SupremeCourt- Top Court Grants Bail to Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt in Cheating Case
SupremeCourt- The Supreme Court of India on Friday ordered the release of filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt in connection with a cheating and criminal breach of trust case. The couple had been lodged in Udaipur jail since early December after their arrest in Mumbai.
Court Directs Immediate Release
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed that the two be released without delay from Udaipur jail. The apex court instructed the Chief Judicial Magistrate to formalize the bail order and determine the specific terms and conditions governing their release.
The court also issued notices to the complainant and the state authorities, scheduling the matter for further hearing on February 19.
Notices Issued to Complainant and State
The notices were sent to businessman Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre, as well as to the Rajasthan government. Murdia, a resident of Udaipur, had filed the complaint that led to the arrests.
The case centers on allegations that funds were collected under the pretext of producing films but were not used for the stated purpose. According to the complaint, substantial sums were diverted, prompting charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust.
High Court Had Earlier Rejected Bail
The development comes weeks after the Rajasthan High Court declined to grant bail to the couple on January 31. At the time, the high court observed that releasing the accused at that stage would not be appropriate given the nature of the allegations.
Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt had been in custody since December 7, 2025. They were taken into custody in Mumbai and subsequently transported to Udaipur by the Rajasthan Police.
Allegations of Fund Misuse
In his complaint, Murdia alleged that nearly Rs 30 crore had been misappropriated. The funds, he claimed, were provided for the production of films linked to his interests. Instead, the complaint contends, fabricated invoices were generated under various names to facilitate the transfer of money.
Investigators were told that the funds were meant strictly for film-related projects but were allegedly deposited into personal accounts and used for purposes unrelated to the agreed ventures. The accusations form the basis of the cheating and breach of trust charges currently under judicial scrutiny.
Apart from the filmmaker and his wife, two others were arrested in the case: Udaipur-based businessman Dinesh Kataria and Bhatt’s manager, Mehboob Ansari. All four were taken into custody on the same day as part of the police action.
Legal Proceedings Continue
While the Supreme Court has now granted bail, the broader legal proceedings remain ongoing. The upcoming hearing will allow the complainant and the state government to present their responses before the court.
The case has drawn attention due to the high-profile nature of those involved and the significant financial figures cited in the allegations. However, with bail granted, the focus now shifts to the continuation of the trial process, where evidence and arguments from both sides will be examined in detail.
For now, the top court’s order ensures the immediate release of the accused, subject to conditions that will be outlined by the trial court. The matter is expected to return to the Supreme Court later this month for further consideration.