Delhi HC orders Rajpal Yadav asked to surrender in bounced cheques cases

The Delhi High Court recently directed Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav to surrender in connection with multiple cheque bounce cases. The court was reportedly dealing with a series of petitions filed by Yadav and his wife challenging their conviction and sentence under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Rajpal Yadav asked to surrender

A single-judge Bench of Swarana Kanta Sharma deprecated Rajpal Yadav`s conduct in the matter after taking into consideration his repeated failure to honour settlement commitments despite being given several opportunities. The High Court order the actor to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent by 4 p.m. on February 4 

"This Court is of the view that the conduct of the petitioner no. 1 (Rajpal Yadav) deserves to be deprecated. Despite repeatedly giving assurances and seeking indulgence of this Court, he has failed to comply with the orders passed from time to time," Justice Sharma observed.

Court cites repeated delays

Taking into consideration the conduct of the petitioners, Justice Sharma observed that despite "considerable leniency" shown over a prolonged period, the settlement amount was still not paid in terms of the undertakings given to the court.

"This Court finds no justification to continue the indulgence granted to the petitioner no.1 earlier," the Delhi High Court noted, adding that the actor had "repeatedly breached undertakings given before this Court".

In its order, Justice Sharma noted that the sentence awarded by the trial court had been suspended as early as June 28, 2024, after the petitioners expressed willingness to amicably settle the dispute with the complainant company, and the matter was even referred to mediation.

The order further recorded that no payment was made for nearly a year, despite assurances and specific timelines fixed by the Delhi High Court from time to time. While directing the release of the amount already deposited with the Registrar General to the complainant company, Justice Sharma granted limited indulgence by allowing time till February 4 for surrender, accepting the submission that the actor was presently engaged in professional work in Mumbai.

"However, in the interest of justice, the petitioner no.1 is directed to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent by 04.02.2026 at 4:00 PM, to serve the sentence awarded to him by the learned Trial Court," the Delhi High Court said.

The matter was listed on February 5, seeking compliance from the concerned jail authorities.

(With inputs from IANS)