Mumbai, December 8, 2025: Prominent Bollywood filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, Indian art curator, producer, and entrepreneur, were arrested by Rajasthan Police from Mumbai’s Yaari Road area on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore cheating case. The complaint was filed by Dr. Ajay Murdia, founder of the Indira Group of Companies and owner of Indira IVF Hospital.
Dr. Murdia, who runs a leading fertility hospital chain, alleged that he was defrauded by Vikram Bhatt under the pretext of producing a biopic on his late wife. According to the investigation, Dr. Murdia was introduced to Bhatt on April 25, 2024, at Vrindavan Studio in Mumbai through an acquaintance, Dinesh Kataria.
During the meeting, Bhatt reportedly assured the doctor that he would handle the entire filmmaking process and asked him to transfer funds for the project. Dr. Murdia claimed he was promised returns of ₹200 crore from the venture, which never materialised.
In May 2024, an agreement was signed between Dr. Murdia and the Bhatts to produce a total of four films, including the biopic. The deal was valued at ₹47 crore. According to police sources, while the first two projects were reportedly completed, the remaining films were never made.
Investigations revealed that the accused allegedly prepared fake documents, including bills from non-existent vendors, to defraud the complainant. The probe suggests that vouchers and salary claims were grossly inflated compared to the actual expenses. The accused allegedly siphoned off approximately ₹30 crore from Dr. Murdia through this scheme.
Investigators also stated that Vikram Bhatt introduced a firm named VSB LLP, registered in his wife’s name, claiming it would handle the production finances.
Two arrests had already been made in the case before Sunday’s action. A lookout circular had been issued a week earlier against all accused, barring them from leaving the country without permission. They were directed to appear before Udaipur Police by December 8 but failed to comply.
Following their arrest on Sunday evening, the couple was produced before a court, where Rajasthan Police secured transit remand until December 9 to transport the accused from Mumbai to Udaipur by road for further interrogation and legal proceedings.
The couple’s lawyers, Rakesh Singh and Sanjay Singh, claimed that the arrest was carried out without following proper procedure. They alleged that the grounds of arrest were not clearly communicated and that the accused were forced to sign a document without date and time. The defence also claimed that the police threatened them with torture if they did not comply.
The court granted transit remand until December 9.
(Rh/VK/MSM)
