The Supreme Court on Monday gave actor Rajpal Yadav one “last chance” to comply with its September 15 direction to deposit ₹ 2 crore as part payment in a cheque bounce case by Tuesday, observing that his rightful place is in jail.
“Our order of September 15 seeking deposit of ₹ 2 crore has not been complied with. The bench posted the matter for hearing next on October 7. During the hearing on Monday, Yadav’s lawyer showed a photocopy of four demand drafts, each worth ₹ 50 lakh. He suggested the court not to go by the photocopy as it could be four copies of one document bearing an amount of ₹ 50 lakh only. “You were given 15 days on September 15 to make the payment. Yadav had taken a ₹ 5 crore loan in 2010 from M/s Murli Projects Limited to produce the film ‘Ata Pata Lapata’ with a commitment to repay ₹ 8 crore, which he defaulted on. The firm filed a criminal case against Yadav, which ended in his conviction and three-month prison sentence in May 2024.
“From the depths of our heart, we want to dismiss his petition. We feel his best place is in jail. But we want some money to be given to your client [lender]. You are already out of time by seven days. And you have not even filed an application seeking extension of time.
The lawyer said the drafts were issued in Maharashtra and are being brought to Delhi. Senior advocate Ajit Kumar Sinha, who appeared for the lender firm, told the court that the petitioner is an actor and is good at acting. The bench said it can ignore how Yadav is treating them. The bench said this arrogance needs to be addressed. The Supreme Court last month said it had no faith in Yadav, citing his past conduct, as even the high court sentenced him to three months’ imprisonment after he failed to comply with repeated proposals to pay.
With a view to give him a last chance, we directed the amount to be deposited by tomorrow [Tuesday],” said a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana.
