Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty for nearly four hours at her residence in connection with a Rs 60 crore cheating case. The actress cooperated fully, providing multiple documents related to her bank transactions and her association with the company Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, where she was a director alongside her husband Raj Kundra.
What’s the Case About?
The cheating case centers around allegations made by Deepak Kothari, a director of a non-banking financial company, Lotus Capital Financial Services Limited. Kothari claims that Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra sought a business loan of Rs 75 crore through him, falsely representing themselves as directors of Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd — a now-defunct home shopping and online retail platform.
According to the complaint, Shilpa Shetty held the majority stake in the company, owning 87.61% of shares. The couple allegedly convinced Kothari to route the loan amount as an “investment” to avoid higher taxes while promising monthly returns and repayment of the principal.
The Loan and Alleged Misuse
Between April and September 2015, Kothari transferred over Rs 60 crore to the company’s bank accounts. However, despite repeated efforts to recover the money, Kothari alleges that the couple failed to repay the loan, citing delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The complainant now claims the funds were misused for personal benefit, leading to allegations of cheating.
Recent Developments
The EOW had previously questioned Raj Kundra in September at an undisclosed location to avoid media attention. A Look-Out Circular was issued against both Shilpa and Raj in early September as the investigation intensified.
A senior police official confirmed that Shilpa’s statement was recorded and important documents were collected to aid the ongoing investigation.
What Happens Next?
The case is still unfolding, with the police continuing their probe into the financial transactions and alleged misuse of funds. Both Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra have denied any wrongdoing. Legal experts suggest that the investigation could take time, especially given the complex nature of the financial dealings involved.
As the case develops, the public and fans eagerly await clarity on the outcome and its impact on the Bollywood star couple.
