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Mumbai High Court refuses to allow foreign travel: Shilpa Shetty-Raj Kundra to face financial fraud case
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband businessman Raj Kundra have been denied permission to travel abroad by the Bombay High Court. The court refused to grant immediate relief on a petition filed against the lookout notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The couple wanted to go on a vacation to Phuket in Thailand with their family from October 2 to 5, but the court dismissed the petition, saying the trip was dangerous. This decision has hit the business and personal plans of the Shilpa-Raj couple hard, and the investigation against them in the financial fraud case is likely to gain momentum.
Background of the case: Complexity of fraud of Rs 60 crore
The case was initiated on the complaint of Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. Kothari is the director of Lotus Capital Financial Services. According to him, they were in talks to give a loan of Rs 75 crore for Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's home shopping company 'Best Deal TV'. However, this loan was shown as an investment for tax savings and the principal amount along with interest was promised to be returned every month. Shilpa and Raj owned 87.6 percent stake in this company.
According to Kothari's complaint, even after investing a total of Rs 60.48 crore, the company did not return it. On the contrary, the company went bankrupt and the investors were cheated. The investigation of this complaint, registered at Juhu police station, was handed over to the EOW. On September 5, 2025, the Mumbai Police issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against Shilpa and Raj, which banned them from traveling abroad. The police took this measure as the couple was a frequent foreign visitor.
Raj Kundra has also been booked in various cases before this case. They were arrested in 2021 in an adult film sale case, while they are also involved in money laundering and other financial crimes. Shilpa Shetty, however, claims that she is not involved in these cases, but the police say that she is responsible as a shareholder of the company.
Petition details: Other travel plans including Phuket
The petition filed by the Shilpa-Raj couple in the High Court mentioned not only the trip to Phuket, but also several other international trips. These include:
October 21 to 24: Los Angeles for business work.
October 26 to 29: Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Maldives for the expansion of the hotel 'Bastian'.
December 20, 2025 to January 6, 2026: Dubai and London to meet Raj Kundra's parents.
In the petition, the couple said that these trips were related to family and business and they would comply with the court order. They also argued that they were causing business losses due to the lookout notice. However, the court rejected this argument.
Court hearing: 'Travel is risky'
The petition came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice S. V. Gangapurwala and Justice Archana Bhandari on Tuesday (October 1, 2025). Chief Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh strongly opposed the plea. He said, "Two serious economic offences cases are currently pending against Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra. In such a situation, allowing them to travel abroad would be risky. The possibility of them fleeing the country cannot be ruled out."
The court asked the petitioners' lawyers, "What is the hurry? Why should they be allowed to travel when the investigation into the case is underway?" Shilpa-Raj's lawyers said that the travel was for business and family reasons and they will return on any terms. However, the bench refused to grant immediate relief and dismissed the petition. The next date of hearing has not been announced, but the EOW investigation will continue.
Reaction and aftermath: Bollywood is in a state of uproar
This decision has created a stir in Bollywood. Shilpa Shetty is currently busy shooting for the film 'Super Police', while Raj Kundra's business is likely to be affected. Fans have supported the couple on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForShilpaRaj trending. However, some celebrities have welcomed the judicial process, calling the case serious.
When Raj Kundra's statement was recorded during a 5-hour session by the EOW, he said that Kothari's money was invested in the company as equity and not as a loan. Shilpa Shetty's statement will also be recorded soon. Bollywood and business circles are focused on how the case will end.
In the wake of this incident, questions are being raised about the involvement of celebrities in financial fraud cases. It is being said that strict implementation of the law is protecting the rights of investors. The Shilpa-Raj couple may now be looking for further legal options, but this court's decision has completely shattered their dreams of traveling abroad.
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband businessman Raj Kundra have been denied permission to travel abroad by the Bombay High Court. The court refused to grant immediate relief on a petition filed against the lookout notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The couple wanted to go on a vacation to Phuket in Thailand with their family from October 2 to 5, but the court dismissed the petition, saying the trip was dangerous. This decision has hit the business and personal plans of the Shilpa-Raj couple hard, and the investigation against them in the financial fraud case is likely to gain momentum.
Background of the case: Complexity of fraud of Rs 60 crore
The case was initiated on the complaint of Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. Kothari is the director of Lotus Capital Financial Services. According to him, they were in talks to give a loan of Rs 75 crore for Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's home shopping company 'Best Deal TV'. However, this loan was shown as an investment for tax savings and the principal amount along with interest was promised to be returned every month. Shilpa and Raj owned 87.6 percent stake in this company.
According to Kothari's complaint, even after investing a total of Rs 60.48 crore, the company did not return it. On the contrary, the company went bankrupt and the investors were cheated. The investigation of this complaint, registered at Juhu police station, was handed over to the EOW. On September 5, 2025, the Mumbai Police issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against Shilpa and Raj, which banned them from traveling abroad. The police took this measure as the couple was a frequent foreign visitor.
Raj Kundra has also been booked in various cases before this case. They were arrested in 2021 in an adult film sale case, while they are also involved in money laundering and other financial crimes. Shilpa Shetty, however, claims that she is not involved in these cases, but the police say that she is responsible as a shareholder of the company.
