Supreme Court sends Rajpal Yadav's cheque bounce case to mediation

The Supreme Court on Thursday sent actor Rajpal Yadav's long-running cheque bounce dispute with Murli Projects Private Limited to mediation, after he deposited Rs 2 crore with the court.

A Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the issues raised by both sides looked open to an amicable settlement. Both parties agreed, and the matter now moves to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre. The Chief Justice said a sole mediator would be appointed, who can call the parties in person or online.

Thursday's order does not close the case. The two sides still have to reach terms on the remaining dues.

Yadav also won relief on travel. The Bench directed the trial court to release his passport so he can take up professional work abroad, under whatever conditions that court sets. His counsel, advocate Vikrant, told the judges the actor has to go to Canada for an assignment.

During the hearing, the Bench observed that the actor had been pushed to the edge of giving up his ancestral property just to be rid of the case. "We want that you amicably settle," the court remarked, adding that after losses in several courts, the room for it to step in at this stage was limited. The Chief Justice also asked the complainant to be reasonable, pointing out that Rs 2 crore was already lying with the court.

Yadav had handed over Rs 1.15 crore at the previous hearing on October 7, and the rest of the Rs 2 crore followed.

At the root of the dispute is his film Ata Pata Laapata, for which Yadav received Rs 5 crore from Murli Projects. Seven cheques linked to the deal were later dishonoured, leading to criminal cases against him and his wife. On July 10, the Delhi High Court upheld his conviction in those cases along with a three-month sentence.