Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, have been sent to judicial custody by a court in Udaipur in connection with an alleged Rs 30 crore fraud case. The court order came on Tuesday after their lawyer sought interim bail on medical grounds.Earlier in the day, the couple’s counsel moved an application requesting temporary relief for medical treatment. Advocate Manzoor Hussain told ANI, “The lawyer for the accused presented an application for interim bail, requesting that it be granted on medical grounds. If interim bail is granted before the court session ends, both individuals could be released for a short period to receive medical treatment. Everything depends on the court’s order.”However, later in the day, the court rejected the plea and ordered judicial custody. Confirming the development, DSP Suryaveer Singh said, “The court has ordered to keep them in judicial custody. They will now be sent to the Central Jail in Udaipur.”
Arrest and custody details
Vikram Bhatt and his wife were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and brought to Udaipur by the police. They were produced before the court on December 8, following which they were remanded to seven days’ police custody on December 9.The filmmaker, his wife, and six other accused have been charged with allegedly defrauding Udaipur-based businessman Dr Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies, of Rs 30 crore.
Allegations linked to stalled biopic project
According to police, the case stems from a proposed biopic on Dr Murdia’s late wife. An official told PTI, “Murdia, owner of Indira IVF Hospital, wanted to make a biopic on his late wife. He has alleged that he was promised earnings of Rs 200 crore. But nothing materialised, after which Murdia approached Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur, where an FIR was registered for cheating and other offences.” The FIR, lodged on November 17, alleges that the accused siphoned off over Rs 30 crore by providing false assurances related to film production and profits. Police have further claimed that the alleged fraud was carried out through fake bills generated by the accused.Investigations in the case are ongoing.
