TV
In a shocking turn of events, popular television actors Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma, who recently opened up about being victims of financial fraud, now find themselves at the center of a chilling criminal case. The duo has been accused of kidnapping and extortion by Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey, whose wife, Malabika Dey, has filed an FIR with Goa Police.
Abduction, Assault and Four Days of Captivity
According to Shyam Sunder Dey, the harrowing episode began in Goa when he was forced out of his rented vehicle by two unidentified men in a black Jaguar. To his shock, actress Puja Banerjee was inside the car, which made him assume it was a misunderstanding. He was then taken to Amber Villa, where he claims he was held captive from June 1 to June 4.
Shyam alleged he was physically assaulted by Kunal Verma while Puja stood by silently. “Every day, I pleaded with them—reminded them we were like family—but received only threats in return,” he told The Times of India. He further stated that he was moved from one floor to another to prevent any escape and was coerced into signing documents and recording videos to make it appear he was staying at the villa voluntarily.
Extortion Allegations and Financial Evidence
Malabika Dey, Shyam’s wife, took to Facebook to reveal disturbing details. She claimed the duo threatened Shyam with a fabricated drug case unless he coughed up Rs 64 lakh. She supported her accusations by providing evidence of Rs 23 lakh paid through RTGS transfers and cash transactions to Puja and Kunal.
She described the incident as a betrayal, stating, “This is not just a serious crime; it is a breach of trust and an emotional assault on our entire family.” Malabika also alleged the couple snatched Shyam’s phones and illegally accessed his personal data.
Legal Action Underway
Goa Police has filed an FIR under multiple serious sections including 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2) & 3(5). Shyam was eventually rescued and is now seeking legal recourse.
This incident adds a new layer of complexity to the couple’s narrative just days ago, they claimed to be victims of a financial scam themselves. With the investigation ongoing, the entertainment industry is left stunned, and the truth behind this dramatic reversal remains to be seen.
