Entertainment
oi-Ashish Rana
Actor Rajpal Yadav has been given two more weeks extend by the Supreme Court to come up with concrete proposal to clear his outstanding dues to a private company. The also directed him to deposit Rs 2 crore with its registry as a part of the process.
Actor Rajpal Yadav received a two-week extension from the Supreme Court to present a proposal for outstanding dues to M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, must deposit Rs 2 crore, and has surrender exemption until October 5.
The bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also extended his exemption from surrendering till 5 October. The matter has not been listed for hearing on the same day.
Court Says Earlier Orders Were Not Followed
The complainant, M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, alleged that Yadav had received financial assistance of Rs 5 crore in 2010 for a film. According to the firm, he later tendered seven cheques of Rs 1.05 crore each in 2013 as part of a settlement, but all the cheques were dishonoured.
The complainant further claimed that an agreement signed in 2012 required Yadav, his wife Radha Rajpal Yadav and their company to repay around Rs 11 crore, including interest.
During Tuesday’s hearing, the bench expressed dissatisfaction with Yadav’s conduct and said earlier orders had not been complied with.
“He is perfect at doing drama but this court. Earlier orders of the court have not been complied with,” the bench said. It added that Yadav’s conduct did not inspire confidence, but granted him a last opportunity.
Yadav To Deposit Rs 2 Crore
Appearing for Yadav, senior advocate P S Patwalia sought two weeks to present a concrete proposal for paying the outstanding amount. He said Yadav would deposit Rs 2 crore with the Supreme Court registry to demonstrate his bona fide intentions.
Patwalia also told the court that Yadav had already spent four-and-a-half months in prison and that his friends from the entertainment industry would have to help him arrange the money.
Senior advocate Ajit Sinha, appearing for M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd, said the complainant was primarily concerned about recovering its money, as Yadav had repeatedly failed to honour his commitments.
Delhi High Court Upheld Three-Month Sentence
On July 10, the Delhi High Court upheld Yadav’s conviction in multiple cheque-bounce cases and sentenced him to three months in prison.
The High Court had refused to condone an “extraordinary” delay of 1,894 days, or more than five years, in filing petitions challenging the conviction. It also directed Yadav to pay more than Rs 1 crore to the complainant in each of the seven cases.
However, the court clarified that around Rs 2 crore already paid by Yadav would be adjusted. It also kept his sentence in abeyance for two months to allow him to approach the appellate court.
High Court Rejected Plea For Probation
In its 108-page verdict, the High Court observed that Yadav had repeatedly failed to honour undertakings related to payments to M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd.
The court said it had made “earnest efforts” to facilitate an amicable settlement, but Yadav had categorically refused to make any further payment.
The High Court rejected his plea seeking release on probation and found no infirmity in the lower court’s sentencing order. It directed that Rs 1.04 crore from the fine amount be paid to the complainant and Rs 25,000 to the state in each case.
Yadav’s wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, was also directed to pay around Rs 5.5 lakh as fine to the complainant in each case. If she fails to pay the fine, she will undergo simple imprisonment for three months.
Case Dates Back To 2018
The High Court’s verdict followed revision petitions filed by Yadav and his wife against a 2019 sessions court decision. The sessions court had upheld their conviction by a magistrate in the cheque-bounce cases in April 2018.
The magisterial court had originally sentenced Yadav to six months in prison. The sentence was later reduced to three months.
On September 8, the Supreme Court had issued notice on Yadav’s plea and said that he would be exempted from surrendering subject to depositing Rs 5 crore with the court registry.
The Supreme Court has now granted Yadav one final opportunity to present a payment proposal and deposit Rs 2 crore. The matter will come up for further hearing on October 5.
