The case began with a complaint filed by Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of the Udaipur-based Indira IVF Group. According to the FIR, the legal battle centers on a failed film production agreement.
Dr. Murdia sought to produce a biopic about his late wife, Indira. He alleged that Vikram Bhatt and his associates lured him with promises of massive returns, claiming a ₹47 crore investment could yield profits between ₹100 crore and ₹200 crore.
In May 2024, an agreement was reportedly signed between Murdia’s company and Bhatt’s firm, VSB LLP, for the production of four films, including the biopic. While some films were reportedly started or completed, Dr. Murdia alleged that ₹30 crore of his investment was siphoned off.
The police investigation suggests that the funds were diverted using fake invoices, inflated salary vouchers, and payments to vendors who had no connection to the film projects.
Vikram Bhatt’s legal team argued that the dispute was a simple “breach of contract”—a civil matter that should be handled in Mumbai courts rather than a criminal case in Rajasthan. However, Justice Sameer Jain of the Rajasthan High Court disagreed, citing several critical factors.
The court observed that the matter wasn’t just about failing to deliver a movie. The preliminary inquiry revealed evidence of a “deliberate diversion of funds” and “lack of transparency.” The judge noted that the use of fake bills and the circulation of money through unrelated entities pointed toward criminal intent rather than a mere business disagreement.
Earlier, a Udaipur court had also denied bail, expressing concerns that releasing the high-profile filmmaker could lead to the tampering of evidence or the influencing of key witnesses.
Previous attempts to secure bail on medical grounds were also rejected, as the court prioritized the sensitive nature of the ongoing financial probe. To know know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!
