Delhi High Court Directs Bollywood Actor Rajpal Yadav to Surrender by February 4
In a significant development, the Delhi High Court has ordered Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav to appear before prison authorities by February 4, 2025. This directive comes in light of his conviction in multiple cheque bounce cases, where the court has expressed frustration over repeated breaches of undertakings.
Court Criticizes Repeated Violations of Orders
Justice Sharma of the Delhi High Court made strong observations regarding the actor's conduct. "Such violations by the orders of Justice Rajpal Yadav cannot be ignored any longer," the judge stated. The court emphasized that despite Rajpal Yadav committing to return the money to the complainant, he failed to comply with the tribunal's direction.
The trial court had earlier made the actor incur a liability of Rs 1.35 crore in each of the seven cases filed against him by M/s Murali Projects. Additionally, the trial court passed another order emphasizing that the amount deposited with the Registrar General in favor of the complainant should be released promptly.
Outstanding Dues Remain Unpaid Despite Assurances
In its detailed order, the court mentioned that while two demand drafts of Rs 75 lakh were deposited in October 2025, a substantial amount of Rs 9 crore remains unpaid. "Despite repeatedly giving assurances and seeking indulgence of this court, the petitioner has failed to comply with the orders passed from time to time," the court noted.
The judgment further stated, "There is no justification to continue leniency in a case where the petitioner himself admitted the liability." Consequently, Rajpal Yadav is now required to surrender to serve the sentence awarded by the trial court, marking a strict stance against non-compliance.
Background of the Legal Battle
The order came on the revision pleas filed by Rajpal Yadav and his wife, challenging the 2019 order of the sessions court. This sessions court order had affirmed their conviction by the magisterial court in April 2018. The magisterial court had originally sentenced Rajpal Yadav to six months imprisonment in the cheque bounce cases.
According to the actor's lawyer, the cheque payments were related to a film project that turned out to be a box office flop, resulting in financial losses. The High Court had temporarily suspended the sentence in 2024, provided Rajpal Yadav made genuine efforts to settle the matter. However, the recent order indicates that these efforts were insufficient, leading to the current directive for surrender.
This case highlights the legal consequences of financial disputes in the entertainment industry, underscoring the importance of adhering to court directives and financial commitments.
