The Supreme Court on Wednesday gave actor Rajpal Yadav more time to comply with its direction to deposit Rs 2 crore in connection with a cheque bounce case. Yadav, who appeared before the court, produced a demand draft of Rs 1.15 crore and sought additional time to arrange the remaining amount.
The court has now directed him to deposit the balance Rs 85 lakh by October 13. His plea challenging the Delhi High Court’s conviction and three-month sentence will be considered after the payment is made.
SC warns actor over non-compliance
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, expressed displeasure over Yadav’s conduct but agreed to give him more time after he brought the partial payment.
“You comply with our order to deposit Rs 85 lakh and for the remaining amount, we will lay down a schedule. Ideally, your client should be in jail. Your conduct still does not satisfy us but since you have brought Rs 1.15 crore, we are willing to give you breathing time.”
The court also warned that it could enhance his punishment to two years in prison while dealing with his appeal.
“In your appeal, it is our discretion to issue notice and to enhance your punishment to two years imprisonment.”
Yadav told the court that the remaining money could not be arranged because the sale of a property had been delayed during the period of ‘Shraddh’, which he said was not considered favourable for such transactions. The prospective buyer of the property was also present and agreed to arrange ₹85 lakh through a demand draft.
Actor speaks about financial and reputational losses
During the hearing, Yadav spoke about the impact of the case on his career and finances. He said that in 13 years, he had worked in over 250 films but claimed that he had suffered losses of more than Rs 22 crore after making the film at the centre of the dispute.
He also spoke about the damage to his reputation and said he had spent more than six months in jail because of the case.
The dispute dates back to a loan of over Rs 5 crore taken in 2010 for producing a film. Murli Projects Limited had alleged that Yadav failed to repay the amount as agreed. He was convicted in the case and sentenced to three months in May 2024.
CJI Surya Kant told him, “Now your money is ‘gayab and lapata’ (lost and cannot be found). We hope now you have learnt a lesson. You make a good movie and entertain people. Your reputation will automatically be redeemed.”
The court directed that the matter be listed after the payment is made.