TV Stars Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma Accused of Abduction and Extortion by Bengali Film Producer

Television actors Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma, who recently opened up about being victims of a financial scam, are now facing serious criminal allegations of a very different nature. In a shocking twist, the couple has been accused of kidnapping and extorting money from Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey during his recent visit to Goa.

A Holiday That Turned Into a Nightmare

Shyam Sunder Dey had reportedly travelled to Goa for a family holiday. After his family returned home for their child’s schooling, Shyam stayed back to attend to work. What followed, he claims, was a harrowing ordeal.

According to Shyam, while driving a rented car alone in Goa, his vehicle was abruptly intercepted by a black Jaguar on the main road. “Two men got down and asked me to step out. I initially refused, but when I saw Puja Banerjee—someone I considered like a sister—I let my guard down, thinking this was some misunderstanding,” Shyam recalled.

Held Against His Will

Shyam alleges he was then taken first to a friend’s house, and later moved to a villa known as Amber Villa. He claims he was kept there from June 1st to 4th, not allowed to leave, and forced to sign documents under threat and intimidation. Due to the villa’s visibility from the road, he was shifted upstairs to avoid attracting attention.

“They demanded ₹64 lakh. I was made to transfer ₹23 lakh during my confinement,” he said, adding that there were also attempts to coerce him into signing over property.

According to the producer, his phones were seized, and while one was held back to help "arrange funds," he secretly used it to share his live location with his wife, Malabika. One of the phones was allegedly kept by Puja even while she was away in Mumbai for a shoot. “Police later recovered one handset from Kunal,” he noted.

Allegations of Assault

The producer also claims he was physically assaulted. “I was beaten by Kunal and other unknown men. Puja stood there watching and said nothing. I asked her, how could she stay silent while strangers were thrashing me in front of her?” he said.

Shyam said he repeatedly tried to appeal to Puja and Kunal's conscience. “I reminded them that we were like family. I begged them to stop. But they said, ‘Don’t teach us what’s legal or illegal.’”

It wasn’t until they allegedly began forcing him to sign over property that he realized things had gone too far. Fearing for his life, he recorded a secret video from the bathroom of the villa. His wife immediately alerted the Goa Police, who acted swiftly and rescued him on June 4.

The Legal Fallout

Following the rescue, Goa Police registered an FIR invoking multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, India’s updated criminal code. Charges include abduction, wrongful confinement, extortion, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. The case is currently under investigation.

Malabika Dey, who has shared documents such as payment receipts, WhatsApp chats, and FIR copies to support their claims, called the incident a betrayal of trust and friendship. “They were like family to us. This isn’t just a crime; it’s a personal betrayal. We’re going to pursue this matter through legal channels,” she said.

No Official Statement Yet

As of now, Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and their alleged associate Piyush Kothari have not issued any official statement regarding the incident. Previously, the couple had opened up on social media about losing their entire life savings to a scam and having to rebuild their lives from scratch. That candid confession had earned them sympathy and support.

A Shocking Twist

As if one incident wasn’t enough, the same couple now faces fresh accusations—this time for allegedly duping individuals during organising of Goregaon Durga Mahotsav 2024 celebrations, taking their money and threatening them with political connections when asked to return it.

The new allegations have stunned the entertainment fraternity and their fanbase. From being seen as victims of fraud to now being accused of a serious criminal offense, the couple's image has taken a major hit.

As the investigation unfolds, the case continues to draw intense public attention. Whether these charges hold up in court or unravel under scrutiny remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—this is a story of trust, power, and betrayal that has shaken the film and television world to its core.

From film sets to festive scams, the pattern is clear: power misused, trust broken, and victims silenced.