“A Baseless Narrative”: Shilpa Shetty Speaks Out Amid ₹60 Crore Fraud Allegations

| Published: Friday, December 19, 2025, 16:40 [IST]

Actor Shilpa Shetty has finally broken her silence after her name surfaced in connection with a ₹60 crore fraud case linked to the now-defunct shopping platform Best Deal TV. Calling the allegations “misleading” and “legally unsustainable,” the actor has strongly denied any wrongdoing, asserting that her involvement with the company was strictly non-operational. As the case draws public attention, Shetty has appealed for responsible reporting and expressed faith in the judicial process.

1/6

A Strong Rebuttal from Shilpa Shetty

In an official statement released through her team, Shilpa Shetty expressed deep disappointment over what she described as an unjust attempt to associate her with the case. The actor clarified that she held only a non-executive position in Best Deal TV and had no role in its management, finances, or decision-making. According to her, the narrative attempting to assign criminal liability to her is both unfair and misleading.

2/6

Understanding the ₹60 Crore Case

The case stems from a complaint filed by businessman Deepak Kothari, who alleged that he was induced into investing nearly ₹60.4 crore in Best Deal TV Private Limited between 2015 and 2023. The Mumbai Police later added cheating charges against Shilpa Shetty and her husband, Raj Kundra, apart from criminal breach of trust. Investigators are currently examining whether the funds were misused for purposes other than business operations.

3/6

Non-Executive Role and Unpaid Dues

Shetty reiterated that her association with the platform was limited to endorsing certain products in a professional capacity–work for which she claims payments are still pending. She further revealed that her family had loaned close to ₹20 crore to the company, an amount that remains unpaid. According to her, these facts have been ignored while selectively framing her as an accused.

4/6

Legal Stand and Media Appeal

Calling the allegations “distressing and unjustified,” the actor stated that her name continues to be unnecessarily dragged into the proceedings despite the absence of any operational involvement. Emphasizing the emotional and reputational toll, Shetty highlighted how such claims unfairly impact a woman’s dignity in the public sphere. A quashing petition has already been filed before the Bombay High Court, and she maintains complete faith in the legal system.

5/6

Clarification on Tax and Related Reports

Amid the controversy, reports of an alleged income tax raid at Shetty’s residence surfaced, which were later denied by her legal counsel. Advocate Prashant Patil clarified that no raid took place and described the visit as routine verification unrelated to the fraud investigation. Authorities also confirmed that the tax inquiry was not linked to the Mumbai Police case or a separate Bengaluru police matter involving a restaurant co-owned by the actor.

6/6

Raj Kundra Responds to Allegations

Raj Kundra, too, denied the accusations, calling them “baseless and motivated.” In a statement on social media, he asserted that the issues were being given a criminal colour without lawful grounds. Kundra confirmed that the couple has cooperated fully with investigators and urged the media to exercise restraint as the matter remains sub judice.

Disclaimer

The images featured on this page are sourced from publicly available platforms, official press releases, and promotional materials. These images are published strictly for editorial, informational, and news reporting purposes under the principles of fair use.
We do not claim ownership of any images unless explicitly stated. All image copyrights belong to their respective photographers, production houses, or copyright holders.
If you are the rightful owner of any image and believe that its use on this website is unauthorized or objectionable, please contact us ([email protected]) with proper details. We will promptly review and remove the content if required.