Mumbai: Businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, has been summoned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police in connection with a ₹60.48 crore cheating case. Initially asked to appear before investigators on September 10, Kundra has requested an extension and is now scheduled to appear on September 15.

In the meantime, a Look Out Circular (LOC) has been issued against both Kundra and Shetty to prevent them from leaving the country during the ongoing investigation.

A senior EOW official confirmed that summons have also been issued to the auditor of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) for questioning. Both Shetty and Kundra had been summoned three times earlier during the preliminary inquiry, but cited their stay in London and instead sent their attorney to represent them. According to officials, the information provided by their legal representative was deemed inadequate, prompting the registration of a formal FIR.

The FIR, lodged at Juhu Police Station, is based on a complaint by Deepak Kothari (60), Director of Lotus Capital Financial Services. Kothari alleges that between 2015 and 2023, he invested ₹60.48 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt. Ltd.—a company promoted by Shetty and Kundra—for business expansion. He claims the funds were siphoned off and diverted for the couple’s personal use.

Kothari said he was introduced to Kundra by a mutual acquaintance. At the time, Kundra and Shetty jointly held 87.6% shares in Best Deal TV, an online shopping and retail platform. They allegedly promised him monthly returns along with repayment of the principal amount. Shilpa Shetty later resigned from the company in 2016.

Kothari further claimed he discovered insolvency proceedings had been initiated against the firm after another investor accused it of fraud. Following a detailed preliminary probe, the EOW registered a case against Shilpa Shetty, Raj Kundra, and another individual under IPC Sections 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 34 (common intention).

The investigation is currently underway.