Who is Anurag Bajpayee? Indian-origin CEO at center of Boston brothel scandal

Anurag Bajpayee, the Indian-origin CEO and co-founder of Gradiant, a water technology firm based in Boston, was among several men arrested earlier this year in connection with a prostitution sting involving high-end brothels. Bajpayee now faces misdemeanor charges.
Court documents allege that Bajpayee and others paid hundreds of dollars per hour for high-end sex work, including what was described as a “girlfriend experience” with women—primarily of Asian descent—who investigators believe were victims of sex trafficking. The Wall Street Journal reported that the arrests stemmed from a broader investigation into an illicit network operating in the Boston area.
Bajpayee, who holds a PhD and a Master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), co-founded Gradiant in 2013. Prior to MIT, he earned his Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia and had completed his secondary education at La Martiniere College in Lucknow. His past academic work on desalination was recognized by Scientific American in their annual ‘Top 10 World-Changing Ideas’ list. The businessman also holds multiple patents related to water treatment technology.
Company defends CEO
Gradiant defended CEO Anurag Bajpayee after his arrest in a prostitution sting, stating it trusts the judicial process and remains committed to its mission. The company said, “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,” the company wrote in a statement to the to Wall Street Journal.
Gradiant provides advanced water and wastewater treatment solutions for industrial clients and has expanded globally in recent years.