Former Actress Sandipa Virk Arrested by ED in ₹20,000 Crore Money Laundering Case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has detained Sandipa Virk, a former actress known for her roles in regional cinema, including Punjabi and Malayalam films, in connection with a money laundering probe. The arrest stems from allegations that Virk operated a fraudulent website, Highbookcare.com, falsely claiming FDA approval to sell beauty products, deceiving customers, and siphoning off funds.

The ED conducted raids at multiple locations in Delhi and Mumbai, apprehending Virk and uncovering a network involved in illicit financial activities. Authorities allege that Virk was also attempting to influence an ongoing investigation involving the Reliance Group, specifically linked to a massive ₹20,000 crore bank loan fraud case. The probe has drawn attention to Anil Ambani, who was questioned by the ED last week regarding the alleged misuse of loans by Reliance Group companies, with further questioning anticipated.

Virk, who portrays herself as an actress and cosmetologist, is accused of collaborating with Angarai Natarajan Sethuraman, a former director of Reliance Commercial Finance Limited (RCFL). The ED claims Sethuraman secured an ₹18 crore loan from RCFL, which was misused to influence the Reliance Group investigation. Additionally, a ₹22 crore housing loan from Reliance Capital Limited, granted under questionable terms, was allegedly misappropriated, with Virk reportedly using part of the funds to construct a house in Delhi. Sethuraman has denied these allegations, claiming the loan was for legitimate purposes and partially repaid, and that his meetings with Virk were unrelated to the ED’s probe.

The investigation also revealed that Highbookcare.com, operated by Virk, was a front for money laundering. The website lacked user registration options, had faulty payment gateways, minimal social media presence, and provided no clear company details, raising red flags about its legitimacy. On August 12, 2025, Virk was arrested following ED raids and was remanded to custody until August 18 after being presented in a special court. She faces charges under IPC Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating).

In a related development, the Punjab Police have reopened a 2016 fraud case in Mohali involving a ₹6 crore scam linked to a film production investment scheme. While Virk was not named in the original FIR or chargesheet, her financial connections to the prime accused, Amit Gupta (alias Nageshwar Gupta), have prompted renewed scrutiny. Gupta was arrested in 2017 and declared a proclaimed offender in October 2024.

Virk, a Delhi University graduate, began her career in modeling and theater before transitioning to films, debuting in the Punjabi movie Gun and Goal and later working in South Indian cinema. With over 1.2 million Instagram followers, she has maintained a strong social media presence. The ED continues to investigate her business dealings and financial transactions as the case unfolds.