Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and husband Raj Kundra. File
| Photo Credit: PTI
The Bombay High Court on Wednesday (October 8, 2025) ruled that actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra’s plea to suspend the Look Out Circular (LOC) and allow overseas travel will be considered only if they deposit ₹60 crore, the amount allegedly involved in a cheating case against them. A Division Bench of Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad made it clear that leisure trips cannot be permitted while the couple faces serious allegations. “We can’t permit you for leisure trips,” the Bench observed. The couple, represented by advocate Keral Mehta, told the Court that leisure travel plans have been dropped and only professional commitments remain that are Ms. Shetty’s upcoming work-related trips, such as, from October 21 to 24 in Los Angeles, an event by YouTube, followed by another event in Colombo on October 25 and then to Maldives along with her husband, Mr. Kundra from October 26 to 29. The Bench pressed for proof of professional engagements, asking for invitations or communication details. Advocate Mehta admitted the invitation was via phone call and promised to provide verification. The counsel also informed the court that both Ms. Shilpa and Mr. Kundra have fully co-operated with the investigating agency from the beginning, and they will abide by the Court’s conditions if they are permitted to travel. On this the Bench said that the reason the couple are not arrested yet is because they have co-operated with the investigation.Advocate Yusuf Iqbal, appearing for complainant Deepak Kothari, opposed the plea, stressing that the case involves a ₹60-crore fraud linked to Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, a now-defunct home-shopping venture co-founded by the couple. Advocate Iqbal alleged that between 2015 and 2023, the duo induced his client to invest ₹60 crore under a loan-cum-investment agreement but diverted funds for personal use. “Deposit the entire amount of ₹60 crore, then we will consider the plea,” the court noted, adjourning the matter to October 14 for further hearing. The couple has sought suspension of the LOC from October 2025 to January 2026. Published - October 08, 2025 03:17 pm IST
