New Delhi: 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. The court dismissed the actor’s revision petitions, finding no legal grounds to interfere with the judgments of the trial court and sessions court.
The case stems from a financial dispute involving a loan taken by Yadav for his 2012 film project. According to court records, the cheques issued towards repayment were dishonoured, leading to proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Over the years, the outstanding liability reportedly increased significantly due to interest and penalties.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, while pronouncing the verdict, observed that the actor had repeatedly failed to honour commitments made before the court. The judge remarked that “the law is not a script that can be rewritten by the will of an actor,” stressing that judicial orders must be respected regardless of a person’s public stature. 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. While pronouncing the judgment, Justice Sharma said the actor had been given several opportunities to honour the settlement and repay the complainant but failed to do so.
The High Court directed that the three-month sentences awarded in the seven cheque dishonour cases would run concurrently. It also granted Rajpal Yadav two months to challenge the verdict before a higher court, meaning he will not be required to surrender immediately if he avails the legal remedy within the stipulated period.
The ruling marks the latest development in the long-running legal battle involving the actor and reinforces the judiciary’s stand on financial accountability in cheque dishonour cases.
