New Delhi: Terming her arrest in an alleged cheating case ‘unfortunate’, the Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt’s wife Shwetambari and ordered her immediate release from Central Jail, Udaipur. Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that on a frivolous cheating case lodged by Ajay Murdia, owner of Indira IVF and a partner of Indira Entertainment LLP, Rajasthan police had picked up the husband and wife from Mumbai in December.

When Murdia’s counsel Harsh Surana said it is a case of cheating Rs 44 crore, the bench asked, “Can a criminal case be used for recovery of dues? It is very unfortunate.” It issued notice to Rajasthan and Murdia and asked them to file response by Wednesday while posting further hearing on Thursday.

In its order, the bench said, “Meanwhile, as an interim measure, it is directed that Shwetambari V Bhatt, wife of Vikram Bhatt, presently incarcerated at Central Jail, Udaipur, be released forthwith on interim bail subject to her furnishing bail bond to the satisfaction of the chief judicial magistrate, Udaipur”. The Rajasthan HC had rejected bail pleas of Bhatts on January 31.

Mumbai: Filmmaker-director Vikram Bhatt, who was arrested by Rajasthan Police last month in an alleged Rs 30 crore cheating case, has landed in fresh legal trouble after Mumbai Police registered another case of fraud against him. A new FIR has been filed accusing Bhatt and his daughter, Krishna Bhatt, of cheating a Pune-based film investor of Rs 13.5 crore.

The case stems from a complaint lodged by Pune based film financier Shivraj Prithviraj Khawade, who alleged that Bhatt induced him to invest a substantial amount in upcoming film projects by promising high returns. According to the complaint, Bhatt accepted Rs 13.50 crore from Khawade in 2021, assuring him of profits within a stipulated period. However, despite repeated follow-ups, neither the principal amount nor any profit was returned.

Police sources said the accused allegedly continued to mislead the complainant over the years, citing delays in film production and financial constraints. The complainant further alleged that the amount was neither invested as promised nor refunded even after four years. A senior police official confirmed that an FIR has been registered under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code against Vikram Bhatt and Krishna Bhatt at Versova police station. Considering the magnitude of the alleged fraud, the investigation has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police.

Last month, Rajasthan Police arrested Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, in connection with a separate Rs 30 crore cheating case, further compounding his legal troubles. Investigators are now examining whether multiple investors were similarly duped using promises of high returns from film projects. Further investigation is underway.

Jaipur/Mumbai: Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt were arrested from Mumbai early Sunday in a Rs 30-crore fraud case registered in Udaipur last month.

Udaipur-based IVF specialist Dr Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF, had filed a complaint a month ago alleging that Bhatt, his wife and six others induced him to invest over Rs 30 crore to make a biopic on his late wife. He alleged that he was promised high earnings, but nothing materialized.

Bhatt has denied the allegations, claiming the police were "misguided". Last week, Udaipur police had issued a lookout notice for Bhatt and his wife. Their daughter Krishna Bhatt is also named in the FIR.

Sources said an Udaipur police team coordinated with the Mumbai police and arrested the couple from the residence of Bhatt's sister in Andheri. They were produced before a holiday magistrate in Mumbai. "The Udaipur team came with an arrest warrant. The magistrate permitted the police to take them to Rajasthan on two days' transit remand," a Mumbai police officer said. Udaipur SP Yogesh Goyal told TOI they would be brought to the city.

The cops are scrutinizing agreements, bank transactions, and communications linked to the alleged investment based on the FIR registered at Bhupalpura police station on November 8. Besides the couple, the others named in the FIR include their associates Mehboob Ansari and Dinesh Kataria, an Udaipur resident.

Two of the suspects — Ansari and vendor Sandeep Vishwanath — were arrested from Mumbai on November 17. Police are searching for Kataria who allegedly facilitated the deal.

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