The legal troubles for Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt show no signs of abating. The fraud case against him and his wife, Shwetambari, is gaining momentum with investigators claiming to have secured crucial new evidence. The couple, arrested in December, remain in judicial custody after their bail plea on medical grounds was rejected by the court.
Police Claim Evidence Seized, Allege Non-Cooperation
In a significant development, the police have seized material from several locations in Mumbai linked to Vikram Bhatt. Investigating Officer DSP Chagan Rajpurohit confirmed the progress, stating that evidence was collected from the filmmaker's premises, including some bills whose veracity is being ascertained. Rajpurohit also pointedly alleged a lack of full cooperation from Bhatt's team during the investigation.
The case stems from a complaint filed by businessman Dr. Ajay Murdia with the Udaipur Police. According to the FIR, Bhatt, his wife, and six other accused allegedly promised Dr. Murdia the production of four films with a combined budget of Rs 47 crore. They reportedly asked for an initial investment of Rs 7 crore, with a commitment for further funding, projecting profits of Rs 100–200 crore. Dr. Murdia has accused the group of diverting and misusing the funds, leading him to approach the authorities.
Legal Battle and Arrest Timeline
Bhatt's legal team has launched a strong counter-offensive against the allegations. His lawyer, Kamlesh Dave, has refuted the fraud claims and criticized the police's conduct. Dave argued that the police action was hasty and that set procedures under the BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) were not duly followed. He maintained that all transactions were conducted with the full knowledge and consent of the involved parties.
The connection between Dr. Murdia and Bhatt was reportedly facilitated by co-accused Dinesh Kataria during discussions about a proposed biopic on Murdia's wife, with meetings held in Mumbai in April 2024. The timeline of the legal action is as follows:
- December 7, 2024: Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari were arrested in Mumbai.
- December 8: They were brought to Udaipur and produced before a court.
- December 9: The court sent them to police custody for seven days.
- They are currently in judicial custody after their bail plea was rejected.
What Comes Next?
The case has now entered a critical phase where the verification of the seized evidence will be paramount. The allegations of a Rs 47 crore film investment fraud have sent ripples through the industry. While the police build their case based on the recovered materials, Bhatt's defense is poised to challenge the investigation's legality at every step. The court's upcoming decisions on further custody and the eventual charge sheet will determine the trajectory of this high-profile legal battle, which continues to unfold under intense scrutiny.
