The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed actor Rajpal Yadav to deposit Rs 2 crore in a cheque-bounce case by October 13. The court will hear his plea only after the payment is made. The case relates to his 2012 film Ata Pata Laapata, which reportedly caused him huge financial losses.
Rajpal Yadav must deposit Rs 2 crore in a cheque-bounce case by October 13. The Supreme Court will hear his plea after the payment is made.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed actor Rajpal Yadav to deposit Rs 2 crore towards the amount due to the complainant in a cheque-bounce case by October 13. The court said it would hear his plea challenging the High Court order only after the payment is made.
According to ANI, Yadav was present in court with a demand draft of ₹1.15 crore. The remaining Rs 85 lakh will be paid by October 13 through a buyer of his property, who was also present in court.
The bench criticised Yadav’s conduct and warned that his sentence could be enhanced. His counsel told the court that Yadav had approached the Registry to make the payment, but RTGS was not permitted. He therefore brought a demand draft for ₹1.15 crore.
On the remaining Rs 85 lakh, Yadav’s counsel said the property buyer was present in court and would make the payment once the transaction was completed.
The case is linked to Yadav’s 2012 film Ata Pata Laapata. According to the details submitted in the case, Murli Projects Pvt Ltd had allegedly extended a loan to Yadav in 2010 for the film. Seven repayment cheques of Rs 1.05 crore each were later dishonoured.
Yadav had submitted that the dispute involved a Rs 5 crore liability connected to the film. During an informal exchange with the bench after the order, he spoke about the financial losses caused by Ata Pata Laapata, claiming the film resulted in losses of around Rs 200-250 crore. He also said the producers suffered losses.
The Chief Justice of India then joked about the film’s title while referring to Yadav’s conduct, saying, “Like your movie, your money is also Ata Pata Laapata, gayab."
Yadav responded, “Pranam karta hoon," before speaking about the losses he had faced because of the film.
The CJI advised him to make a good film and entertain people. He also joked that advocates appearing before the Supreme Court were good actors and could be cast in his films.
Speaking to the media in Delhi after the hearing, Yadav said, “Loans aren’t taken out for films. You take a loan to build a house or buy land, not to make movies. It’s either a package deal or an investment. Rajpal Yadav is already working on a hundred films himself, so why would he need a loan to make one?"
He added, “I have the utmost respect for my country, the Supreme Court, and the judiciary. Whatever decision is reached, wherever it comes from, it will be accepted by all."
The Supreme Court has made the Rs 2 crore payment a condition for considering Yadav’s plea against the High Court order. He has already brought Rs 1.15 crore, while the remaining Rs 85 lakh is to be paid by October 13.