(Image source from: x.com/RGVzoomin)

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months in prison for a bounced cheque case. The Andheri Magistrate Court, which has been handling the case for seven years, made the decision on Tuesday. Mr. Varma, known for movies like 'Satya' and 'Rangeela', was absent during the hearing, leading the court to issue a non-bailable arrest warrant. The case involves a cheque from Mr. Varma's company that could not be cashed, which is an offense under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Mr. Varma has also been ordered to pay Rs 3.72 lakh in compensation to the complainant within three months or face an additional three months in jail. The case was filed in 2018 by a company named Shree, represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, against Mr. Varma's firm. The filmmaker has faced financial difficulties in recent years, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic when he had to sell his office. Mr. Varma was granted bail in June 2022 after providing a personal bond and cash security of Rs 5,000.

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

The defendant was not eligible for credit under Section 428 of the Criminal Procedure Code, as he had not been held in custody at any point during the legal proceedings. Responding to the court's order, RGV took his social media page to post saying "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".