Shilpa Shetty shuts down Bastian Bandra weeks after facing cheating allegations with Raj Kundra. (Image Source: Instagram/ theshilpashetty)
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra are facing a turbulent phase. Weeks after the couple faced cheating allegations in a multi-crore deal, Shetty announced the closure of her iconic restaurant Bastian Bandra. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) recently booked the actress and her husband for allegedly defrauding a businessman of Rs 60.4 crore. The news of the restaurant’s shutdown now adds to their ongoing troubles, despite the couple calling the charges baseless.
On Tuesday, Shilpa Shetty took to Instagram and posted a story “This Thursday marks the end of an era as we bid farewell to one of Mumbai’s most iconic destinations – BASTIAN BANDRA. A venue that gave us countless memories, unforgettable nights, and moments that shaped the city’s nightlife now takes its final bow," she wrote.
“To honour this legendary space, we’re curating a very special evening for our closest patrons – a night filled with nostalgia, energy, and magic, celebrating everything Bastian has stood for one last time. While we say goodbye to BASTIAN BANDRA, our Thursday night ritual Arcane Affair will continue next week at BASTIAN AT THE TOP, carrying forward the legacy in a brand-new chapter with brand new experiences," the actress added.
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Bastian Bandra, co-owned by Shilpa Shetty and restaurateur Ranjit Bindra, opened in 2016. It quickly gained fame for its seafood dominance and soon became a landmark in Mumbai’s dining and nightlife circuit and for nearly a decade, it attracted celebrities, food lovers, and trendsetters, making it a symbol of modern indulgence.
The closure comes soon after the Economic Offences Wing booked Shetty and Kundra. Businessman Deepak Kothari accused the couple of cheating him of Rs 60.4 crore in a loan-cum-investment deal. The complaint stated that Shetty and Kundra’s now-defunct company, Best Deal TV Pvt Ltd, received the money between 2015 and 2023 for business expansion. However, Kothari alleged that the funds were misused for personal expenses.
The EOW is currently investigating the matter. The case also names another unknown person as being involved.
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra denied the allegations. Their lawyer Prashant Patil issued a statement claiming the matter was purely civil in nature. He explained that the company went into financial distress and later entered a legal battle at the NCLT. He stressed that auditors had shared all required documents and cash flow statements with the authorities.
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Patil said that the investment was equity-based, and the company had already received a liquidation order. He added that chartered accountants had visited the police station multiple times over the past year with evidence. He described the allegations as baseless and malicious, insisting they were meant to malign the couple. Patil also confirmed that they would take appropriate action against the complainant.
