Mumbai, November 10, 2025: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra have approached the Bombay High Court, seeking to quash a ₹60-crore cheating case registered against them. The couple has also requested that the police be directed not to file a chargesheet or take any coercive action against them while their plea is under consideration.

Court Proceedings

On Monday, the couple’s plea was heard by a bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekar and Justice Gautam Ankhad. The court directed Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra to serve a copy of their petition to the complainant, identified as Deepak Kothari, a 60-year-old businessman. The matter has now been posted for further hearing on November 20.

Background of the Case

The case stems from a complaint lodged by Deepak Kothari, who alleged that between 2015 and 2023, he had been induced to invest ₹60 crore in the couple’s company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. According to the complaint, the funds were allegedly diverted for personal use by Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra instead of being used for business purposes.

The couple, however, has vehemently denied all allegations and claimed that the FIR was based on false and distorted facts. In their plea, they stated that the FIR was “maliciously filed with an ulterior and malicious motive to extort money” from them.

Couple’s Defense

Shilpa Shetty emphasized that she was not involved in the day-to-day operations of Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd., and her association with the company was limited and short-term. The couple argued that the dispute is essentially a civil and contractual matter, arising from a failed business venture and investment loss, rather than any criminal intent.

The plea further explained that the company’s collapse was due to unforeseen economic circumstances, including the demonetisation of November 2016, which affected many businesses across India. The couple maintained that the losses incurred were purely business-related and did not involve any criminal conspiracy or fraudulent design.

Travel Applications

Separately, Shilpa Shetty had earlier sought the court’s permission to travel abroad, including a planned visit to Los Angeles. However, she subsequently withdrew her application, stating that her travel plans had not materialized. The court had questioned the necessity of the proposed international travel at that time.

Key Points from the Plea

• The FIR against Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra was allegedly filed on false and distorted facts.
• The complaint is a result of a business dispute and investment loss, not criminal wrongdoing.
• Shilpa Shetty was not actively involved in running the company.
• The company faced setbacks due to unforeseen economic circumstances, including demonetisation.
• The couple has requested that no coercive action or chargesheet filing take place while the matter is being heard.

Current Status

The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing for November 20, at which the couple’s plea to quash the FIR will be considered in detail. The court has ensured that the complainant receives a copy of the petition to provide a chance for counter submissions.

This case adds to the legal challenges faced by the couple in recent years, with multiple matters related to business ventures and allegations of misconduct making headlines.