A division bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the parties to explore an amicable settlement.

“Why don't you now settle the dispute? If you'll be reasonable and fair… ₹2 crores lying with us… you also be reasonable, try to settle,” the CJI told the respondent- the complainant company.

Advocate Vikrant submitted that Yadav had sold his ancestral property to arrange the amount.

“At this point, you know scope of interference,” the CJI observed.

In its order, the Court noted that Rs. 2 crore had been deposited by the actor with the Registry.

Having regard to the issues raised, it said the matter appeared capable of being resolved amicably through mediation.

“Having regard to complexity, we appoint [...] as mediator. Parties to contact mediator and fix date for appearance. Mediator can ask parties to appear in person or online,” the Court directed.

The bench also considered Yadav's request for the release of his passport, which his counsel said was required for professional commitments abroad.

“To enable petitioner No.1 to continue professional pursuit, trial court shall release his passport subject to such conditions as may be imposed by court. Petitioner to travel only on compliance of those conditions and on return shall inform trial court,” it ordered.

Yadav, who was earlier personally present in Court, had told the Bench that he had suffered great loss over his film project 'Ata Pata Lapata'.

To recap, on September 15, the Court hadgranted 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. Later, the Court had pulled up Yadav over his continuing failure to deposit the amount with the Court Registry.

The Court had 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.