The Delhi High Court has upheld the conviction of actor Rajpal Yadav in a batch of cheque dishonour cases and sentenced him to three month's simple imprisonment in each of the seven connected matters. The Court directed that all sentences would run concurrently and also imposed compensation and fine payable to the complainant.
Background of the Case
The appeals arose from cheque dishonour proceedings initiated by a private company after settlement payments were allegedly not honoured. During the pendency of the appeals, the High Court repeatedly granted time to facilitate a settlement, and the matter was also referred to mediation. The Court noted that part of the settlement amount had been paid, but the remaining commitments were not fulfilled despite several undertakings.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that the Court had shown considerable indulgence by granting repeated opportunities to resolve the dispute.
The Court observed,
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"Opportunities were granted to honour the settlement... despite these repeated opportunities and assurances, he failed to honour the undertakings."
The Court also recorded that ₹2.25 crore already paid to the complainant would be adjusted while calculating the remaining compensation and fine. It found no error in the trial court's findings or in the quantum of compensation imposed.
The High Court dismissed the challenge to the conviction and upheld the sentence awarded in the cheque dishonour cases. Rajpal Yadav was sentenced to three months' simple imprisonment in each of the seven cases, with all sentences to run concurrently.
He was directed to pay ₹1.05 crore in each case to the complainant, subject to adjustment of the amount already deposited.
The Court also granted him two months to avail of legal remedies before a higher court.
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