IPL Scandal: After Raj Kundra, now Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty under scanner

Mumbai, July 16: Two days after Supreme Court-appointed Justice Lodha Committee's scathing judgment against Raj Kundra, Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty too has come under media scanner.

A media report claimed that the role of Bollywood actress, wife of Kundra, the former co-owner of IPL team Rajasthan Royals (RR), was as dubious as her husband.

[IPL ban: Many inaccuracies, says a 'shocked' Raj Kundra]

DNA, in its report, mentioned that Shetty along with Kundra had picked up a 11.7% stake in the RR team in 2009. Later in 2010, the actress gave an advance of Rs 5.7 crore from her personal capacity to Jaipur International Cricket Ltd (JIPL), which is the holding company of RR.

The payment by Shetty to RR was described as "an advance paid by her to procure certain sponsorship rights, given her relationship with some potential sponsors."

[Rs 9 crore Fraud Case: FIR filed against Shilpa Shetty, Bollywood actress breaks silence]

Four years later, Shetty in 2014 suddenly withdrew the money. Shetty's move of withdrawing the amount from RR surprised many. Media reports claimed that the decision was taken in a haste within a week after Mudgal report was submitted on Feb 10, 2014.

Mudgal committee was appointed by Board of Cricket Council of India (BCCI) to investigate IPL scam. Indian Premier League (IPL) season in 2013 was rocked by spot fixing controversies.

Many cricketers and bookies were arrested. The then BCCI chief N Srinivasan's son-in-law Meiyappan Gurunath too was arrested over betting allegations. Raj Kundra was among a few celebrities whose names were popped up in the same controversy.

Media report claimed that just days after the report submitted by the Mudgal Committee, Shilpa Shetty had taken back the money she had "advanced" in 2010 to JIPL.

[Suspended Chennai, Rajasthan can still play IPL]

A letter by JIPL, dated back to Feb 19, 2014, claimed that the company paid back the money because "there were no substantial commercial gains and the agreement with Shilpa Shetty was cancelled and the money paid back in February 2014."

Despite the reasons given by the company, media raised questions over Shilpa Shetty's decision, which media termed as "panic induced transaction".

The DNA report also highlighted a part of Mudgal report which said, "There are materials on record which justify an appropriate investigation to ascertain the culpability of Raj Kundra and his wife Shilpa Shetty in placing bets as owner of a franchisee in IPL."

[Also Read: Timeline of the controversy]

After Mudgal Committee report, the Supreme Court appointed Justice Lodha to investigate the case. The 3-member Lodha Committee on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, suspended both Raj Kundra and Gurunath Meiyappan for life from taking part in any form of cricketing activity.

The committee also banned Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) from participating in IPL for next two years. Meiyappan was the team principal of CSK.

[Read the full verdict]

OneIndia News