Shilpa Shetty: Shilpa Shetty's statement recorded in the Rs 60 crore fraud case, questioned for several hours by EOW

The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) questioned Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty for approximately four hours and thirty minutes in connection with a ₹60 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) fraud case involving a businessman. So far, statements have been recorded from five individuals, including Shilpa's husband, Raj Kundra. The investigating agency's focus is now on the company through which the entire transaction took place. Both Shilpa and Kundra were directors.

What is the matter?

It is alleged that businessman Deepak Kothari (60) was defrauded of ₹60 crore (approximately $1.5 billion) by the Kundra-Shetty couple in a loan-cum-investment deal. Kothari filed a complaint at the Juhu police station in August, following which the EOW took over the case. Numerous financial documents and bank transactions are being examined during the investigation.

The Company's Role

The company at issue was a home shopping and online retail platform, established a few years ago on a large scale. The company has now gone into liquidation. The EOW also recorded the statement of resolution professional Rajendra Bhutada, who stated that he was called as a witness. He stated that there were several irregularities in the company's financial transactions, which were reported to the investigating agency.

Raj Kundra's Statement

During interrogation, Raj Kundra claimed that he had paid a portion of the money as professional fees to Bollywood celebrities such as Bipasha Basu, Neha Dhupia, and Ekta Kapoor. However, these claims have not yet been confirmed. According to officials, they are now investigating whether these payments were directly related to the investment deal or were merely a pretext.

Questions about Shilpa Shetty's Role

The EOW team asked Shilpa Shetty several questions regarding her role in the company, her involvement in investment decisions, and her signature on financial documents. According to sources, the actress described herself as a "silent partner" and said that all operational decisions of the company were made by her husband, Raj Kundra.

The investigation into the case is ongoing. The EOW has clarified that the investigation is still in its initial stages and that several new witnesses will be questioned. New names may emerge in the case as the documents indicate the suspicious nature of several transactions.