Vikram Bhatt and Wife Sent to Judicial Custody in ₹30 Crore Fraud Case

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, have been remanded to judicial custody by a court in Udaipur in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore fraud linked to a stalled biopic project. The order was passed on Tuesday after the court rejected their plea for interim bail on medical grounds.

Court Rejects Medical Bail Plea

Earlier in the day, counsel for the couple sought temporary relief, requesting interim bail to allow medical treatment. Advocate Manzoor Hussain told ANI that the defence had urged the court to consider short-term release strictly for health reasons, pending a final decision. However, after hearing submissions, the court declined the request.

Confirming the outcome, Deputy Superintendent of Police Suryaveer Singh said the court had ordered judicial custody and that the accused would be transferred to the Central Jail in Udaipur.

Arrest and Custody Timeline

Bhatt and his wife were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and subsequently brought to Udaipur by the police. They were produced before the court on December 8 and placed under seven days of police custody on December 9 to facilitate questioning. With the completion of that remand, the court has now shifted them to judicial custody.

Allegations Involving a Film Project

The case centres on a complaint by Udaipur-based businessman Dr Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies and Indira IVF Hospital. Police say the alleged fraud arose from a proposed biographical film on Dr Murdia’s late wife.

According to investigators, Dr Murdia was promised substantial returns—reportedly projected at ₹200 crore—from the film venture. However, the project failed to take off, prompting him to approach the Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur. An FIR was registered on November 17 for cheating and related offences.

Claims of Financial Misrepresentation

Police allege that more than ₹30 crore was siphoned off by the accused through false assurances tied to film production and profits. Investigators have also claimed that fake bills were generated as part of the alleged scheme. Along with Bhatt and his wife, six other individuals have been named as accused in the case.

Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with financial records and transaction trails currently under scrutiny.

Broader Implications

The case has drawn attention within the film industry, raising questions about accountability, due diligence, and investor protections in film financing—particularly for biographical and high-concept projects that rely heavily on projections and advance funding. Legal experts note that outcomes in such cases often hinge on documentary evidence, contractual terms, and the flow of funds.