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Actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra have once again found themselves under legal scrutiny after Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) added charges of “cheating” in an alleged Rs 60 crore fraud case. The development follows an investigation into a complaint filed by businessman Deepak Kothari who claims he was duped in a loan-cum-investment arrangement linked to the couple’s now-defunct company. According to statements issued by the complainant’s legal team the EOW found sufficient material during its probe to justify the inclusion of cheating charges a move that is expected to widen the scope of the ongoing investigation. How has Shilpa Shetty responded? Soon after the reports surfaced Shilpa Shetty took to Instagram to issue a firm statement. Denying all allegations she said the claims were “baseless and motivated” and accused them of being given a criminal colour without legal grounds. She confirmed that a quashing petition has already been filed before the High Court and is currently pending. She wrote 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 Honble 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 sub judice. What is the Rs 60 crore case about? The case was registered in Mumbai on August 14 against Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty in their capacity as directors of Best Deal TV Private Limited a home-shopping and online retail venture. Kothari has alleged that between 2015 and 2023 he was induced to invest nearly Rs 60 crore in the company under the guise of a loan-cum-investment deal. According to the complaint the funds were allegedly not used for business purposes as promised but were instead diverted for personal benefits. These claims form the basis of the cheating allegations now added to the FIR. What has Raj Kundra said so far? During the investigation Raj Kundra reportedly claimed that a portion of the Rs 60 crore was paid as professional fees to actors Bipasha Basu and Neha Dhupia. He has also maintained that Best Deal TV dealt in electrical and household appliances and suffered heavy losses following demonetisation in 2016 which pushed the company into financial distress and made repayment difficult. Why could the probe get bigger? The complainant’s lawyers have stated that they plan to approach the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to initiate proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). They intend to request identification tracing and seizure of the alleged proceeds of crime along with attachment of assets if applicable under the law. If accepted this could take the matter beyond a police investigation and into the domain of financial crime enforcement. As the legal process unfolds the case continues to draw attention blending high-profile celebrity names with serious financial allegations making it one of the most closely watched developments in recent Bollywood legal news.