The Delhi High Court is slated to pronounce its verdict on Friday in a batch of petitions filed by Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav and others challenging their conviction and sentence in multiple cheque bounce cases.As per the causelist published on the website of the Delhi High Court, a single-judge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma will pronounce the judgment on July 10 in a batch of criminal miscellaneous petitions and criminal revision petitions arising out of proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Judge reserves judgement
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had reserved judgment in the matter on April 2, after a final round of settlement efforts failed despite sustained intervention by the High Court. During the hearing, the actor made an emotional appeal while opposing the settlement proposal.The HC had expressed dissatisfaction over the shifting stand taken by Yadav regarding repayment of the outstanding dues. At one stage, it observed, “I am not getting my answers. The undertaking said something else and now you are saying something else,” indicating concern over inconsistencies in the submissions made on behalf of the actor. Appearing for the complainant company, advocate Avneet Singh Sikka had argued that Yadav had already accepted his conviction and could not now avoid liability. He submitted that the revision petition filed in 2024 was accompanied by an unexplained delay of 1,894 days and did not disclose sufficient grounds for condonation. Sikka further contended that completion of the sentence did not extinguish the financial liability arising from the dishonoured cheques.
Rajpal Yadav rejects Rs 6 crore settlement
During the hearing, the HC made repeated efforts to facilitate an amicable settlement. On the Court’s suggestion, the complainant agreed to accept Rs 6 crore as a full and final settlement.However, Yadav, appearing virtually in last date of hearing, declined the proposal and told the Court that he had already suffered heavy financial losses. He stated that he had been forced to sell his property and had already made substantial payments.The Court also suggested a structured payment of ₹3 crore within a fixed timeline, clarifying that it was only a judicial suggestion and not a concluded settlement. Despite these efforts, the parties failed to reach an agreement.The High Court further cautioned the parties over the manner in which the proceedings were being conducted, observing, “Never think the judge weak if the judge is nice to you,” while noting that valuable judicial time was being consumed.
Rajpal Yadav granted interim suspension of sentence
The actor has been granted interim suspension of sentence by the Delhi High Court, which has continued to remain in operation during the pendency of the proceedings.The petitions have been filed by Rajpal Yadav and another against M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. and another, challenging the orders passed by the trial court in multiple cheque dishonour cases.
Rajpal Yadav already made payments of Rs 4.25 crore
Earlier, the Delhi High Court had extended the interim suspension of sentence granted to Rajpal Yadav after observing that the actor had already made substantial payments to the complainant company.During the hearing, counsel appearing for Yadav had informed the Delhi High Court that around Rs 4.25 crore had already been paid to M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd., including a demand draft of Rs 25 lakh handed over before the court. Observing that the actor had already made substantial payments, Justice Sharma had orally remarked that the court was not inclined to send him back to jail at that stage.The Delhi High Court had also declined to vacate its earlier order suspending Yadav’s sentence despite an application filed by the complainant seeking cancellation of the interim relief.”He is not running away. He is still here… If the money has to come to you, it will come,” the Delhi High Court had observed, while clarifying that the actor must either honour the settlement or contest the case on merits.
Delhi High Court directs Rajpal Yadav to surrender before Jail Superintendent
Earlier, in February, the Delhi High Court had directed Rajpal Yadav to surrender before the concerned Jail Superintendent after taking a stern view of his repeated failure to honour settlement commitments despite being granted several opportunities.Justice Sharma had then observed that despite “considerable leniency”, the actor had repeatedly breached undertakings given to the court and failed to comply with payment timelines fixed from time to time.Subsequently, the actor was granted interim suspension of sentence after depositing part of the settlement amount, paving the way for his release from jail while the High Court continued hearing the main petitions. Rajpal Yadav was convicted and sentenced in 2024 in multiple cheque dishonour cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act. Go to Source
