The Supreme Court on Thursday granted regular bail to filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, in a high-profile cheating case. The dispute revolves around a proposed biopic on the late wife of Ajay Murdia, owner of Indira IVF. The couple had been arrested by Rajasthan Police in December and were lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail pending investigation.

High Court Denial Overturned

Previously, Shwetambari Bhatt had received interim bail from the Supreme Court, but the Rajasthan High Court had denied their plea for regular bail. The three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant alongside Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi, reversed that order, allowing the couple to secure bail.

Mediation Suggested by Court

The bench observed that the matter largely arises from a commercial transaction rather than criminal intent. It directed both parties to approach the Supreme Court Mediation Centre to explore a settlement, emphasizing that mediation could resolve financial disputes more effectively than prolonged litigation.

Legal Representation and Contentions

Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave represented the Bhatts, while Senior Advocate Vikas Singh appeared for Murdia. Singh highlighted that a separate FIR against Vikram Bhatt had been filed in Mumbai, raising concerns about his financial dealings. He alleged that Bhatt’s company was in distress and accused him of using funds raised based on his personal reputation for company-related obligations as it neared liquidation.

In response, Advocate Dave defended Bhatt, stating that he is currently raising funds to complete ongoing film projects. He detailed that Bhatt had commitments for four films: two have been completed, the third is 70% finished, and work on the fourth is ongoing. Dave argued that continued custody would jeopardize the completion of these projects.

Background of the Case

The dispute surfaced when Murdia alleged that the Bhatts had mismanaged funds related to the proposed biopic of his late wife. While the Rajasthan Police initiated the investigation in December, the matter attracted significant media attention due to Bhatt’s celebrity status and the high financial stakes involved.

The Supreme Court’s decision to grant bail and recommend mediation aims to balance legal accountability with the practical resolution of the commercial disagreement.

Next Steps

The couple is expected to present their case at the Supreme Court Mediation Centre to attempt an amicable settlement. Meanwhile, the separate FIR in Mumbai remains under investigation, and legal proceedings concerning the company’s finances are ongoing.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share