**Controversy Erupts Over Alleged Preferential Treatment to Shilpa Shetty by Mumbai Police’s EOW**
A controversy has erupted in Mumbai regarding the “preferential treatment” allegedly extended to actress Shilpa Shetty by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police. While actor Dino Morea appeared in person at the EOW office to record his statement in the Mithi River desilting scam, officials reportedly visited Shilpa Shetty’s residence to quietly record her statement in the ₹60-crore cheating case on October 4.
### EOW Records Statement at Actress’s Residence
According to sources, EOW officers visited Shilpa Shetty’s home on October 4. Notably, her husband, Raj Kundra, was also questioned for the second time that day. It is important to highlight that Shilpa Shetty is an accused in the ₹60-crore cheating case, whereas Dino Morea is not an accused in the Mithi River scam.
When asked about the differing treatment, DCP Nimit Goyal explained to *The Free Press Journal* that under Section 179 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), certain categories of individuals are exempted from being called to a police station and must instead be examined at their place of residence. These categories include:
– Women
– Male persons under 15 or over 60
– Mentally or physically disabled individuals
– Persons suffering from acute illness
### Unequal Treatment Raises Questions
However, this explanation has raised further questions. Critics point out that IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar, who is also a woman but not an accused, was summoned to the EOW office for questioning, unlike Shilpa Shetty who was questioned at her residence.
The debate now centers on whether the EOW’s reliance on BNSS provisions to provide special treatment to Shilpa Shetty is justified, and whether similar considerations should be routinely extended to other female accused in future cases.
### ₹60-Crore Fraud Case: Details of the Probe
The ₹60-crore fraud case involves the alleged cheating of a businessman under the guise of an investment scheme. In this case, the EOW questioned Shilpa Shetty for about four and a half hours at her residence. An EOW officer confirmed that a team had visited the actress’s home to record her statement.
During the interrogation, Shilpa was questioned about ₹15 crore allegedly transferred by Raj Kundra into her advertising company’s bank account. Sources close to the investigation say Shilpa denied receiving any such funds and provided supporting documents, which the EOW is currently verifying.
### Raj Kundra Questioned for Second Time
Raj Kundra was also questioned by the EOW on October 4 for the second time. Although he was initially summoned to appear in person, officers decided to question him at his residence instead. His questioning reportedly lasted around 4.5 hours.
So far, the EOW has recorded statements from the following individuals:
– Shilpa Shetty
– Raj Kundra
– Resolution Professional Rajendra Bhutta
– Deepak Kothari’s son, the complainant in the case
The probe into the ₹60-crore cheating case is ongoing, with allegations of financial misrepresentation and fraudulent investment promises continuing to be investigated.
—
*This case remains under active investigation by the Economic Offences Wing of the Mumbai Police.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/mumbai-news-eow-faces-flak-for-alleged-preferential-treatment-to-shilpa-shetty-in-60-crore-fraud-case
