NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday (July 10) upheld the conviction of Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in multiple cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to three months of simple imprisonment. Dismissing the revision petitions filed by the actor and his co-accused, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma ordered that the jail sentences across all seven cases would run concurrently.

The Financial Dispute:

The prolonged legal battle traces back to 2010 when Rajpal Yadav borrowed a sum of Rs 5 crore from Delhi-based M/s Murli Projects Private Limited to finance his directorial debut movie, Ata Pata Laapata (released in 2012). Following the film’s severe commercial failure at the box office, Yadav struggled to pay back the loan. Over the years, with accrued interest and penal amounts, the total outstanding liability escalated to nearly Rs 9 crore. The multiple cheques issued by the actor to settle the dues were sequentially dishonored by banks due to insufficient funds, triggering criminal cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Court Rulings and Fine Details:

While a magisterial court and subsequent sessions court had originally sentenced him to six months in jail, the High Court reduced it to three months while taking a stern stance on financial penalties. Justice Sharma directed the actor to pay Rs 1.05 crore as compensation to the complainant in each of the seven cases. Additionally, his wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, was ordered to pay a fine of Rs 5.51 lakh per case. The court clarified that the Rs 2.25 crore already deposited by the actor during earlier mediation and interim bails would be adjusted against the final payable dues.

Judiciary Refuses Probation:

The High Court strictly denied the benefit of probation to the actor, heavily criticizing his inconsistent and evasive conduct during the prolonged litigation. “Opportunities were granted to honor the settlement. He and his counsel made several statements and assurances, and despite these repeated opportunities, he failed to honor the undertakings,” the court observed. Justice Sharma further warned, “Never think the judge is weak if the judge is nice to you.” However, the bench has extended a two-month window to Yadav to challenge this ruling before an appellate or higher court.

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