Rajpal Yadav told to deposit Rs 2 crore by October 13 in Rs 9 crore cheque-bounce case, Supreme Court warns sentence could be enhanced |

Rajpal Yadav’s legal battle over an alleged cheque-bounce case linked to his 2012 film ‘Ata Pata Laapata’ took a fresh turn on Wednesday, with the Supreme Court making it clear that it will consider his plea against the High Court order only after he deposits Rs 2 crore towards the amount due to the complainant. The actor has already arranged Rs 1.15 crore, while the remaining Rs 85 lakh is expected to be paid by October 13.Yadav appeared before the Supreme Court with a demand draft of Rs 1.15 crore. His counsel explained that the actor had approached the Registry to make the payment through RTGS, but the mode was not permitted, prompting him to bring the demand draft instead.The remaining amount is expected to come through a buyer who is purchasing Yadav’s property. The buyer was also present in court and, according to Yadav’s counsel, will make the Rs 85 lakh payment once the property transaction is completed.The bench expressed displeasure over Yadav’s conduct in the matter and warned that his sentence could potentially be enhanced. The Rs 2 crore payment has now been made a condition for the court to hear his plea challenging the High Court order.The case dates back to the financing of ‘Ata Pata Laapata’. As per the details placed before the court, Murli Projects Pvt Ltd had allegedly given Yadav a loan in 2010 in connection with the film. Seven cheques issued towards repayment, each worth Rs 1.05 crore, were subsequently dishonoured.Yadav has maintained that the dispute concerns a liability of Rs 5 crore linked to the film. Following the hearing, the actor also spoke about the financial fallout from ‘Ata Pata Laapata’, claiming that the film caused losses of around Rs 200-250 crore and that its producers also suffered financially.During an informal exchange after the order, the Chief Justice of India referred to the title of Yadav’s film while commenting on the situation and said, “Like your movie, your money is also Ata Pata Laapata, gayab.”Yadav responded, “Pranam karta hoon,” before explaining the financial difficulties he had faced following the film.The CJI then advised the actor to focus on making a good film and entertaining audiences. He also light-heartedly remarked that lawyers appearing before the Supreme Court were good actors and could potentially be cast in Yadav’s films.Speaking to the media in Delhi after the hearing, Yadav questioned the characterisation of the money involved as a loan. He 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?”The actor also expressed his faith in the judicial process and said, “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.”For now, the Supreme Court has tied the hearing of Yadav’s plea to the Rs 2 crore payment. With Rs 1.15 crore already brought before the court, the actor has until October 13 to arrange the remaining Rs 85 lakh.