New Delhi,Feb 18: Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav was released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday after the Delhi High Court granted him interim bail in a long-running cheque bounce case dating back to 2012.
The bench of Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma ordered suspension of Yadav’s sentence till March 18, directing him to furnish a personal bond of ₹1 lakh along with one surety of the same amount. Subsequently, the Karkardooma Court issued a release warrant, paving the way for his release.
The relief came after Yadav deposited ₹1.5 crore in the bank account of the complainant, M/S Murli Projects, through a Demand Draft as directed by the court. Earlier, he had deposited ₹25 lakh and ₹75 lakh via DD.
While granting interim suspension of the sentence, the High Court noted that the ₹1.5 crore had been deposited in the respondent’s account. However, the court also observed that Yadav had previously been jailed for failing to honour commitments made before the court. Earlier leniency granted to him had been withdrawn after he breached undertakings regarding payment of settlement amounts. The Supreme Court had also declined relief when the earlier order was challenged.
The cheque dishonour case dates back to 2012. The trial court had earlier awarded a sentence, which was initially suspended to facilitate settlement. However, the commitments were not fulfilled, leading to further proceedings and his surrender.
Speaking to the media after his release, Yadav thanked the court and expressed gratitude to his supporters. “Mujhe 30 saal ho jayenge Bollywood mei. Pure desh ka bacha bacha mere saath raha, isliye main 200-250 filmon mei kar paya,” he said.
“Bharatiya cinema ka bacha, buddha, naujawan mere kaleje ka tukda hai… mere saath tha aur mere saath hai,” he added.
Referring to the legal proceedings, Yadav said, “Yeh 2012 mei shuru hua, aaj 2026 hai. Pichle 10 saal mei High Court ne jahan jahan aadesh diye hai, main hazir mila hu aur aage bhi jahan aadesh milega, main hazir milunga.”
“Agar mujhpe koi aarop hai, toh main 100 per cent available hu. Thank you High Court, aapne mujhe sunne ka mauka diya,” he said.
Yadav will remain out of custody until March 18, when the High Court is scheduled to hear the matter again.
