Shilpa Shetty Denies Tax Evasion Claims, Reveals Family Loan to Restaurant Amid IT Raid

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Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty has strongly denied allegations of tax evasion following an alleged Income Tax raid at her home. The Income Tax Department conducted searches at multiple food and beverage companies in Mumbai, including one linked to Shilpa, on charges of tax evasion. According to official sources, the searches began on Wednesday and covered around 20-24 premises in and around Mumbai. The department received "actionable" inputs about certain companies undertaking "out of the books" or cash transactions. Shilpa released a statement, stating that she has been unfairly named in the matter and that her role with the concerned company was limited and non-operational. She claimed that her family loaned ₹20 crore to the company, which remains unpaid. Shilpa also drew attention to the Bhagavad Gita, saying, "Failing to oppose injustice when it is your duty, is itself Adharma." She expressed her faith in the judicial process and will be seeking legal remedies to protect her rights and reputation. Her husband, Raj Kundra, also denied the allegations, terming them "baseless and motivated." He stated that a quashing petition has already been filed before the Bombay High Court and expressed confidence in the law enforcement authorities and the Indian judiciary. The IT investigation is not linked to a Maharashtra Police FIR against Shilpa and her husband or one registered by Bengaluru police against a local restaurant for allegedly operating post the legal working hours. The Bengaluru restaurant is stated to be co-owned by Shilpa.