Supreme Court tells Rajpal Yadav: ‘Your place is in jail’ over Rs.5 crore cheque bounce case

The Supreme Court of India on Monday sharply reprimanded Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav for failing to deposit ₹5 crore as directed in a long-running cheque dishonour case, warning him that his “place is in jail.”

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana heard the case involving Yadav and his wife against M/S Murli Projects Pvt Ltd.

The dispute relates to a film production agreement under which Yadav received Rs.5 crore for a project that was never completed. Security cheques issued in connection with the agreement were subsequently dishonoured, leading to criminal proceedings against him under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Yadav had earlier been convicted by a sessions court and sentenced to imprisonment. The Delhi High Court later suspended the sentence after assurances of a settlement, but he repeatedly failed to honour his payment commitments.

The Supreme Court had previously granted him time to deposit Rs.5 crore, with the latest deadline expiring on October 5. However, Yadav produced only a Rs.50 lakh demand draft, which was still being processed.

During the hearing, Justice Joymalya Bagchi criticised the actor's conduct, saying he appeared to be displaying arrogance and treating the court proceedings lightly.

“They may be richer than you, but they are poor to the extent you have swindled them. This arrogance needs to be put in its right place... Your place is in jail,” the judge observed.

The Supreme Court declined to dismiss the appeal at this stage in order to preserve the complainant’s opportunity to recover the money. However, it directed Yadav to deposit the full Rs.5 crore by the following day.

The case has been listed for hearing as the first matter on October 7.