13 February,2026 12:01 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Rajpal Yadav
Actor Rajpal Yadav, known for his comic roles in many Bollywood films, is embroiled in a prolonged legal battle over a cheque bounce and debt dispute that has now resulted in his incarceration at Tihar Jail. The matter stems from a loan of Rs 5 crore that Yadav had taken to fund his 2010 directorial project Ata Pata Laapata. The film's failure at the box office triggered financial strain, and over the years unpaid dues, interest and penalties have pushed the case value to around Rs 9 crore.
Yadav's lawyer, Bhaskar Upadhyay, informed the media that the actor has already paid Rs 2.5 crore which is half of the original loan amount, toward this debt and remains willing to deposit more. This partial payment comprises funds previously deposited with the court registry as well as additional amounts brought forward by Yadav's camp. Upadhyay explained that part of the delay in the Delhi High Court's ongoing bail proceedings was due to the opposing party's lack of response to their application, leading the bench to adjourn the hearing to February 16 to allow further clarification.
During the latest hearing, the bench reiterated its frustration that Yadav had repeatedly assured compliance with payment commitments on numerous occasions but had failed to honour those undertakings. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that Yadav's imprisonment was a direct result of his own conduct, repeatedly promising repayment without fulfilling those promises, rather than merely the court's orders.
Yadav surrendered to custodial authorities in early February after the High Court rejected his request for additional time to clear the outstanding amount and directed him to report to prison authorities by the specified deadline. His lawyers have argued that imprisonment over financial matters should not be solely based on undertakings, and they have sought to meet him in jail to obtain further instructions regarding the settlement of the remaining debt.
Amid these developments, several peers from the film industry have publicly offered support for Yadav, both financially and morally, as he navigates this challenging phase.
The next key date in the case will be the February 16 hearing, where the court will reassess the status of payments and the possibility of interim relief.
