Rajpal Yadav Cheque Bounce Case: SC Gives Actor 2-Week Deadline, Directs Him To Surrender Passport

The apex court intervened in the ongoing dispute involving Bollywood comedian Rajpal Yadav, granting him a final opportunity to settle the outstanding amount and directing him to hand over his passport to authorities. The bench noted the actor’s previous conduct as not credible but accepted the assurance from his counsel that a draft of at least Rs 2 crore would be filed within the stipulated period.

Yadav’s lawyer told the judges that the required funds are being arranged through the sale of certain properties, and a clear schedule for clearing the remaining liability will be submitted alongside the draft. The case stems from a 2010 loan of roughly Rs 5 crore extended by Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to Yadav, his wife and their production house for the film “Ata Pata Laapata”. Seven cheques issued to the lender subsequently bounced, leading to multiple complaints under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. A trial court convicted Yadav in 2018, a sessions court affirmed the verdict in 2024, and the Delhi High Court refused to modify the sentence in July.

The legal battle highlights the financial risks associated with film financing in India and underscores the judiciary’s stance on cheque‑bounce offenses. Stakeholders include the lending firm Murli Projects, the film’s investors, and the broader entertainment industry, which watches the outcome for precedent on handling similar defaults. The Supreme Court’s directive aims to enforce compliance while offering a last chance to avoid further incarceration or passport confiscation.