The Delhi High Court today refused to grant immediate relief to actor Rajpal Yadav, who is presently serving a six-month prison sentence for a cheque-bounce case dating back ten years. The court noted that the actor had consistently neglected to fulfill his financial obligations despite previous promises.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, sitting as a single-judge bench, observed that Rajpal had admitted to owing money to the complainant company and had promised to repay it, yet failed to do so. His lawyer requested a suspension of his sentence, arguing that a family wedding justified temporary relief.
The Court noted that you have appeared in this Court 25 to 30 times, with the support of a senior counsel who spoke on your behalf. Mr. Yadav appeared via video conference before me at least five times, affirming that he would uphold his counsel's statement, and mentioned that if he travels abroad, he would earn money to make the payment. You have not been misled. The case is scheduled to be heard on Monday.
What the matter concerns
The situation dates back to 2010, when Yadav took a loan of ₹5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, a company based in Delhi, to finance his first film as a director, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). The movie's lack of commercial success resulted in significant losses and a financial disagreement.
In 2018, a magisterial court found Yadav guilty of cheque dishonour under the Negotiable Instruments Act, sentencing him to six months in prison. This verdict was confirmed by a sessions court in 2019. The outstanding amount eventually increased to almost ₹9 crore.
Prior to turning himself in for his sentence at Tihar Jail earlier this month, an emotional Rajpal allegedly expressed to the court, “Sir, what should I do? I don't have any money. I see no other solution… Sir, we are all alone here. There are no friends. I must handle this crisis by myself.”
The Bollywood industry supports the actor
After he turned himself in, numerous Bollywood stars showed their support for the seasoned comedian. Sonu Sood, Mika Singh, and KRK provided monetary help, while prominent personalities like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, and David Dhawan are said to have contacted him privately.
Sonu Sood shared on social media, "Rajpal Yadav is a talented actor who has contributed years of memorable performances to our industry... When one of our own faces difficult times, the industry should reassure him that he is not alone."
What the future holds
Rajpal's attorneys have stated that approximately ₹2 crore is still outstanding and will be settled shortly. The Delhi High Court is set to continue the hearing on Monday to determine if any temporary relief can be provided. Meanwhile, the actor remains incarcerated at Tihar Jail.
