What Happened: The Moradabad Court Order
On February 15, 2026, the Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) court in Moradabad issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Ameesha Patel after she failed to appear in court despite multiple summonses being issued over the course of several years. A non-bailable warrant, under Indian law, means that if the accused does not appear before the court by the specified date, police authorities are empowered to arrest and produce the individual before the judge. Ameesha has now been directed to appear before the Moradabad court on March 27, 2026.
The case is being heard by the court of the Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, and stems from a formal complaint filed by event organiser Pawan Kumar Verma, owner of a local event management company.
The 2017 Complaint: What Pawan Verma Alleged
According to Verma’s complaint, Ameesha Patel was contracted to perform at a private wedding ceremony held for Ayush Agrawal in Moradabad on November 16, 2017. He claims that an advance payment of ₹14.50 lakh was made and her accommodation was arranged at a hotel on Delhi Road in Moradabad. However, on the day of the event, the actor did not arrive at the venue.
Verma told the court that after subsequent communication and negotiations, Ameesha assured him that the full amount would be refunded. According to the court record, ₹10 lakh was returned in cash, but a cheque for the remaining ₹4.50 lakh later bounced when deposited, adding a cheque dishonour charge to the original breach of contract complaint. Verma has alleged that the actor was attempting to evade legal proceedings — a claim that led to the court taking the stricter step of issuing a non-bailable warrant.
Ameesha Patel Responds: “Old and Settled Matter”
Hours after reports of the warrant surfaced on Monday, Ameesha Patel took to her Instagram Stories to issue a public statement. The actor categorically denied any outstanding liability, asserting that the matter had already been resolved through a formal settlement agreement.
“Media reports suggest about certain proceedings at Moradabad by one Pawan Verma,” she wrote. “I wish to inform one and all that this is a vv old matter which was years back in which the said Pawan Verma had signed a settlement deed and received the entire agreed amount.”
She added pointedly: “Despite this, it seems he has lodged proceedings making false allegations. My lawyers are initiating appropriate criminal proceedings of cheating against this person to expose his lies, while I prefer to focus on my work and ignore people who choose to make a public spectacle for gaining attention on false pretexts.”
Her legal counsel, Abhishek Sharma, separately corroborated the actor’s position, stating that the dispute had been resolved through settlement and that the entire agreed amount had been repaid as per the terms of the agreement. Sharma maintained that the complainant was misusing the legal process and expressed confidence that the actress would appear before the court to present her side.
A Pattern of Legal Disputes: Three Courts, Nearly a Decade
The Moradabad case is not an isolated incident. Ameesha Patel’s legal record carries at least two other separate disputes that have resulted in court proceedings:[here is what Ameesha Patel’s complete legal record actually looks like.]
The Ranchi Civil Court Case (2018–2023): In 2023, Ameesha surrendered before the Ranchi Civil Court in connection with a cheque bounce case dating to 2018. According to reports, she had met businessman Ajay Kumar Singh — owner of Lovely World Entertainment — while attending a programme at Harmu Ground in Ranchi. Singh invested in a film project with the actor, but when the film did not release, he sought the return of his investment. Ameesha reportedly returned ₹2.50 crore by cheque, but the cheque bounced, triggering the legal complaint.
The UTF Telefilms Case (2021): In November 2021, a cheque of ₹32.25 lakh issued by Ameesha Patel to UTF Telefilms was reported to have bounced, adding yet another legal proceeding to her file.
Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, a dishonoured cheque constitutes a criminal offence in India and can lead to imprisonment of up to two years, a substantial fine, or both. Indian courts have grown notably firm on personal appearance requirements in such cases — the Supreme Court has previously observed that cheque bounce cases make up a disproportionate share of pending criminal matters in magistrate courts, and judges are increasingly reluctant to grant high-profile defendants extended leeway on non-appearance.
Career Context: The Weight of a Comeback
The timing casts an uncomfortable shadow over what had, until recently, been a triumphant chapter for Ameesha Patel. After a five-year absence from the big screen, she made a high-profile return with Gadar 2 (2023), the blockbuster sequel starring Sunny Deol and Utkarsh Sharma. The film was a commercial phenomenon, grossing ₹686 crore worldwide at the box office and reintroducing Ameesha to a new generation of audiences.
Her most recent release, Tauba Tera Jalwa (2024), a romantic comedy written and directed by Akashaditya Lama and produced by Naresh Bansal and Madanlal Khurana under Shreeram Productions and Victorious Enterprises, opened to largely negative critical notices, though Ameesha’s personal performance drew appreciation. The film also featured Jatin Khurana and Angela Krislinzki.
Looking ahead, the actor is yet to formally announce her next project. Reports have circulated about potential sequels — including Gadar 3 and Humraaz 2 — though no official confirmations have been issued. Ameesha has indicated she would return as Sakeena in any Gadar sequel only if the character is granted a central, meaningful role in the narrative.
For now, the actor’s next confirmed public obligation is a court appearance in Moradabad on March 27, 2026.
What Is a Non-Bailable Warrant?
For readers unfamiliar with Indian legal procedure: a non-bailable warrant (NBW) is a court order that does not allow the accused to secure bail as a matter of right at the police station level. Unlike a bailable warrant — where the accused can furnish a bail bond and be released — an NBW requires the accused to be produced directly before the court after being taken into custody. Courts typically issue NBWs when lesser measures, such as summonses and bailable warrants, have failed to secure the presence of the accused. In Ameesha Patel’s case, the court escalated to an NBW after multiple rounds of summonses went unheeded.
This is a developing story. Updates will be added as the March 27 hearing approaches.
