SC gives Rajpal Yadav final two weeks to deposit Rs 2 crore in loan dispute

The Supreme Court has granted Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav a final two-week window to deposit at least Rs 2 crore with the Supreme Court Registry, in connection with a long-running financial dispute with a private complainant.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant expressed reservations about Yadav's earlier conduct in the matter, saying it did not inspire much confidence. The court, however, allowed the extension after the actor's lawyer assured the bench that the amount would be deposited within the stipulated period and that a surety would be furnished for the remaining sum.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice questioned whether Yadav could be relied upon to honour the commitment, pointing to his past record in the case. "Looking at his past conduct.. how can anybody trust him? He's perfect in doing drama and acting in Bollywood, he's doing same thing in Court also," the CJI observed.

The court has extended the protection from arrest that Yadav currently enjoys until the next date of hearing on October 5. It has also directed the actor to surrender his passport.

The dispute traces back to 2010, when Yadav borrowed roughly Rs 5 crore from a Delhi-based company to finance his first directorial venture, the comedy 'Ata Pata Laapata.' The film fared poorly at the box office and is said to have failed to recover its costs, leaving the actor struggling to repay the loan.

With interest and other charges accumulating over the years, the outstanding amount is reported to have grown to nearly Rs 9 crore. The matter subsequently led to a cheque bounce case against the actor.

The present proceedings relate to the sum claimed by the private complainant, the owner of Murali Productions.