Raj Kundra denies link with arrested Bangladeshi adult film actor: Never met her

Businessman Raj Kundra refuted claims that Bangladeshi adult film actor Riya Arvinda Barde, arrested for illegally residing in India, was employed by any of his production companies, calling the allegations false and damaging to his reputation.

In Short

• Bangladeshi adult film actor Riya arrested for illegal stay in India
• Reports claimed she was employed by Raj Kundra's firm
• Rajh Kundra calls the allegations 'baseless' and 'damaging'

Businessman Raj Kundra on Saturday refuted allegations that the Bangladeshi adult film actor, who was arrested for illegally residing in India, was employed by one of his production companies.

Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, clarified that he has no links to the actor, Riya Arvinda Barde, who was arrested in Maharashtra for illegally staying in India and securing an Indian passport through forged documents.

“These reports claim that an individual, allegedly an illegal immigrant, worked for me or was associated with one of my supposed production companies. Let me be very clear – I have never met this person, nor have I ever owned or been involved with any production company that this individual has worked for,” Kundra said.

He added that he was "deeply disturbed" by the allegations against him, which he said was 'false'.

"These baseless claims are not only damaging to my reputation but are also an attempt to exploit my name for sensationalism and media traction. I have always conducted my business with the utmost integrity, and I will not tolerate such false accusations,” the businessman said.

Kundra also plans to take legal action against those spreading the allegations and is also preparing a separate Rs 100-crore defamation suit against media outlets for reporting what he called "fake news".

The actor, Riya Barde, known in the adult film industry as Aarohi Barde and Banna Sheikh, was arrested by Mumbai Police following a tip-off. A friend of Riya's alerted the police upon discovering that she was a Bangladeshi national. A case has been registered against her under multiple sections of the BNSS for cheating, forgery, and under the Foreigners Act.

Riya's parents are currently living in Qatar, while the police are searching for her brother and sister.