Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav has been granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with a long-running cheque bounce case involving dues of around ₹9 crore. The actor, who had been lodged in Tihar Jail for over a week, is expected to be released following the court’s latest order.
The relief was granted by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who approved interim bail till March 18, subject to conditions. The court directed the actor to furnish a bail bond of ₹1 lakh along with one surety. During the hearing, the court had initially required a deposit of ₹1.5 crore by the afternoon deadline as a condition for interim relief. Bail was approved after the complainant firm, M/S Murli Project, confirmed that the amount had been credited to its bank account against the bounced cheque liability.
As per the order, Yadav will remain out on bail until the next hearing date. The court has indicated that he is expected to clear the remaining outstanding amount to avoid serving the sentence awarded in the case.
Background of the Cheque Bounce Case
The case dates back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from a Delhi-based company for his directorial debut film Ata Pata Laapata. The film, released in 2012, failed commercially, after which repayment issues arose. Legal proceedings followed when multiple cheques issued toward repayment were dishonoured.
In 2018, a magistrate court convicted the actor and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced them to six months of simple imprisonment after seven cheques bounced. The conviction was later upheld by a sessions court, prompting an appeal before the Delhi High Court.
In 2024, the High Court suspended the sentence and asked Yadav to demonstrate genuine efforts to repay the dues. However, after repeated delays and unmet undertakings, the court directed him to surrender earlier this month, observing continued non-compliance. The total liability had by then risen to nearly ₹9 crore.
Industry Support for the Actor
Following his surrender, Yadav received support from members of the film industry. Actor Sonu Sood reportedly signed him for an upcoming project and provided a signing amount to help him stabilise financially. Industry body Federation of Western India Cine Employees also appealed to its members to extend support.
Reports say several prominent actors, including Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, reached out to the actor’s family during the legal crisis.
