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Goa Police have registered a criminal case against television actors Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma, along with businessman Piyush Kothari and others, for allegedly kidnapping and extorting money from renowned Bengali filmmaker Shyam Sunder Dey. The case stems from an incident that reportedly occurred in Calangute, North Goa, on May 31.
The case first surfaced in West Bengal, where Dey’s wife, Malabika, filed a complaint at Kolkata’s Panache police station on June 12. It was later transferred to the jurisdiction of the Calangute police, following confirmation that the incident took place in Goa. According to Malabika's complaint, Dey shared a close personal relationship with Banerjee and Verma, who had expressed interest in investing in his film business. With over 50 films to his name, Dey was said to be working on a script in Goa when the alleged abduction occurred. While driving a rented vehicle with his assistant, he was intercepted by a group led by Banerjee and Kothari, forcibly taken to an undisclosed location, and subjected to physical assault.
Malabika alleged that her husband was threatened with being falsely implicated in a narcotics case unless he paid ₹64 lakh. During his alleged confinement, the attackers seized Dey’s mobile phones, extracted sensitive personal information, and used it to pressure him further. He was initially taken to a hotel and later moved to a private villa, where the ordeal continued.
Under duress, Dey reportedly transferred approximately ₹23 lakh to the accused between May 31 and June 3. On June 3, Malabika emailed senior Goa Police officials detailing the situation. Her communication led to Dey’s rescue by law enforcement the following day, June 4.
Authorities have summoned Dey to Goa to formally record his statement. The investigation is ongoing, and no official statements have been made by the accused at this time.
