Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and Wife Taken into Custody in ₹30 Crore Fraud Case

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, his wife Shwetambari Bhatt, and six others have been accused of defrauding Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of Udaipur-based Indira Group of Companies, of ₹30 crore, authorities stated. Two individuals had been arrested earlier in connection with the case.

A Udaipur police team investigating the matter apprehended Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt on Sunday.

"Dr. Murdia, who owns Indira IVF Hospital, had plans to produce a biopic on his late wife. He was allegedly promised earnings of ₹200 crore, but no progress was made. Consequently, he filed a complaint at the Bhopalpura police station in Udaipur. An FIR has been registered for cheating and related offenses," the official added.

The couple’s lawyers, Rakesh Singh and Sanjay Singh, claimed that the Rajasthan police arrested them without obtaining proper authorization.

According to police, Dr. Murdia, who runs a nationwide female infertility business, was allegedly misled by the filmmaker and other accused with promises of substantial profits from film production.

An agreement was reportedly signed between Bhatt and Murdia in May 2024 to produce four films, including the biopic, with a total contract value of ₹47 crore. The first two projects have been completed, while the remaining films are yet to be made.

Udaipur police investigations revealed that the accused allegedly forged documents to defraud the complainant and illegally gain crores of rupees. They are said to have prepared fake invoices under fictitious vendor names to execute the scheme.

The alleged embezzlement amounts to ₹30 crore. After their arrest, the Rajasthan police requested a two-day transit remand from the court to bring the couple from Mumbai to Udaipur for further questioning and legal procedures.

The defense argued that the reasons for their arrest were not properly communicated and claimed that police forced them to sign a document without specifying the date or time. They also alleged that threats of torture were made if they did not comply.

After considering the arguments from both sides, the court approved the transit remand until December 9.