ED’s noose on filmmaker Dharmesh Sangani, close to Shekhar Suman, evidence of foreign assets and bank accounts found in FEMA investigation

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken major action against Mumbai businessman and film producer Dharmesh Narendra Sangani under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). During the searches conducted on July 9, the agency claimed to have found documents related to undeclared foreign assets, foreign bank accounts and suspicious cross-border financial transactions.

Dharmesh Sangani is also the co-founder of Shekhar Suman Film Academy (SSFA) with actor Shekhar Suman. For this reason, after the action of ED, the political debate regarding this matter has also intensified on social media.

Clues to foreign accounts found in Canada, America and UAE

According to ED, during the investigation, undeclared bank accounts linked to Dharmesh Sangani have been detected in Canada, America and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The agency claims that his large stake in a Canadian company has also come to light, information about which was not given to the concerned Indian authorities. Apart from this, documents of an undeclared business unit have also been found in UAE.

Export transactions also under scrutiny

The investigating agency says that the export money received from some foreign buyers was not brought to India within the stipulated time. In many cases, permission to extend the time was not even taken from the authorized bank. The ED also claimed that some export payments were received from third parties whose names were not mentioned in the export documents as buyers or consignees. All these aspects are being investigated under FEMA.

Accused of throwing mobile phone

ED alleged that during the search, Dharmesh Sangani threw his mobile phone from the 13th floor of the building with the aim of destroying digital evidence. The agency recovered and confiscated the phone and has also lodged a complaint in this regard with Mumbai Police.

Foreign agencies are also investigating

According to ED, some transactions related to Dharmesh Sangani are also being investigated by the Customs authorities of America and Britain. The Indian agency is also investigating aspects of FEMA violations in these cases.

Who is Dharmesh Sangani?

Dharmesh Narendra Sangani is a Mumbai based businessman and film producer. He is the director of Kalanee Impex Private Limited and is also associated with GBM Studios Private Limited. Under this banner, Shekhar Suman Film Academy was established with actor Shekhar Suman.

Why did the debate erupt on social media?

After the ED action, the discussion on the business relations of Dharmesh Sangani and Shekhar Suman intensified on social media. Senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, posting on X, said that Dharmesh Sangani is a close associate of Shekhar Suman and both of them had founded the Film Academy together. Raising the question, he wrote, “Now go join the dots.”

At the same time, political satire platform The DeshBhakt also posted on X and claimed that Shekhar Suman criticized the government through political satire on the internet and now ED action has been taken against his close associate.

However, no official evidence has emerged to support these claims. ED has limited its action only to Dharmesh Sangani, his companies and alleged FEMA violations. The agency has not confirmed any investigation, search or action against Shekhar Suman.

investigation still ongoing

Currently, ED is investigating the seized documents, digital devices and foreign financial transactions. The agency has not yet informed about any arrest in this case and the investigation will continue.