Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband, businessman Raj Kundra, have been accused of cheating a prominent trader in Mumbai. The accusation, made by bullion trader Prithviraj Saremal Kothari, has prompted the Mumbai Sessions Court to order a thorough investigation into the matter.
According to the complaint by Mr Kothari, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra, along with associates, orchestrated a scheme under their company, enticing investors with promises of lucrative returns on gold investments. The scheme, named "Satyug Gold," allegedly assured investors of gold delivery at a fixed rate, regardless of market fluctuations.
Mr Kothari one of the leading players in the gold and bullion market, claims to have been persuaded by the accused to invest a substantial amount in the scheme. Assurances from Ms Shetty, Mr Kundra, and their associates reportedly convinced him of the scheme's legitimacy and the timely delivery of gold upon maturity.
However, upon reaching the maturity date of April 2, 2019, Mr Kothari alleges that he did not receive the promised gold despite his upfront payment of Rs 90,38,600. Documents presented by the complainant, including a covering letter signed by Shilpa Shetty Kundra and an invoice issued by Satyug Gold Private Limited, seemingly support his claims.
The scheme, as described by Mr Kothari, appeared to offer a secure investment opportunity, buoyed by the reputation of Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra in the entertainment and business spheres, respectively. Investors were led to believe that their investments were safeguarded by the stature of the accused individuals, only to find themselves allegedly defrauded in the end.
The court directed Mumbai Police to investigate the allegations made in the complaint.
Earlier this year, Raj Kundra landed on the radar of the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to a Ponzi scheme. The probe agency seized properties worth Rs 97.79 crore, which also includes a Mumbai flat registered in the name of Shilpa Shetty.
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