The Delhi High Court on Thursday came down heavily on Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav while hearing his bail plea in a long-pending cheque bounce case, making it clear that his current incarceration was a consequence of his own failure to honour commitments made before the court.
During the hearing, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that Yadav was not behind bars merely because of a court order, but because he repeatedly failed to comply with settlement terms he had voluntarily agreed upon. The court’s remarks were sharp and direct. It noted that the actor had assured payment to the complainants on several occasions but did not follow through.
“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 to the Court,” the judge remarked, underlining that the payments were part of a settlement Yadav himself had entered into.
The case stems from a financial dispute dating back to 2010, when Rajpal Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut film, Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed at the box office, and the financial strain that followed led to repayment issues. Over time, the liability reportedly grew to nearly ₹9 crore, including interest and penalties.
According to submissions made in court, around ₹2 crore of the total amount remains unpaid. Yadav’s counsel assured the bench that the outstanding dues would be settled, but the court appeared unconvinced, particularly in light of the actor’s past assurances.
Justice Sharma rejected the argument that Yadav had been “misguided” about the legal proceedings. She pointed out that he and his legal team had appeared before the court nearly 25 to 30 times. On multiple occasions, senior counsel made statements on his behalf, promising that the dues would be cleared. The actor himself appeared through video conferencing at least five times and confirmed he would honour those statements, even mentioning that he would earn money abroad to repay the amount.
The court firmly stated that the actor could not now claim confusion or misunderstanding. The repeated appearances and assurances indicated that he was fully aware of the obligations placed upon him.
In a surprising submission, Yadav’s lawyer told the court that he had been unable to contact his client recently. He filed a bail application and sought time until Monday to present a clearer position. The court adjourned the matter to February 16, indicating that it expects concrete progress on the repayment front.
Rajpal Yadav, known for his comic performances in films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Phir Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Hungama, Partner, and Chup Chup Ke, has long been a familiar face in Bollywood. However, this legal battle has brought an unexpected chapter to his career.
With nearly ₹2 crore still pending and the total liability touching ₹9 crore, the outcome of the upcoming hearing will be crucial. The court’s message was unmistakable: the issue is not about sympathy or misunderstanding, but about accountability and compliance with commitments made before the law.
The next hearing is scheduled for February 16, when the court will review whether the actor has taken meaningful steps to clear his dues and justify his plea for bail.