Shilpa Shetty Denies Income Tax Raid Amid Investigation Claims

Indian actress Shilpa Shetty has officially denied reports of an Income Tax raid at her residence. Her lawyer, Advocate Prashant Patil, stated that there is no raid against her client, but rather a routine verification process initiated by Income Tax officials. He emphasised, 'On behalf of my client, Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra, I can confirm that there is no Income Tax “raid” of whatsoever nature against my client.'

This clarification follows widespread media reports suggesting that Income Tax searches were being conducted on businesses linked to Shilpa Shetty and her husband, Raj Kundra, in various cities, including Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai. According to sources, the investigations are primarily focused on Bastian Hospitality, a company operating clubs under the Bastian brand in multiple locations.

The context of these developments is connected to recent actions taken by Bengaluru police, who have opened cases against two pubs, including Bastian Garden City, co-owned by Shilpa Shetty, for allegedly operating beyond the hours permitted by local regulations. Shilpa Shetty holds a 50 percent stake in Bastian Pub, which was founded by businessman Ranjit Bindra.

In her statement, Shilpa Shetty firmly rejected all allegations, describing them as unfounded. She mentioned that a legal petition contesting the proceedings is currently pending before the High Court. She expressed confidence in the judicial process, stating, '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.' She also urged the media to be cautious, as the matter is sub judice.

The police's actions were reportedly prompted by the circulation of CCTV footage from Bastian Pub, which showed a confrontation between two groups of patrons on December 11 at approximately 1:30 a.m. Although no serious violence was reported, the footage highlighted concerns regarding compliance with operational hours. Additionally, Sourberry Pub on Residency Road has also been implicated in similar allegations.

Further information regarding the ongoing investigations is anticipated as the situation develops. Both Shilpa Shetty and her legal team are keen to dispel any misconceptions about their involvement in these matters, maintaining that they are fully cooperating with authorities and awaiting judicial resolution.