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Anurag Bajpayee, the Indian-origin CEO and co-founder of Gradiant, a prominent clean water technology company, has been arrested in the United States for alleged involvement in a luxury brothel network. As reported by the New York Post, Bajpayee is among several high-profile individuals named in Boston-area court documents tied to an investigation into a high-end sex trafficking ring.
The court filings allege that Bajpayee and other clients — including doctors, lawyers, public officials, and government contractors — paid up to $600 an hour for sex with women, primarily of Asian descent, many of whom were reportedly victims of trafficking. Prosecutors described this group as an “exclusive clientele” targeted by the traffickers.
Despite mounting pressure and internal concerns, Gradiant has chosen to support Bajpayee for now. The company released a statement affirming its belief in due process and emphasizing its continued commitment to its mission:
“We believe in the justice system and are confident that this will resolve favorably in due course. Unrelated to this, Gradiant will continue to pursue excellence in technological innovation and to strive towards our mission to ensure clean water for all society.”
Who Is Anurag Bajpayee?
Anurag Bajpayee is widely regarded as a leading voice in the cleantech industry. As CEO of Gradiant, a Boston-based water and wastewater treatment company, he has led the firm from a 2013 MIT spinout to a global enterprise valued at over $1 billion. The company provides cutting-edge water solutions for major industries including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, mining, and food & beverage, with a footprint in over 25 countries and 2,500 facilities worldwide.
Born and raised in India, Bajpayee began his academic journey at La Martiniere College in Lucknow. He later moved to the U.S., earning a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2006. He went on to pursue graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he completed a Master of Science in 2008 and a PhD in Mechanical Engineering in 2012.
His doctoral work focused on industrial desalination and water purification, including the development of a membrane-free desalination method that was recognized by Scientific American as one of the “Top 10 World-Changing Ideas.”
As the investigation unfolds, the case has sent shockwaves through both the tech and business communities, casting a shadow over a man once celebrated for pioneering innovation in clean water solutions. The legal proceedings are ongoing.
