Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months of simple imprisonment in a cheque bounce case by the Andheri Magistrate Court in Mumbai. The case, which was filed in 2018, resulted in a non-bailable warrant being issued for Varma’s arrest.
The Cheque Bounce Case
The case stems from a cheque issued by Ram Gopal Varma’s firm that was dishonoured due to insufficient funds. The complaint was filed by Shree, represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, seeking compensation for the dishonoured cheque.
On Tuesday, the Mumbai court found Varma guilty under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which penalises the dishonour of cheques due to insufficient funds or exceeding the amount in the account. The court sentenced the director to three months of imprisonment and ordered him to pay Rs.3.75 lakh in compensation to the complainant. If Varma fails to pay the compensation within three months, an additional three months imprisonment will be imposed.
Ram Gopal Varma’s Reaction
Varma, who was not present during the hearing, reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter), clarifying the matter:
“With regard to the news about me and Andheri court, I want to clarify that it is to do with a 7-year-old case of ₹2 lakh 38 thousand amount, relating to my ex-employee. My advocates are attending to it. Since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.”
Bail and Legal Proceedings
In June 2022, Ram Gopal Varma was granted bail after providing a personal bond and a Rs.5,000 security deposit. The court also clarified that there would be no set-off under Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as Varma was not in custody during the trial.
Upcoming Projects
Despite the legal setback, Ram Gopal Varma continues to work on his filmmaking career. His recent work includes the 2024 film Vyuham, based on the life of the late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. He also made a cameo appearance in Nag Ashwin’s upcoming sci-fi film Kalki 2898 AD.
Varma has also announced a new project titled Syndicate, a film described as a terrifying thriller about a sinister organization that threatens the existence of India. He teased the film on X, stating, “SYNDICATE will be a very SCARY FILM not due to any supernatural elements, but because it will SCARILY expose what HORRORS HUMAN BEINGS CAN DO.”
Conclusion
Ram Gopal Varma’s legal troubles may have interrupted his career temporarily, but his commitment to filmmaking remains strong. His upcoming projects, including Syndicate, continue to generate buzz. As his legal proceedings unfold, fans and critics alike await the director’s next move.
