NEW DELHI— The Delhi High Court on Wednesday extended the suspension of actor Rajpal Yadav’s sentence until April 1, observing that the actor has made “substantial” payments toward resolving his long-standing cheque-bounce cases. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma stated that the court would not be sending the actor to jail at this stage and will instead move to finally decide his appeal.
Yadav, who was physically present in the courtroom, has been battling legal proceedings stemming from a 2018 conviction under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Substantial Deposits and Judicial Observations
The court’s decision to grant further relief was largely influenced by the actor’s recent efforts to clear his dues with the complainant, M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd.
-
Current Payments: The court noted that Yadav has already deposited ₹4.25 crore. During Wednesday’s proceedings, his counsel presented an additional Demand Draft (DD) for ₹25 lakh.
-
Judge’s Stance: “He is not running away… He has given you some money,” Justice Sharma told the complainant’s counsel. “I am not sending him to jail right now. I will decide the matter.“
-
The Actor’s Choice: The judge addressed Yadav directly, noting he has the option to either return the remaining money or continue to contest the conviction.
Timeline of the Case
The legal battle traces back to a financial transaction intended to fund a movie that ultimately failed at the box office.
-
2018–2019: A magisterial court sentenced Yadav to six months of imprisonment in April 2018, a decision upheld by a sessions court in 2019.
-
June 2024: The High Court temporarily suspended the conviction to allow for an amicable settlement.
-
February 2026: On February 2, the court initially ordered Yadav to surrender after he breached previous undertakings. However, following a deposit of ₹1.5 crore, the court suspended the sentence on February 16.
-
October 2025 Context: As of late 2025, approximately ₹9 crore remained payable. The court is now tracking the periodic deposits as a measure of the actor’s “sincere and genuine” efforts to settle the debt.
Next Steps
The court has listed the matter for a final hearing on April 1, 2026. The suspension of the six-month sentence remains in effect until that date, provided the actor continues to cooperate with the judicial process.
