Rajpal Yadav's "Dubious" Conduct Leads to Jail Time in Cheque Bounce Case
Rajpal Yadav's "Dubious" Conduct Leads to Jail Time in Cheque Bounce Case
Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav's conviction upheld in cheque bounce case by Delhi HC. Learn about the verdict, his 'dubious' conduct, and India's cheque dishonour laws. #RajpalYadav #ChequeBounce
The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of popular Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav in multiple cheque bounce cases, directing him to surrender and effectively sending him back to jail. The court didn't hold back, describing Yadav's conduct throughout the proceedings as "dubious" as it dismissed his challenge to the earlier conviction.
The legal battle stems from complaints filed by M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Yadav had been convicted and sentenced by a trial court in 2024. He then sought to overturn this conviction through criminal revision petitions in the Delhi High Court.
During the High Court's review, Yadav was granted an interim suspension of his sentence after he deposited a portion of the outstanding amount. His legal team informed the court that approximately Rs 4.25 crore had already been paid to the complainant, which included a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh submitted directly to the court. However, the complainant contested this, arguing that significant dues still remained unpaid and that merely completing a sentence would not absolve Yadav of his financial liabilities arising from the dishonoured cheques.
In an attempt to resolve the matter amicably, the High Court even suggested a full-and-final settlement of Rs 6 crore, which the complainant was willing to accept. Unfortunately, no agreement could be reached between the parties, leading to the court's final decision to uphold the conviction.
For those unfamiliar, a cheque bounce occurs when a bank refuses to honour a cheque, most commonly because the account of the person issuing it lacks sufficient funds. Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, such an occurrence is not just a civil matter but a criminal offence. It can lead to imprisonment for up to two years, a fine that could be up to twice the cheque amount, or both. Once a cheque is returned unpaid and a return memo is issued by the bank, the payee has the legal right to initiate proceedings.
