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The Tihar Jail in New Delhi received Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav more than a week later (February 5, 2026, Thursday) after being surrendered by the Delhi High Court via an order. Yadav is known to play iconic roles, including, but not limited to, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Chup Chup Ke, and Phir Hera Pheri. Prior to his arrest, the actor wept and allegedly told his arresting officer: Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta… Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain. There are no friends. This is my business to handle by myself. I don’t have the money. I see no other way… Sir, here we are all alone.

The case was filed in 2010 when Yadav borrowed about 5 crores of money from Murali Projects Pvt. Ltd. to fund his first directorial film, Ata Pata Lapata. The film did not make it to the theaters, and the defaults on repayments occurred. Yadav had signed some checks (with his wife), which both bounced, and this initiated seven independent proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (check dishonor).

In April 2018, a Metropolitan Magistrate's Court found both Yadav and his wife guilty and sentenced them to six months simple imprisonment each plus fines/compensation (in some cases, approximately 1.35 crore per case imposed by the court of first instance, with total amounts outstanding, with interest and delays escalating to close to 9 crore).

In 2019 a Sessions Court upheld the conviction. The case was appealed to the Delhi High Court, where it was repeatedly put on suspension so that settlement could take place (the last time being in June 2024). The court was constantly granting extensions, pushing Yadav to demonstrate a good-faith attempt, but he reputationally failed to meet numerous deadlines and avoid paying out the full amount, smaller deposits such as ₹75 lakh in 2025 by demand draft, etc.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma denounced Yadav on February 4, 2026, on his application for a one-week extension to get money (in spite of giving 25-50 lakh offers) and his attitude of negligence, likening his behavior to deplorable and closely approximating 19 unfulfilled commitments. The judge underscored the fact that no special treatment was given to celebrity status, and the headship must surrender by 4 PM the same day (restrictions changed to February 5 later with a few pleas). The deposit amounts were also to be released to the complainant company by the court.

The surrender of Yadav was within the normal jail processes, and he is now serving the six-month term. The saga points to the strict legal implementation of check bounce laws in India, in which continuous non-compliance may result in jail even for high-profile individuals. Sympathy was shown among the fans and industry circles via the internet, and some found it surprising that his fellow brethren were not supportive, as he had a long career.

This is a rough break for the actor, who has been experiencing financial hardships over the years as he gets used to court battles.

Rajpal Yadav turns himself in to Tihar Jail in cheque bouncing case: Emotional breakdown in front of custody—"Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain.."Delhi HC dismisses extension; actor is sentenced to 6 months on loan default of 5-9 crores in 2010 film flop.