- By Srishti Pandey
- Thu, 23 Jan 2025 03:54 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months in jail by a Mumbai court in connection with a long-standing cheque bounce case. The court also issued a non-bailable warrant against him, marking the culmination of a legal battle that spanned several years.
The Andheri Magistrate Court had initially scheduled the verdict for January 21, 2025. However, Varma was absent from the hearing. According to Telangana Today, the case has been ongoing for seven years, and the court has now delivered its judgment.
The case was filed in 2018 by Shree, a company represented by Maheshchandra Mishra. It alleged that a cheque issued by Varma’s firm had bounced due to insufficient funds. Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which penalizes cheque dishonour due to insufficient funds, Varma was found guilty.
In addition to the jail sentence, the court has directed Varma to pay Rs. 3.75 lakh to compensate the complainant. Failure to pay this amount within three months will result in an additional three months of imprisonment.
Ram Gopal Varma, known for iconic films like Satya, Company, and Sarkar, addressed the controversy on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He clarified:
“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 Rs. 2 lakh 38 thousand amount, relating to my ex-employee. My advocates are attending to it and since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.”
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 Rs 2 lakh 38 thousand amount , relating to my ex-employee .. My advocates are attending to it. and since the matter is in court i cannot say anything further
— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 23, 2025
Varma’s absence from today’s hearing has raised questions and a detailed judgment is awaited.In June 2022, Varma was granted bail after providing a personal bond and a Rs. 5,000 security deposit. The magistrate clarified that no set-off under Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure would apply, as Varma was not in custody during the trial.