I-T raids Shilpa Shetty's Bastian amid ongoing cheating case
What's the story
The Income Tax (I-T) Department carried out a raid on Wednesday at Bastian Pub, a popular nightlife venue owned by Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty Kundra, PTI reported. While information about the raid is under wraps, the officials from the I-T Department were spotted at Bastian's premises. Separately, the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has reportedly added the more serious charge of cheating under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code in an FIR against Shetty Kundra and Raj Kundra.
Investigation update
EOW's action based on new evidence in ongoing investigation
The EOW's decision to invoke the cheating charge comes after new evidence was found during the ongoing investigation. The case against the couple was registered under Sections 403 and 406 of the IPC, which deal with dishonest misappropriation of property and criminal breach of trust. The pair allegedly cheated Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari of ₹60.48 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal linked to their now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd.
Twitter Post
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VIDEO | Bengaluru:
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 17, 2025IT raids at Bastian Pub owned by actress Shilpa Shetty. More details awaited.#BengaluruNews
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/w75UFY61TR
Legal stance
Couple's response to FIR and ongoing investigation
The couple has approached the Bombay High Court seeking to quash the FIR, calling it "baseless and malicious," in a statement. They argued, "The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis." "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." Meanwhile, the EOW continues to investigate the case.