Actor Rajpal Yadav has been sentenced to three months’ simple imprisonment after the Delhi High Court upheld his conviction in multiple cheque bounce cases.
The High Court dismissed the revision petitions filed by Rajpal Yadav and the other accused, affirming the trial court’s verdict. However, while upholding the conviction, the court reduced the sentence from six months to three months.
The cases relate to the dishonour of several cheques issued in connection with a financial dispute. During the proceedings, the court observed that despite being granted multiple opportunities over the years, the accused repeatedly failed to honour settlement terms, payment commitments and undertakings given before the court.
The court also took note of the repeated defaults while declining to grant further relief. It held that sufficient opportunities had already been provided to resolve the dispute, but the commitments made during the course of the proceedings were not fulfilled.
As part of its order, the High Court directed Rajpal Yadav to undergo three months’ simple imprisonment in each of the seven cheque bounce cases. The sentences will run concurrently. The court has also granted him two months to approach the appropriate appellate court if he chooses to challenge the judgment.
The legal dispute dates back several years and arose from financial transactions that eventually led to proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act after the cheques were dishonoured. Over the course of the case, the matter remained pending while several opportunities were given to settle the outstanding dues. With the High Court now upholding the conviction and modifying the sentence, the case has reached another significant stage.