Shilpa Shetty on Thursday strongly refuted reports claiming that an Income-Tax raid had been conducted at her and husband Raj Kundra’s house in Mumbai. Issuing a clarification, her lawyer Advocate Prashant Patil stated that no such raid had taken place and described the development as a routine follow-up by tax officials.“On behalf of my client, Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, I can confirm that there is no Income-Tax ‘raid’ of whatever nature against my client. There is only a routine verification by the Income-Tax officials pertaining to follow-up with my client, Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra,” Patil said in a statement.
‘No link to any other investigation’
Patil also issued a warning against linking the matter to any other ongoing probe, particularly those involving the Economic Offense Wing. “Whomsoever has mischievously claimed in the public domain that these developments have anything to do with the alleged Economic Offense Wing case shall face legal consequences before the appropriate court of law. At the cost of repetition, my client, Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, states that there is no Income-Tax ‘raid’ at her place,” he added.
‘Baseless and motivated allegations’
Prior to this, the actress had categorically denied “the baseless and motivated allegations” about the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police invoking Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code against her and her husband, Raj Kundra. The actress took to the Stories section of her Instagram, and shared a long note quashing the allegations.She wrote, “We categorically deny the baseless.and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal color without any lawful basis. A Quashing Petition has already been filed before the High Court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are sanguine that justice will prevail and have complete faith in the law enforcement authorities and the judicial system of our country. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is subjudice”.
Rs 60 crore fraud and cheating case
The Rs 60 crore fraud and cheating case involving Shilpa Shetty Kundra and her husband Raj Kundra was registered by the Mumbai Police Economic Offenses Wing following a complaint by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. The complainant alleged that between 2015 and 2023, he invested approximately INR 60 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd., a company linked to the couple, based on assurances of returns and repayment. As per the FIR, the funds were allegedly diverted and not returned despite repeated demands, leading to charges. The couple has denied criminal intent and stated that the dispute is civil in nature, linked to a business failure and insolvency proceedings of the company. During related proceedings, the Bombay High Court issued directions concerning travel restrictions. The investigation is ongoing, and no conviction has been recorded.
