The Goa Police have filed a case against the well-known television couple, Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma, under serious charges. They are accused of kidnapping Bengali film director Shyam Sunder Dey and attempting to extort 64 lakh rupees from him.
FIR Against Puja Banerjee And Kunal Verma: Puja Banerjee, a popular actress in the television industry, widely recognized for her role as Parvati in 'Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev', and her actor husband Kunal Verma, have become embroiled in a major controversy. The Goa Police have registered an FIR against this famous couple on serious charges, including kidnapping, assault, and extortion.
The case is as shocking as it exposes the reality of relationships and financial fraud in the name of investment within the film industry. Shyam Sunder Dey, the Bengali film director who filed the complaint, alleges that Puja and Kunal not only threatened him but also kidnapped him and attempted to extort lakhs of rupees.
Closeness Arising From Family Ties
It is reported that Shyam Sunder Dey and the actor couple previously shared a relationship akin to family. Shyam Sunder Dey, who has worked in over 50 films, was working on a new script and had arrived in Goa for this purpose. During this time, Puja and Kunal, presenting themselves as investors in his business, cultivated a closer relationship with him.
Shyam Sunder Dey's wife, Malavika Dey, filed a complaint on June 12 at the Panache police station in Kolkata, alleging that on May 31, Shyam was traveling in a rental car when a black car stopped him. Puja Banerjee and a person named Piyush Kothari were also present in this car. It is alleged that Shyam was forcibly taken to an unknown location, where he was physically tortured and threatened by Kunal and Puja with being framed in a drug case.
Blackmail with Personal Data?
The FIR claims that during the kidnapping, both of Shyam Sunder Dey's mobile phones were seized, and his personal data was extracted to blackmail him. Subsequently, Shyam was kept in a hotel and then taken to an unknown villa on June 1. Shyam alleged that under mental pressure and fear, he gave approximately 23 lakh rupees to Puja and Kunal between May 31 and June 3.
Seeing the situation getting out of control, Shyam's wife sent an email to senior police officers in Goa on June 3, after which the police took action and rescued Shyam Sunder Dey on June 4.
Actions Taken So Far
The case has now been transferred to the Calangute Police Station in Goa, where an FIR has been registered under charges of kidnapping, extortion, and assault. The police have stated that Shyam Sunder Dey's statement will be recorded for further investigation. This case has brought into question the transparency of relationships and the reality of investments in the entertainment industry.
The serious accusations against big names like Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma are a blow to the industry's image. There have often been reports of betrayal in the name of investment and financing in films, but this incident has brought it to light once again.
