Delhi HC orders actor Rajpal Radav to surrender in multiple cheque bounce cases

The trial court suspended the sentence as early as June 2024 to help reach a settlement, but the commitments outlined in multiple judicial orders were not met.

• Delhi HC orders Rajpal Yadav to surrender by Feb 4 for cheque dishonour cases
• Court revoked leniency after repeated breaches of payment undertakings
• Deposited amounts to be released to complainant company

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The Delhi High Court has directed Bollywood actor Rajpal Naurang Yadav to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent by February 4, after revoking the leniency that had earlier been granted to him in multiple cheque dishonour cases. The Court ruled that the actor had consistently breached undertakings related to the payment of settlement amounts, leaving no valid ground to continue suspending his sentence.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the Court had extended significant indulgence to the petitioner over a prolonged period, relying entirely on repeated assurances that the dispute would be resolved amicably and that the agreed payments would be made to the complainant company.

The trial court suspended the sentence as early as June 2024 to help reach a settlement, but the commitments outlined in multiple judicial orders were not met.

The Court noted that even though specific deadlines were set several times, the petitioner did not make payments totalling several crores of rupees. Promised partial payments through demand drafts and scheduled instalments were also not made on time.

The Court rejected the petitioner’s explanations, including claims of technical or typographical errors in the demand drafts. These justifications seemed unconvincing, especially given the consistent pattern of non-payment.

The judge highlighted that these promises were made in open court by senior counsel, and that extensions of time were granted only based on instructions from the petitioner.

Yet, no application was submitted to clarify or correct the alleged errors. The Court was repeatedly informed that the petitioner was ready to make payments, but new adjournments were requested without any real compliance.

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In light of the repeated breaches of undertakings and the admitted liability, the High Court refused to grant any further relief or indulgence. It directed that the amounts already deposited with the Registrar General be released in favour of the complainant company and ordered the petitioner to surrender by February 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM, to undergo the sentence awarded by the trial court.

The Court clarified that the limited time granted for surrender was only in the interest of justice and was allowed on the submission that the actor was currently engaged in professional work in Mumbai. The matter has been listed for February 5, 2026, for reporting compliance by the concerned Jail Superintendent.

(With inputs from ANI)