The legal troubles facing Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her businessman husband Raj Kundra intensified recently after the Bombay High Court delivered a stern message regarding their plea to travel overseas. The court has essentially put a ₹60 crore price tag on their international travel, stating that their request to have the Look Out Circular (LOC) against them suspended would be considered only after the entire alleged fraud amount is deposited. This judicial stance underscores the seriousness with which the court is viewing the high-profile business fraud case.

The Origin of the ₹60 Crore Case

The root of this legal drama is a complaint lodged by Mumbai-based businessman Deepak Kothari, a director at Lotus Capital Financial Services. Kothari has accused the couple of cheating him out of approximately ₹60 crore through their now-defunct home-shopping venture, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd.

According to the complaint, between 2015 and 2023, Kothari was allegedly induced to invest the substantial sum, which was intended for the company's business expansion. Instead, the businessman claims the funds were misappropriated and diverted for the couple's personal expenses. The Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is actively investigating the matter, having already recorded statements from key individuals, including both Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty, the latter of whom has reportedly maintained she was not involved in the day-to-day financial affairs of the company.

Why the Look Out Circular is the Sticking Point

The Look Out Circular (LOC) is an official measure issued by law enforcement, preventing an individual from leaving the country without prior permission. The EOW issued the LOC against both Shetty and Kundra, which directly restricts their ability to travel abroad for personal or professional reasons.

In their petition to the Bombay High Court, the couple sought to have this LOC suspended, citing upcoming international commitments, including a professional event for Shilpa Shetty in Los Angeles and other business trips. However, the division bench, comprising Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Gautam Ankhad, took an unyielding position. During the recent hearing, when the couple's counsel pressed for urgent travel approval, the court reportedly quipped that they should "Deposit the entire money. Then we will consider it."

Court's Strict Stance and the October 14 Deadline

The court was clear that it would not permit "leisure trips" while such serious financial allegations are pending. Even for professional engagements, the bench demanded concrete proof, such as formal invitations—not just unverified phone calls—to substantiate the purpose of their travel. The insistence on depositing the ₹60 crore effectively serves as a surety to protect the complainant's interests.

With the Bombay High Court refusing to grant any interim relief on the LOC suspension, the travel plans for the celebrity couple remain on hold. The court has adjourned the matter until October 14, providing the couple time to respond to the demanding pre-condition and submit the required documentation regarding their alleged professional commitments abroad. This ongoing legal battle keeps the spotlight firmly on one of Bollywood's most high-profile financial celebrity controversies.
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