In a significant legal setback, Bollywood filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was convicted by a Mumbai court in a cheque bounce case, leading to a non-bailable warrant against him. The Andheri Magistrate court sentenced Varma to three months of simple imprisonment for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
This conviction comes at a critical time for Varma, just as he was set to unveil his new project, Syndicate. The case has been lingering for seven years, revolving around a financial dispute that culminated in this week’s verdict. Varma, a filmmaker with a knack for the controversial, has not yet made a public statement regarding the court’s decision.
The court’s action followed Varma’s absence at the hearing, which prompted the magistrate to issue the standing non-bailable warrant (NBW) for his arrest. Along with the prison term, Varma is ordered to pay Rs 3.72 lakh in compensation to the complainant, a company named Shree represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, within three months. Failure to do so will result in an additional three months of imprisonment.
The financial troubles for Varma have been mounting, particularly highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw him selling his office due to economic strains. The director, once celebrated for hits such as Satya, Rangeela, Company, and Sarkar, has found his recent years marred by legal and financial challenges.
