Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, known for iconic films such as Satya and Rangeela, has been sentenced to three months of imprisonment in a cheque bounce case. The verdict was delivered by the Andheri Magistrate Court on Tuesday after a seven-year-long trial.

Mr. Varma was not present during the hearing, prompting the court to issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) for his arrest. The case stems from a cheque issued by Mr. Varma's firm, which could not be encashed—a violation under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, penalizing cheque dishonour due to insufficient funds or exceeding the arranged limit.

Addressing the case, Mr. Varma stated, "With regard to the news about me and the Andheri court, I want to clarify that it pertains to a 7-year-old case involving an amount of ₹2.38 lakh related to an ex-employee. This is not about the amount but my refusal to be exploited through fabricated attempts. That’s all I can say as the matter is sub judice."

The court has also directed Mr. Varma to pay ₹3.72 lakh in compensation to the complainant within three months, failing which he would face an additional three months of simple imprisonment. The case was initiated in 2018 by a company named Shree, represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, against Mr. Varma's firm.

The filmmaker, who has faced financial challenges in recent years—aggravated during the Covid-19 pandemic when he sold his office—was granted bail in June 2022 after furnishing a personal bond and cash security of ₹5,000. During sentencing, Magistrate Y.P. Pujari clarified that Mr. Varma was not entitled to any set-off under Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as he had not been in custody during the trial.

Mr. Varma was not present during the hearing, prompting the court to issue a non-bailable warrant (NBW) for his arrest. The case stems from a cheque issued by Mr. Varma's firm, which could not be encashed—a violation under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, penalizing cheque dishonour due to insufficient funds or exceeding the arranged limit.

Addressing the case, Mr. Varma stated, "With regard to the news about me and the Andheri court, I want to clarify that it pertains to a 7-year-old case involving an amount of ₹2.38 lakh related to an ex-employee. This is not about the amount but my refusal to be exploited through fabricated attempts. That’s all I can say as the matter is sub judice."

The court has also directed Mr. Varma to pay ₹3.72 lakh in compensation to the complainant within three months, failing which he would face an additional three months of simple imprisonment. The case was initiated in 2018 by a company named Shree, represented by Maheshchandra Mishra, against Mr. Varma's firm.

The filmmaker, who has faced financial challenges in recent years—aggravated during the Covid-19 pandemic when he sold his office—was granted bail in June 2022 after furnishing a personal bond and cash security of ₹5,000. During sentencing, Magistrate Y.P. Pujari clarified that Mr. Varma was not entitled to any set-off under Section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as he had not been in custody during the trial.