The legal battle surrounding filmmaker Vikram Bhatt took a dramatic turn on Friday after the Supreme Court stepped in and granted interim bail to him and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, in the ₹30 crore cheating case that led to their arrest last year. After weeks behind bars, the couple is now set to walk out of Udaipur jail, subject to bail conditions.
A Big Relief From the Top Court
The order came from a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, according to PTI. The apex court directed the Chief Judicial Magistrate to formalize the bail terms and release them upon submission of the required bonds.
The court also issued notices to complainant Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre, as well as to the Rajasthan government. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 19. Ajay Murdia has now been formally impleaded as a respondent in the case.
During the hearing, senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Vikram and Shwetambari, questioned the arrests, reportedly telling the bench that “everybody cannot be put in jail.” The opposing side maintained that the case involves a serious ₹30 crore fraud allegation. However, as noted by Bar and Bench, the court observed that criminal proceedings should not be used merely as a mechanism for money recovery.
How the Arrests Unfolded
Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari were arrested in Mumbai on December 7 and taken to Udaipur by Rajasthan Police. They have remained in custody since then. Udaipur-based Dinesh Kataria and Vikram’s manager Mehboob Ansari were also arrested in connection with the case.
Earlier, on January 31, the Rajasthan High Court had rejected their bail plea, stating that granting bail at that stage would “not be appropriate.” That order kept the filmmaker in jail until the Supreme Court’s intervention this week.
What Are the Allegations?
The complaint was filed by Ajay Murdia, who alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust. According to the FIR, funds amounting to ₹30 crore were reportedly taken for a film project but were allegedly misused. The complainant has claimed that fake bills were created under various names to extract money and that the funds were deposited into personal accounts.
The case has drawn significant attention given Vikram Bhatt’s long-standing presence in the film industry. Known for directing thrillers and horror dramas such as Raaz, 1920, and Kasoor, Bhatt has been an active filmmaker for decades and has recently been exploring digital platforms as well.
A Second Case Adds to the Trouble
The legal pressure did not stop there. In January, another businessman filed a complaint at the Versova police station in Mumbai, alleging that Vikram Bhatt and his daughter, Krishna Bhatt Sarda, cheated him of ₹13.5 crore. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is reportedly handling that investigation.
While the Supreme Court’s interim bail offers temporary relief, both cases are far from over. The coming hearings will determine how the legal proceedings unfold and whether the allegations hold up under scrutiny.
Final Words
For now, Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari Bhatt have secured breathing room thanks to the Supreme Court’s order. But with serious financial fraud allegations and multiple investigations underway, the spotlight remains firmly on the filmmaker. The courtroom drama is far from finished — and the next hearing could prove crucial in shaping what comes next.
