Udaipur/Mumbai – In a major development that has shocked the Hindi film industry, well-known director Vikram Bhatt and his wife Shwetambari Soni Bhatt were sent to seven days police custody by a Udaipur court on Monday afternoon. The couple was arrested from Mumbai on 7 December in connection with an alleged ₹30 crore cheating case filed by Dr Ajay Murdia, founder of Indira IVF chain. This case has now taken another turn with Vikram Bhatt filing a petition in Jodhpur High Court to challenge the FIR itself, claiming it is a misuse of police power in what he calls a simple money dispute.
How the Fraud Allegedly Happened
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered on 17 November 2025 at Bhupalpura police station in Udaipur, Dr Ajay Murdia was approached by Vikram Bhatt and his team in early 2024. The filmmaker reportedly wanted to make a big-budget biopic on the life of Dr Murdia’s late wife, Mrs Indira Murdia, after whom the famous IVF chain is named.
Dr Murdia told the police that Vikram Bhatt promised that the film would be a “blockbuster” and offered him huge profit-sharing. Between May 2024 and June 2025, the doctor transferred more than ₹30 crore to different bank accounts and a company named VSB LLP, which is registered in the name of Shwetambari Bhatt.
Police say the money was shown as investment in at least four films – a biopic, Maharana-Ran, Vishwa Virat and one more project. But after the money was transferred, work on the films suddenly stopped. Calls and messages went unanswered. When Dr Murdia asked for his money back, he allegedly received threats. The FIR names eight people in total, including the couple, their daughter Krishna Bhatt, and others like Dinesh Kataria who first introduced the idea.
The Arrest Drama in Mumbai
Udaipur Police had issued a lookout circular against Vikram Bhatt, Shwetambari Bhatt, their daughter Krishna Bhatt and five others on 1 December 2025. A special team of 12 officers reached Mumbai on 6 December.
On 7 December evening, the team, with help from Mumbai Police, reached a building in Lokhandwala, Andheri West where the couple was staying at a relative’s flat. Security guards of the building initially tried to stop the police, but the team entered and took Vikram Bhatt and Shwetambari into custody around 8:30 pm. Reports say the guards even lied that the couple was not home, but police had been watching the place for hours.
Television channels showed both of them covering their faces with cloth while being taken to Udaipur by road on 8 December night. They reached Udaipur around 10 pm and were kept at the Women Crime Investigation Cell in Chitrakoot area for the night.
What Happened in Udaipur Court Today (9 December)
The couple was produced before Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate-4 court in Udaipur at 2 pm on Monday. The court room was packed with lawyers, police and some media people.
Investigating officer DSP Chhagan Singh Rajpurohit told the court: “We need police custody to recover important documents, bills, laptops and mobile phones from Vikram Bhatt’s Andheri office and his production house. We also have to match bank statements and find out where the ₹30 crore went. Some money was sent to vendors with fake bills.”
The public prosecutor said many film shoots never started and the money was diverted for personal use. He added that the first two films were partly made, but the rest were just promises.
Lawyers of the couple argued that the police did not follow proper arrest rules and asked for bail right away. They said the whole thing is a business fight, not a crime. But the court rejected the bail plea and sent both to police custody till 16 December 2025. Vikram Bhatt was taken to the main lock-up, while Shwetambari went to the women’s cell.
Vikram Bhatt’s Petition in Jodhpur High Court Challenging the FIR
In a big move to fight back, Vikram Bhatt filed a petition in Jodhpur High Court just days before his arrest, asking to quash the entire FIR. The petition says the case is a clear misuse of Section 420 of IPC (cheating) and other laws. Bhatt’s lawyers argue that this is nothing but a civil dispute over film investments gone wrong, not a criminal fraud.
According to court papers, the petition was lodged around 5 December 2025, right after the lookout notice came out. Bhatt claims in the petition that Dr Murdia knew all about the film deals from the start and signed agreements willingly. He says there was no hiding or cheating – just delays in production due to common problems in Bollywood like funding issues and script changes.
The hearing was fixed for 9 December 2025, the same day as the Udaipur court appearance. But sources say the High Court matter got a short delay because of the arrest news. A bench in Jodhpur is expected to hear it soon, maybe by 12 December. If the High Court agrees with Bhatt, it could cancel the FIR and set him free. But police say they have strong proof like bank transfers and call records to show it was planned cheating.
Bhatt’s lawyer, speaking outside the Udaipur court, said: “The petition is strong. We will prove in High Court that police jumped too fast without full probe. This is harassment of a filmmaker.”
