The Delhi High Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Friday in a batch of petitions filed by Bollywood actors Rajpal Yadav and others challenging his conviction and sentence in multiple check bounce cases.According to the list of cases published on the Delhi High Court website, a single judge, Swarana Kanta Sharma, will deliver the judgment on July 10 in a batch of miscellaneous criminal petitions and criminal review petitions arising out of proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
The judge reserves judgment
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had reserved decision on the matter on April 2, after a latest round of settlement efforts failed despite sustained intervention by the High Court. During the hearing, the actor made an emotional appeal as he opposed the settlement proposal.The HC had expressed its displeasure over the changing stand taken by Yadav regarding refund of outstanding dues. At one point, he observed, “I’m not getting my answers. The company said something else and now you’re saying something else,” indicating concern about inconsistencies in the filings made on the actor’s behalf.Advocate Avneet Singh Sikka, appearing for the complainant company, had argued that Yadav had already accepted his sentence and could not avoid responsibility now. He submitted that the review petition filed in 2024 was accompanied by an unexplained delay of 1,894 days and did not disclose sufficient grounds for condonation. Sikka further contended that the finalization of the judgment did not extinguish the financial liability arising from the dishonored cheques.
Rajpal Yadav rejects Rs 6 crore deal
During the hearing, the HC made repeated efforts to facilitate an amicable solution. At the Court’s suggestion, the complainant agreed to accept Rs 6 crore as a full and final settlement.However, Yadav, who appeared practically at the last date of the hearing, declined the proposal and told the Court that he had already suffered huge financial losses. He claimed he had been forced to sell his property and had already made substantial payments.The Court also suggested a structured payment of ₹3 crore within a fixed period, clarifying that it was only a judicial suggestion and not a concluded settlement. Despite these efforts, the parties did not reach an agreement.The High Court further cautioned the parties about the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted, observing, “Never think that the judge is weak if the judge is nice to you,” while noting that valuable court time was being consumed.
Rajpal Yadav granted interim stay of sentence
The Delhi High Court has granted the actor an interim stay of sentence, which has remained in effect during the trial.The petitions have been filed by Rajpal Yadav and another against M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. and another, contesting the orders issued by the court of first instance in multiple cases of dishonor of control.
Rajpal Yadav already made payments of Rs 4.25 crore
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had extended the interim stay of sentence granted to Rajpal Yadav after observing that the actor had already made substantial payments to the complainant company.During the hearing, Yadav’s counsel informed the Delhi High Court that around Rs 4.25 crore had already been paid to M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., including a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh delivered before the court. Noting that the actor had already made substantial payments, Justice Sharma had orally remarked that the court was not ready to send him back to jail at that time.The Delhi High Court had also refused to set aside its earlier order suspending Yadav’s sentence despite an application filed by the complainant to set aside the interim measure.“He’s not running away. He’s still here… If the money has to come to you, it will come,” the Delhi High Court had observed, while clarifying that the actor must honor the agreement or challenge the case on the merits.
Delhi High Court orders Rajpal Yadav to surrender before jail superintendent
Earlier in February, the Delhi High Court had ordered Rajpal Yadav to surrender before the superintendent of the jail concerned after taking a stern view of his repeated breach of settlement commitments despite being given several opportunities.Justice Sharma then observed that despite “considerable leniency”, the actor had repeatedly breached the commitments made to the court and failed to meet the payment deadlines set from time to time.The actor was later granted an interim stay of sentence after depositing part of the settlement amount, paving the way for his release from prison while the High Court continued to hear the main petitions. Rajpal Yadav was convicted and sentenced in 2024 in multiple check dishonoring cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act.