The judgment in the check bounce case filed against Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav is expected to be pronounced by the Delhi High Court on Friday, July 10, as per the court’s cause list. As the settlement negotiations failed on several occasions, the case was reserved for judgment on April 2nd by Justice Swaran Kanta Sharma.
The High Court was displeased with Rajpal Yadav’s ever-changing stand in regard to payment of the pending amount. In his submissions, the court was informed that he was not providing any reply to the queries put forth to him. The undertakings mentioned something before, while he is saying something else at present.
Advocate Avneet Singh Sikka, representing the complainant company, argued that Yadav had already accepted his punishment and could no longer shirk responsibility.
He stated that the revision petition filed in 2024 was delayed by 1,894 days, for which no cogent reason was provided, nor were sufficient grounds provided for condoning the delay. Sikka further argued that completion of the sentence does not absolve the financial responsibility associated with the bounced check.
The court further stated that despite repeated assurances, the outstanding amount was not paid, forcing the complainant to initiate action under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. During the hearing, the High Court attempted several times to resolve the matter amicably.
On the court's suggestion, the complainant agreed to accept ₹6 crore as a full and final settlement. However, Rajpal Yadav, who appeared virtually at the last hearing, rejected this offer, informing the court that he had already suffered significant financial losses.
He stated that he had to sell his property and had already made substantial payments. The court also suggested a method for payment of ₹3 crore within a stipulated timeframe, clarifying that this was merely a judicial suggestion, not a definitive settlement. Despite these efforts, the two parties failed to reach an agreement.
The High Court also warned both parties about the manner of proceedings, stating, "If the judge is treating you well, never underestimate him," and that this was wasting the court's valuable time.
After settlement negotiations failed, the High Court reserved its decision on April 2, which is now scheduled to be delivered on Friday. Previously, the High Court had extended Yadav's interim bail, taking into account the partial payment made for the outstanding amount.
The case relates to several complaints of cheque bouncing, in which the trial court had convicted the actor. Although the High Court had given several opportunities to settle, it had also taken note of the repeated non-fulfillment of payment promises.
