Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, have found themselves amid legal troubles, having been arrested in December in connection with a fraud case. They were denied bail on medical grounds and returned to judicial custody. Recent reports indicate that the Rajasthan High Court has now rejected their bail plea, along with others involved in the case.
The court’s decision was announced by Justice Sameer Jain, who stated that the case involves more than just a contractual dispute. He remarked that there are indications of intentional misappropriation of funds. As a result, the police will continue their investigation into the allegations against Vikram Bhatt and the others.
Vikram had sought the High Court’s intervention to dismiss the FIR, arguing that the issues at hand pertain to civil matters rather than criminal conduct. However, the court’s order emphasized that the allegations go beyond mere contract violations. It highlighted evidence of fraudulent activities, including fake invoices and questionable fund transfers.
The complaint was filed by businessman Dr. Ajay Murdia, who accused Vikram and others of misleading him during discussions about a biopic on his wife. Murdia claims that he met Dinesh Kataria at an event, where the film project was proposed. Subsequently, on April 24, 2024, Kataria introduced him to Vikram Bhatt in Mumbai, and talks about the biopic ensued.
According to the FIR, Vikram and Shwetambari allegedly assured Murdia that, in exchange for an initial investment of ₹7 crore and additional funding, they would be able to produce four films for a total of ₹47 crore, promising that these projects would generate profits of ₹100-200 crore.
The couple’s legal troubles escalated when they were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and subsequently taken to Udaipur, where they faced the court the following day. They were remanded to seven days of police custody, marking a significant development in this ongoing legal situation.