Bollywood actor and comedian Rajpal Yadav found himself on the receiving end of a strict legal warning on Wednesday as the Supreme Court directed him to deposit Rs 2 crore to settle dues in a long-pending cheque-bounce case.
The apex court clearly stated that it would consider his plea against a High Court order only after the required amount is fully deposited by October 13.
Present in the courtroom personally, Yadav submitted a demand draft for Rs 1.15 crore. His legal counsel informed the bench that while they had initially attempted to transfer the funds via RTGS, procedural constraints at the Registry required a demand draft instead. As for the remaining Rs 85 lakh, the counsel stated that a prospective buyer for Yadav’s property was present in court and the amount would be settled once the property transaction is completed before the deadline.
Court Rebukes Tactics, Warns of Stricter Sentence
Despite the partial payment, the Supreme Court expressed deep dissatisfaction with Yadav’s conduct throughout the proceedings. Coming down heavily on the actor, the bench warned that it could enhance his sentence if he fails to meet his obligations, emphasising that repeated extensions were granted solely to ensure the complainant receives their money.
“Law should not be utilised like this,” the Court remarked, adding that the sole purpose of directing the deposit was to secure the complainant’s funds.
The case stems from a 2010 financial agreement where Murli Projects Pvt Ltd extended a loan to Yadav to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The dispute arose over a Rs 5 crore liability after seven repayment cheques of Rs 1.05 crore each were dishonoured upon presentation.
Lighthearted Exchange Follows Stern Warning
Following the formal dictation of the order, the tone in the courtroom lightened as the bench engaged in a brief informal conversation with the actor. Yadav, greeting the bench with “Pranam karta hoon,” opened up about his financial struggles, claiming that Ata Pata Laapata led to massive losses in the range of Rs 200–250 crore, which severely hit both him and his co-producers.
Seizing on the title of the movie, the Chief Justice of India quipped in jest that the film’s title seemed to reflect the actor’s financial management.
“Like your movie, your money is also Ata Pata Laapata, gayab,” the CJI remarked.
The CJI advised Yadav to focus on making good films and entertaining the public again, adding humorously that the lawyers appearing before the Supreme Court are also fine actors who could be cast in his future projects.
While the courtroom saw moments of humour, the primary condition remains non-negotiable: Yadav must ensure the full Rs 2 crore is cleared by October 13 to avoid further legal escalation.
