Rajpal Yadav Pays Rs 2 Crores in Cheque Bounce Case as Supreme Court Moves Dispute to Mediation
The Supreme Court has taken a significant step in the ongoing cheque bounce dispute involving Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav and Murli Projects Private Limited. On Thursday, the court referred the matter to mediation after Yadav deposited Rs 2 crores as part payment of the outstanding dues. The Bench, led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, encouraged both parties to seek an amicable resolution for the remaining amount.
Mediation Encouraged by the Court
During the proceedings, the Bench noted Yadav’s earlier proposal to sell his ancestral property to cover the balance payment. The court emphasized the importance of mediation, stating that both parties should first attempt to resolve the issue amicably before further legal action. “What we are saying is that you have been brought to the verge of selling your ancestral property only to get rid of this case,” the court remarked. It also indicated that it would still be open to examining the case on its merits if necessary.
The actor and the counsel for Murli Projects agreed to the mediation proposal, which has now been referred to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. The court expressed optimism that mediation could lead to a resolution, stating, “Going by the issues briefly raised on behalf of the parties, it seems that the matter can be amicably resolved through mediation.”
Financial Arrangements and Recent Developments
Yadav’s recent deposit of Rs 2 crores follows an undertaking he made during a previous hearing on October 7, where he appeared in person and submitted demand drafts totaling Rs 1.15 crore. His counsel informed the court that a prospective buyer of Yadav’s ancestral property would contribute an additional Rs 85 lakhs, bringing the total payment to Rs 2 crores. The remaining dues are expected to be arranged through the sale of the property.
The court acknowledged this payment and indicated it would consider setting a schedule for the remaining balance. However, the referral to mediation does not imply that the dispute has been resolved. Both parties must still work towards an agreement on the outstanding amount through the mediation process.
Background of the Cheque Bounce Case
The dispute originates from financial arrangements related to Yadav’s 2012 film, Ata Pata Laapata. According to the case details, Yadav and his wife received Rs 5 crores from Murli Projects for the film’s production. When the film was not completed on time, the parties entered into a series of agreements to address the issue.
Under the third agreement, Yadav provided eight security cheques to Murli Projects. This agreement was later replaced by a consent agreement dated April 21, 2013, which stipulated the return of the original cheques and the issuance of four new cheques worth Rs 10 crores each. Yadav claims that Murli Projects did not return the original cheques and instead presented seven of them for payment, which were subsequently dishonored, leading to criminal complaints against him and his wife.
In his plea before the Supreme Court, Yadav argued that the later consent agreement invalidated the earlier cheques, asserting that the complaints filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act were not maintainable.
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