(Image source from: Instagram.com/theshilpashetty)
It seems that Shilpa Shetty and her family are facing challenging times. Just weeks after the Bollywood star and her businessman partner, Raj Kundra, were accused of fraud, Shetty has revealed that she will close one of her famous restaurants in Bandra, Mumbai – Bastian.
On Tuesday, Shilpa Shetty utilized her Instagram stories to communicate the news to her fans and supporters. “This Thursday brings an end to a significant chapter as we say goodbye to one of Mumbai’s beloved places – BASTIAN BANDRA. A spot that has given us many cherished memories, amazing nights, and moments that have influenced the city's nightlife is now taking its last bow,” she expressed. “To honor this remarkable venue, we are planning a special evening for our closest guests – a night filled with nostalgia, excitement, and magic, celebrating everything that Bastian represented one final time. Even as we part with BASTIAN BANDRA, our Thursday night event, Arcane Affair, will go on next week at BASTIAN AT THE TOP, continuing the legacy with fresh experiences in a new chapter,” she added.
Bastion Bandra is jointly owned by actress Shilpa Shetty and restaurateur Ranjit Bindra. Since it opened in 2016, it has been well-known for its seafood offerings. It is important to mention that Bastian is closing shortly after Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra were charged by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for allegedly defrauding a Mumbai businessman out of Rs 60.4 crore regarding a loan-investment agreement. An unidentified individual was also implicated in this matter.
The complainant, Deepak Kothari, claims that the couple swindled him of more than Rs 60 crore, relating to Shetty and Kundra’s now-closed company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd. Kothari asserts that he invested this amount between 2015 and 2023 under the guise of growing a business, but the funds were supposedly misappropriated for personal use. The EOW is currently looking into the situation.
Following the complaint, Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra’s lawyer rejected the accusations, stating they were purely civil and had been resolved by the NCLT in Mumbai on October 4, 2024. “This transaction is from the past, where the company faced financial issues and eventually got involved in a long legal struggle at the NCLT. There is no criminal behavior here, and our auditors have provided all necessary documentation as requested by the EOW, including detailed cash flow statements,” said advocate Prashant Patil. “The investment agreement in question is simply an equity investment. The company has received a liquidation order, which has also been presented to the police. The chartered accountants involved have visited the police station over 15 times in the past year with all the evidence supporting my clients' claims,” the lawyer continued.
Patil described the case as “groundless and spiteful,” aimed at tarnishing the reputations of Kundra and Shetty. He also mentioned that suitable actions are being initiated from their side.
