Vikram Bhatt, wife in judicial custody over ₹30 crore fraud allegations
Vikram Bhatt, wife in judicial custody over ₹30 crore fraud allegations
Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife are in judicial custody in a ₹30 crore fraud case tied to a doctor’s film deal; investigators say promises of four films and fake bills sparked the case.
From Mumbai to Udaipur, a high-profile criminal case has put Bollywood under the scanner. Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari were taken into judicial custody after seven days in police custody in connection with a ₹30 crore fraud investigation. They were arrested in Mumbai last Sunday and brought to Udaipur late on December 8 by Rajasthan Police. The court in Udaipur did not grant them interim bail on medical grounds, and they were moved into judicial custody as the investigation continued.
The case centers on allegations that Bhatt, his wife, and six others defrauded Dr Ajay Murdia, an Udaipur-based doctor who founded the Indira Group of Companies, of about ₹30 crore. Authorities say the allegations involve a scheme around fake bills and promises that material benefits would materialize from film deals that never came through. The incident has stunned the doctor, who is also known for pursuing a biopic project; according to police, the finances and documentation are at the heart of the charges.
Investigators trace the trouble back to April 2024 when Murdia was introduced to the Bhatts with a proposal to produce a biopic on his late wife. In May 2024, a ₹47 crore agreement was signed to back the production of four films, including the biopic. The plan reportedly promised enormous earnings, with claims of up to ₹200 crore in returns, only for the promised projects to fail to materialize. The doctor has since alleged that formal invoices were faked to keep the scheme afloat.
Police say the FIR was registered at the Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur for cheating and related offences. The investigation has now shifted to establishing the roles of each accused and the flow of funds, as the court has extended custody for Bhatt, his wife, and others. The drama around the film world’s trust and credibility has become a talking point, especially as the entertainment industry watches how the case will unfold in court.
With seven days of police custody behind them, the court denied interim bail on medical grounds and ordered judicial custody. Bhatt and Shwetambari are slated to remain in the Central Jail in Udaipur as investigators gather more evidence and record statements. The Rajasthan Police said the investigation continues, and more disclosures could emerge as the case proceeds through the judicial process.
The allegations against the Bhatts have reignited debates about big promises in film financing and the risks of collapsing production deals. For now, the case remains a developing story that could have wider implications for those connected to film production deals and celebrity-led ventures in Bollywood.
