Famous Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav is in big trouble. The Delhi High Court has ordered him to surrender to jail authorities by February 4, 2026.
The court has taken strict action because the actor failed to pay back a huge amount of money he owed to a businessman. Despite giving many promises to the court earlier, Rajpal Yadav could not clear his dues. Here is everything you need to know about this breaking news.
What is the Court Order?
On Monday, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court revoked the suspension of Rajpal Yadav’s jail sentence. The court observed that the actor had repeatedly broken the undertakings (promises) given to the court to settle the payment.
Because he failed to pay, the High Court has directed him to surrender before the Jail Superintendent by 4:00 PM on February 4, 2026. This is to serve the six-month imprisonment sentence that was originally awarded to him by a trial court.
The judge used strong words, stating that the actor’s conduct “deserves to be deprecated” (criticized) because he took advantage of the court’s leniency for too long without paying the money.
Why is Rajpal Yadav Going to Jail?
The case is about a “cheque bounce” dispute.
- The Loan: Years ago, Rajpal Yadav and his wife took a loan from a company called M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd.
- The Purpose: The money was reportedly taken to make a movie (his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata), but the film flopped at the box office.
- The Dispute: When the lender tried to cash the cheques given by the actor for repayment, they bounced (could not be processed due to insufficient funds).
- The Amount: Reports suggest the total outstanding amount, including the original loan and interest, is over Rs 9 Crore.
A History of Broken Promises
This legal battle has been going on for a long time. In the past, the court had suspended his jail sentence to give him a chance to pay back the money.
According to the recent court order:
- Rajpal Yadav had promised to pay Rs 1.35 crore in each of the seven separate cases filed against him.
- He assured the court he would pay Rs 2.5 crore recently but failed to do so.
- His lawyer argued that the actor was busy with professional work in Mumbai and needed more time.
- However, the High Court noted that he had been given enough chances and had not deposited the money with the Registrar General as promised.
What Happens Next?
Unless there is a sudden last-minute legal relief from a higher court (like the Supreme Court), Rajpal Yadav has to go to jail today.
He will have to serve the six-month simple imprisonment sentence. This could be a major setback for his career. Rajpal Yadav is currently working on big budget films like Welcome to the Jungle and Bhoot Bangla, which are scheduled for release in mid-2026. His absence could delay the shooting or dubbing of these projects.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why was Rajpal Yadav arrested?
He has been ordered to surrender because he failed to pay back a loan of over Rs 9 crore in a cheque bounce case.
2. How much money does Rajpal Yadav owe?
The total amount due to the lender, Murali Projects, is reported to be over Rs 9 crore.
3. Which movie caused this financial loss?
The loan was taken for his film Ata Pata Laapata, which did not perform well at the box office, causing him financial trouble.
4. How long is the jail sentence?
The trial court had awarded him a six-month jail sentence (simple imprisonment).
5. Can he avoid going to jail?
The High Court has ordered him to surrender by Feb 4. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes immediately or he pays the full amount instantly, he will have to go to jail.