A Mumbai court has sentenced filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma to three months simple imprisonment in a cheque bounce case. The Andheri Magistrate Court, presided over by Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Y P Pujari, convicted Varma under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The section deals with the dishonor of cheques due to insufficient funds or other reasons.
The case was filed in 2018 by a company named Shree, represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, against Varma's firm. The complaint alleged that Varma had issued a cheque for Rs 2.38 lakh, which bounced due to insufficient funds. The court directed Varma to pay a compensation of Rs 3.72 lakh to the complainant within three months. Failure to pay the compensation will result in an additional three months' imprisonment.
Varma was not present in court during the hearing, leading to the issuance of a non-bailable warrant against him. In response to the verdict, Varma took to social media to clarify that the case relates to a seven-year-old dispute with his ex-employee. He stated that his advocates are attending to the matter and that he cannot comment further since the case is sub judice.
The court's verdict is the latest development in Varma's ongoing financial struggles. He was released on bail in June 2022 after executing a personal recognizance bond and paying a cash security of Rs 5,000. The detailed order of the court is yet to be made available.