Hours after the Enforcement Directorate raided businessman Dharmesh Sangani, a close associate of actor Shekhar Suman, the veteran actor hit back at the BJP on Shekhar Tonite, calling it the country’s “finest washing machine” for allegedly cleansing politicians of corruption charges.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, July 10: Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches against businessman and film producer Dharmesh Sangani, a close business associate of veteran actor Shekhar Suman, the actor used his satirical television programme Shekhar Tonite to launch one of his sharpest attacks yet on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of selectively using investigative agencies against its political opponents.
The ED action, carried out under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), triggered an immediate political controversy, with opposition leaders alleging that the searches were aimed at intimidating a vocal critic of the Narendra Modi government. The BJP rejected the allegation, maintaining that central agencies function independently and that investigations are conducted strictly in accordance with the law.
Opening Thursday evening’s episode of Shekhar Tonite, Suman made no direct reference to the raids but delivered a pointed critique of the ruling party through a series of political jibes.
Referring to the steady stream of politicians from various parties joining the BJP over the years, Suman described the party as “the country’s finest washing machine.”
“Once someone goes into the BJP’s washing machine, every stain disappears. Daag dhoondte rah jaoge,” the actor remarked, suggesting that politicians facing corruption allegations often emerge with a “clean image” after switching their political allegiance to the ruling party.
Without naming any individual, Suman alleged that corruption cases appear to lose momentum once leaders cross over to the BJP. His remarks echoed a charge frequently levelled by opposition parties, which have popularised the “washing machine” metaphor to claim that politicians accused of corruption receive protection after joining the ruling party.
The BJP has consistently rejected the allegation, arguing that no one is above the law and that investigative agencies act independently based on evidence rather than political considerations.
ED Searches Sangani Under FEMA
Earlier in the day, the Enforcement Directorate carried out searches at premises linked to Kalanee Impex Pvt Ltd and its director, businessman Dharmesh Sangani, as part of an investigation into alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act.
According to officials familiar with the probe, the searches relate to allegations involving undisclosed foreign assets, overseas bank accounts and irregularities in export proceeds.
Sangani is also associated with Shekhar Suman professionally. He is a film producer and co-founder of the Shekhar Suman Film Academy, making the ED action politically significant given the actor’s increasingly critical stance towards the BJP.
Officials said the searches were conducted “in connection with an investigation relating to M/s Kalanee Impex Private Limited and its director Dharmesh Narendra Sangani.”
According to an ED official, investigators found that export proceeds that were required to be repatriated to India had allegedly not been received despite the lapse of a substantial period. Officials also claimed that no extension of time had been obtained from the authorised dealer bank and that there was no documented effort to recover the outstanding payments.
A second official said the investigation had further revealed instances where export proceeds were allegedly received from third-party entities other than the consignee or buyer named in the export documentation, raising additional FEMA compliance concerns.
The agency has not announced any arrests in the case.
Political Row Intensifies
The timing of the searches sparked an immediate political debate.
Opposition leaders alleged that the action reinforced their long-standing charge that central investigative agencies are increasingly being used to target government critics and opposition voices. Several leaders pointed to the fact that the raids coincided with Suman’s sustained criticism of the BJP through his television and digital platforms.
The BJP, however, dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, insisting that investigative agencies discharge their responsibilities independently and that ongoing investigations should not be viewed through a partisan lens.
The controversy has once again revived the broader national debate over the functioning and perceived independence of central agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate—an issue that has repeatedly surfaced during parliamentary debates, election campaigns and Supreme Court proceedings concerning investigative institutions.
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Someone will have to take head on than only these bunch of illiterate guys will stop ✋
This 56 inch guy is a clown 🤡
All the best #shekharsuman pic.twitter.com/ug1IVUNdmz
— Prakhar (@PrakharShrigyan) July 10, 2026
Suman’s Political Commentary
In recent years, Shekhar Suman has reinvented himself as one of the more outspoken critics of the Modi government through his satirical programme Shekhar Tonite, where he regularly comments on politics, governance and current affairs.
His latest remarks, delivered just hours after the ED action against his business associate, are expected to further intensify the political discourse surrounding the investigation and renew questions about the intersection of law enforcement, politics and freedom of expression.
As the FEMA investigation progresses, attention is likely to remain focused both on the Enforcement Directorate’s next steps and on whether the controversy surrounding Shekhar Tonite develops into a larger political confrontation.
