Comedy star in legal spotlight
Rajpal Yadav, famous for his comic roles in Bollywood, landed in serious legal trouble after a long-pending cheque bounce case resurfaced. What began as a film investment dispute slowly turned into a courtroom battle that finally led the actor to surrender at Delhi’s Tihar Jail.
The Rs 5 crore film loan
In 2010, Rajpal and his wife Radha Yadav reportedly borrowed Rs 5 crore for producing Ata Pata Lapata. With promised returns, the liability grew and was later settled at Rs 7 crore. Trouble started when repayment cheques repeatedly bounced, triggering legal action.
Case filed in 2018
The issue formally came to light in 2018 when a production company filed a complaint against the actor. Multiple bounced cheques pushed the lender to court, turning a financial disagreement into a criminal offence under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Conviction under section 138
A magistrate court found Rajpal Yadav guilty of cheque dishonour under Section 138. The court sentenced him to six months in jail for breach of trust, marking a major shift from negotiation to punishment in the long-running dispute.
Appeals bought time
In 2019, a sessions court upheld the sentence, but Rajpal and his wife challenged the order in the Delhi High Court. The legal process delayed imprisonment for years, allowing the actor temporary relief while settlement talks continued.
Sentence suspended in 2024
In 2024, the High Court suspended the six-month jail term, giving Rajpal time to pay dues. His lawyers claimed ₹40 lakh was prepared and the remaining amount would be cleared soon, raising hopes of resolving the case financially.
Court refuses further delay
At a February 4 hearing, the Delhi High Court refused to grant more time. The court stressed that repeated extensions were unfair and ordered Rajpal Yadav to finally serve the sentence, closing the door on further postponements.
Surrender at Tihar Jail
After missing an earlier reporting date, Rajpal Yadav surrendered to authorities at Tihar Jail. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted his non-appearance as disrespectful, and the actor was formally admitted to serve his six-month term.
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