In a significant development, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his spouse, Shwetambari Bhatt, have been awarded interim bail by the Supreme Court of India concerning a high-profile cheating case linked to alleged financial misappropriation amounting to approximately Rs 30 crore. This ruling was issued on Friday by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, providing much-needed relief to the couple after enduring over two months in custody.
The origins of the case trace back to December 7, 2025, when the Rajasthan Police detained the Bhatts following a complaint lodged by Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF and Fertility Centre in Udaipur. Murdia asserted that he had invested substantial amounts in what was purported to be a legitimate film project. He claimed that while funds were solicited for film production, they were allegedly siphoned off through bogus invoices and deposited into personal accounts instead of being utilized for the intended filmmaking.
Even after their arrest and subsequent judicial custody in Udaipur, the Bhatts faced initial bail application rejections from the Rajasthan High Court earlier this year. The court ruled that granting bail at that juncture could hinder the ongoing investigation.
During the Supreme Court proceedings, the couple’s senior counsel argued against pre-trial incarceration, highlighting that such detention should not serve as a tool for financial recovery. The apex court partially concurred, noting that criminal proceedings shouldn’t simply be a means to regain money and that these cases necessitate thorough judicial examination. It instructed the Chief Judicial Magistrate in Udaipur to grant both Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari interim bail upon submission of bail bonds and adherence to court-imposed conditions. Notices were issued to both the complainant and the Rajasthan government, with the case now scheduled for further hearing on February 19, 2026.
The couple’s legal representatives have consistently denied all charges, asserting that the funds were utilized per agreements and that there was no fraudulent intent. With interim bail now in place, they are released from custody as the legal proceedings continue.