SC Steps In After ₹2 Crore Deposit
Actor Rajpal Yadav's long-running cheque-dishonour battle took a new turn on Thursday, October 15, when the Supreme Court referred the dispute to mediation after noting that the actor and his wife had deposited ₹2 crore with the court's registry. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the matter appeared capable of an amicable settlement in view of the amount deposited and the issues raised.
Passport Released for Professional Commitments
The top court also directed the trial court to release Yadav's passport, subject to conditions it may impose, so the actor can continue his professional pursuits. During the hearing, Yadav's counsel, advocate Vikrant, told the bench that the actor needed to travel to Canada for a professional assignment. The court said Yadav may travel only in compliance with the conditions set and must inform the trial court on his return.
CJI Urges Settlement
The Chief Justice said he would appoint a sole mediator to facilitate a resolution between the parties, asking both sides to contact the mediator and fix a date for appearance, in person or online. The bench nudged the complainant side toward being reasonable, noting that the ₹2 crore was lying with the court. Yadav's counsel told the court that the actor had sold his ancestral property to arrange the money.
Background of the Dispute
The case traces back to a 2010 financial arrangement in which Yadav received ₹5 crore from M/s Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The complainant alleged that Yadav issued seven cheques of ₹1.05 crore each in 2013 toward repayment, which were dishonoured. On July 10, the Delhi High Court upheld the actor's conviction in the cheque-bounce cases and handed him a three-month prison sentence, refusing to condone a delay of 1,894 days in challenging the convictions.
At an earlier hearing on October 7, the Supreme Court had taken note of a ₹1.15 crore payment by Yadav and asked him to focus on making good films and rebuilding his image.
Sources:
Economic Times: "Go and earn money, Supreme Court tells Rajpal Yadav; allows release of his passport to travel abroad for work"
Rediff/PTI: "SC refers Rajpal Yadav's bounced cheque dispute to mediation"
Actor Rajpal Yadav's long-running cheque-dishonour battle took a new turn on Thursday, October 15, when the Supreme Court referred the dispute to mediation after noting that the actor and his wife had deposited ₹2 crore with the court's registry. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the matter appeared capable of an amicable settlement in view of the amount deposited and the issues raised.
Passport Released for Professional Commitments
The top court also directed the trial court to release Yadav's passport, subject to conditions it may impose, so the actor can continue his professional pursuits. During the hearing, Yadav's counsel, advocate Vikrant, told the bench that the actor needed to travel to Canada for a professional assignment. The court said Yadav may travel only in compliance with the conditions set and must inform the trial court on his return.
CJI Urges Settlement
The Chief Justice said he would appoint a sole mediator to facilitate a resolution between the parties, asking both sides to contact the mediator and fix a date for appearance, in person or online. The bench nudged the complainant side toward being reasonable, noting that the ₹2 crore was lying with the court. Yadav's counsel told the court that the actor had sold his ancestral property to arrange the money.
Background of the Dispute
The case traces back to a 2010 financial arrangement in which Yadav received ₹5 crore from M/s Murli Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The complainant alleged that Yadav issued seven cheques of ₹1.05 crore each in 2013 toward repayment, which were dishonoured. On July 10, the Delhi High Court upheld the actor's conviction in the cheque-bounce cases and handed him a three-month prison sentence, refusing to condone a delay of 1,894 days in challenging the convictions.
At an earlier hearing on October 7, the Supreme Court had taken note of a ₹1.15 crore payment by Yadav and asked him to focus on making good films and rebuilding his image.
Sources:
Economic Times: "Go and earn money, Supreme Court tells Rajpal Yadav; allows release of his passport to travel abroad for work"
Rediff/PTI: "SC refers Rajpal Yadav's bounced cheque dispute to mediation"
