New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet (prosecution complaint) against beauty influencer Sandeepa Virk and another accused, Amit Gupta alias Nageshwar Gupta, in connection with a money laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Virk, who was arrested on August 12, is currently in judicial custody. The case stems from a 2016 cheating and criminal breach of trust FIR registered at Police Station Phase-8, SAS Nagar, Mohali under Sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
⚖️ Court Proceedings
On October 13, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Vijay Shankar took the charge sheet on record and issued notice to both accused persons. The court has listed the matter for consideration on the point of cognisance on November 3.
Citing Section 223 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the judge emphasized that no cognisance of an offence can be taken without giving the accused an opportunity to be heard.
“In view of the same, issue notice to the proposed accused Amit Gupta alias Nageshwar Gupta by all modes through the Directorate of Enforcement, for the next date of hearing so that he can also be heard by this Court before taking cognisance upon the present prosecution complaint,” the court observed.
The court also directed that copies of the prosecution complaint and supporting documents be provided to the accused.
Special Public Prosecutor Simon Benjamin appeared on behalf of the ED.
🔍 ED’s Case and Allegations
According to the Enforcement Directorate, the investigation revealed that Sandeepa Virk and Amit Gupta were involved in activities amounting to money laundering under Sections 3 and 4 of PMLA.
The ED claims that Virk acquired immovable properties in her name by making false promises and engaging in fraudulent activities. She reportedly posed as the owner of Hyboocare.com, a website promoting itself as a seller of FDA-approved beauty products, which authorities now allege was used as a front for illicit transactions.
The probe further indicates that funds generated through cheating were layered and integrated into legitimate financial channels — an act that constitutes the offence of money laundering under the law.
📜 Background of the Case
The ED’s money laundering case is based on the 2016 Mohali police FIR, where Amit Gupta was initially charge-sheeted for cheating and criminal breach of trust. Since the offence under Section 420 IPC (Cheating) is a scheduled offence under the PMLA, the ED initiated its own case on August 11, 2025, under Sections 3 and 4 of the Act.
After months of investigation, the agency filed the prosecution complaint, which formally accuses both individuals of possessing and using proceeds of crime.
🗓️ What Happens Next
The court will take up the matter on November 3, 2025, to decide on taking cognisance of the charge sheet. If accepted, the accused could face full trial proceedings under the PMLA, where the punishment may include imprisonment of up to seven years, along with penalties.
Summary:
The ED has stepped up its probe into financial fraud cases involving social media influencers and online businesses. With the charge sheet now filed against Sandeepa Virk and Amit Gupta, the case underscores the growing scrutiny on the intersection of influencer marketing and financial crime in India’s digital economy.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
