why is rajpal yadav in tihar jail? 9-crore cheque bounce case explained

The trouble began in 2010, when Rajpal took a ₹5 crore loan from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd 

he took the loan to fund his directorial - Ata Pata Laapata. but the film flopped hard

rajpal was unable to repay the loan amount & steadily the debt grew to  ₹9 crore 

To settle the dues, Rajpal Yadav issued multiple cheques which bounced

which led to  prosecution under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act

In April 2018, a Delhi magistrate court convicted Rajpal and his wife, to six months in jail

The actor challenged the verdict, filing appeals that dragged on for years

 In 2024, the Delhi High Court suspended his jail term and gave him time to repay

By October 2025, Rajpal managed to deposit ₹75 lakh, but the bulk of the amount remained unpaid

 in February 2026, the court had enough and ordered rajpal to surrender, refusing him any more extensions

court ordered him to serve a 6-month jail sentence

 rajpal commented - "I don’t have the money to pay back. can’t see another way out."