Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail on February 5 after the Delhi High Court declined to grant him additional time in long-pending cheque bounce cases. The court refused to recall its earlier direction asking him to surrender, citing repeated non-compliance with repayment commitments.
The matter dates back to 2010 when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial venture Ata Pata Laapata. The film failed at the box office, resulting in financial losses. Subsequently, cheque bounce complaints were filed against him. In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Yadav and sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment, a verdict that was upheld by a sessions court in 2019.
In June 2024, the High Court had suspended his conviction on the condition that he make sincere efforts to settle the dispute. However, the court later observed that Yadav repeatedly breached undertakings given regarding repayment. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma expressed “strong disapproval,” stating that courts cannot create “special circumstances” merely because an individual belongs to a particular industry. The judge remarked that the law rewards compliance, not contempt, and that leniency cannot be extended endlessly in cases of persistent non-compliance.
Yadav’s counsel made a mercy plea seeking recall of the surrender order, informing the court that the actor was arranging funds and was prepared to deposit ₹25 lakh immediately. It was also submitted that both parties had tentatively worked out a repayment schedule. Despite these submissions, the court declined relief and maintained that he must first comply with the surrender directive.
Court records show that Yadav was required to pay ₹1.35 crore in each of seven cases. Although two demand drafts of ₹75 lakh each were deposited in October 2025, nearly ₹9 crore reportedly remains unpaid. The High Court also directed that amounts deposited earlier with the Registrar General be released to the complainant company.
Following the court’s refusal to extend the deadline, Yadav surrendered later on February 5. The court clarified that he may file an appropriate application after surrendering, in accordance with the law.
Before surrendering, the actor made an emotional statement saying he did not have the funds and felt alone in dealing with the crisis. Known for films such as Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Phir Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Chup Chup Ke, Yadav has been a prominent figure in Hindi cinema for years.
Meanwhile, actor Sonu Sood reportedly extended support by offering him a role in an upcoming project along with a signing amount. Music producer Rao Inderjeet Singh and others have also come forward to assist him during this period.
