Boston, Massachusetts: Anurag Bajpayee, the Indian-origin CEO of the clean-tech firm Gradiant, was arrested earlier this year in connection with a high-profile brothel investigation near Harvard University.
Authorities allege he was among several elite clients who paid up to $600 an hour for sex at a luxury brothel, now part of the ongoing "Cambridge Brothel Hearings."
Bajpayee faces misdemeanor charges, but Gradiant has expressed support for him, stating confidence in the justice system.
Key Facts:
-
Bajpayee was arrested earlier in 2025 during a sting operation carried out by Boston-area law enforcement.
-
The brothel catered to an elite clientele, including corporate executives, public officials, doctors, and lawyers, charging up to $600 per hour for services.
-
Gradiant, under Bajpayee's leadership, has grown into a billion-dollar company operating in over 25 countries.
The investigation, dubbed the "Cambridge Brothel Hearings," revealed that clients were required to provide government-issued IDs, professional badges, and personal references to gain access to the brothel.
Prosecutors allege that many of the women involved were Asian and victims of sex trafficking.
Despite mounting criticism and calls for his resignation, Gradiant has publicly backed its CEO.
The company released a statement expressing confidence in the justice system and reaffirming its commitment to technological innovation and ensuring clean water for society.
Bajpayee, a well-known figure in the water treatment industry, co-founded Gradiant in 2013 as a spinout from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned both his master's and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.
His doctoral work focused on industrial desalination and water purification, and one of his key innovations was featured by Scientific American as one of the “Top 10 World-Changing Ideas.”
Do You Know?
Gradiant's water purification technology, developed under Bajpayee's leadership, has been recognized globally, with the company managing over 2,500 facilities worldwide.
Key Terms:
Gradiant: A Boston-based clean-tech firm specializing in industrial water treatment solutions.
Cambridge Brothel Hearings: The ongoing legal proceedings related to the high-profile brothel investigation in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Misdemeanor Charges: Less severe criminal charges that can result in penalties such as fines or short-term imprisonment.