The Supreme Court of India on Thursday issued a stern directive to actor Rajpal Yadav, giving him a final two-week window to deposit Rs 2 crore in the court registry as part of an ongoing financial dispute centred on a bounced cheque. The order came during a hearing where the court also directed the actor to surrender his passport, further restricting his freedom of movement.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, presiding over the bench, did not mince words while addressing the matter. He remarked that Rajpal Yadav had earned a reputation in Bollywood for drama and acting rather than for complying with legal obligations. "Given his past behaviour, how can anyone place trust on him? He is skilled at drama and acting in Bollywood. In court too, his approach has been similar," the CJI observed, expressing clear frustration at the actor's track record of ignoring previous judicial directives.
The origins of the case trace back to a civil financial dispute involving a cheque that was returned unpaid. Over the years, the matter has traversed through multiple judicial forums, with the Supreme Court issuing no fewer than 14 separate orders directing Rajpal Yadav to comply with various directions, none of which appear to have been honoured. The cumulative non-compliance eventually brought the case to the top court, where the judiciary has now taken a much harder line.
The latest order mandates that the Rs 2 crore be deposited directly into the Supreme Court registry, not to any private account or third party, ensuring transparency in the transaction. Alongside the financial directive, the passport surrender order suggests the court is taking measures to prevent the accused from leaving the country while the dispute remains unresolved.
Legal analysts note that this case highlights a growing concern about the enforcement of court orders against individuals with significant public profiles and resources. When high-value directives are consistently ignored, it raises questions about the machinery available to compel compliance and the credibility of the judicial process itself.
Rajpal Yadav, known for his comedic roles in numerous Hindi films, has not yet made any public statement regarding the court's latest order. Legal proceedings are expected to continue once the deadline expires, with the court likely to consider further action if the directive remains unfulfilled.
