Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra charged with cheating in ₹60 crore fraud case — what we know (updated Dec 17, 2025)
The name Shilpa Shetty has been in headlines again after Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) added a cheating charge in a ₹60 crore fraud complaint linked to the couple’s now-defunct business interests. The development has escalated a long-running legal dispute involving allegations from a businessman who says he was induced to invest funds that were not returned.
Below I break down the facts, the legal steps taken so far, the couple’s response, and what this could mean next — using the latest information available as of December 17, 2025.
The core allegation — what the FIR says
An FIR registered by the EOW stems from a complaint filed by businessman Deepak Kothari, who alleges that he invested about ₹60 crore in a venture connected to the couple’s firm Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd. The complaint describes the transaction as a loan-cum-investment made between 2015 and 2023 and says the funds were not repaid as promised.
In its latest move, investigators have added IPC Section 420 — the statutory provision for “cheating” — to the case. Adding Section 420 signals an escalation: it is used where authorities believe dishonest inducement or deliberate misrepresentation led to the other party being cheated.
Timeline of the probe so far
From complaint to EOW FIR
The matter first drew public attention earlier in 2025 when the complaint by Mr. Kothari was examined and, because of the size of the claimed loss (over ₹10 crore), referred to the Economic Offences Wing for deeper inquiry. EOW began summoning and questioning staff linked to the firm and recording statements as part of a preliminary probe.
Legal challenges and court filings
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra moved the Bombay High Court in November 2025 seeking to quash the FIR and to restrain the police from filing a chargesheet or taking coercive action while their plea is pending. The couple has been active in the courts, contesting the criminal allegations and seeking relief through high-court remedies.
Most recently, media reports confirm the EOW has formally added the cheating charge (Section 420) to the FIR after investigators said new evidence or material came to light during the probe. This addition was reported on December 17, 2025.
Shilpa Shetty’s public response
Shilpa Shetty — and Raj Kundra — have publicly denied the allegations. The couple’s lawyers and their statements to the press describe the claims as “baseless” and “malicious,” and stress that questions of civil liability or commercial disagreement should not be converted into criminality without proof. Raj Kundra has used social media to call the charges “motivated” and emphasized that the matter is before the courts.
Short, direct denials have been the public posture so far: cooperation with the investigators is being portrayed as ongoing while the couple continues to challenge the FIR legally.
Important court order — travel and deposits
In a notable interim step, the Bombay High Court has at one point asked the couple to deposit a substantial amount connected to the dispute before considering permission to travel abroad. Reports indicate the court linked travel permissions to the possibility of depositing an amount related to the disputed ₹60 crore sum — a typical judicial measure when alleged economic wrongdoing is under investigation and there is a risk of flight or dissipation of assets. This judicial oversight is part of the wider procedural picture as the case moves through the courts.
What the cheating charge (IPC 420) means in practice
IPC Section 420 is a serious charge; it criminalizes cheating and dishonest inducement resulting in wrongful loss. If the EOW builds a chargesheet alleging inducement, misrepresentation, or dishonest intent, the accused could face a criminal trial. That said, the presence of a cheating charge does not equate to guilt — it is an allegation that the prosecution must substantiate with documents, witness testimony, banking records, and other corroboration. Defendants commonly respond by arguing either lack of mens rea (no dishonest intent) or that the transaction was commercial and accounted for differently (e.g., investment vs. loan).
What to watch next
- EOW chargesheet — If the EOW files a chargesheet, it will set the formal criminal trial process in motion. The content of the chargesheet will show the evidence the probe team believes it has gathered.
- High Court rulings — The couple’s quash petitions remain an important procedural front. If the Bombay High Court grants interim relief or quashes any part of the FIR, it can materially change the case’s trajectory. Conversely, dismissal of the petitions would allow the criminal process to proceed unhindered.
- Forensic evidence and financial records — Banking trails, loan agreements, emails, and board minutes (if any) will be central to proving or disproving allegations of dishonest inducement.
How this matters for Shilpa Shetty’s public image and business interests
Shilpa Shetty is a high-profile film star and entrepreneur. Allegations of financial misconduct — even if ultimately disproved — can cause reputational harm and operational headaches for business ventures. Brands and partners often respond to legal risk by distancing themselves until matters resolve, while restaurants and other businesses linked to the family have also faced separate regulatory attention in recent weeks. Managing both legal defense and public communications will be crucial for the couple.
Bottom line
The latest development — the addition of a cheating charge under IPC Section 420 in a ₹60 crore dispute — represents a material intensification of the legal matter involving Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra. The couple denies wrongdoing and has already taken legal steps in the Bombay High Court to quash the FIR and prevent coercive action. What follows will be shaped by the EOW’s chargesheet (if filed), the court’s decisions on the couple’s petitions, and the strength of documentary and financial evidence on both sides.
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