‘Your Place Is in Jail’: Supreme Court Rebukes Rajpal Yadav Over Cheque-Bounce Case

The Supreme Court on Monday strongly reprimanded Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav for failing to deposit money as directed in a long-running cheque-bounce case involving M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana had given Yadav two weeks to submit a concrete plan to clear his outstanding dues and directed him to deposit 2 crore with the court registry. The deadline ended on Monday, but the payment was not made.

During the hearing, Yadav’s counsel said the complainants were “not poor.” Justice Joymalya Bagchi responded sharply, saying, “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. You should know when to open your mouth. Your place is in jail.”

Yadav’s counsel produced a 50 lakh demand draft and said it was being processed by the bank. The Court, however, questioned whether the payment was genuine.

The case relates to 5 crore allegedly received by Yadav from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd for a film in 2010. According to the complainant, Yadav later issued seven cheques worth 1.05 crore each towards repayment, but all the cheques were dishonoured.

The Delhi High Court had earlier upheld Yadav’s conviction in multiple cheque-bounce cases and sentenced him to three months in prison.

The Supreme Court directed Yadav to make the payment by Tuesday and listed the matter for Wednesday as the first case.