Vikram Bhatt, Wife Shwetambari Bhatt Held for Cheating Rajasthan Doctor of Rs 30 Crore

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt were arrested in Mumbai on Sunday in connection with a large scale cheating case registered in Rajasthan.

The Udaipur police allege the couple, along with six others, defrauded Udaipur based infertility specialist Dr Ajay Murdia of Rs 30 crore through a film production deal that never materialised as promised.

Allegations Made by Dr Ajay Murdia

According to officials, Dr Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies and owner of Indira IVF Hospital, had approached the Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur after he was unable to recover returns he was assured during the signing of a film agreement.

The official stated, "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."

Police say Dr Murdia was introduced to the accused by a mutual acquaintance who proposed a film based on his late wife. This idea later expanded into a larger agreement in May 2024 to produce four films for a total of Rs 47 crore.

How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded

Investigators say that while the first two film projects were reportedly completed, the remaining films were never made. Preliminary findings indicate that the accused allegedly created fake bills, inflated vouchers and prepared documents in the names of non existent vendors to siphon funds.

Police said, "A plan was prepared by the accused persons to deceive the complainant, receiving funds by preparing fake bills in the name of fake vendors, preparing documents by greatly inflating vouchers and salary vouchers compared to reality, and verifying them as true."

According to the police, approximately Rs 30 crore was diverted through these methods.

Defence Claims High Handed Arrest

The couple's lawyers, Rakesh Singh and Sanjay Singh, argued in court that the arrest was carried out improperly. They said Rajasthan police "had high handedly arrested the duo without proper permission" and alleged that Vikram Bhatt and his wife were forced to sign an undated document.

They added that police "threatened that they would torture him in Rajasthan if he did not sign the document as per their wish."

Transit Remand Granted

After the couple was produced in court, Rajasthan police sought two days of transit remand to transport them by road to Udaipur for further questioning and legal proceedings.

The court granted transit remand till December 9 after hearing both sides.