A court in Udaipur has ordered filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari, to be placed in judicial custody in connection with an alleged fraud case amounting to Rs 30 crore. The order came on Tuesday after the court rejected their lawyer's application for interim bail, which was sought on medical grounds.
Court Rejects Bail Plea
Earlier in the day, the couple's legal counsel had moved an application requesting temporary relief for medical treatment. Advocate Manzoor Hussain informed the media that an interim bail plea was presented, seeking a short release period for the accused to receive medical attention. However, the court later dismissed the plea. DSP Suryaveer Singh confirmed the development, stating, "The court has ordered to keep them in judicial custody. They will now be sent to the Central Jail in Udaipur."
Arrest and Allegations
Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari 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 were remanded to seven days of police custody on December 9. The filmmaker, his wife, and six other accused face charges of allegedly defrauding Udaipur-based businessman Dr Ajay Murdia, the founder of the Indira Group of Companies.
The case is reportedly linked to a proposed biopic on Dr Murdia's late wife. According to police officials, Murdia, the owner of Indira IVF Hospital, wanted to make the biopic and was allegedly promised earnings of Rs 200 crore. When nothing materialised, Murdia approached the Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur. An FIR was registered on November 17 for cheating and other offences.
Details of the Fraud Case
The First Information Report alleges that the accused siphoned off over Rs 30 crore by providing false assurances related to film production and profits. Police investigations have further claimed that the alleged fraud was carried out through the generation of fake bills by the accused. The case stems from financial transactions and promises made concerning the stalled biopic project.
Investigations into the Rs 30 crore fraud case are currently ongoing. The accused will remain in judicial custody at Udaipur's Central Jail as legal proceedings continue.
