In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to renowned filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and his wife, Shwetambari Bhatt, on Friday, February 13, 2026. The couple had been in judicial custody for over two months following their arrest on December 7, 2025.
The relief was provided by a bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi. The court questioned whether the criminal justice system was being leveraged as a debt recovery tool, with Justice Bagchi noting, “You cannot use these cases to recover money.” The bench has directed their immediate release from Udaipur Central Jail, while the next hearing is scheduled for February 19, 2026.
Background of the Case
The legal battle stems from an FIR filed in Udaipur by Dr. Ajay Murdia, the founder of Indira IVF. The allegations include:
- The Investment: Dr. Murdia allegedly invested approximately ₹30 crore (with some reports citing up to ₹47 crore) for a four-film deal, including a biopic about his late wife titled Tumko Meri Kasam.
- The Alleged Fraud: The complainant claimed that funds were siphoned off through a network of fake bills and non-existent vendors.
- The Defense: Representing the Bhatts, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that the dispute is civil in nature. He stated that while two films were completed, their lack of commercial success should not result in the director and his wife being imprisoned.
Previously, the Rajasthan High Court had denied the couple’s bail plea on January 31, 2026, citing the ongoing investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds. With the Supreme Court’s intervention, the couple will now be released pending the next stage of the investigation.