Petition details: Other travel plans including Phuket
The petition filed by the Shilpa-Raj couple in the High Court mentioned not only the trip to Phuket, but also several other international trips. These include:
October 21 to 24: Los Angeles for business work.
October 26 to 29: Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Maldives for the expansion of the hotel 'Bastian'.
December 20, 2025 to January 6, 2026: Dubai and London to meet Raj Kundra's parents.
In the petition, the couple said that these trips were related to family and business and they would comply with the court order. They also argued that they were causing business losses due to the lookout notice. However, the court rejected this argument.
Court hearing: 'Travel is risky'
The petition came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice S. V. Gangapurwala and Justice Archana Bhandari on Tuesday (October 1, 2025). Chief Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh strongly opposed the plea. He said, "Two serious economic offences cases are currently pending against Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra. In such a situation, allowing them to travel abroad would be risky. The possibility of them fleeing the country cannot be ruled out."
The court asked the petitioners' lawyers, "What is the hurry? Why should they be allowed to travel when the investigation into the case is underway?" Shilpa-Raj's lawyers said that the travel was for business and family reasons and they will return on any terms. However, the bench refused to grant immediate relief and dismissed the petition. The next date of hearing has not been announced, but the EOW investigation will continue.
Reaction and aftermath: Bollywood is in a state of uproar
This decision has created a stir in Bollywood. Shilpa Shetty is currently busy shooting for the film 'Super Police', while Raj Kundra's business is likely to be affected. Fans have supported the couple on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForShilpaRaj trending. However, some celebrities have welcomed the judicial process, calling the case serious.
When Raj Kundra's statement was recorded during a 5-hour session by the EOW, he said that Kothari's money was invested in the company as equity and not as a loan. Shilpa Shetty's statement will also be recorded soon. Bollywood and business circles are focused on how the case will end.
In the wake of this incident, questions are being raised about the involvement of celebrities in financial fraud cases. It is being said that strict implementation of the law is protecting the rights of investors. The Shilpa-Raj couple may now be looking for further legal options, but this court's decision has completely shattered their dreams of traveling abroad.
Background of the case: Complexity of fraud of Rs 60 crore
The case was initiated on the complaint of Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari. Kothari is the director of Lotus Capital Financial Services. According to him, they were in talks to give a loan of Rs 75 crore for Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra's home shopping company 'Best Deal TV'. However, this loan was shown as an investment for tax savings and the principal amount along with interest was promised to be returned every month. Shilpa and Raj owned 87.6 percent stake in this company.
According to Kothari's complaint, even after investing a total of Rs 60.48 crore, the company did not return it. On the contrary, the company went bankrupt and the investors were cheated. The investigation of this complaint, registered at Juhu police station, was handed over to the EOW. On September 5, 2025, the Mumbai Police issued a Lookout Circular (LOC) against Shilpa and Raj, which banned them from traveling abroad. The police took this measure as the couple was a frequent foreign visitor.
Raj Kundra has also been booked in various cases before this case. They were arrested in 2021 in an adult film sale case, while they are also involved in money laundering and other financial crimes. Shilpa Shetty, however, claims that she is not involved in these cases, but the police say that she is responsible as a shareholder of the company.
Petition details: Other travel plans including Phuket
The petition filed by the Shilpa-Raj couple in the High Court mentioned not only the trip to Phuket, but also several other international trips. These include:
October 21 to 24: Los Angeles for business work.
October 26 to 29: Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Maldives for the expansion of the hotel 'Bastian'.
December 20, 2025 to January 6, 2026: Dubai and London to meet Raj Kundra's parents.
In the petition, the couple said that these trips were related to family and business and they would comply with the court order. They also argued that they were causing business losses due to the lookout notice. However, the court rejected this argument.
Court hearing: 'Travel is risky'
The petition came up for hearing before a bench of Chief Justice S. V. Gangapurwala and Justice Archana Bhandari on Tuesday (October 1, 2025). Chief Public Prosecutor Mankunwar Deshmukh strongly opposed the plea. He said, "Two serious economic offences cases are currently pending against Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra. In such a situation, allowing them to travel abroad would be risky. The possibility of them fleeing the country cannot be ruled out."
The court asked the petitioners' lawyers, "What is the hurry? Why should they be allowed to travel when the investigation into the case is underway?" Shilpa-Raj's lawyers said that the travel was for business and family reasons and they will return on any terms. However, the bench refused to grant immediate relief and dismissed the petition. The next date of hearing has not been announced, but the EOW investigation will continue.
Reaction and aftermath: Bollywood is in a state of uproar
This decision has created a stir in Bollywood. Shilpa Shetty is currently busy shooting for the film 'Super Police', while Raj Kundra's business is likely to be affected. Fans have supported the couple on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForShilpaRaj trending. However, some celebrities have welcomed the judicial process, calling the case serious.
When Raj Kundra's statement was recorded during a 5-hour session by the EOW, he said that Kothari's money was invested in the company as equity and not as a loan. Shilpa Shetty's statement will also be recorded soon. Bollywood and business circles are focused on how the case will end.
In the wake of this incident, questions are being raised about the involvement of celebrities in financial fraud cases. It is being said that strict implementation of the law is protecting the rights of investors. The Shilpa-Raj couple may now be looking for further legal options, but this court's decision has completely shattered their dreams of traveling abroad.
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