Supreme Court grants Rajpal Yadav relief from surrender, conditions it on ₹5 crore deposit

The Supreme Court has granted actor Rajpal Naurang Yadav interim exemption from surrendering in connection with seven cheque dishonour cases, subject to the petitioners depositing ₹5 crore with the Court Registry by September 9.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V. Mohana passed the order on Tuesday after hearing petitions filed by Yadav and his wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav. The Court issued notice on the petitions and made the matter returnable on September 15, 2026.

The Supreme Court’s protection is conditional. The Bench directed that the exemption from surrender would operate only upon the petitioners depositing ₹5 crore within the stipulated period.

Yadav has challenged a July 10 judgment of the Delhi High Court which upheld his conviction in seven cheque dishonour cases and declined to extend the benefit of probation to him. The High Court had sentenced him to three months’ simple imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with the sentences directed to run concurrently.

The criminal proceedings arise out of a financial dispute involving Murli Projects Private Limited. The prosecution relates to dishonoured cheques issued in connection with the financial liability in question.

While affirming the conviction, the Delhi High Court had taken into account Yadav’s repeated failure to honour undertakings given before the court concerning repayment of the outstanding amount. It had concluded that the repeated defaults and non-compliance with assurances made during the proceedings did not justify granting him the benefit of probation.

The High Court had also modified the sentence in the seven cases, directing Yadav to undergo three months’ simple imprisonment in each matter, with all substantive sentences to operate concurrently. It further imposed a fine of ₹1.05 crore in each case.

The High Court had granted Yadav a limited period of protection from execution of the sentence to enable him to pursue an appropriate remedy before the Supreme Court. He has now invoked the apex court’s jurisdiction through Special Leave Petitions challenging the High Court’s decision.

The Supreme Court has, for the present, not stayed or set aside Yadav’s conviction. Instead, it has granted conditional exemption from surrender while the challenge to the High Court judgment remains pending.

The proceedings also involve Yadav’s wife, Radha Rajpal Yadav, who was similarly before the courts in relation to the seven cases. The Delhi High Court had modified the sentence applicable to her and imposed a fine of ₹5.51 lakh in each case, with imprisonment prescribed in the event of default.

The dispute has a lengthy procedural history, with the courts repeatedly considering Yadav’s commitments concerning repayment of the outstanding dues. The Delhi High Court had taken a serious view of the alleged failure to adhere to undertakings furnished during the course of litigation.

The latest Supreme Court order provides Yadav temporary protection from surrender but places a substantial financial condition on that relief. His continued exemption will consequently depend upon compliance with the ₹5 crore deposit direction.

The matter will next come up before the Supreme Court on September 15, when the Court is expected to consider the petitions further after notice is served.

The order does not constitute a final determination of Yadav’s challenge. The validity of the conviction and the sentence imposed by the courts below remain open for consideration in the proceedings before the Supreme Court.

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