Rajpal Yadav going back to jail: Delhi HC upholds cheque bounce conviction, slams conduct

The Delhi High Court has upheld actor Rajpal Yadav's conviction in seven cheque bounce cases, ordered him to return to jail, and directed him to pay significant compensation to the complainant, all while observing that his conduct throughout the proceedings had been "dubious."

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, hearing the matter, upheld the conviction and modified the sentence earlier awarded by the sessions court. The actor has been sentenced to three months' simple imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with all sentences running concurrently. He has also been directed to pay Rs 1.05 crore to the complainant in each case, along with Rs 1.04 lakh and Rs 75,000 to the complainant and Rs 25,000 to the State. The court further directed Yadav's wife, Radha Yadav, to pay Rs 5,51,380 to the complainant in each case. The Rs 2.25 crore already deposited by the actor will be adjusted against the final amount payable.

How the case unfolded

The matter originates from a complaint filed by M/s Murli Projects Private Limited under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act over dishonoured cheques. In May 2024, a sessions court convicted Yadav and sentenced him to six months' imprisonment.

The Delhi High Court subsequently suspended the sentence after Yadav's counsel assured the court that the dispute would be settled, and the matter was referred to the Delhi High Court Mediation Centre. However, as the court noted in its judgment, Yadav repeatedly failed to honour his commitments, including an undertaking to deposit Rs 2.5 crore in instalments, despite multiple assurances and several adjournments granted to him.

In February 2026, the court directed him to surrender after he failed to comply with its directions. His plea seeking additional time was rejected. He surrendered on February 5 and was later granted an interim suspension of sentence after depositing Rs 1.5 crore with the complainant.