Delhi HC Extends Rajpal Yadav’s Sentence Suspension Till April 1, Warns No Adjournment In Cheque Bounce Case
The High Court extended Rajpal Yadav’s interim sentence suspension till April 1, directing his Counsel to either argue the main petition or present a settlement proposal in the cheque bounce case
Actor Rajpal Yadav appears before the Delhi High Court in a cheque bounce case where his sentence suspension was extended till April 1
The Delhi High Court on Wednesday extended the interim suspension of sentence granted to actor Rajpal Yadav in a cheque bounce case till the next date of hearing on April 1.
The Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma passed the order while directing the actor's Counsel to come prepared on the next date with a clear course of action, either to argue the main petition or to propose a settlement with the complainant.
The Court made it clear that no adjournment would be granted on April 1 and laid down two options for the actor. It said that if Yadav's counsel chooses to argue the main petition, submissions must strictly adhere to the time limit and remain confined to points already raised in previous hearings. Alternatively, he may present a concrete proposal to settle the monetary dispute with the respondent.
During the hearing, counsel for Yadav submitted that interim bail had been granted earlier and sought regular bail. The Court, however, clarified that the matter pertained to suspension of sentence and asked the counsel to first advance arguments on the main petition.
The Court was also informed that Yadav has deposited ₹4.25 crore so far, with an additional ₹25 lakh to be paid through demand draft on the same day.
Taking note of the payments made, Justice Sharma observed that the actor had already deposited a substantial amount and assured that he would not be sent back to jail at this stage.
“He has paid a substantial amount. I am not sending him back to jail. Please first argue on the main petition,” the Court remarked.
The matter is now scheduled for further hearing on April 1, when the Court is expected to hear arguments on the main petition or consider any settlement proposal put forth by the actor.
On the last hearing, on February 16, the Court had granted interim suspension of sentence to Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in a cheque bounce case, after noting compliance with its direction to deposit the remaining ₹1.5 crore payable to the complainant. The Court had recorded that ₹25 lakh had already been deposited earlier in favour of the respondent, and another ₹75 lakh had been submitted previously. The Bench noted that the remaining amount of ₹1.5 crore was yet to be paid and granted time until 3 pm the same day for compliance, making it clear that failure would result in the matter being taken up again the next morning.
Later in the day, counsel for the respondent had informed the Court that ₹1.5 crore had been credited to the complainant’s bank account by Yadav. Taking note of the submission, the High Court granted interim suspension of sentence to the actor till March 18, the next date of hearing. It had directed Yadav to remain present before it on March 18, either physically or through video conferencing if professional commitments prevented his appearance. It further imposed standard bail conditions, directing the actor to surrender his passport if not already done, refrain from leaving the country without prior permission, and furnish a bail bond of ₹1 lakh along with a surety of the same amount.
Notably, on February 12, the high court had come down sharply on the Bollywood actor, observing that his incarceration was a direct consequence of repeatedly failing to honour commitments made to the court to pay dues to the complainant. “You have gone to jail because you didn’t honour your own commitment,” Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had remarked while hearing Yadav’s bail application, which was moved on the ground of a wedding in his family.
It had noted that on at least two dozen occasions, Yadav had made statements before the court assuring that he would clear the outstanding amount, but had failed to follow through each time. Justice Sharma had pointed out that both Yadav and his counsel had earlier assured the court that the payment would be made directly to the complainant, whereas the present stand was that the money would now be deposited before the court. “Make up your mind,” Justice Sharma had told Yadav’s counsel, indicating the court’s displeasure at the shifting stands taken by the actor’s legal team.
The case relates to Yadav’s failure to repay a loan taken from the complainant, despite multiple undertakings given before the trial court and appellate forums. After continued non-compliance with court directions and failure to honour settlement assurances, Yadav was taken into custody to serve his sentence. Yadav surrendered to authorities on January 12, 2026, after a non-bailable warrant was issued against him in connection with a cheque bounce and recovery case. Following his surrender, Yadav was taken into judicial custody, where he remains as the High Court hears his bail application.
Case Title: Rajpal Naurang Yadav & Anr. v. M/S Murali Projects Pvt. Ltd & Anr.
Bench: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma
Hearing Date: March 18, 2026