The Bombay High Court barred Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra from leisure trips abroad and said work-related travel can be considered only after depositing Rs 60 crore. The case involves a Rs 60 crore cheating allegation linked to their defunct company, Best Deal TV.
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday made it clear that Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra cannot travel abroad for leisure purposes while a criminal investigation against them is still going on. The court also said that if Shilpa Shetty wants to travel overseas for work, she must first deposit Rs 60 crore as a condition.
The matter came up during the hearing of their petition that sought suspension of a Look Out Circular (LOC). The case was heard by a division bench consisting of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam A. Ankhad.
While considering the plea, the bench stated,
“We can’t permit you for these purposes. We can’t permit you for leisure trip.”
Advocate Keral Mehta, who represented the couple, informed the court that the earlier request for leisure trips abroad has been dropped and now only Shilpa Shetty’s travel for a professional event is being pressed.
The petition had mentioned that Shetty planned to go to Los Angeles from October 21 to 24 for work, and later to Colombo and the Maldives between October 26 to 29 in connection with their hospitality venture, Hotel Bastian.
However, Mehta clarified during the hearing that now only the Colombo trip at the end of October is being sought for consideration.
The court then asked Advocate Mehta about the nature of the professional commitments and whether any official invitation was placed on record.
The bench wanted details and proof. In response, Mehta said that a formal written invitation would only be sent after the LOC suspension is granted.
The bench was not satisfied and insisted on clarity, asking for the invitation details. To this, Mehta replied that the invitation was made over a phone call. The bench immediately said it wanted the number for verification.
During the proceedings, the judges also observed that the couple had cooperated with the investigation so far and noted,
“That is why you have not been arrested.”
The bench also asked the complainant’s counsel to explain the background of the case.
Advocate Yusuf Iqbal, appearing for the complainant, told the court that the case is about a cheating allegation of Rs 60 crore related to Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s old company, Best Deal TV, which has now shut down.
The complaint was filed by Deepak Kothari, Director of UY Industries, who alleged that the couple induced him to invest in the company between 2015 and 2023.
While putting forth the complainant’s case, Iqbal told the bench, “Rs 60 crores, gone in six months,” and further submitted that the investigation has already uncovered important evidence. He also highlighted that Raj Kundra holds a British passport.
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After hearing both sides, the bench directed the couple to deposit the entire disputed amount before the court would consider granting any relief.
The bench said,
“Deposit the entire amount, then we will hear you,”
and adjourned the matter for further hearing on October 14.
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