Puja Banerjee & Kunal Verma accused of abduction, extortion by film producer Shyam Dey's wife Malabika

Deccan Herald

8 hours ago

TV couple Kunal Verma and Puja Banerjee, who made headlines for losing all their savings in a scam, are now facing serious accusations of abduction and extortion. The couple reportedly kidnapped Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey in Goa and extorted money from him, and attempted to take over his properties.The incident became public after a social media post by producer Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey, went viral. In the post, she shared FIR documents, payment receipts, and WhatsApp screenshots. The post alleged that Kunal Verma, Puja Banerjee, and their associate Piyush Kothari used coercive methods to extort funds from producer Shyam Sunder Dey by threatening him with false drug allegations.In her post, Malabika stated, "I'm sharing a painful experience today—something no family should ever endure. On May 31, 2025, my husband, Mr. Shyamsundar Dey, a renowned Bengali film producer with more than 60 films to his credit, was involved in a shocking incident.".She further alleged, "My husband was kidnapped, held against his will, threatened, and physically assaulted by Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and their influential associate Piyush Kothari over several days as part of an extortion attempt. While on a business trip in Goa, my husband drove a rented car when Puja and the others intercepted him and forcibly took him to an undisclosed location.""In Goa, my husband was subjected to mental torture, and they demanded Rs 64 lakh from him. They threatened to falsely accuse him of a drug case if he didn't comply. Terrified, Shyam paid Rs 23 lakh. I've saved all the receipts and transaction proofs showing the transfers made to Puja and Kunal's accounts," claimed Malabika.She went on to claim, "Shyam's mobile phones were taken by Puja and Kunal, who also forced him to reveal personal details and passwords. They made multiple video recordings, compelling him to speak as instructed. For now, he has been safely recovered with the assistance of the Goa Police, headed by the North Goa Superintendent of Police."After Shyam Sunder Dey was rescued from a Goa villa on June 4, the Goa Police filed an FIR under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Puja Banerjee, Kunal Verma, and their associate Piyush Kothari. The charges listed—Sections 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2), and 3(5)—cover serious offenses such as abduction, unlawful confinement, extortion, criminal threats, and conspiracy.