Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, are in a legal battle after receiving an eviction notice from the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The notice orders the couple to vacate their lavish Juhu bungalow in Mumbai and a farmhouse near Pavana Lake within 10 days, due to an ongoing investigation related to an alleged Ponzi scheme.
The couple has appealed to the Bombay High Court against the ED’s notice, describing it as “meaningless and arbitrary.” Their petition was heard by a bench of Justice Revati Mohite-Dere and Justice Prithviraj Chavan, who have issued a notice to the ED for further hearing.
ED’s Orders: Vacate in 10 Days
According to the couple’s petition, the ED issued the notice on September 27, 2024, asking them to vacate their properties within 10 days. These properties include their luxurious Juhu bungalow and a farmhouse located in Pune. The notice is part of an investigation into a Rs 6 crore Ponzi scheme case, where Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra have been linked alongside other accused.
The couple, represented by lawyer Prashant Patil, is fighting the eviction notice, insisting that they have legally earned their wealth and purchased the properties through legitimate means. They claim that the properties are not connected to any alleged crime, as suggested by the ED.
Ponzi Scheme Allegations
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s involvement in the Ponzi scheme investigation dates back to 2018. The ED had initially linked the couple to the scheme when they registered a case against Amit Bhardwaj, who allegedly defrauded investors of over Rs 6 crore through Bitcoin. The ED alleges that Shilpa and Raj, along with others, were part of this scam. However, the couple has consistently denied these claims.
Full Cooperation in Investigation
In their petition, Shilpa and Raj stated that they have been fully cooperating with the investigation since it began. Between 2018 and 2024, the couple responded to all summons sent by the ED and even appeared for questioning multiple times. The petition also reveals that Raj Kundra’s father purchased the Juhu bungalow in 2009, and the family has lived there for over 15 years.
The couple was taken by surprise when they first received the provisional attachment order in April 2024, which temporarily seized their properties. They have since submitted all necessary documents and evidence to the ED to prove that their assets were acquired through legal means.
Raj and Shilpa: Fighting to Stay in Their Home
The couple is determined to protect their home and their rights. In their appeal, they argued that according to the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the attachment order can be challenged. They emphasized that they have lived in their Juhu home for more than 15 years, and their assets have no connection to the Ponzi scheme case.
As the legal battle unfolds, the couple is hopeful that the High Court will protect their right to continue living in their home. The case is scheduled for further hearing on October 10, 2024.
