this delhi high court Judgment on a batch of petitions filed by Bollywood actors is set to be decided on Friday Rajpal Yadav and others challenging their convictions and sentences in multiple bounced check cases.A single bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma will deliver judgment on a batch of criminal miscellaneous petitions and criminal modification petitions filed under the Negotiable Instruments Act on July 10, according to the list of reasons published on the Delhi High Court website.
Judge reserves judgment
Despite continued intervention by the High Court, the last round of settlement efforts failed, with Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma on April 2 reserving judgment in the matter. During the hearing, the actor made emotional appeals while opposing the settlement offer.The apex committee expressed displeasure over Yadav’s changed stance on repayment of outstanding dues. At one stage it observed, “I didn’t get my answer. The promise said something else and now you’re saying something else”, indicating concerns over the inconsistency in submissions on behalf of the actor.Lawyer Avneet Singh Sikka, appearing for the complainant company, argued that Yadav had accepted his conviction and could not escape responsibility now. He noted that the revision petition filed in 2024 was accompanied by an unexplained delay of 1,894 days and insufficient grounds for condonation were disclosed. Sikka further argued that completion of the sentence does not eliminate the financial liability arising from cashing the check.
Rajpal Yadav rejects Rs 6-crore settlement
During the trial, the High Court made many efforts to broker a settlement. On the recommendation of the court, the complainant agreed to accept Rs 6 crore as a full and final settlement.However, Yadav appeared virtually at the final hearing, rejecting the offer and telling the court that he had suffered severe financial losses. He said he was forced to sell the property and had paid a large sum of money.The court also recommended a structured payment of Rs 3 crore for a fixed period and clarified that this was only a judicial recommendation and not a final settlement agreement. Despite these efforts, the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.The High Court further warned both parties to be mindful of the way proceedings are being conducted, stating, “Don’t think the judge is weak if he treats you well,” while noting that precious judicial time is being wasted.
Rajpal Yadav granted temporary reprieve
The actor has been granted an interim reprieve by the Delhi High Court, which continues to function while the proceedings are pending.The petition was filed by Rajpal Yadav and another person against M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. and another company, challenging the orders passed by the trial court in several cases of dishonor of checks.
Rajpal Yadav has paid Rs 425 crore
Earlier, the Delhi High Court extended the interim probation granted to Rajpal Yadav after observing that he had paid large sums to the complainant company.During the hearing, Yadav’s counsel informed the Delhi High Court that around Rs 425 crore has been paid to M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., which included a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh submitted to the court. Justice Sharma observed that the actor had paid a large amount and verbally stated that the court had no intention of sending him back to jail at this stage.The Delhi High Court also refused to quash its earlier order suspending Yadav’s sentence despite an application filed by the complainant seeking quashing of the interim relief.“He has not escaped. He is still here… If money has to come to you, it will come,” the Delhi High Court observed while clarifying that the actor must either abide by the settlement agreement or contest the case on merits.
Delhi High Court directs Rajpal Yadav to surrender to jail superintendent
Earlier, in February, the Delhi High Court had come down heavily on Rajpal Yadav for repeatedly failing to fulfill his promise of reconciliation and directed him to surrender to the concerned jail superintendent.Justice Sharma then noted that despite being “considerable leniency”, the actor had repeatedly breached undertakings given to the court and failed to adhere to payment schedules fixed from time to time.The actor was subsequently granted a temporary reprieve after paying part of the settlement, paving the way for his release from jail while the High Court continues hearing on the main petition. Rajpal Yadav was convicted and sentenced in 2024 in multiple check dishonor cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
