For years, Rajpal Yadav has been one of Bollywood’s most loved comic actors, known for making audiences laugh without trying too hard. But off screen, the actor has been fighting a serious legal battle that has now ended in a jail sentence. After a decade-long financial dispute, Rajpal Yadav has been sent to Tihar Jail to serve six months imprisonment, marking a dramatic turn in his personal and professional life.
The loan that triggered the trouble
The Rajpal Yadav loan case goes back to 2010, when the actor borrowed ₹5 crore from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd. The loan was taken to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata, which released in 2012.
The film failed to make an impact at the box office, leading to financial losses. As repayments stalled, the situation escalated when seven cheques issued by the actor bounced, pushing the lender to approach the court.
Conviction and jail sentence
In April 2018, a Magisterial Court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife, Radha, under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which deals with cheque bounce cases. The court sentenced them to six months of simple imprisonment.
The verdict was later upheld by a Sessions Court in early 2019, keeping the jail sentence in place and extending the legal fight further.
Relief from jail—but with conditions
Years later, in June 2024, the Delhi High Court offered Rajpal Yadav temporary relief by suspending his sentence. The court asked him to take “sincere and genuine” steps to repay the amount, which had by then increased significantly.
By this stage, Rajpal Yadav’s debt had climbed to nearly ₹9 crore. While the actor deposited ₹75 lakh by October 2025, it covered only a fraction of the total dues. Several promises to pay more money within fixed deadlines were made—but not kept.
Court draws the line
The repeated delays did not go unnoticed. In early February 2026, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma made it clear that courts cannot keep extending mercy endlessly, especially when undertakings are not honoured.
The judge noted that Rajpal Yadav had failed to follow through on nearly 20 different commitments made to the court. A last-minute plea for a one-week extension to arrange funds was rejected on February 4, 2026, with strong remarks on the actor’s lack of seriousness.
Surrender at Tihar Jail
Despite one final attempt on February 5, 2026, where his lawyer offered a fresh ₹25 lakh cheque and a new payment plan, the court refused to recall its order.
Later that day, Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail at around 4 PM to serve his six months imprisonment. The Delhi High Court also directed that the money already deposited with the court be released to the complainant company.
A reality check beyond the spotlight
Rajpal Yadav being sentenced to jail is a stark reminder that legal obligations do not disappear with fame. From a beloved comedy star to a convict in a cheque bounce case, the actor’s journey underscores the serious consequences of financial disputes and unfulfilled court commitments—no matter who you are.
