Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Bhatt were taken into custody by Udaipur Police on Sunday in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore fraud case registered in Rajasthan. According to authorities, the couple—along with six other individuals—has been accused of cheating Udaipur-based doctor Dr Ajay Murdia, the founder of the Indira Group of Companies. Two suspects involved in the case had already been arrested earlier.
A special team from Udaipur travelled to Mumbai to detain the couple as part of the ongoing probe. In his complaint filed at the Bhopalpura police station, Dr Murdia claimed he was lured with promises of huge profits from multiple film ventures, including a biopic based on his late wife. He was reportedly assured that the film alone could generate nearly ₹200 crore in revenue, a claim that never materialised.
Agreement Signed in May 2024
Officials revealed that a formal agreement was drafted in May 2024, outlining the production of four films worth approximately ₹47 crore. While two projects were claimed to be completed, no progress was made on the remaining films. During the investigation, police allegedly discovered fake vendor bills, inflated salary vouchers, and other forged documents used to siphon money, resulting in a loss of around ₹30 crore to the complainant.
Investigators also stated that Dr Murdia was introduced to the accused through an acquaintance who pitched the biopic as a lucrative opportunity. From there, police believe the group devised an elaborate plan to mislead him and divert funds using manipulated paperwork and exaggerated expenses.
Later in the day, Udaipur Police obtained a transit remand for Vikram and Shwetambari Bhatt until December 9, allowing them to be transported to Rajasthan for further interrogation.
Legal Team Alleges Improper Police Procedure
Meanwhile, the couple’s lawyers, Rakesh Singh and Sanjay Singh, accused Rajasthan Police of not following due process. They argued that the specific grounds of the arrest were not communicated clearly and claimed the couple was coerced to sign an undated document, allegedly under threat of mistreatment if they refused.
After reviewing the statements from both sides, the court approved the two-day transit remand, enabling the next stage of the investigation to move forward.