Alia Bhatt’s ex-assistant arrested for ₹77 lakh fraud
According to reports, the assistant had been handling financial transactions and was entrusted with sensitive responsibilities, which were later misused for personal gain. Soni Razdan took swift action to ensure justice and protect her daughter from further exploitation and financial misconduct.
Alia Bhatt’s Ex-Assistant Arrested for ₹77 Lakh Fraud; Betrayal Shocks Actress and Family
In a deeply troubling incident that has shaken Bollywood star Alia Bhatt and her family, the actress’s former personal assistant, Vedika Prakash Shetty, has been arrested for allegedly cheating her of a staggering ₹77 lakh. The betrayal, which unfolded over nearly two years, came as a major shock to the actress, who had placed immense trust in Shetty.
The case came to light when Alia Bhatt’s mother, veteran actor-director Soni Razdan, filed a complaint with the Juhu police on January 23, 2025. Her swift action followed suspicions of financial irregularities in both Alia’s personal accounts and the finances of Eternal Sunshine Productions Pvt. Ltd., Alia’s production company.
The Shocking DiscoveryDuring this period, she was entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, including managing Alia’s schedules, financial documents, and professional payments.
From May 2022 to August 2024, Shetty allegedly exploited her position by forging bills and financial documents, and deceived Alia into signing off on them under the pretense of covering work-related expenses—such as travel, meetings, and logistical arrangements. However, these were fabricated charges. Instead of being used for the stated purposes, the funds were funneled into the account of one of Shetty’s friends. From there, the money was allegedly rerouted back to Shetty.
Using advanced digital tools, Shetty was able to craft documents that looked convincingly professional. The fake bills were nearly indistinguishable from genuine ones, which is what made them so difficult to detect in the early stages.
A Family BetrayedThe emotional toll on the Bhatt family, especially Alia and her mother, has been significant. Soni Razdan, known for her composed and dignified demeanor, took it upon herself to report the matter after noticing discrepancies in financial records. Her complaint led to the registration of a criminal case under sections pertaining to cheating and criminal breach of trust.
Sources close to the family say that Alia Bhatt was deeply affected by the betrayal, especially given the level of trust and access Shetty had to both her personal and professional life.
“She wasn’t just an employee; she was someone Alia trusted with a great deal of her life,” said a source familiar with the actress’s team. “To misuse that trust so systematically, over so long a period—it’s devastating.”
The Chase Across StatesAfter the complaint was filed and the magnitude of the fraud uncovered, Vedika Shetty went on the run. For weeks, she managed to elude law enforcement, frequently changing her location to avoid arrest. She was tracked to multiple locations across India—Rajasthan, Karnataka, Pune, and finally Bengaluru.
But her attempts to stay hidden ultimately failed. After a rigorous search and intelligence-led tracking, officers from the Juhu police station apprehended her in Bengaluru. She was subsequently brought to Mumbai on a transit remand, where she is currently in police custody.
The incident has sparked conversations across Bollywood about the risks of placing too much trust in close aides without adequate checks and balances. Celebrities, owing to their packed schedules and high-pressure work environments, often rely heavily on personal staff for everything—from scheduling meetings and handling payments to overseeing private travel and lifestyle arrangements.
However, as this case painfully illustrates, the convenience of such delegation can sometimes come at a high cost.
Industry insiders are urging stars and public figures to consider conducting periodic financial audits and background checks, even for trusted staff members.
Legal Action UnderwayThe Juhu police have charged Vedika Shetty under sections 408 (criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). She is expected to face further questioning, and the police may soon summon other individuals who may have been complicit in the fraud or assisted Shetty in laundering the money.
Police sources also confirmed that efforts are being made to trace the exact flow of funds and recover the siphoned amount. Authorities are closely scrutinizing the bank accounts of both Shetty and her friend, who allegedly helped her receive the funds.
Moving ForwardNeither Alia Bhatt nor her mother has issued a public statement yet, but those close to the family say they are cooperating fully with the investigation and are focused on ensuring accountability.
While it remains to be seen how much of the embezzled amount can be recovered, the actress is determined not to let this betrayal define her. According to insiders, Alia has already started putting in place more secure systems and is working with financial advisors to fortify her personal and business accounts.
This incident, while deeply unsettling, may ultimately serve as a cautionary tale for others in the industry—and a reminder that vigilance, even in the closest of professional relationships, is essential.