The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police is expected to approach actors Neha Dhupia and Bipasha Basu, along with producer-director Ekta Kapoor, to gather information about payments they received
from a now-defunct company that was managed by actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra.
The EOW’s move came after the couple has been charged and is facing a probe over an alleged Rs 60 crore fraud pertaining to Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. The company was launched by Shetty, Kundra and actor Akshay Kumar and touted to be India’s first celebrity-based teleshopping channel.
The EOW is planning to seek details from Kapoor, Dhupia and Basu on the amount of money they received in exchange for promoting the company, NDTV reported, citing sources. Reportedly, the wing will also ask them how the money was disbursed.
The probe team also believes that Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd paid several celebrities for branding and promotional purposes. “The company’s funds were allegedly misused, so every transaction is being scrutinised,” NDTV quoted a source.
The case against Shetty and Kundra, along with some unidentified persons, was registered for allegedly duping a businessman of Rs 60.4 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal related to Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd.
The complaint was filed by businessman Deepak Kothari (60), who is a director at a non-banking financial company named Lotus Capital Finance Services.
Earlier this month, Lookout Circulars (LOCs) were issued against Shetty and Kundra.
Last week, Kundra, who was quizzed for over five hours in the fraud case, said he has done nothing wrong and hopes that the truth will eventually come to light.
