The Bombay High Court has denied actor Shilpa Shetty’s request to travel to Colombo, ruling that she must first deposit Rs 600 million in connection with an ongoing fraud case. The court stated it would only entertain her travel application after the full amount has been secured.
The decision stems from a legal case involving Shetty and her husband, Raj Kundra, who are accused of defrauding a Mumbai-based businessperson through their company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd.
Fraud Allegations
The complainant claims that funds allocated for business expansion were instead diverted for the couple’s personal use. Investigators have been examining complex financial transactions alleged to have occurred between 2015 and 2023. As part of the inquiry, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) recently questioned Shetty for over four hours. Statements from several individuals, including Kundra, are now on record.
Travel Restrictions
In its ruling, the court cited the seriousness of the financial allegations and the risk that the actor might not return to the country. Shetty’s counsel argued that the trip to Colombo for a YouTube event was a professional obligation, but the court remained firm, stating that legal accountability must come first.
This is not the first time the couple’s travel plans have faced legal obstacles. A proposed trip to Los Angeles also came under scrutiny, and authorities had already issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) to prevent them from leaving India.
The case has been adjourned until 14 October for the next hearing. The court’s latest order adds significant pressure to the high-profile case, casting doubt on Shetty’s ability to fulfil international commitments while the legal proceedings continue.
