Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav has faced a significant legal setback following a ruling by the Delhi High Court regarding a long-standing check bounce case.
On Friday, the court upheld his conviction, describing Yadav's conduct as dubious and directing authorities to send him back to jail. This case dates back to 2010 when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from MS Murli Projects Pvt Ltd for his directorial debut film, "Ata Pata Lapata." Despite high hopes for the project, the film underperformed at the box office, leading to repayment issues and a protracted legal battle.
In April 2018, a magistrate court convicted Yadav and his wife, Radha, in the check bounce case, sentencing them to six months in jail. The couple challenged this decision, but in early 2019, the sessions court upheld the conviction. Subsequently, Yadav approached the Delhi High Court seeking relief. In June 2024, the High Court temporarily suspended his sentence, urging him to take sincere measures to repay nearly ₹9 crore owed. However, the situation deteriorated, and in February of this year, the High Court ordered him to surrender, noting his repeated failures to honor repayment commitments.
The latest ruling from the Delhi High Court marks another significant development in Yadav's ongoing legal struggles. During this challenging period, he has received support from several prominent figures in the film industry, including actors Sonu Sood, Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan, and Gurmeet Choudhary, who have reportedly offered financial assistance. Some industry members even made public appeals for support, while various singers and filmmakers extended help by providing advance payments and casting him in upcoming projects, helping him regain his footing.
On February 16, Yadav was granted bail in connection with the case. The recent ruling by the Delhi High Court adds another layer to this lengthy legal battle, leaving it to be seen what steps Yadav will take next in response to the verdict. Further updates on this situation are anticipated as the case progresses.
