Mumbai: Mumbai’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a criminal case against actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, accusing the celebrity couple of cheating a Mumbai-based businessman of more than ₹60 crore. The case has been filed under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cheating and dishonest inducement.
According to investigators, the complaint was lodged by businessman Deepak Kothari, who has alleged that he was persuaded to invest a substantial amount in Best Deal TV Private Limited, an online and television-based retail venture promoted by the accused. The investments were reportedly made over several years, from 2015 to 2023, on the assurance that the funds would be used strictly for business expansion and operations.
However, based on witness statements and electronic records collected during the probe, the EOW believes the money was allegedly diverted for personal use instead of being deployed for the stated commercial purposes. The complainant’s legal team has claimed that documentary and digital evidence submitted to the court strengthens the allegations against the couple.
With the EOW formally placing the collected material before the court, the case has now acquired the status of a scheduled offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This development clears the path for further action by central agencies, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED), should the complainant choose to pursue the matter at that level.
The investigation has also had immediate consequences for the couple’s travel plans. Recently, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra sought court permission to travel abroad, citing the ill health of Kundra’s father in London. The court, however, refused to grant permission, directing them to either deposit ₹60 crore or furnish a bank guarantee of the same amount as a precondition for foreign travel.
