Ram Gopal Varma Sentenced to 3 Months Jail in Cheque Bounce Case
Mumbai: Acclaimed filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months of simple imprisonment by the Andheri Magistrate Court in a cheque bounce case. The case, filed in 2018, revolves around a dishonored cheque amounting to ₹2.38 lakh.
The court found Varma guilty under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which addresses cheque dishonor due to insufficient funds. Along with the jail sentence, the court has ordered Varma to pay ₹3.75 lakh to the complainant, a company named Shree, through its representative Maheshchandra Mishra.
Ram Gopal Varma Failure to Pay May Extend Imprisonment
If the compensation amount is not paid within three months, an additional three months’ imprisonment will be imposed. Notably, the court ruled that no “set-off under Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure” would be applied since Varma was not in custody during the trial.
Legal History and Varma’s Response
The filmmaker had been granted bail in June 2022 after furnishing a personal bond and ₹5,000 as a security deposit. Reacting to the sentencing, Varma stated on X (formerly Twitter):
“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, and since the matter is in court, I cannot say anything further.”
Upcoming Projects
Despite the legal challenges, Ram Gopal Varma remains active in the film industry. His latest film, Vyuham, explored the death of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. He also has a cameo in Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD.
Varma recently announced Syndicate, a film focusing on a menacing organization threatening India’s existence. The director described it as “terrifyingly real,” with no supernatural elements but chilling insights into human horrors.
Stay tuned for updates on the case and the filmmaker’s future endeavors.
Key Takeaways:
- Ram Gopal Varma sentenced to 3 months for a cheque bounce case.
- Ordered to pay ₹3.75 lakh compensation or face extended jail time.
- Continues work on projects like Syndicate.