Rajpal Yadav has once again found himself under media scrutiny after surrendering to authorities and being sent to Tihar Jail, following a protracted legal battle over a cheque bounce case that has lingered for nearly two decades.
The Times of India reported that the Phir Hera Pheri star was directed by the Delhi High Court to surrender on February 4, 2026, after repeatedly failing to comply with court-ordered repayment deadlines.
This decision comes at the end of a long-standing dispute involving unpaid financial obligations linked to bounced cheques dating back to 2010.
According to court records, Yadav and his wife Radha Yadav had taken a significant loan originally around ₹5 crore to finance the production of the film Ata Pata Laapata.
When repayment deadlines were missed, the couple issued multiple cheques to the creditor, but all seven cheques were dishonoured, leading the lender to file a criminal complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
In April 2018, a magisterial court convicted both Rajpal and Radha Yadav for the dishonour of these cheques, sentencing Rajpal to six months’ imprisonment.
Amid the legal turmoil, Bollywood colleague Sonu Sood publicly offered support, posting on social media that Rajpal would be offered a role and a modest signing amount in an upcoming film.
Sood urged the wider film fraternity to stand united and assist Yadav during this challenging period, framing the gesture not as charity but as a show of dignity and solidarity.