Cheating charge added against Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra in Rs600 million case

Actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra have been charged with “cheating” in connection with an alleged Rs 600 million fraud case, following fresh findings by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The charge has been added to an existing First Information Report (FIR) filed on the basis of a complaint by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari, who claims he was duped in a loan-cum-investment deal involving the couple.

According to a statement issued by Kothari’s legal representatives, the EOW uncovered evidence during its investigation that warranted the inclusion of the cheating charge, potentially widening the scope of the probe. The complainant’s lawyers also said they plan to approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to identify, trace and seize the alleged proceeds of crime under applicable laws. They will further seek the attachment of assets under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

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The case pertains to alleged financial irregularities linked to Best Deal TV Private Limited, a now-defunct home shopping and online retail platform where Kundra and Shetty were directors. An FIR was registered in Mumbai on August 14, accusing the couple of inducing Kothari to invest nearly Rs 600 million in the company between 2015 and 2023. Kothari has alleged that the invested funds were diverted for the couple’s personal use instead of being deployed for legitimate business purposes.

During the course of the investigation, Kundra reportedly stated that a portion of the Rs 600 million was paid as professional fees to actors Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia. He has also previously maintained that Best Deal TV primarily dealt in electrical and household appliances and suffered heavy losses following the Centre’s demonetisation move in 2016. According to Kundra, the company’s financial crisis prevented it from repaying the borrowed funds.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities examining financial records and transactions linked to the alleged fraud. Both Kundra and Shetty have not issued a fresh public statement following the addition of the cheating charge.

Khaleej Times Staff

webteam@khaleejtimes.com