The Delhi High Court extended a lifeline to troubled Bollywood star Rajpal Yadav in a high-profile check bounce saga that began years ago. On the day his interim bail lapsed, the court heard arguments that could determine his fate outside bars.
Defense lawyers highlighted payments totaling Rs 4.45 crore to the aggrieved company, Murlidhar Projects, with Rs 25 lakh more in a demand draft ready for submission. Impressed by the progress, the judge opted not to revoke bail, signaling a potential path to resolution.
Directly addressing Yadav, the court probed the loan’s legitimacy. His affirmative response opened the floor to explanations of past lapses. He recalled a 2016 court order for Rs 10.40 crore repayment and his attempts, like offering collateral from a friend’s substantial property worth Rs 28 crore, which didn’t pan out.
‘I’ve already returned Rs 2 crore,’ Yadav asserted, alleging the complainant’s motive was incarceration to erode his funds. He also lamented a botched film venture: Rs 22 crore invested, Rs 17 crore lost. The bench absorbed these details before declaring it the ultimate opportunity—pay up fully to end the case, or face prolonged litigation.
As the gavel fell, the courtroom buzzed with anticipation for the April 1 follow-up, where Yadav’s compliance will be scrutinized. This case underscores the perils of financial missteps in the entertainment world, where loans and bounced checks can derail careers.