Shilpa Shetty Responds to Tax Evasion Allegations: “We Loaned the Company ₹20 Crore”
Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has publicly denied tax evasion allegations following an alleged Income Tax raid linked to her family’s business interests. The Income Tax Department reportedly conducted searches at multiple food and beverages companies across Mumbai, including one associated with Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra. Officials cited suspected cash transactions and unaccounted finances as the reason for the investigation.
Shilpa Shetty Clarifies Her Role
Shilpa Shetty clarified that her association with the concerned company has been strictly non-executive. She emphasized that she had no involvement in the company’s operations, finances, or decision-making processes, nor did she hold signing authority.
In a detailed statement, Shilpa said, “I am deeply saddened by the baseless attempt to link my name to this matter. My association with the company was strictly in a non-executive capacity, with no role in its operations, finances, decision making, or any signing authority.”
She also highlighted that, like many public figures, she had endorsed certain products for home shopping channels professionally, and payments due to her remain pending.
₹20 Crore Loaned to the Company
Shilpa further revealed that the family had loaned nearly ₹20 crore to the company, which remains unpaid. She described the attempt to impose criminal liability on her after a delay of nearly nine years as legally unsustainable and contrary to established principles of law.
“Despite these facts, my name continues to be unnecessarily dragged into the proceedings, which is both distressing and unjustified. Such unwarranted allegations not only misrepresent facts but also compromise a woman’s dignity, integrity, and reputation in the public domain,” she added.
Quoting the Bhagavad Gita
In her statement, Shilpa drew inspiration from the Bhagavad Gita, saying:
“Failing to oppose injustice when it is your duty is itself Adharma.”
She confirmed that a quashing petition has already been filed before the Honourable Bombay High Court, expressing full faith in the judicial process and intent to seek appropriate legal remedies to protect her rights and reputation. Shilpa urged the media to report responsibly and verify facts before publication.
Raj Kundra Denies Allegations
Shilpa’s husband, Raj Kundra, also addressed the controversy, calling the claims “baseless and motivated.” In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he stated that the issues were being unnecessarily given a criminal angle without lawful basis.
He added, “A Quashing Petition has already been filed before the Hon’ble High Court and is pending adjudication. Having fully cooperated with the investigation, we are confident that justice will prevail. We respectfully urge the media to exercise restraint as the matter is sub judice.”
What the Investigation Entails
According to IT officials, 20–24 premises in and around Mumbai were searched beginning Wednesday after the department received “actionable inputs” against certain companies in the food and beverages sector. The investigation focuses on alleged out-of-the-books or cash transactions.
Some of the offices raided reportedly belong to a restaurant co-owned by Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra, among others. However, officials clarified that Shilpa’s Mumbai residence was not raided.
It was also confirmed that the IT inquiry is not connected to:
A Maharashtra Police FIR against Shilpa and Raj Kundra on charges of fraud.
A Bengaluru police case against a local restaurant allegedly operating beyond legal working hours.
The Bengaluru restaurant in question is co-owned by Shilpa Shetty.
Public and Legal Response
The clarification from Shilpa Shetty comes amid intense social media speculation. By openly stating her non-operational role and highlighting the unpaid loan, Shilpa aims to separate herself from operational or financial responsibility while asserting her faith in the legal system