The Delhi high court has upheld the conviction of Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in multiple cheque bounce cases and sentenced him to three months’ simple imprisonment.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma pronounced the verdict in seven cheque bounce cases filed by M/s Murli Projects Private Limited. Justice Sharma said the actor had been given several opportunities to honour the settlement and repay the complainant but failed to do so.
The court sentenced Yadav to three months’ simple imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with all the sentences to run concurrently.
The high court also directed Yadav to pay Rs 1.05 crore in each case. His wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, has also been directed to pay a fine of more than Rs 5 crore in each case.
Case Background
Rs.5 crore loan was taken by the actor and his wife took in 2010 from Delhi-based M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. After the film flopped, the couple defaulted, and the total liability—with interest and penalties—eventually grew to nearly ₹9 crore.
The company filed case in Court and Rajpal Yadav was originally convicted and sentenced in May 2024 by a sessions court, which awarded him six months’ imprisonment in the cheque bounce cases.
The Delhi High Court later suspended the sentence after his counsel assured the court that the dispute would be settled. The matter was also referred to the Delhi high court Mediation Centre.
However, despite repeated assurances and several adjournments sought for settlement, Yadav failed to make the promised payments.
Finally, the Delhi High Court sentenced him 3 years imprisonment.
