New Delhi: Shilpa Shetty’s legal team has offered fresh clarity after widespread reports claimed that Income Tax officials had conducted a raid at the actor’s Mumbai residence. The claims were firmly denied, with her lawyer stating that no such raid had taken place and that the reports were misleading.
On Thursday (December 19), Shilpa Shetty’s advocate Prashant Patil issued a statement dismissing speculation around an Income Tax raid. It was clarified that what occurred was a routine verification process and not a search operation of any kind.
No tax raids at Shilpa Shetty’s home, confirms her lawyer
Speaking exclusively to News9Live, 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.”
The statement further warned against linking the verification to the ongoing Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigation. “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,” Patil said, reiterating, “At the cost of repetition my client Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra states that there is no income tax ‘RAID’ at her place.”
The clarification followed multiple reports suggesting that Income Tax searches were being carried out on businesses associated with Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra across cities including Mumbai, Bengaluru and Pune. Some reports had also linked the alleged searches to Shetty’s restaurant brand Bastian, adding to the confusion.
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s legal woes
These developments have emerged amid heightened scrutiny of establishments linked to the actor. Recently, the Bengaluru police booked two pubs, including Bastian Garden City, which is co-owned by Shilpa Shetty, for allegedly operating beyond permitted hours. The outlet is run by Bastian Hospitality, founded by businessman Ranjit Bindra, with Shetty holding a 50 per cent stake since 2019.
Separately, Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty are facing a Mumbai police probe in a Rs 60-crore criminal breach of trust case. Officials confirmed that the Economic Offences Wing has now added an additional charge of cheating. Initially registered under Section 406 of the IPC, the case now also includes Section 420, following further investigation.
The case is based on a complaint filed by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari, who alleged he was cheated of Rs 60.4 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal linked to the now-defunct Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, where Raj and Shilpa were directors. Statements from both have already been recorded.
Raj Kundra has publicly denied all allegations, calling them baseless. “We categorically deny the baseless and motivated allegations being circulated,” he wrote, adding that a quashing petition is pending before the High Court and urging media restraint as the matter remains sub judice.
(With inputs from Bharai K Dubey.)