The Supreme Court today pulled up Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, who has been convicted in 7 cheque dishonour cases, for failing to deposit Rs. 5 Crores with the Court Registry despite repeated court orders.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing Yadav's petition challenging the conviction and sentence in the cheque dishonour cases.

On noting that he has not complied with the direction to deposit, Justice Bagchi said, "We tried to ignore the way he is treating us. To ensure and secure your (complainant's) money. Or we just give him what he deserves, i.e., a dismissal. We want to dismiss his appeal, but we want to also balance equities. To ensure your client gets some money. His (Yadav's) arrogance needs to be kept in its right place."

At the request of Yadav's request, the Court granted him a "last opportunity" till tomorrow to comply with the order to deposit the amount. The Court ordered, "As usual, the previous order on 15th September 2016 has also not been complied with by the petitioner. However, a photo-state copy of the purported demand draft of 50 lakhs has been produced, claiming that this draft will reach Delhi tomorrow. With a view to give last chance to the petitioner to pay the amount by tomorrow, post this matter on Wednesday at No. 1."

On September 15th, the Court had granted Yadav a “last opportunity” to deposit at least ₹2 Crore out of ₹5 Crore with the Court Registry, extending his interim protection from surrender until today (October 5) in connection with seven cheque dishonour cases. The Court was hearing Yadav's plea challenging his conviction and three-month jail sentence in the cheque-bounce cases ordered by the Delhi High Court.

During the hearing today, Yadav's counsel submitted that a demand draft for ₹50 lakh has been prepared and is in transit from Mumbai to Delhi, and that the remaining payment is also being processed. He sought 24 hours' time to make the deposits and submitted photo-state copies of the ₹50 lakh demand draft.

The complainant's counsel opposed the request, pointing out that Yadav had also failed to deposit his passport as directed by the Supreme Court.

Justice Bagchi observed that the Court had so far attempted to balance dismissal of Yadav's appeal against the need to ensure that the complainant recovered at least some of the money.

He further criticized Yadav's conduct and told his counsel that the actor deserved to be in jail as he has been convicted and sentenced and has only got interim protect on the condition of deposit which has not be complied with. "Your client's rest place is in the jail. It is because of this poor complainant. They may be richer than you. But they are poor to the extent you have swindled them", he said.

He also took exception to the manner in which Yadav's counsel was addressing the Court, "You should know when to open your mouth when you represent a criminal litigant."

Justice Bagchi pointed out that the payment was already beyond the time granted on September 15.

When Yadav's counsel submitted that the bank was closed for 3- 4 day since the September 15 order, Justice Bagchi noted that the Court had granted 15 days on September 15 and the matter was now being heard on October 5, making Yadav seven days late. He also questioned why Yadav had not sought an extension of time.

"Why? You had been given 15 days on 15th of September. Today we are on 5th of October. So, you are out of time by 7 days. You are out of time by 7 days, did you take out an IA asking for extension of time?", he said.

The complainant's counsel submitted that Yadav's failure to comply with the Court's directions make him liable for contempt. He stated that the total amount involved was ₹7.5 crore.

The Court nevertheless decided to grant one final opportunity to pay the amount by tomorrow and posted the matter on Wednesday.

Background