The Bombay High Court on Wednesday, October 8, asked actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra to deposit Rs 60 crore if they want the court to consider their plea to travel to Los Angeles and other foreign destinations for business and personal purposes.
The FIR was filed at the instance of businessman Deepak Kothari, who alleged that Shilpa and Raj conspired to cheat him of over Rs 60 crore. According to him, funds given in the name of business expansion between 2015 and 2023 were allegedly misused for personal expenses.
The couple had approached the High Court seeking quashing of a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against them in connection with an FIR related to an alleged Rs 60 crore fraud.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad heard the plea, which included a proposed schedule of foreign trips from October 2 to 29 and then from December 20 to January 6, 2026.
During the hearing, the couple’s counsel informed the court that the trip to Phuket from October 2 to 5 was no longer possible. However, she stated that Shetty is required to attend a YouTube event in Los Angeles from October 21 to 24, travel to Colombo on October 25 for another event, and visit the Maldives for a business trip with her husband from October 26 to 29.
The counsel for the complainant, however, raised concerns, stating, "As per my knowledge, the applicants (Kundra & Shetty) are foreign nationals and thus there is an apprehension (of not returning to India)."
The bench sought details about the YouTube event and communications between Shetty and the organisers. The counsel replied that her client had received calls regarding the event.
CJ Chandrashekhar remarked, "Then furnish the numbers, we will get it verified."
The counsel also emphasised that the couple has fully co-operated with the investigation team and would comply with any conditions set by the court. CJ Chandrashekhar, however, clarified, "The couple was not arrested in the case only because they have co-operated with the probe agency."
The bench made it clear, "You deposit the entire amount in this court and we will consider the request then, but subject to their arguments." However, the hearing was adjourned to October 14.
