tigators may be examining possible foreign funding linked to the amplification of the CJP protest
Niraj Sharma31 Jul 2026
18:53IST
New Update
New Delhi: Central agencies have been conducting searches at Mumbai-based influencer marketing agency Barcode Entertainment for the past four to five days, people familiar with the development told NewsDrum.
The identity of the agency carrying out the searches could not be independently confirmed. However,e Foreign Exchange Management Act. The Enforcement Directorate is the nodal agency to carry out any investigation under the FEMA
Officials of the Central Bureau of Investigation denied the agency’s involvement in the searches.
There has been no official confirmation regarding the nature of the investigation or any alleged violation by Barcode Entertainment.
nfluencer networks were used to amplify the recent Cockroach Janta Party-led protest and whether any foreign funding was involved in the campaign
NewsDrum could not independently verify this aspect of the investigation. No evidence establishing such a link has been made public so far.
NewsDrum attempted to contact Barcode Entertainment founder Rahul Khanna, but his phone was switched off.
Barcode Entertainment was acquired by Paris-headquartered influencer marketing group YKONE in 2024.
Unverified social media posts have, over the past few days, also speculated about scrutiny of other influencer marketing and creator management agencies. NewsDrum is not naming those agencies, as the claims could not be independently established.
The searches at Barcode Entertainment, however, have been confirmed by multiple people aware of the development.
The article will be updated when Barcode Entertainment, YKONE or the agency conducting the searches issues a response.
CBICentral Bureau of InvestigationFEMAInfluencerForeign Exchange Management ActStudents ProtestStudent ProtestsCentral Bureau of Investigation (CBI)Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA)Cockroach Janta PartyAbhijeet Dipke
