Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra, prominent figures in the entertainment industry, are currently embroiled in a legal dispute over allegations of fraud involving a gold investment scheme. According to reports, an investor named Prithviraj Kothari has accused the couple of launching a scheme back in 2014 where investors were promised delivery of gold upon maturity after making full payments.
Kothari claims to have invested approximately Rs 90 lakh in the scheme but alleges that the promised gold was never delivered to him. Following his complaint, the matter underwent police investigation in 2022, during which Shetty and Kundra reportedly submitted documents proving that Kothari had indeed received the full amount through legitimate means.
In a recent statement, the couple’s advocate, Prashant Patil, emphasized that the police investigation had already concluded in their favor after verifying the documents submitted. However, Kothari subsequently filed a private complaint under Section 156(3) of the CrPC, prompting the court to direct a fresh investigation.
Patil expressed confidence in the fairness of the ongoing investigation and asserted that his clients had not committed any offense. He highlighted that the contractual agreement between Kothari and the accused includes an arbitration clause for resolving disputes, particularly concerning alleged interest amounts.
Concluding his statement, Patil criticized the initiation of criminal proceedings for commercial disputes, citing judicial precedents, and affirmed his clients’ intent to cooperate fully with the authorities while reserving the right to pursue legal action against what he termed as malicious proceedings at the appropriate juncture.
