Rajpal Yadav Surrenders After HC Rejects Plea

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered before Tihar Jail authorities on Thursday after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him additional time to comply with its earlier order directing his surrender.

The case dates back several years and involves allegations of cheque dishonour and unpaid dues filed by M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd against Yadav and his wife. The court emphasised that an individual’s professional background cannot justify special treatment under the law.

In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted Yadav and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for cheque bounce offences and sentenced them to six months in jail. The verdict was upheld by a sessions court in January 2019, prompting the couple to challenge the order in the Delhi High Court.

In June 2024, the High Court suspended the sentence, noting that the couple were not habitual offenders. The relief, however, was extended multiple times as the matter continued.

By December 2025, Yadav’s legal team informed the court that demand drafts worth ₹40 lakh had been prepared and assured that the remaining ₹2.10 crore would be cleared by January 19, 2026. When the payment commitments were not fully honoured, the court declined to extend the suspension.

On February 4, 2026, the High Court directed the actor to surrender by 4 pm the same day. A day later, the court reiterated its stance and observed that failing to comply with the surrender order showed disregard for legal authority.

According to the complaint, Yadav had borrowed ₹5 crore in 2010 for the production of the film Ata Pata Lapata, agreeing to repay ₹8 crore. The settlement was later revised to ₹7 crore, but seven cheques issued toward repayment were dishonoured.

Court records indicated that payments of ₹1.35 crore were required in each of the seven cases. Despite repeated assurances, the actor allegedly failed to meet these obligations. Two demand drafts totalling ₹75 lakh were deposited in October 2025, but a substantial amount remained unpaid.

With the High Court declining further relief, Yadav has now surrendered, bringing the long-running financial dispute back into focus.