Actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra are accused of fraudulently securing ₹60.48 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal, allegedly diverting funds for personal use.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has filed charges against the celebrity couple and an unidentified individual in connection with their now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. A complaint was lodged by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari, alleging that between 2015 and 2023, he transferred ₹60.48 crore to the firm—initially seeking a loan but later agreeing to treat it as an investment to avoid higher taxes. He claims the couple promised monthly returns and repayment of the principal, but instead misappropriated the funds for personal use while the company floundered under insolvency reports.
According to Kothari’s complaint, the first tranche of ₹31.95 crore was transferred in April 2015 under a share subscription agreement, followed by a second transfer of ₹28.53 crore in September 2015 under a supplementary agreement. He also states that Shilpa Shetty provided a personal guarantee in April 2016 but resigned from the company by September of the same year, just before insolvency proceedings surfaced.
Police have registered the case at the Juhu Police Station, citing sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code. Given the high value of the transaction, the matter has been transferred to the EOW for further investigation.
The couple's legal team has strongly denied any criminal wrongdoing, labeling the complaint an “old transaction” devoid of criminal intent, and asserted that appropriate legal action will be taken against those behind the complaint. They also pledged full cooperation with authorities.
The allegations have ignited a firestorm on social media, with netizens pointing to vulnerabilities in the accountability of high-profile figures and recalling Raj Kundra's earlier controversies, including a pornography-related case. The scandal has reignited debates over celebrity accountability in India.
As of August 14, 2025, the investigation remains ongoing, with Mumbai's EOW continuing to examine documents and financial transactions tied to the Best Deal
TV venture.
