Mumbai: Actor and entrepreneur Shilpa Shetty Kundra has issued a detailed personal statement addressing the ongoing financial controversy involving her and her husband, businessman-actor Raj Kundra, firmly denying any wrongdoing and expressing distress over what she termed as repeated attempts to tarnish her reputation.
Clarification after raid rumours
Shilpa Shetty’s statement comes days after reports surfaced claiming that the Income Tax Department had conducted a raid at her residence. These reports were categorically denied by her lawyer, Prashant Patil, who clarified that there was no raid and described the exercise as routine verification.
In her statement, Shilpa said she was “deeply saddened by the baseless attempt to link my name to this matter”, adding that misinformation had caused unwarranted speculation about her role in the case.
“No executive role,” says actor
Explaining her association with the now-defunct company at the centre of the controversy, Shilpa said her involvement was strictly limited and non-operational.
“My association with the company was strictly in a non-executive capacity, with no role in its operations, finances, decision-making or any signing authority,” she said.
She further clarified that, like several other public figures, she had endorsed certain products for the home shopping channel run by the company in a purely professional capacity. Payments owed to her for these endorsements, she added, are still outstanding.
₹60-crore EOW case explained
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are currently facing a probe by the Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in a ₹60-crore criminal breach of trust case. The EOW has also invoked cheating charges against the couple.
The case stems from a complaint filed by a 60-year-old businessman, Deepak Kothari, who alleged that he was duped of ₹60.4 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal linked to Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, a company where both Shilpa and Raj were directors.
The allegations have resurfaced nearly nine years after the transactions in question, a delay that Shilpa described as legally questionable.
Family loan of nearly ₹20 crore
In a significant disclosure, Shilpa stated that her family, in fact, suffered financial losses in the same deal.
“I want to put it on record that almost ₹20 crore has been loaned to the company by us as a family and the said amount remains unpaid,” she said.
Calling the allegations against her “mischievous”, she argued that imputing criminal liability on her after such a long delay was “legally unsustainable and contrary to settled principles of law”.
Impact on dignity and reputation
Shilpa also highlighted the emotional and reputational toll the case has taken on her, particularly as a woman in the public eye.
“Despite these facts, my name continues to be unnecessarily dragged into the proceedings, which is both distressing and unjustified,” she said.
She added that such allegations unfairly misrepresent facts and result in a woman’s dignity, integrity and reputation being “trampled upon in the public domain”, despite a lack of direct involvement.
Legal remedies and faith in judiciary
The actor confirmed that a quashing petition has already been filed before the Bombay High Court, challenging the proceedings against her.
Expressing confidence in the judicial system, she said she would pursue all appropriate legal remedies to protect her rights and reputation.
Signing off on a spiritual note, Shilpa quoted the Bhagavad Gita: “Failing to oppose injustice when it is your duty, is itself Adharma.”
Background of the case
Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, once a prominent home shopping channel, has been defunct for several years. The EOW investigation is examining alleged irregularities in financial dealings and claims of cheating related to investments and loans made to the company.
Raj Kundra, who has previously faced legal scrutiny in other matters, remains under investigation along with Shilpa. Both have consistently denied any criminal intent or wrongdoing.
Conclusion
Shilpa Shetty Kundra’s statement marks her most direct and detailed response to the controversy so far. By asserting her limited role, disclosing her family’s financial losses and questioning the timing of the allegations, she has sought to counter claims against her while placing her faith in due process. The outcome now rests with the courts as the investigation and legal proceedings continue.