The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) is intensifying its investigation into a $7.2 million fraud case involving actress Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra. Authorities are currently scrutinizing the couple’s company bank accounts and financial transactions.
The EOW is working to determine if reported expenses were genuine. They are also tracing the flow of funds within the company.
Police officials confirmed Wednesday that the probe aims to ascertain the legitimacy of all expenditures made by the couple.
As part of the investigation, the EOW has been examining bank accounts of a company associated with Shetty and Kundra since 2015.
Investigators uncovered that Shilpa Shetty received approximately $480,000 (INR 4 crore) from the company as “fees.”
Statements from individuals linked to the now-defunct company are being recorded. Police have already taken statements from Raj Kundra, Shilpa Shetty, and the Resolution Professional (RP) of Best Deal TV Private Limited.
Shilpa Shetty previously stated she was not involved in the company’s daily operations. She asserted that she was paid a celebrity fee for appearing on the Best Deal TV platform.
The fraud case originated from a complaint filed by businessman Deepak Kothari at the Juhu police station in Mumbai.
Kothari alleges that between 2015 and 2023, the celebrity couple encouraged him to invest $7.2 million (INR 60 crore) in their company. He claims they then misused these funds for personal gain, rather than for company investment.