New Delhi: Actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered before jail authorities at Tihar Jail on Thursday after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him any relief in multiple cheque bounce cases.
The actor had approached the High Court seeking an extension of time to surrender, but the plea was rejected. According to jail sources, Rajpal Yadav surrendered at around 4 pm, following which standard operating procedures were initiated by the jail authorities.
A day earlier, the High Court had declined to extend the deadline for surrender, despite submissions made by Yadav’s counsel that the actor had arranged ₹50 lakh and required one additional week to make the payment. The court had earlier directed him to surrender by 4 pm on Wednesday, February 2.
Rejecting the request for more time, the court observed that leniency cannot be granted on the basis of an individual’s profession or background. “This Court cannot be expected to show or create special circumstances for any person merely because such a person belongs to a particular background or industry. Leniency, though sometimes necessary, cannot be extended endlessly, especially when it is met with continued non-compliance,” the court said.
Background of the case
The matter arises from a complaint filed by M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. against Rajpal Yadav and his wife over several cheques that were dishonoured and the subsequent failure to repay the outstanding dues.
In 2018, a Delhi magisterial court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife in the cheque bounce cases and sentenced the actor to six months’ imprisonment. The conviction was upheld by a sessions court in 2019. The Yadavs later challenged the verdict before the Delhi High Court.
In June 2024, the High Court had temporarily suspended the conviction and encouraged the actor to take “sincere and genuine measures” to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement with the complainant.
However, on February 2 this year, the High Court directed Yadav to surrender, noting that he had repeatedly breached undertakings given to the court regarding repayment of the dues to the complainant.
With Thursday’s surrender, the legal process will now continue in accordance with the court’s directions.
