Couple asserts non-involvement in ₹60 crore cheating case, challenges FIR in Bombay High Court
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, have issued formal statements denying allegations of cheating and fraud involving ₹60 crore, calling the claims “baseless” and a “mischievous attempt” to tarnish their reputations. The controversy, which resurfaced nearly nine years after the original complaint, has drawn intense media attention and public scrutiny.
Shilpa Shetty emphasized in her statement that her association with the company implicated in the case was non-executive and limited, with no decision-making or financial authority. She described the allegations as a deliberate attempt to link her name to a legal matter in which she had no operative role.
Raj Kundra echoed his wife’s stance, asserting that the allegations were motivated and unfounded. Both have filed legal action to quash the FIR in the Bombay High Court, signaling confidence in the judicial process and a commitment to full cooperation with ongoing investigations.
The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) registered the FIR following a complaint by a businessman who alleged that ₹60 crore invested in a venture linked to the couple had been misappropriated. Law enforcement invoked IPC Section 420 (cheating) as part of the investigation, heightening the potential legal implications if the allegations are proven in court.
In the wake of reports suggesting an income-tax raid at the couple’s Mumbai residence, Shetty’s legal team clarified that only routine verification visits by tax authorities took place and that no investigative raid related to the fraud case had occurred.
Adding context to the dispute, Shetty revealed that her family had provided a loan of approximately ₹20 crore to the company, which remains unpaid. She highlighted that the timing of the renewed allegations, nearly a decade later, raises questions about the motives behind the case.
The case has reignited public debate over Shetty and Kundra’s business dealings and financial interests. Legal experts note that while the FIR establishes the foundation for a criminal inquiry, the couple’s petition to quash the charges could lead to a reassessment of their involvement, potentially shifting the case’s trajectory.
As proceedings continue, the Bollywood star and her husband maintain that they have fully cooperated with authorities and remain confident that the matter will be resolved through the judicial system. The case serves as a high-profile example of the intersection between celebrity status, business ventures, and legal accountability in India.
Key Points:
- Shilpa Shetty calls allegations “mischievous” and emphasizes non-operative role
- Raj Kundra labels claims “baseless and motivated”
- EOW files FIR citing ₹60 crore investment dispute
- Routine income-tax verification clarified; no raid conducted
- Couple files petition to quash FIR in Bombay High Court
