Mumbai: Vedika Shetty, 32, who is accused of embezzling Rs 76.9 lakh from her employer Alia Bhatt’s production company and her personal accounts, allegedly bought high-end electronic items worth Rs1.34 lakh from the money, as per the Bandra police.
A 65-inch Samsung TV and a Samsung refrigerator have been recovered, said the officials. Meanwhile, Shetty was sent into 14-day judicial custody on Thursday. Investigations revealed that Shetty allegedly transferred funds to at least five bank accounts. During the interrogation, she apparently admitted to using the money to buy high-end items such as iPhones and iPads and to spend lavishly on parties.
She is also accused of leaking the script of actor’s movie Jigra, its production schedule and the travel plans of Bhatt and her family to third parties. Shetty reportedly sent this information to a US resident via her WhatsApp number. She was arrested from hersister’s residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Between May 2022 and August 2024, Shetty reportedly accessed sensitive documents, including scripts of other movies as well, and shared them with unknown third parties. She also allegedly created fake bills and used them to prepare cheques. The funds were ultimately siphoned by her, as per the probe. In October 2022, Shetty was caught misusing gift cards and promotional items meant for the company. She apologised and was let off with a warning by Bhatt, considering her age.
Hired at a monthly salary of Rs40,000, the accused worked for Eternal Productions.
