Actor Rajpal Yadav, appearing in person submitted before the Supreme Court that a long-running financial dispute arising from the cheque dishonour cases had severely affected his career and prevented him from earning for years, as the Court considered his proposal to sell ancestral property to clear the outstanding dues. The matter was heard by Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana.
The development came during the hearing of his plea challenging his conviction and three-month imprisonment sentence in seven cheque dishonour cases involving M/s Murli Projects Pvt. Ltd. The Supreme Court had earlier granted him protection from surrender subject to payment conditions and subsequently granted him a final opportunity to comply.
Appearing before the Bench, he personally addressed the Court and spoke about the financial dispute, claiming that the amount involved had effectively prevented him from earning for years.
He told the Court that the dispute had caused substantial damage to his professional career, including affecting the release of one of his films.
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“This 22 crore total from 5 crore, since 2013, has not allowed me to earn a single rupee.”
He further said that a press conference had been held against him and that his film, which was scheduled to release in around 1,200 theatres, ultimately could not be released in even one theatre. He also claimed that the original financial dispute involved a substantially smaller amount and alleged that the subsequent litigation and publicity had caused him significant reputational damage.
The actor submitted in the Court that he was prepared to comply with whatever direction was passed, but sought to explain the circumstances in which the dispute had affected him over the years.
The Supreme Court subsequently accepted the proposal to sell ancestral property to arrange the amount required to clear the dues.
The matter arises from seven complaints concerning cheques issued in connection with financial transactions involving Murli Projects. The Delhi High Court had upheld his conviction and sentenced him to three months’ simple imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with the sentences directed to run concurrently. It also directed him to pay ₹1.05 crore in each case to the complainant, while accounting for amounts already deposited.
The Supreme Court had initially granted Yadav exemption from surrender subject to his depositing ₹5 crore with the Court Registry. When he sought more time, the Court granted him a final opportunity and continued his protection from surrender.
The proceedings have seen repeated warnings from the Bench over compliance with the payment directions. At an earlier hearing, the Court had questioned Yadav’s failure to honour the undertaking and made strong observations about the manner in which the process was being used.