The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed actor Rajpal Yadav’s request for a “last opportunity” to deposit Rs. 2 crore with its registry as part payment in a cheque-bounce case involving dues owed to a production house. He has two weeks to deposit the amount and furnish surety for the remaining dues. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, however, said Rajpal’s past conduct did not inspire confidence.

“Looking at his past conduct... how can anybody trust him? He’s perfect in doing drama and acting in Bollywood; he’s doing the same thing in Court also,” the CJI said.

Speaking to the press outside the court on Tuesday, Rajpal’s advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay said, “We welcome this order... The Court has graciously given us time to deposit this amount. Initially, it was Rs. 5 crores. Now the Court has reduced it to Rs. 2 crores. It’s a great relief for us, and we will comply with the orders and directions of this Court.”

Rajpal also continues to have protection from arrest until the next hearing, scheduled for October 5. But he has been directed to surrender his passport.HTC

The case dates back to 2010, when Rajpal took a Rs. 5 crore loan from a Delhi-based company for his first directorial, Ata Pata Laapata (2012). His failure to repay the loan, which grew with interest and other charges, led to a cheque-bounce case. Despite multiple payment extensions from the court, the dues remain unsettled.