The Delhi High Court granted interim bail to Rajpal Yadav till March 18 in the Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. The actor issued his first statement after being released from Tihar Jail, thanking the entire nation and members of Bollywood for supporting him during the legal battle.
According to PTI, Rajpal also urged prison authorities to introduce designated smoking rooms inside jail premises and called for reforms in the prison system.
“There should be designated smoking areas inside jails”
Speaking at his ancestral village in Shahjahanpur district, Rajpal said there should be “designated smoking areas inside jails, similar to facilities at railway stations and airports. ”
He added that prisons should function as reform centres where inmates are given structured opportunities to change, while maintaining that the law remains supreme for those unwilling to reform.
“It is often difficult to judge from the outside who is a hardened criminal and who made a one-time mistake. My advocate Bhaskar Upadhyay will officially respond to all legal questions,” he said.
The actor also shared that he would not interact with the media for the next two days due to a family wedding and would address all queries through a press conference later.
“Jails need to be upgraded for today’s time”
Calling for prison reforms, Rajpal said, “I have an appeal. In our country, we don’t know the difference between a prisoner and a respectable person. But I have noticed that jails need to be upgraded for today’s time. ”
“There are prisoners who have already been convicted who don’t need to go to court and have been there for 10 years due to a mistake they made. Their behaviour and conduct have been observed over time,” he added.
Drawing a comparison with the popular quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati, he said, “At least 10% of them, like how we have lifelines on Kaun Banega Crorepati, these prisoners deserve lifelines.
If 10% of them are released and rehabilitated, they could be a strength for our country. And if they don’t change, the law spares nobody. ”
“Thank you, High Court, for giving me the opportunity to be heard”
Earlier, Rajpal told the media that his case dates back to 2012 and that he has appeared before the High Court whenever directed.
“The way the entire country, the world, and Bollywood have loved me, if I face any allegations, I’m available to answer. Thank you, High Court, for giving me the opportunity to be heard,” he said.
The Delhi High Court granted interim bail to the actor till March 18. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma allowed the relief subject to Rajpal depositing Rs 1 lakh as bail bond and furnishing one surety.
Earlier during the hearing, the court had directed him to deposit Rs 1.5 crore by 3 PM for interim bail. After the complainant’s counsel, representing M/S Murli Project, confirmed that the amount had been deposited in the company’s bank accounts against the bounced cheque, the court granted bail.
Next hearing on March 18
Rajpal will remain out of prison till March 18, the next date of hearing. By then, he is expected to repay the remaining due amount to avoid serving his sentence.
From Sonu Sood to Mika Singh, several Bollywood names came forward in the past few days to show their support for the actor.