Statements from Both Sides
Vikram Bhatt (statement given to media before arrest): “I have not cheated anyone. This is a civil money matter, not criminal. I am ready to return every rupee with interest. I have already filed a petition in Jodhpur High Court to stop this wrong FIR. Films take time, and Dr Murdia was part of all talks.”
Dr Ajay Murdia (complainant, speaking to reporters outside court): “I trusted Vikram Bhatt because he is a big director. He used my wife’s name to take money for a biopic that never happened. Now he runs to High Court? I want justice and my money back. Police have all proofs.”
Udaipur SP Yogesh Goyal (to media): “We are investigating every rupee. The High Court petition won’t stop our work. Two persons were arrested earlier. More arrests can happen if needed. This is a serious fraud case.”
Krishna Bhatt (daughter, via family statement): “My parents are innocent. We are a family in films for years. This is a bad time, but truth will come out in court.”
Earlier Arrests in the Same Case
Before the couple’s arrest, police had already nabbed two others linked to the case. Mehboob Ansari, who was the co-producer on some projects, was picked up last month from Udaipur. His bail plea was turned down by the lower court, and he is still in jail. Then there is Sandeep, a vendor who supplied things for the films – he got arrested but was let out on conditional bail on 8 December after promising to help police.
Six others, including Krishna Bhatt, are named in the FIR but not caught yet. Police say they are looking at all angles, including how the money moved from VSB LLP to other places.
Impact on Vikram Bhatt’s Career and Bollywood
Vikram Bhatt, who is 56 now, has been a big name in Hindi cinema for over 30 years. He started with films like Junoon and became famous for horror hits like Raaz (2002), which made over ₹37 crore, 1920 (2008) and Haunted (1995). But his recent films like Blackmail and Haan Main Crazy Hoon did not do well, and he has been shifting to web series and OTT platforms.
This arrest comes at a bad time for him. He had announced big plans like a web series on Maharana Pratap and more horror stories. Now, producers in Mumbai are talking. One small investor said on condition of no name: “Many directors take money from doctors and businessmen for films. If it fails, they fight in court. But ₹30 crore is huge – this could end careers.”
The film industry body, like the Producers Guild, has not said much yet, but insiders worry it might scare away private money for movies. On the other hand, some say it shows police are cracking down on fake deals in Bollywood.
What Lies Ahead for the Case
With seven days custody, police plan to dig deep into bank records and visit Bhatt’s office in Mumbai again. They want to find if the money went to personal accounts or fake companies. The next big date is 16 December in Udaipur court, where custody ends and bail hearing starts.
Meanwhile, the Jodhpur High Court petition could change everything. If it succeeds, the whole case might drop. But if not, it could go to trial, dragging for months or years. Dr Murdia has also hinted at filing more complaints if needed.
This story shows how dreams of big films can turn into court fights. For now, the Bhatt family is silent, but the media glare won’t stop.
FAQ – Everything You Want to Know
Q1. How much money is involved?
More than ₹30 crore as per the FIR. Police say the exact figure may go up after checking all bank accounts and vendor payments. Dr Murdia claims he was promised ₹100-200 crore returns on a ₹47 crore total deal.
Q2. Which films were promised?
- Biopic on late Mrs Indira Murdia – this was the main hook.
- Maharana-Ran (a historical drama on Maharana Pratap).
- Vishwa Virat (a thriller project).
- One more untitled film. Police say only parts of the first two were shot; the rest never started.
Q3. Is Krishna Bhatt (daughter) arrested?
No, not yet. She is named in the FIR as one of the accused, but police are still searching for her. She works in films as a writer and director.
Q4. Can the couple get bail soon?
They have seven days police custody till 16 December. After that, they can apply for bail in the Udaipur sessions court or wait for the High Court decision. Their lawyers say they will push hard for bail, citing no flight risk.
Q5. Where is the case filed?
Bhupalpura Police Station, Udaipur, Rajasthan. Case Crime No. 551/2025 under IPC sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 120B (criminal conspiracy) and others.
Q6. Has Vikram Bhatt been arrested before?
No, this is his first time facing criminal charges. He has had business disputes in the past, but nothing like this.
Q7. What is VSB LLP?
It is a Limited Liability Partnership company started in 2023 under Shwetambari Bhatt’s name. Police say most of the ₹30 crore went through this firm, which was set up for film production. They suspect it was used to hide money trails.
Q8. What is the status of the Jodhpur High Court petition?
Vikram Bhatt filed it around 5 December to quash the FIR, calling it a civil matter. Hearing was set for 9 December but got delayed due to the arrest. Next date is likely 12 December. If approved, the case could end.