Cinema VinesThe Supreme Court has directed a mediation process in the long‑standing cheque‑bounce case involving Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav and Murli Projects Private Limited. The order, issued on Thursday, came after Yadav deposited Rs 2 crore into the Court as part payment of the outstanding amount.
Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, who heard the case, noted that Yadav had earlier suggested selling his ancestral property to clear the remaining dues. The Bench, however, urged both parties to seek an amicable settlement before the Court could examine the merits of the case further.
Both Yadav and the counsel for Murli Projects accepted the Court’s proposal. The dispute is now referred to the Supreme Court Mediation Centre, where the parties are expected to negotiate a resolution. The Court also allowed Yadav to apply for the release of his passport for professional travel abroad, subject to conditions set by the trial court.
Yadav’s payment followed an undertaking he made during a previous hearing on October 7, when he had presented demand drafts amounting to Rs 1.15 crore. His lawyer explained that a prospective buyer of the actor’s ancestral property would contribute an additional Rs 85 lakhs, bringing the total deposited to Rs 2 crore. The remaining balance was to be covered by the sale of the property. The Court had considered setting a payment schedule for the balance, but after the Rs 2 crore deposit, it decided to refer the parties to mediation to explore a settlement.
