Income tax officials search Shilpa Shetty’s home in probe linked to Bastian Restaurant

Shilpa Shetty is a co-owner of the hospitality venture, which was founded in 2014.

The searches were not limited to Mumbai. Income tax teams also carried out operations at certain premises in Bengaluru as part of the same investigation.

The action comes a day after the Bengaluru Police registered a case against Bastian Garden City, the restaurant’s outlet in the city, for allegedly operating beyond permitted closing hours.

Separately, Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, are facing allegations of cheating in a ₹60 crore investment deal.

The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a cheating case against the couple based on a complaint filed by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari.

According to the police complaint, Kothari alleged that between 2015 and 2023, he invested around ₹60 crore in Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, a company linked to the couple, after being assured of returns and repayment.

The FIR states that the money was allegedly diverted and not returned despite repeated demands.

Reacting to the allegations, Shilpa Shetty issued a statement on Instagram on Wednesday, strongly denying any wrongdoing.

“We categorically deny the baseless and motivated allegations being circulated. The issues sought to be raised are being given a criminal colour without any lawful basis. A quashing petition has already been filed before the high court and is pending adjudication,” she said.

The actor added that she and her husband have fully cooperated with the investigation and expressed confidence in the judicial process. She also urged the media to exercise restraint, noting that the matter is sub judice.

Investigations in both cases are currently underway.