Bollywood’s favorite comedian, Rajpal Yadav, was released from Tihar Jail on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after spending 12 days in custody. The Delhi High Court granted him interim bail until March 18, 2026, in a long-standing ₹9 crore cheque bounce case.
Upon his release, an emotional Rajpal thanked his fans and the film fraternity, stating, “The way the entire country and my Bollywood has loved me… if there are any allegations, I am available to answer.”
The Bail Conditions
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma granted the actor temporary relief primarily to allow him to attend his niece’s wedding on February 19 in Shahjapur, UP. The release was subject to the following:
- Initial Deposit: Rajpal had to deposit ₹1.5 crore into the complainant’s (M/S Murli Project) account by 3:00 PM on Monday.
- Bail Bond: A personal bond of ₹1 lakh and one surety of the same amount.
- Travel Restrictions: He has surrendered his passport and is barred from leaving the country without prior court permission.
- Next Hearing: He must appear (physically or via video conference) on March 18, by which time he is expected to present a concrete repayment plan for the remaining debt.
Bollywood Rallies Behind the Actor
Despite Rajpal’s earlier heartbreaking statement that he felt “alone” with “no money and no friends,” several industry heavyweights stepped in to provide financial and moral support:
- Sonu Sood: The first to offer help, Sonu signed Rajpal for an upcoming film and provided a significant signing amount to help settle legal dues.
- Priyadarshan: The director, who has worked with Rajpal for over 20 years, asked the producers of his next film, Bhoot Bangla, to increase Rajpal’s fee to help him out of the crisis.
- Industry Aid: Names like Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui reportedly reached out to the family, while singer Guru Randhawa and boxer Vijender Singh offered him work and advance payments.
- Financial Contributions: Political figure Tej Pratap Yadav announced a contribution of ₹11 lakh for the actor’s family.
Case Background
The legal battle dates back to 2010, when Rajpal borrowed ₹5 crore to fund his directorial debut, Ata Pata Laapata. The film’s failure led to a default in repayment. Over 16 years, with interest and penalties, the liability ballooned to nearly ₹9 crore. His surrender on February 5 followed “repeated breaches of undertakings” to pay the complainant.