Bollywood comedian and actor Rajpal Yadav has landed in fresh legal trouble after authorities sent him to Tihar Jail following his surrender in a long-running financial dispute. The development relates to a cheque dishonour case connected to a loan taken for his 2010 directorial film, Ata Patta Lapata.
According to case details, Yadav allegedly borrowed ₹5 crore in 2010 from Delhi-based Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance the project. However, after the film reportedly failed commercially, the loan remained unpaid. As a result, the lender moved the court to recover the amount, triggering prolonged litigation that has continued for years.
In April 2018, a magistrate’s court convicted Rajpal Yadav and his wife Radha under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which deals with cheque bounce offences. Although the matter remained tied up in appeals and extended legal proceedings, the conviction stayed on record, keeping the case active in the legal system.
Dues Reportedly Rise to Nearly ₹9 Crore
Indian media reports say Yadav recently surrendered before authorities in connection with the case. Following the surrender, officials took him into custody due to non-payment of the outstanding dues.
The unpaid amount has reportedly grown significantly over time. With added interest and penalties, the total liability has been estimated at nearly ₹9 crore. Meanwhile, the actor has not issued a detailed public statement regarding the latest court action.
Legal experts say courts can order imprisonment under the Negotiable Instruments Act when an accused fails to comply with court directives, including payment obligations. They add that such cases often escalate when settlement talks collapse or when court-ordered timelines are not met.
The latest arrest has once again placed the actor at the centre of legal controversy, as the case continues to draw public attention due to its long history and high financial stakes.
