The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently summoned actor and Bigg Boss 16 contestant Shiv Thakare for questioning in connection with an alleged money laundering case linked to drug lord Ali Asghar Shirazi. Thakare’s statement was recorded as a witness in the ongoing investigation, as reported by Free Press Journal. Additionally, his co-contestant from Bigg Boss 16, Abdu Rozik, has also been summoned by the ED to appear before them.
Shiv Thakare, Abdu Rozik Summoned:
According to the Free Press Journal report, Ali Asghar Shirazi, the alleged drug lord, established Hustlers’ Hospitality Pvt Ltd., which reportedly provided funding to various startups, including those owned by Shiv Thakare and Abdu Rozik. Notably, Thakare’s venture, Thakare Chai and Snacks, a food and snack brand, and Rozik’s burger brand, Burgiir, were among the startups financed by Shirazi’s company. It’s alleged that Hustlers’ Hospitality generated profits through illicit means, including narco-funding.
Termination of Contracts:
Sources cited by Free Press Journal indicate that both Shiv Thakare and Abdu Rozik terminated their contracts with Hustlers’ Hospitality upon learning about Ali Asghar Shirazi’s purported involvement in narco business. Rozik, who also ventured into the fast-food startup scene with Burgiir, reportedly received significant investments from Shirazi for his business endeavors. Thakare, in his statement to the ED, disclosed that he was introduced to Krunal Ojha, the director of Hustlers Hospitality, through a mutual contact in 2022-23. Ojha subsequently offered Thakare a partnership deal for Thakare Chai and Snacks, leading to substantial investments from Hustlers’ Hospitality in the venture.
Conclusion:
The summoning of Shiv Thakare and Abdu Rozik by the ED sheds light on the intricate web of financial transactions and alleged illicit activities surrounding certain startup ventures linked to Ali Asghar Shirazi. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding the extent of Shirazi’s influence and the involvement of individuals associated with the startups financed by Hustlers’ Hospitality Pvt Ltd.