In a significant and dramatic hearing, the Bombay High Court has issued a stern ultimatum to actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, in connection with the ongoing Rs. 60 crore fraud case. The court flatly rejected Shilpa’s plea to cancel a lookout notice against her, making it clear that any permission for foreign travel would only be considered after the couple deposits the entire disputed amount of ₹60 crore.
The celebrity couple’s legal troubles deepened during the hearing on Wednesday, as they sought relief from the travel restrictions imposed on them. Shilpa Shetty’s legal counsel argued that the actress should be allowed to travel abroad for work commitments and holidays. She submitted to the court that her role in her husband’s company, Best Deal TV Private Limited, was purely nominal and that she had no real connection to its financial operations.
However, the bench, led by Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, was unconvinced by the argument. In a sharp rebuke, the court dismissed her request, stating pointedly, “If you want to go abroad, first become a government witness.”
The Court’s Strict Conditions
The Bombay High Court laid down two stringent conditions that the couple must meet before any relief is granted. Firstly, the bench has demanded a written affidavit from Shilpa Shetty detailing her claim of non-involvement with the company’s affairs. This affidavit must be submitted by tomorrow, October 16, 2025.
Secondly, and more crucially, the court has ordered that this claim must be corroborated by her husband. The bench stated, “If you say you have no connection with the company, get your husband Raj Kundra to sign an affidavit to this effect.”
The most significant directive, however, revolves around the disputed funds. The judges made it unequivocally clear that the primary condition for any concession is the repayment of the alleged dues. Emphasizing the gravity of the financial allegations, the court declared, “The fraud case is worth ₹60 crore- pay it first.” This order effectively puts the onus on the couple to settle the financial dispute before seeking personal liberties like international travel.
Background of the Fraud Allegations
The case was filed by businessman Deepak Kothari, who alleges that he was cheated out of approximately ₹60 crore. The accusations center on the now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Private Limited, where both Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra served as directors. Kothari claims that between 2015 and 2023, the couple convinced him to invest a substantial sum into their company, which sold household and electrical items. He alleges that these funds were never used for the business but were instead diverted for their own personal use.
In his statements to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Raj Kundra has claimed that his company suffered massive losses following the demonetisation policy, which rendered it unable to repay its loans. As part of the ongoing investigation, Kundra has been questioned twice, while Shilpa Shetty was questioned at her residence for over four hours on October 4.
While the couple has not been arrested because they are cooperating with the investigation, the court has made it clear that their cooperation does not grant them unrestricted freedom. With the deadline for the affidavit looming, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are at a critical juncture, where their future actions—and their ability to produce ₹60 crore—will determine their freedom to travel.
Disclaimer: This report is based on a legal hearing as covered by third-party media sources. The details represent allegations and are not proven facts, as the case is still ongoing.
