A pivotal legal moment, Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered to the Tihar Jail authorities on Thursday evening, February 5, 2026. The surrender comes on the heels of a stern order by the Delhi High Court, refusing to allow continuation of further extensions of a cheque-bounce case with a long history, noting that, “the law rewards obedience, not contempt.”
The Surrender: No More leniency for this guy
The actor made a home in Tihar Jail around 4:00 PM IST, preparing to serve six months in prison. Yadav made an appearance in front of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma earlier in the day, begging for the cancellation of the surrender order.
The Offer: Yadav’s representative to the court stated that the actor had arranged a payment of ₹25 lakh and prepared to discharge whatever remaining dues as soon as possible.
The Court’s position: Justice Sharma kept his hands off, arguing that the court had no opportunity to construct “special circumstances” on an individual based on their professional history. Any further appeal of the law for relief would be heard only after the actor had complied with the order to surrender, made plain to the bench.
Why Did He Surrender? (Case Background)
The case dates to 2010, which saw the entry of the loan of about ₹5 crore by Rajpal Yadav and his wife from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance his directorial venture, Ata Pata Laapata.
- The Conviction: The conviction was made by a magisterial judge after several cheques which were paid in instalments for redemption were dishonoured. He was sentenced to six months in prison.
- Failing Consolidations: Yadav received multiple extensions from the High Court over time and had his sentence suspended in June 2024 for peaceful settlement.
- Breach of Trust: The court observed that Yadav routinely breached his obligations. They promised to make crores but never made any payments, however partial. The judge noted a "consistent pattern of default," shrugging off the actor's excuses for technical errors in demand drafts.
What Happens Next?
Rajpal Yadav is in judicial custody as of the sixth of February 2026. His legal team are set to lodge a fresh application for bail or a stay of the sentence after deposit of initial ₹25 lakh but the court has already indicated it will give priority to the "plight of the complainant," who has been waiting for the recuperation of dues for more than a decade.
