Delhi High Court Stays Rajpal Yadav's Imprisonment in NI Act Case

The Delhi High Court granted relief to Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav on March 18, 2026, ruling he will not be sent to jail in a long-running ₹9 crore cheque bounce case after noting substantial payments to the complainant.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma extended Yadav's interim bail during the hearing, acknowledging deposits totaling ₹4.25 crore plus a ₹25 lakh demand draft submitted that day to M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The court observed that the actor had complied with earlier conditions, including surrendering his passport and appearing via video conferencing, averting re-incarceration after his February release from Tihar Jail.

The case stems from 2012, when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore for a film project, issuing seven cheques worth ₹9 crore that bounced, leading to a six-month sentence upheld in 2019. Despite prior leniency withdrawals for payment delays, recent compliance shifted the court's stance, with the next hearing set for April 1.

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Yadav, known for comic roles in Hera Pheri and Hungama, was briefly jailed in February 2026 after surrendering per court orders but secured interim relief to attend a family event. His counsel filed for regular bail, arguing full settlement efforts amid the decade-old dispute.

This development caps a turbulent legal saga for the 52-year-old actor, whose finances drew scrutiny post-bouncing cheques, though partial repayments signal resolution. Cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act carry strict penalties, but courts often factor settlements.

As Yadav avoids custody, the order underscores judicial balance between enforcement and demonstrated compliance in high-profile financial disputes.

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