On a sunny Thursday, October 10, 2024, a ray of hope shone upon actress Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) revealed their decision to hold off on enforcing the eviction notices that had loomed over the couple. This compassionate gesture came as they await the outcome of their appeal challenging a property attachment order, a glimmer of relief in their tumultuous journey.
The ED had previously sent notices to the beloved actress and her businessman husband on September 27, urging them to vacate their abode in Mumbai’s picturesque Juhu area and a serene farmhouse in Pune. These distressing directives were part of an ongoing investigation into a money laundering case that had cast a shadow over their lives.
In a moment of respite, a bench comprising Justices Revati Mohite Dere and P.K. Chavan granted the couple the opportunity to present their plea for a stay, ensuring that no drastic measures would be taken regarding the eviction notices until the appellate authority passes judgment on their appeal. This High Court stay order stands as a shield of protection until the appellate authority in Delhi deliberates on the duo’s challenge to the PMLA tribunal’s ruling from September 18.
Moreover, the court hinted at a possible grace period if the appellate authority’s decision does not align with the couple’s hopes, offering a brief respite from the looming uncertainties. It was during this legal tussle that their steadfast lawyer, Prashant Patil, shed light on the intricacies of the PMLA provisions, emphasizing the significance of due process and fair representation in the face of adversity.
Patil adamantly clarified, “Let us first dispel the rumors circulating in the media linking Mr. Raj Kundra and Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra to a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme. The Enforcement Directorate has not implicated them in any such wrongdoing. It is crucial to note that Mr. Kundra and Mrs. Shilpa Shetty Kundra are innocent bystanders in the alleged Ponzi scam that originated back in 2017.”
Amidst legal deliberations and courtroom drama, the ED’s special counsel, Satya Prakash, assured the court of a thoughtful reconsideration, promising to align with the agency’s stance on the matter. The division bench, composed of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Prithviraj Chavan, set the stage for forthcoming hearings, underscoring the gravity of the situation at hand.
In a heartening turn of events, Prakash conveyed the ED’s decision to refrain from precipitous actions regarding the eviction notices until the Appellate Tribunal adjudicates the couple’s plea for respite, marking a moment of reprieve for the embattled pair. With the court duly noting this pledge and disposing of the couple’s writ petition, a glimmer of hope flickers in the midst of legal complexities and personal turmoil.
