Filmmaker and producer Vikram Bhatt was arrested on Sunday by Mumbai and Rajasthan police on charges of defrauding a Udaipur businessman of Rs 30 crore. The police team arrested him at Ganga Bhavan Apartments in Mumbai’s Yari Road area, which belongs to his sister-in-law.
Vikram Bhatt arrested in Rs 30 crore fraud case
Now Rajasthan Police will apply for transit remand in the Bandra Court to take him with them to Udaipur. For the unversed, Vikram Bhatt is the brother of famous filmmaker and producer Mahesh Bhatt and uncle of actresses Pooja and Alia Bhatt.
What exactly is the case filed against Vikram Bhatt?
On November 17th, Dr Ajay Murdia, owner of the Indira Group of Companies in Rajasthan, filed an FIR against eight individuals, including Vikram Bhatt, alleging fraud of Rs 30 crore. He alleged that he met Dinesh Kataria at an event. He proposed making a biopic on his wife and said the film would help the entire nation understand her contributions. In this regard, Dinesh Kataria invited him to Vrindavan Studios in Mumbai on April 24, 2024.
Is Vikram Bhatt taking full responsibility in Rs 30 crore fraud case?
There, he was introduced to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt. They discussed making a biopic. During the conversation, it was decided that Bhatt would take full responsibility for the film’s production, and he would simply have to send the money.
Vikram Bhatt told Ajay Murdia that his wife, Shwetambari and daughter, Krishna, are also involved in filmmaking. He had appointed his wife, Shwetambari, as a partner in her firm, VSB LLP. They had signed a contract worth Rs 40 crore (US$1.2 million) for two films, “Bionic” and “Maharana“.
How much money was transferred into Vikram Bhatt’s account?
On May 31, 2024, Rs 2.5 crore was RTGSed to Vikram Bhatt. A few days later, Rs 7 crore was demanded, and it was stated that four films would be made for Rs 47 crore, resulting in a profit of approximately Rs 100–200 crore. At the behest of Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Ajay Murdia made online payments to the vendors they had identified.
Ajay Murdia registered Indira Entertainment LLP on July 2, 2024. A payment of approximately Rs 3 lakh was made from this firm’s account.
Did Vikram Bhatt transfer money to his wife’s account?
Initial investigations revealed that the vendors who received payments from Indira Entertainment’s account were fraudulent. These vendors turned out to be painters or auto drivers. After the payments, a large portion of the funds was transferred to Vikram Bhatt’s wife’s account.
When a lookout notice was issued against Vikram Bhatt
Seven days ago, Udaipur police issued a lookout notice against Vikram Bhatt, his wife Shwetambari Bhatt, and six other accused. All the accused were also issued notices to appear before the Udaipur police by December 8th. Furthermore, none of these accused will now be able to travel abroad without permission.
After the matter came to light, the filmmaker stated that he had not yet received any notice in this matter. He learned about it through the media.
