In a dramatic turn of events, Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav, known for his comedic roles, made an emotional statement before surrendering to Tihar Jail in Delhi, stating he felt completely alone in his ongoing financial crisis. The actor is facing a jail term in connection with a cheque bounce case that dates back to 2010.
According to News X, Yadav, seemingly distraught, expressed his helplessness, saying, "Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain. Aur koi upaay nahin dikhta… Sir, yahan hum sab akele hain," which translates to "Sir, what can I do? I don't have money. I can't find any other option. I'm all alone here. I have to deal with this crisis on my own". He also added that he has 'no friends' that can help him get out of the situation.
The legal saga began when Yadav borrowed ₹5 crore from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund his directorial debut, "Ata Pata Laapata," released in 2012. The film's failure at the box office led to financial difficulties, resulting in several cheques issued by Yadav being dishonored. This triggered legal action under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
In 2018, a Delhi magistrate's court convicted Yadav and his wife in the cheque bounce case, sentencing them to six months in prison. While Yadav challenged the verdict through appeals, the legal battle continued, and the outstanding amount reportedly grew to approximately ₹9 crore due to interest and penalties.
The Delhi High Court had provided opportunities for Yadav to clear the dues, even temporarily suspending his sentence in June 2024 and urging him to take "sincere and genuine measures” to settle the debt. In October 2025, Yadav deposited ₹75 lakh; however, the court noted that a significant portion of the liability remained unpaid and that Yadav had repeatedly violated court undertakings.
On February 4, 2026, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rejected Yadav's plea for a one-week extension to arrange funds, stating that leniency could not be extended endlessly and that the court could not create special circumstances for anyone based on their background. The court criticized Yadav for showing "scant respect" for judicial orders, emphasizing that the law rewards compliance. Yadav's lawyer had requested the extension, stating that the actor had arranged ₹50 lakh. The court directed him to surrender to Tihar Jail.
Despite the financial troubles and legal issues, Rajpal Yadav is known for his comedic timing and roles in Hindi films, such as "Phir Hera Pheri", "Chup Chup Ke", "Garam Masala", "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" and "Partner".