On Thursday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) targeting Kalanee Impex Pvt Ltd and its director, businessman Dharmesh Sangani, in connection with allegations of undisclosed foreign assets, overseas bank accounts, and irregularities related to export proceeds,
According to the media reports the searches were carried out as part of an investigation concerning M/s Kalanee Impex Private Limited and its director, Dharmesh Narendra Sangani.
During the course of the search, it was found that funds expected to be received in India had still not been received, even after a significant amount of time had elapsed.
According to an ED officer, export proceeds from certain overseas buyers were never realised, and no request for an extension to receive these funds was submitted to the Authorised Dealer Bank. In addition, there was no documentation indicating any attempts to recover the outstanding amounts.
During the raid, officials alleged that Dharmesh Sangani attempted to destroy digital evidence by throwing his mobile phone from the 13th floor of a building, after which the Enforcement Directorate filed a complaint with the Mumbai Police.
"The Mobile was later retrieved by ED officers and seized."
Earlier, in September 2016, the agency said UK Border Force officers had seized approximately 7.4 kg of gold jewellery being brought into the UK by Dharmesh Sangani, alleging that the same was under-declared.
Dharmesh Sangani is an entrepreneur-turned-producer and serves as one of the directors of Kalanee Impex Pvt Ltd, headquartered in Mumbai. He works as a film producer and is also among the proprietors of GBM Studios Private Limited, a production and training company operating in the film and television industry.
According to PTI, he is identified as the founder and visionary of the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA), which operates under the umbrella brand GBM Studios.
The ED raids at the premises of producer Dharmesh Sangani is being heavily debated on social media platform X, with users commenting about the timing and possible reason behind the raid.
Shekar Suman's program "Shekar Tonite" is being viewed as one of the factors behind the recent raid on Dharmesh Sangani's premises.
Since its debut episode on YouTube on May 15, the show has been recognized for its cryptic perspective on current events in India and for directing the audience’s attention toward transparency and accountability.
"Shekar Tonite" loosely mirrors the format of Shekhar Suman’s 14-year-old show "Movers and Shakers," a late-night style interview program featuring candid, unscripted conversations that blend humor, emotion, and frank discussion with guests from the worlds of film, politics, and music.
Sanagani is identified as the founder and visionary of the Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA). Many social media users suggest that the show’s critical stance and its questioning of government accountability may be a possible reason for the raid.
