The Bombay High Court has directed actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, to deposit ₹60 crore if they wish to travel abroad, specifically to locations like Los Angeles. The court's decision is linked to a ₹60 crore fraud case filed against them. The High Court has adjourned the matter until October 14.
This directive emerged during a hearing on a plea filed by Shetty and Kundra, seeking to overturn a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against them. The LOC restricts their international travel without prior permission from the court or the investigating agency. The couple's travel plans included international trips scheduled from October 2 to October 29, 2025, and later from December 20, 2025, to January 6, 2026.
The fraud case was registered on August 14 at Juhu Police Station based on a complaint by businessman Deepak Kothari. Kothari alleged that Shetty and Kundra induced him to invest in their now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd., between 2015 and 2023. He claimed to have paid ₹60.48 crore to the couple for business expansion, but the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses. Kothari stated that he transferred ₹31.95 crore in April 2015 and another ₹28.53 crore in September 2015 to Best Deal TV's accounts.
During the hearing, Shetty's counsel mentioned her professional commitments at a YouTube event between October 21 and October 23. However, Kothari's counsel raised concerns about the couple's potential return to India, implying they might be foreign nationals. The court acknowledged the couple's cooperation with the investigation, which is why they haven't been detained.
Raj Kundra has reacted to the reports, stating that the court has not directed him to deposit any amount. He clarified that the court has only requested details regarding the purpose of travel along with the formal correspondence to be submitted on the next hearing date, October 14. Kundra also expressed frustration over what he called "repeated misrepresentations" by the claimant, stating that action is being taken against Kothari and that many facts will come to light. He urged the media to verify facts before publishing misleading information.
Previously, Shilpa Shetty informed the Mumbai police that she did not oversee the company's affairs. The Economic Offences Wing (EoW) questioned her for over four hours at her residence on October 4. Raj Kundra claimed that a portion of the funds was distributed as professional fees to Bollywood actors such as Bipasha Basu, Neha Dhupia, and producer Ekta Kapoor. The investigation also involves Rajendra Bhutada, the resolution professional managing the liquidation of Best Deal TV Private Limited.
In related news, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at multiple locations, including the couple's residence, in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to adult content production. The ED has also secured Shilpa Shetty's Juhu property, alleging that Kundra used illicit funds to acquire it before transferring ownership to his wife in a Bitcoin case. Raj Kundra has requested the media not to drag Shilpa Shetty's name into unrelated matters. He emphasized his cooperation with the investigation and refuted allegations of pornography and money laundering.
