Delhi High Court Clarifies Position on Rajpal Yadav's Custody in Cheque Bounce Case
The Delhi High Court delivered a significant clarification on Wednesday, stating unequivocally that actor Rajpal Yadav would not be taken into custody, even as it vacated an earlier interim order that had suspended his sentence in a long-running cheque bounce case. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made this observation while refusing to issue directions on a plea filed by the complainant, who had sought cancellation of the suspension order.
Court Rejects Complainant's Plea for Custody
During the hearing, the complainant's counsel pointed out that their application for vacation of the suspension of sentence remained pending. In a firm response, Justice Sharma stated, "I do not find any reason. He is not running away. He is still here. He is not running away. Kahin nahi jaa rahe (He is not going anywhere)." This clear statement from the bench provided reassurance about Yadav's continued presence for legal proceedings.
Background of the Case and Interim Relief
Earlier, on February 16, the court had granted interim relief to Yadav by suspending his sentence, which led to his release after he had been in custody since February 5. During the recent proceedings, Yadav appeared in person to present his case, which drew objections from the complainant's lawyer. The lawyer argued that the actor was turning the legal issue into a media spectacle, stating, "Either he (Yadav) should argue, or his counsel."
Justice Sharma Dismisses Media Trial Concerns
Justice Sharma, however, firmly dismissed concerns about media coverage, asserting, "Media trial ka kya hai wo to har ek cheez ka hota rehta hai. Mujhe koi fark nahi padta. Main media dekhti hi nahi hu media mein kya hota hai... meri kaan, aankhein sab band hoti hai. Mere liye he is an ordinary litigant, you are an ordinary litigant (What about media trials? That happens with everything. It doesn't matter to me. I don't watch the media at all... whatever happens in the media, my ears and eyes are closed. For me, he (Yadav) is an ordinary litigant. You are an ordinary litigant)."
She further clarified that Yadav was not receiving special treatment because of his celebrity status, stating, "Just because he is an actor main inko nahi sun rahi hu. Main to koi bhi litigant aate hain unko bhi sunti hu. Aap inko importance de rahe ho. Aur ek baat aur hai ki us litigant ne nahi bola ki main so and so hu (I am not listening to him just because he is an actor. I listen to every litigant. You're giving him importance. Another thing, this litigant didn't say that I'm so and so)."
Next Steps and Settlement Possibilities
The bench has now scheduled the matter for April 1 and indicated that it will attempt to conclude the case. The court also noted that if Yadav intends to settle the dispute and repay the amount involved, he should return with a formal proposal. This suggests a potential path toward resolution outside of continued litigation.
Recent Legal Developments for the Actor
The 55-year-old actor had recently secured interim bail from the Delhi High Court in the same case, with relief granted until March 18 to allow him to attend his niece's wedding in Shahjahanpur. This development followed his initial custody period and demonstrates the court's consideration of personal circumstances alongside legal requirements.
The case continues to highlight the intersection of celebrity status with routine legal proceedings, with the court maintaining a firm stance on treating all litigants equally regardless of public profile. The April 1 hearing is expected to provide further clarity on the resolution of this long-standing financial dispute.
