The Income Tax Department conducted search operations at Bastian, a restaurant co-owned by actor Shilpa Shetty, in the Dadar area of Mumbai on Wednesday, December 17. The searches had taken place earlier during the day, and officials have said nothing so far on this.
About Bastian Restaurant
Bastian, founded in 2016 by Shilpa Shetty and restaurateur Ranjit Bindra, is a seafood restaurant. The restaurant has been quite famous because it operates as a high-profile dining destination.
Why the raid conducted at Shilpa Shetty’s Bastian Restaurant
The tax raids came a day after Bengaluru Police registered an FIR against Bastian for allegedly operating in violation of rules. The case was filed suo motu under Section 103 of the Karnataka Police Act for remaining open beyond permitted hours and holding late-night parties. Since the restaurant on St. Mark’s Road, the FIR was lodged at the Cubbon Park Police Station.
Alleged Breach of Closing Time in Bastian Restaurant
The police said that Bastian operated beyond the permitted closing hour till 1.30 am on December 11. Cases were then registered against the restaurant managers and staff for violating the rules.
Shilpa Shetty Denies Allegation
Shilpa Shetty responded through an Instagram statement, in which she said that the allegations being circulated were completely baseless and motivated. She stated that the issues were being wrongly portrayed as criminal matters without any legal grounds. The actor added that a quashing petition has already been filed before the High Court and was currently under consideration. She further said that she has fully cooperated with the investigation and remained confident that justice would prevail, expressing complete faith in the country’s law enforcement agencies and judicial system. She also urged the media to show restraint, noting that the matter was sub judice.
Other Legal Troubles Faced by Shilpa Shetty
The latest developments were reported against the backdrop of other legal troubles linked to the actor, with Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra having been booked by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) for allegedly cheating a Mumbai-based businessman of Rs 60.4 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal, in which an unidentified individual was also named.
Authorities further stated that investigations related to all matters concerning Bastian were still underway and that more details were expected to emerge as the probes continue.
Also Read: Why Did India Summon Bangladesh’s High Commissioner Over Anti-India Threats?