What is Rajpal Yadav controversy and why is he in Tihar jail now?

Now in 2026, the Delhi High Court refused any further delays to the actor and asked him to make the payments or surrender before Tihar Jail.

• Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Tihar Jail for a cheque-bounce case related to a loan.
• Delhi HC orders Yadav to pay or surrender after years of delays
• Yadav admitted he had no money left and called this his toughest personal crisis

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Actor Rajpal Yadav is going through a tough time in his life as he is currently in Tihar Jail in connection with the cheque-bounce case. He recently surrendered and before going to jail, Rajpal gave an emotional statement to the police.

Here’s a closer look at the controversy surrounding the case and how it eventually led to Rajpal Yadav landing in jail.

Rajpal Yadav in jail

A case was filed against actor Rajpal Yadav and his wife, Radha in 2018 after the couple had taken a loan of Rs 5 crore in 2010 for a movie, but eventually that movie failed at the box office and the couple couldn't repay the loan.

The company, which was the plaintiff in this case, has alleged that the couple had taken the loan to make a movie in 2010 but never returned the money.

The said amount was to be used for the production of Rajpal Yadav's movie 'Ata Pata Lapata'.

The company has further alleged in their complaint that an additional Rs 8 crore was promised to be returned as well.

In 2018, magistrate court found Rajpal Yadav guilty under section 138, which is Cheque Bounce Law and sentenced him to six months in jail. Rajpal Yadav challenged the verdict in higher courts and his arrest was delayed by years and during that period he did make partial payments.

Latest verdict 

Now in 2026, the Delhi High Court refused any further delays to the actor and asked him to make the payments or surrender before Tihar Jail.

The Delhi HC in its order said that the actor showed 'lack of seriousness' and didn't follow the previous orders properly as well.

And finally, Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Tihar Jail on February 8. Before going to jail, he told: "Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta… Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. I have to deal with this crisis on my own.”

Unable to repay the loan within the stipulated time, the actor eventually had several cheques issued by him bounce, triggering sustained legal action and culminating in his surrender.

Also read: Tej Pratap Yadav pledges to give Rs 11 Lakh to Rajpal Yadav's family as the actor is sent to Tihar jail in Rs 9 crore debt case

 Earlier jail stints

 This is not the first instance of Rajpal Yadav facing imprisonment. In 2013, he was sentenced to 10 days in jail for submitting a false affidavit, though he served only four days. Later, in 2018, he was ordered to undergo three months of civil imprisonment for failing to repay the loan.

However, the 2026 surrender appears to have affected the actor deeply, as he repeatedly stated that he had exhausted all his resources and had no money left, making this episode one of the toughest moments of his personal and professional life.