The Delhi High Court has sentenced Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav to three months of simple imprisonment across a batch of seven cheque bounce cases. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma delivered the verdict after observing that the actor repeatedly failed to honor financial settlement commitments and undertakings made directly to the court.
While Yadav received a three-month sentence for each of the seven cases, the court directed that all sentences will run concurrently. Along with the prison term, the High Court ordered the actor to pay ₹1.05 crore in each of the seven matters, while his wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, was fined over ₹5 lakh per case. The cases were filed by M/s Murli Projects Private Limited.
Court Slams Repeated Failures to Comply
The High Court emphasized that Yadav had been granted numerous opportunities and structural extensions to clear his outstanding dues. Highlighting the actor’s non-compliance, Justice Sharma noted:
“Opportunities were granted to honour the settlement. He [Yadav] and his counsel made several statements and assurances, and despite these repeated opportunities and assurances, he failed to honour the undertakings.”
The judge has granted Yadav a period of two months to appeal the order before a higher court.
Background of the Two-Year Legal Battle
Initial Conviction
May 2024
A sessions court convicts Rajpal Yadav in the cheque bounce case, sentencing him to six months in prison. The Delhi High Court later suspends this sentence based on assurances of an amicable settlement, routing the case to the High Court Mediation Centre.
Failed Mediation & Unpaid Installments
Late 2024 – 2025
Despite multiple adjournments, Yadav fails to deposit agreed-upon amounts, including an installment-based sum of ₹2.5 crore that he had explicitly undertaken to pay.
Surrender & Interim Relief
February 5, 2026
Following non-compliance with court directives, the High Court orders Yadav to surrender. He enters custody on February 5, 2026, but later secures an interim suspension of the sentence after depositing ₹1.5 crore with the complainant.
Final Three-Month Sentence
Current (July 2026)
Following continued defaults on the remaining settlement terms, the Delhi High Court passes the final concurrent three-month prison sentence and heavy financial penalties.
