV, Sadhna Plus News and Har Khabar. Sadhna TV has more than 3.9 million subscribers on YouTube. Gupta also runs a YouTube channel, "The Dr Rakesh Gupta Show Plus Minus", which has 18,700 subscribers and features motivational stories, startup profiles, UPSC success stories and ancient Indian history. He promotes local innovators and businesspeople who address social problems and invites young entrepreneurs to share business ideas.
Gupta’s business interests extend beyond media to a Bio‑CNG plant in Mathura, solar installations and outdoor advertising, with his companies holding marketing rights across various metro stations.
Frequently asked questions
When was Rakesh Gupta arrested?
He was taken into custody by the Enforcement Directorate on 10 October.
What is the estimated proceeds of crime in the investigation?
The investigation estimates the proceeds of crime at approximately ₹168 crore.