Udaipur, December 24 (Udaipur Kiran): Film director Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari, currently lodged in Udaipur jail in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore fraud case, have not received any relief from the court. On Wednesday, the Women Atrocities Court in Udaipur rejected their bail application, marking the second denial of bail in the case.
During the hearing, the court observed that the investigation is still underway and that the arrest and crucial questioning of other accused persons remain pending. In such circumstances, the court held that granting bail at this stage would not be appropriate. The formal order rejecting the bail plea was issued on Wednesday.
With no relief from both courts in Udaipur, the Bhatt couple will now have to approach the Rajasthan High Court at Jodhpur for bail. Meanwhile, the anticipatory bail plea of another accused, Dinesh Kataria, is scheduled to be heard in the ADJ Court No. 3 in Udaipur on January 6.
Vikram Bhatt and his wife were arrested by Udaipur Police on December 7 and produced before the court on December 9, following which they were taken on remand. After completion of a one-week remand, the court sent them to judicial custody. Due to court holidays in the High Court, the couple may have to remain in jail even after the New Year.
The Bhatt couple was arrested from their Mumbai flat on December 7. After being presented before the Udaipur court on December 9, they were remanded to police custody. Upon completion of the remand period, they were sent to 14 days of judicial custody.
Advocate Kamlesh Dave, representing Bhatt, said that after the ACJM Court No. 4 rejected the bail plea earlier, a fresh application was moved in the sessions court. However, the hearing was adjourned three times due to the judge being on leave. Subsequently, the bail plea was heard in the Women Atrocities Court on Tuesday and rejected, with the order issued on Wednesday.
Earlier, ACJM Court No. 4 had rejected the bail application, citing the possibility of witnesses being influenced if bail were granted. The court also noted that the case falls under Section 338 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), making it a non-bailable offence.
An FIR had been registered in Udaipur against Vikram Bhatt and seven others following a complaint by Dr Ajay Murdia, owner of Indira Group of Companies. He had allegedly entered into a ₹42 crore contract with Bhatt for making a film and later reported fraud on November 17. During the investigation, Udaipur Police arrested Bhatt’s co-producer Mehboob Ansari and an alleged fake vendor, Sandeep, from Mumbai.
Earlier, on December 9, the Rajasthan High Court (Jodhpur Bench) heard a petition seeking a stay on Vikram Bhatt’s arrest. During the hearing, the High Court directed the Inspector General, Superintendent of Police, and the investigating officer to appear before the court over concerns regarding haste in the arrest process.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
