Mumbai: Actor-comedian Rajpal Yadav will walk out of Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court granted him interim bail in the Rs 9 crore cheque-bounce case.
On Monday, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma granted interim bail to Rajpal till March 18 after the actor deposited Rs 1.5 crore in the bank account of the complainant company and furnished a Rs 1 lakh bail bond along with one surety.
The complainant, Murli Projects Pvt Ltd, confirmed that the amount has been credited against the bounced cheques.
“Yes, it’s true that Rajpal sir has been granted bail. It is a matter of great joy and a happy day for us,” the actor’s manager Goldie told HT.
“He will soon hold a press conference to address the issue and talk about it. It will happen in a day or two. Till then we cannot say anything more,” he added.
Rajpal had been lodged in jail for over a week after he surrendered in connection with the long-pending case.
He will now remain out of custody until the next hearing and is expected to clear the remaining dues to avoid serving his sentence.
In 2010, Yadav borrowed Rs 5 crore from Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, ‘Ata Pata Laapata’. The film released in 2012, but bombed at the box office. The actor failed to repay the dues.
In 2018, a magisterial court convicted Rajpal and his wife under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act after multiple cheques issued by him were dishonoured.
The actor was sentenced to six months of imprisonment. In 2019, the conviction was upheld by a Sessions Court, prompting the actor to move the Delhi High Court.
In 2024, the high court suspended his sentence and directed him to take sincere steps to repay the dues, which had grown to Rs 9 crore over the years.
However, after repeated breaches of undertakings, the court directed him to surrender earlier this month.
Following his imprisonment, several members from the film industry stepped forward to extend financial support to the actor.
Actor Sonu Sood signed Yadav for an upcoming film and reportedly offered him financial assistance. Boxer-politician Vijender Singh will also cast Rajpal in a forthcoming film.
The Federation of Western India Cine Employees appealed to its members to stand by the actor.
Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn reportedly reached out to Yadav’s family during the difficult period.
The next hearing in the case is scheduled on March 18.