Cheque Bounce Case: Delhi High Court Orders Bollywood Actor Rajpal Yadav To Surrender, Raps Repeated Breach Of Settlement Undertakings

The Delhi High Court yesterday directed Bollywood actor Rajpal Naurang Yadav to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent by February 04, after coming down heavily on him for repeatedly breaching undertakings given to the Court regarding payment of settlement amounts in cheque dishonour cases.Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the conduct of the actor “deserves to be deprecated”, noting that despite several opportunities and considerable leniency shown by the Court, Yadav failed to honour the payment commitments made to the complainant company, M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd.“….this Court is of the view that the conduct of the petitioner no. 1 (Yadav) deserves to be deprecated. Despite repeatedly giving assurances and seeking indulgence of this Court, the petitioner no. 1 has failed to comply with the orders passed from time to time,” the Court said.The development ensued in a batch of pleas moved by Yadav and his wife challenging their conviction under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. They were sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for period of six months. On June 28, 2024, a coordinate bench had suspended the sentence noting that Yadavs were not hardened criminals. This was after they wished to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement with the complainant company. The matter was then referred to mediation. Recording the sequence of events, the Court pointed out that since June 2024, Yadav had repeatedly sought time on assurances that payments would be made, but defaulted on each occasion. Even after assuring the Court that Rs. 2.5 crore would be paid in tranches, including Rs. 40 lakhs and Rs. 2.10 crores, the actor failed to deposit the amounts within the extended timelines granted by the Court. Justice Sharma said that no steps were taken by Yadav, either to deposit the DDs with the Registrar General or to rectify the alleged error in the drafts and that no application was filed seeking clarification or permission in this regard. “The explanation now offered that there was a typographical error in the DDs does not inspire confidence, particularly when the petitioner no. 1 was aware of the alleged error in the DDs as early as 18.12.2025, yet continued to seek adjournments without complying with the substantive directions of this Court. Even after the order dated 20.01.2026, whereby indulgence was again shown and time was granted to deposit the DDs by 21.01.2026 and to pay the amount of ₹2.10 crores by 27.01.2026, the petitioner no. 1 has failed to comply,” the Court said.“Till date, neither the amount of ₹40 lakhs has been deposited nor the amount of ₹2.10 crores has been paid, despite the payment of ₹2.5 crores having been assured much earlier,” it added. Noting the repeated breach of undertakings given before the Court, Justice Sharma found no justification to continue the indulgence granted to Yadav as earlier, specially when he himself admitted the liability and undertaken to repay the amount. Accordingly, the Court directed that the amount already deposited pursuant to earlier orders with the Registrar General be released in favour of the complainant company, keeping in view the fact that Yadav and his wife stood convicted by the Trial Court and that the actor was required to make payment of Rs. 1.35 crores in each case (seven cases in total).“However, in the interest of justice, the petitioner no. 1 is directed to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent by 04.02.2026, 4:00 PM, to serve the sentence awarded to him by the learned Trial Court,” the Court directed. This was after a request was made by Yadav's counsel who said that the actor was engaged in some professional work at Mumbai.“List on 05.02.2026, seeking compliance from the concerned Jail Superintendent,” the Court said. Title: SH. RAJPAL NAURANG YADAV & ANR v. M/S. MURLI PROJECTS PVT. LTD & ANRCitation: 2026 LiveLaw (Del) 133Click Here To Read Order

Cheque Bounce Case: Delhi High Court Orders Bollywood Actor Rajpal Yadav To Surrender, Raps Repeated Breach Of Settlement Undertakings

Nupur Thapliyal

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