Searches At Shilpa Shetty's Mumbai House In Connection With Case Linked To Restaurant: Sources

Actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra's house was searched by income tax officials today in a case linked to her restaurant, Bastian, sources said on Thursday. Her lawyer insisted that no searches were carried out and it was a "routine verification".

The action came a day after the Bengaluru Police filed a case against Bastian Garden City, an outlet of the high-end restaurant in the city, for operating past the legal closing hours. Shilpa Shetty is the co-owner of the brand founded in 2014.

In a statement, Shilpa Shetty's lawyer said there was no raid "of whatsoever nature" against the actor.

"There is a routine verification by the income tax officials pertaining to follow up with my client... At the cost of repetition, my client Mrs Shilpa Shetty Kundra states that there is no income tax 'raid' at her place," the lawyer said.

The actor and her husband, Raj Kundra, are also fighting allegations of cheating a businessman of Rs 60 crore in an investment deal. The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing charged the couple with cheating.

In a post on Instagram on Wednesday, Shilpa Shetty shared a note denying the allegations.

"We categorically deny the baseless.and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis. A quashing petition has already been filed before the high court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are sanguine that justice will prevail and have complete faith in the law enforcement authorities and the judicial system of our country. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is subjudice," she said.

The Rs 60 crore cheating case was filed by the police on a complaint by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. He alleged that between 2015 and 2023, he invested approximately Rs 60 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, a company linked to the couple, based on assurances of returns and repayment.

The first information report stated the money was allegedly diverted and not returned despite repeated demands, leading to charges.