Rajpal Yadav’s cheque bounce case: Actor has already paid Rs 2.5 crore; willing to deposit more reveals lawyer

In the ongoing cheque bounce case, actor Rajpal Yadav's bail plea has been adjourned by the Delhi High Court until February 16. His lawyer stated that Yadav has already paid Rs 2.5 crore towards the disputed amount and is prepared to deposit additional funds. The adjournment indicates the legal proceedings are still ongoing.

Rajpal Yadav's Lawyer Speaks Out After Hearing

Following the hearing, Rajpal Yadav's lawyer, Bhaskar Upadhyay, addressed the media, providing insights into the case. Upadhyay confirmed that the actor has already remitted Rs 2.5 crore of the Rs 5 crore debt incurred for the film. He emphasized that imprisonment in such cases should not be solely based on undertakings.

No one should be imprisoned solely on the basis of an undertaking. We told the court that if this is purely a financial matter, we would meet him in jail and take instructions. Today we tried to speak to him in jail, but that wasn’t possible. We will personally meet him to understand the court’s stand regarding the earlier undertaking. If we pay the money, then the matter won’t be argued on merit and it will be treated as a settlement, he said in Hindi.

The lawyer continued, The original ?5 crore became Rs 11 crore. So far, we have paid ?2.5 crore in this case. Around Rs 1 crore had been deposited with the registry earlier, and we had also brought a cheque of Rs 25 lakh today. Whatever assistance we are receiving, we are ready to deposit it with the court. There is no major issue on that front. The only question now is what the court decides on Monday.

Rajpal Yadav's Legal Troubles: A Timeline

On February 5, Rajpal Yadav, known for his roles in films like "Mujhse Shaadi Karogi" and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa," surrendered to Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court denied him further extensions in long-standing cheque bounce cases. The actor faces approximately ?9 crore in liabilities stemming from these cases.

The legal issues originated in 2010 when Yadav borrowed Rs 5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, "Ata Pata Laapata" (2012). The film's financial failure resulted in significant losses and a subsequent financial dispute. In 2018, a magisterial court found Yadav guilty of cheque dishonour, sentencing him to six months' imprisonment, a verdict later upheld by a sessions court in 2019. The outstanding amount has since escalated to nearly Rs 9 crore.

Rajpal Yadav's Plea to the Court

Prior to his surrender at Tihar Jail this month, Rajpal Yadav expressed his distress to the court. He reportedly stated, Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta… Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own.

During a bail application hearing, the Delhi High Court, led by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, strongly criticized Rajpal Yadav's conduct in the case. The court stated that Yadav was imprisoned due to his failure to fulfill his commitment to repay the debts on time. Justice Sharma emphasized, You did not go to jail because the court passed an order. You have gone to jail because you have failed to comply with your own commitments, further highlighting that Yadav himself had initially agreed to a settlement with the complainant.

The judge also raised questions about Rajpal's request for a sentence suspension, pointing out, You have been sentenced since you pleaded guilty and admitted that you will pay. Now that you have been sentenced, you are asking for suspension of the sentence? The court additionally noted the extended duration of the legal proceedings. The next hearing has been scheduled for Monday.

In 2010, Rajpal Yadav's directorial debut, "Ata Pata Laapata," faced a setback when it failed at the box office, despite Yadav having borrowed Rs 5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd for the project. Before his surrender, Yadav shared his predicament with Bollywood Hungama, revealing his inability to repay the debt. "Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta (sir, what to do? I don't have the money to pay back. Can't see another way out)," he stated. When questioned about seeking assistance from his peers, the actor expressed a sense of isolation, saying, "Everyone is on their own in the industry."