Routine Verification: Shilpa Shetty's Lawyer Denies Income Tax Raid At Her Mumbai Home In Connection With ₹60 Crore Fraud Case

Shilpa Shetty has been in the news after Income Tax officials visited her residence on Wednesday. Many claimed that it was an IT raid in connection with a ₹60 crore fraud case. However, her lawyer has denied the rumours and issued a clarification, calling it a “routine verification”. Actress's lawyer  Prashant Patil stated, “On behalf of my client, Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra, I can confirm that there is no income tax 'raid' of whatsoever nature against my client. There is a routine verification by the income tax officials pertaining to follow up with my client, Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra. Whomsoever has mischievously claimed in public domain that these developments have anything to do with the alleged economic offence 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.”

Months ago, the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Shilpa and her husband, Raj Kundra, based on a complaint by businessman Deepak Kothari, who was allegedly duped by the couple in a loan-cum-investment deal.  A case was registered against Raj and Shilpa, who were directors of now-defunct Best Deal TV Private Limited, a home shopping and online retail platform, in Mumbai on August 14 for allegedly duping Kothari of nearly ₹60 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal between 2015 and 2023. The couple allegedly induced him to invest ₹60 crore in Best Deal TV Private Limited, but the amount was used for their personal benefits, as per the complainant.

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The investigation has been ongoing in the fraud case, and while speaking to the authorities, Raj has claimed that a portion of ₹60 crore was paid as fees to actors Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia.

Furthermore, about his now-defunct company, Raj said Best Deal TV Private Limited traded in electrical and household appliances but faced significant losses after demonetisation, which came into effect in 2016. Raj claimed that it is due to the financial crisis that the company could not repay the borrowed funds.

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Separately, the Income Tax Department also conducted a raid at Shilpa-owned Bastian Pub near Church Street in Bengaluru. Officials inspected the restaurant's financial records in connection with alleged tax evasion.

In response to ₹60 crore fraud allegations, Shilpa issued a statement through her social media, firmly denying all claims against her. The actress further confirmed that a petition to quash the case has already been filed before the High Court and is currently pending.