SC pulls up Rajpal Yadav over non-payment in cheque bounce case; actor says, ‘I have lost a lot of money’

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan was hearing Yadav's plea concerning seven cheque-bounce cases linked to the company.

‘Make a good film,’ CJI tells Rajpal Yadav

During the hearing, CJI Surya Kant asked Yadav about the projects he was currently working on.

The actor told the court that he had acted in around 250 films over 16 years and had suffered substantial financial losses after investing in a film.

"I have done 250 films over the last 16 years. I invested ₹5 crore in this film and ended up losing ₹250 crore," Yadav told the court.

The CJI responded: "Make a good film. We have several advocates here who are good actors as well."

In another exchange, the court again urged Yadav to make a good film, suggesting that a successful project could help rebuild his image.

Actor opens up about film losses

Yadav told the court that he had already suffered significant losses from his film 'Ata Pata Lapata'.

"I have lost ₹17 crore. Send me wherever you want, whenever you want, I am ready," he said, adding that the total investment in the film was ₹22 crore and that it did not earn any money.

He also revealed that he had thought of a title for his experience: '16 Sawan Jhel Ke'.

₹2 crore payment proposal

Yadav's lawyer told the Supreme Court that both the buyer and seller of a piece of land belonging to the actor were present in court and that the payment could be arranged through a demand draft, subject to registration requirements.

The lawyer said ₹1.15 crore was already available. He further said a buyer had been found for Yadav's ancestral property.

According to the lawyer, the buyer was willing to advance another ₹85 lakh, taking the total amount to ₹2 crore.

He said the actor preferred to complete the registration after Navratri, citing the ongoing Pitru Paksha period.

The Supreme Court directed that the ₹1.15 crore be deposited on Monday, while the remaining ₹85 lakh is to be deposited through RTGS by Monday.

SC had given Yadav ‘last opportunity’

The Supreme Court had previously expressed strong displeasure over Yadav's failure to comply with its orders, saying it had been giving him opportunities primarily to ensure that the complainant recovered at least some of the money due.

The court had granted him one day's time to deposit ₹2 crore, calling it his last opportunity.

The actor's appeal is linked to his conviction in seven cheque-bounce cases.

What is the cheque bounce case?

The dispute dates back to 2010, when Yadav allegedly received ₹5 crore in financial assistance from Murli Projects for a film.

According to the complainant, Yadav subsequently issued seven cheques of ₹1.05 crore each, but all were dishonoured.

An agreement signed in 2012 allegedly stated that Yadav, his wife Radha, and their company had agreed to repay around ₹11 crore, including interest.

Delhi HC had upheld conviction

In July, the Delhi High Court upheld Yadav's conviction in the multiple cheque-bounce cases and sentenced him to three months' imprisonment in each case.

The High Court also directed him to pay more than ₹1 crore to the complainant in each of the seven cases, while adjusting around ₹2 crore already paid.

The cases originated from a magistrate's conviction in 2018, which was later upheld by a sessions court in 2019.

The Supreme Court is now considering Yadav's plea while monitoring compliance with its directions on payment.