Actor Rajpal Yadav has been granted interim bail by the Delhi High Court in connection with a ₹9 crore cheque bounce case. The court’s decision allows the actor to step out of Tihar Jail, where he had been lodged for over a week following his surrender earlier this month.
The order was passed on Monday by Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who granted interim relief to the actor until March 18, the date scheduled for the next hearing.
Bail Conditions and Court Proceedings
The High Court directed Rajpal Yadav to furnish a bail bond of ₹1 lakh along with one surety. During the hearing, the court initially instructed him to deposit ₹1.5 crore by 3 PM as a condition for interim bail.
After legal counsel representing the complainant, M/S Murli Projects Pvt Ltd, confirmed that the amount had been credited to the company’s bank account against the bounced cheque liability, the court approved the interim bail.
The actor is expected to remain out on bail until March 18. By that time, he is required to demonstrate concrete steps toward clearing the remaining outstanding dues to avoid further legal consequences.
Background of the ₹9 Crore Cheque Bounce Case
The case dates back to 2010, when Rajpal Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from Delhi-based Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film, released in 2012, did not perform well commercially, leading to financial difficulties in repaying the loan.
Subsequently, seven cheques issued by the actor reportedly bounced. In 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his spouse under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The court sentenced him to six months of simple imprisonment.
In 2019, a Sessions Court upheld the conviction, prompting an appeal before the Delhi High Court. In 2024, the High Court suspended his sentence and directed him to take sincere and concrete steps to settle the outstanding amount, which had increased to ₹9 crore over time.
On February 2, 2026, the court ordered him to surrender after observing repeated breaches of prior undertakings regarding repayment.
Support From the Film Industry
Following his surrender, Rajpal Yadav received support from members of the Hindi film industry. Actor Sonu Sood publicly extended assistance by signing him for an upcoming project and offering a signing amount to help him manage financial obligations.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees also urged industry members to extend support. Reports indicate that several actors, including Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn, reached out to the actor’s family during the legal proceedings.
Rajpal Yadav’s interim bail provides temporary relief as the legal process continues. The upcoming March 18 hearing will be crucial in determining the next course of action in the long-running financial dispute.
