Actor Rajpal Yadav has suffered a major legal setback after the Delhi High Court upheld his conviction in the long-running cheque bounce case linked to the financing of his 2010 directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata.
While dismissing his appeal on Friday, the High Court described Yadav’s conduct as “dubious” and directed the authorities to send him back to jail.
The case stems from a ₹5 crore loan that Yadav had taken from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance Ata Pata Laapata.
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Following the film’s poor box office performance, the loan allegedly remained unpaid which resulted in prolonged legal proceedings.
Why did the Delhi High Court uphold Rajpal Yadav’s conviction?
According to court documents, a magistrate court had convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife Radha Yadav in April 2018 under the Negotiable Instruments Act, sentencing them to six months’ jail in the cheque bouncing case.
This decision was upheld by a sessions court in 2019 after which Yadav moved the Delhi High Court.
In June 2024, the High Court suspended his sentence temporarily and directed him to make “sincere and genuine measures” to clear dues reportedly amounting to nearly ₹9 crore.
But the high court later noted that Yadav continued to fail in fulfilling his promise to pay back the money. On February 2 of this year, it asked him to surrender himself to the authorities.
On Friday, while dismissing his appeal, the High Court upheld the conviction and termed his conduct “dubious.”
How did the legal battle unfold?
Before surrendering earlier this year, Yadav had spoken about his financial difficulties.
In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, he said, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta” (“Sir, what can I do? I don’t have the money. I don’t see any other way.”).
Following the surrender, the actor was lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail before being granted bail on February 16.
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During that period, several members of the film industry reportedly extended financial assistance and professional support. Actors including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Sonu Sood and Gurmeet Choudhary, along with several filmmakers and singers, reportedly helped Yadav through financial contributions, advance payments and work opportunities.
With the High Court now affirming his conviction, the legal proceedings have once again taken centre stage.
FAQs
Why was Rajpal Yadav convicted?
Rajpal Yadav was convicted in a cheque bounce case related to the repayment of a ₹5 crore loan taken to finance his 2010 film Ata Pata Laapata.
What did the Delhi High Court say?
The Delhi High Court upheld his conviction, described his conduct as “dubious”, and directed authorities to send him back to jail.