Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and His Wife Remanded to Judicial Custody in ₹30 Crore Fraud Case
Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt have been sent to judicial custody after a Udaipur court rejected their interim bail plea in a ₹30 crore fraud case. The court did not grant relief on medical grounds, clearing the way for the couple to be lodged in jail as the probe continues.
The two were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and brought to Udaipur. After being placed in seven days of police custody, their request for interim bail was turned down, meaning they will remain behind bars while the investigation moves forward.
Confirming the court’s decision, Advocate Manzoor Hussain told ANI that the defence had sought interim bail citing health reasons, but the plea was not accepted. DSP Suryaveer Singh also told the news agency, “The court has ordered to keep them in judicial custody. They will now be sent to the Central Jail in Udaipur."
“Murdia, owner of Indira IVF Hospital, wanted to make a biopic on his late wife. He has alleged that he was promised earnings of ₹200 crore. But nothing materialised, after which Murdia approached Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur, where an FIR was registered for cheating and other offences," an official told the news agency.
An FIR was registered on November 17. The doctor also alleged that fake documents were used in the deal. During the investigation, Udaipur police claimed they found forged documents, bills and vendors linked to the project.
He further claimed that fabricated documents may have been used against him. “It’s obvious that he must have created some fabricated, forged documents. I don’t know what exactly, but there must be something he used to convince the police,” he said.
For now, Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari Bhatt remain in judicial custody as authorities continue to investigate the alleged biopic deal that never reached the screen.
The two were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and brought to Udaipur. After being placed in seven days of police custody, their request for interim bail was turned down, meaning they will remain behind bars while the investigation moves forward.
Confirming the court’s decision, Advocate Manzoor Hussain told ANI that the defence had sought interim bail citing health reasons, but the plea was not accepted. DSP Suryaveer Singh also told the news agency, “The court has ordered to keep them in judicial custody. They will now be sent to the Central Jail in Udaipur."
What is the case about?
According to reports, Vikram Bhatt and his wife, along with six others, are accused of cheating Udaipur-based doctor Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies, of ₹30 crore. The complaint alleges that Murdia was persuaded to invest in a biopic on his late wife with promises of massive returns.“Murdia, owner of Indira IVF Hospital, wanted to make a biopic on his late wife. He has alleged that he was promised earnings of ₹200 crore. But nothing materialised, after which Murdia approached Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur, where an FIR was registered for cheating and other offences," an official told the news agency.
An FIR was registered on November 17. The doctor also alleged that fake documents were used in the deal. During the investigation, Udaipur police claimed they found forged documents, bills and vendors linked to the project.
Bhatt denies charges
Vikram Bhatt has denied all allegations. Speaking to NDTV after the FIR was filed, he said, “Yes, I found out today that Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF, has filed an FIR not just against me but against eight of us,” adding, “I have read the FIR, and in my view, it is misleading. The police have been completely misguided because the things written in the FIR are absolutely wrong.”He further claimed that fabricated documents may have been used against him. “It’s obvious that he must have created some fabricated, forged documents. I don’t know what exactly, but there must be something he used to convince the police,” he said.
For now, Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari Bhatt remain in judicial custody as authorities continue to investigate the alleged biopic deal that never reached the screen.
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