Rajpal Yadav Denied Bail, Actor to Spend Four More Days in Jail; Next Hearing on Monday

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, currently serving a jail sentence in a check-bounce case, was denied bail by the Delhi High Court on Thursday. The court postponed further hearing on his bail petition to Monday, following a request by the actor’s lawyer. Meanwhile, Yadav will remain in Tihar Jail for four more nights.

Court Proceedings on Thursday
The Delhi High Court hearing resumed at 2:30 PM, with Justice Swarnkanta Sharma presiding. The judge noted the repeated promises Yadav had made to repay the dues, stating, “You are in jail because you failed to fulfill your promise.” The court directed the respondent to file their response to the bail petition and scheduled the next hearing for Monday.

Yadav’s lawyer told the court, “We tried contacting him but were unable to. We have filed the bail application, and a response may be sought from the other side. We will bring something to court by Monday.” Justice Sharma remarked that the court had observed multiple previous assurances from the actor to repay the dues, but each time he had failed to honor them.

Background of the Case
The matter dates back to 2010, when Rajpal Yadav, as a director, borrowed ₹5 crore from M/s Murali Projects Private Limited to produce the film Ata Pata Lapata. The film, featuring over 170 actors, flopped at the box office, causing significant financial loss. Over time, the outstanding amount rose to ₹9 crore due to interest and penalties.

Yadav issued several cheques to repay the amount, which bounced, prompting legal action. The Karkardooma Court issued multiple notices over the years, and in 2013, he was sent to judicial custody for ten days, later suspended by the Delhi High Court. Eventually, a lower court sentenced him to six months of simple imprisonment, which he challenged in the High Court.

Recent Developments
In January 2026, the court granted Yadav a final opportunity, with his lawyer stating that ₹50 lakh had been arranged and requesting an additional week for payment. Justice Swarnkanta Sharma rejected the plea, citing repeated violations of promises in check-bounce cases and emphasizing the breach of the court’s trust. Yadav subsequently surrendered at Tihar Jail on February 4.

The High Court’s next hearing on the bail petition is scheduled for Monday, during which both sides are expected to present further arguments.