KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 11, 2026 – Legendary Bollywood comedian Rajpal Yadav, known for his iconic roles in films like Hera Pheri and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, has been incarcerated in Tihar Jail, New Delhi. The surrender follows a dramatic legal saga that began in 2010 when the actor borrowed ₹5 crore (approximately 8 crore NPR) for his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata.
On February 4, 2026, the Delhi High Court rejected Yadav’s final plea for a one-week extension to arrange finances, marking the end of nearly 20 broken undertakings made to the court over the years.
The 16-Year Debt Spiral
The case dates back to 2010, when Yadav and his wife, Radha Yadav, secured a loan from Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to fund their film project.
The Failure: Ata Pata Laapata (released in 2012) bombed at the box office, leaving the actor in severe financial distress.
Cheque Bounce Cases: As the loan remained unpaid, several cheques issued by the actor bounced, leading to seven separate criminal cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Rising Debt: While the initial loan was ₹5 crore, the outstanding amount swelled to nearly ₹9 crore (approx. 14.4 crore NPR) due to interest and penalties accumulated over 16 years.
The Final Court Order
Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma criticized Yadav for a “lack of seriousness” and for “repeatedly breaching court-imposed deadlines.”
The Sentence: Yadav has been ordered to serve a six-month simple imprisonment.
Partial Payments: Although the actor deposited ₹75 lakh in late 2025, the court noted that the bulk of the liability remained unpaid.
Final Appearance: During his final court appearance on February 5, his counsel offered a fresh ₹25 lakh cheque, but the judge refused to recall the surrender order, stating that leniency cannot be extended indefinitely regardless of celebrity status.
“I Have No Money”: An Emotional Exit
Moments before surrendering at Tihar Jail, an emotional Rajpal Yadav told reporters, “Sir, kya karoon? Mere paas paise nahin hain” (Sir, what can I do? I have no money). He expressed a deep sense of isolation, stating that in the film industry, everyone is on their own during a crisis.
Industry Support & Solidarity
Following his imprisonment, several figures have stepped forward to offer financial and moral support:
Sonu Sood: The actor has offered professional support, promising a signing amount for future work to help Yadav regain his dignity.
Tej Pratap Yadav: The JJD chief announced a financial assistance of ₹11 lakh for the actor’s family.
Gurmeet Choudhary: The actor urged the film fraternity to unite and help a colleague who has provided laughter to millions for decades.