After a tense week involving industry support, financial scrambling, and a surrender to Tihar Jail, the Delhi High Court has officially granted the veteran comedian interim bail yesterday (Monday, Feb 16).
The relief comes just in time for him to attend a family wedding, but the legal battle is far from finished.
Here is the breakdown of the court order and what happens next.
The Bail Details: "Paid ₹1.5 Crore to Walk Free" ⚖️
The Verdict: Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma of the Delhi High Court suspended Rajpal’s sentence and granted him interim release until March 18, 2026.
The Condition Met: The bail was granted only after his legal team handed over a Demand Draft of ₹1.5 Crore to the complainant (Murali Projects Pvt Ltd).
The Reason: Rajpal’s plea cited his niece’s wedding, scheduled for February 19, as the primary reason for seeking urgent relief.
Restrictions: The court has seized his passport and ordered that he cannot leave the country without permission. He must also be present (physically or virtually) for the next hearing on March 18.
The Scene Outside Court: "Ache Din Aane Wale Hain" 🗣️
Brother's Reaction: Rajpal’s brother, Chandrapal Yadav, was seen interacting with the media outside the court. Visibly relieved, he stated:
"Humme kisi se koi shikayat nahi hai... Jo bhi din the woh humare din the, ab humare ache din aane wale hain (We have no complaints... whatever days passed were ours, now our good days are coming)."
Press Conference Soon: His manager, Goldie, confirmed that Rajpal will hold a press conference in a day or two to personally address the controversy and thank the industry for their support.
Recap of the Saga 📉
The Case: A 14-year-old cheque bounce case related to a ₹5 Crore loan for his directorial debut Ata Pata Laapata (2012), which swelled to over ₹9 Crore with interest.
The Surrender: He surrendered to Tihar Jail on February 5, 2026, after failing to repay the dues.
The Support: The last week saw an outpouring of support, with Sonu Sood offering him a role/money and Salman Khan’s team reportedly keeping a close watch on the legal proceedings.
SantaBanta Verdict:
It is a temporary sigh of relief, not a full victory. Rajpal has bought himself 30 days of freedom (till March 18). The real challenge will be arranging the remaining funds before the next hearing to stay out of Tihar for good. For now, the "Chota Don" is back home!
