While interacting with Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, who suffered a cheque dishonour case conviction, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant today suggested on a lighter note that the actor make new movies to entertain the public and restore his public image.

Yadav, who was personally present in Court, told the bench comprising CJI Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana that he had suffered great loss over his film project 'Ata Pata Lapata'. The bench was hearing Yadav's petition challenging his conviction and 3-month sentence in 7 cheque dishonor cases.

To recap, on September 15, the Court had granted him “last opportunity” to deposit at least ₹2 Crores out of ₹5 Crores with the Court Registry, extending his interim protection from surrender until October 5. On Monday, the Court had pulled up Yadav over his continuing failure to deposit the amount with the Court Registry.

Today, Yadav furnished demand drafts of Rs. 1.15 crores, which were directed to be deposited with the Court Registry. The Court further gave him time to sell a property for securing the remaining amount of Rs. 85 lakhs, when it was informed that a prospective buyer for the property was available but they did not want to undergo registration of the sale due to Shradh period.

During the hearing, when Yadav's counsel contended that the project was in fact a joint venture but the liability had now been put on the actor, Justice Bagchi said that the Court will dismiss the case if arguments are made on merit. The judge also warned of increasing the sentence from 3 months to 2 years.

"We are only giving accommodation in order to give equitable relief to the complainant", Justice Bagchi remarked.

The CJI said that the prospective buyer of Yadav's property shall deposit Rs. 85 lakhs by October 13. Thereafter, the Court will lay down a schedule for payment of the remaining amount to the complainant. The complainant's counsel said that grant of 3 months' time was acceptable to the complainant if Rs.2 crores were paid for now.

After the hearing was over, CJI told Yadav, "Koi nayi movie aa rahi hai? Koi achi si movie banake logo ko dobara entertain karo. Aapki image dobara ban jaegi. Humare yahan kuch advocate bhi ache actor hain" [Is any new movie coming? Make a good movie and entertain the public again. Your image will be restored. Here, we have some advocates who are good actors]

Background

The Court has earlier protected Yadav from surrendering, subject to his depositing ₹5 crore with the Registry. During the September hearing, Senior Advocate PS Patwalia for Yadav had sought two weeks' time to comply with the deposit condition.

He said that the actor had no money but intended to make the deposit. He submitted that Yadav had some property and that his mother owned immovable property which he proposed to sell to raise the amount.

“Kindly grant him some breathing time,” he said, adding that the defence would return with a concrete proposal, including a draft of at least ₹2 crore. CJI Surya Kant had remarked, “He is an actor in Bollywood. We hope he is not acting here also.”

The Chief Justice had further observed that Yadav's past conduct did not inspire confidence. The Court directed that the exemption granted to Yadav from surrendering would continue until October 5. However, it directed him to submit his passport.