Instagram influencer Sandeepa Virk Arrested in ₹40-crore fake beauty brand money laundering case
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested popular Instagram influencer Sandeepa Virk, who has over 1.2 million followers, in connection with a ₹40-crore money laundering scam linked to a fraudulent beauty brand. The case also involves Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman, a former director of Reliance Capital.
According to the ED, Virk created a fake website and a non-existent beauty brand, claiming to sell FDA-approved beauty products. She allegedly used her online popularity to attract customers and investors, diverting the collected funds abroad through multiple shell companies.
Searches conducted at Sethuraman’s residence reportedly uncovered illegal communications with Virk and evidence of fund diversion. Authorities also revealed that Reliance Capital had sanctioned Sethuraman a ₹22-crore home loan in violation of prudential norms, a significant portion of which remains unpaid and is suspected to have been siphoned off.
Investigators are probing whether Virk’s lavish lifestyle, prominently displayed on social media, was funded through diverted Reliance-linked funds and other fraudulent gains.
Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the ED took Virk into custody in Delhi. She was produced before a special PMLA court, which approved her custody. The ED has stated that strict action will be taken against all those involved in the scam.
The investigation is ongoing.
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Schools in Mizoram's nine districts closed due to rain
Aizawl (PTI): All schools in nine districts of Mizoram remained closed on Tuesday due to heavy rain that has been lashing the northeastern state since the day before, an official said.
School Education Director Angela Zothanpuii said administrations of nine districts, including Aizawl, Kolasib, Lunglei and Mamit, announced school closure on Tuesday as a precautionary measure for students' safety.
However, schools in the southern districts of Hnahthial and Lawngtlai remained open following a slight improvement in weather conditions there, she said.
According to the India Meteorological Department, Serchhip recorded the highest rainfall at 70.5 mm in a 24-hour period, followed by Hnahthial 55 mm, Siaha 37.5 mm, and Aizawl 36 mm.
Khawzawl district reported 30 mm of rainfall, Mamit 25.9 mm, Kolasib 25 mm, Lawngtlai 17.5 mm, and Lunglei 2.2 mm during the same period, it said.
The weather department has forecast light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm and lightning in Mizoram on Tuesday.
