'Carried her dead body...': Who was Rajpal Yadav's first wife Karuna?

Rajpal Yadav may be celebrated for his impeccable comic timing and ability to leave audiences in splits, yet his journey away from the spotlight has been marked by deep sorrow. In an earlier conversation with The Lallantop, the actor reflected on a devastating chapter from his youth. He revealed that he was only 20 when tragedy struck his household. At a time when early marriage was common for young men with stable employment, his family arranged his wedding. He tied the knot with Karuna, but happiness was heartbreakingly brief.

Karuna passed away in 1991 while giving birth to their daughter, Jyoti. Recounting the traumatic experience to The Lallantop, Rajpal described how he had expected to see his wife and newborn the following day, only to instead shoulder her mortal remains.

"I was supposed to meet her the next day but was then carrying her dead body on my shoulders..." he reminisced.


The loss was overwhelming, but he acknowledged the unwavering support of his family. He credited his mother and sister-in-law for surrounding Jyoti with affection, ensuring she never grew up feeling deprived of maternal care. Despite the void left by Karuna’s passing, Rajpal emphasized that his daughter was raised in an environment filled with warmth and compassion.

Finding Love and Strength Again

Years after enduring that painful episode, Rajpal found companionship once more. In 2003, he married Radha, who, as he shared in the same interview, became his strongest support system. He expressed gratitude for her unconditional backing through personal and professional upheavals. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Harshita and Rehanshi. Rajpal acknowledged that Radha embraced Jyoti wholeheartedly, nurturing her as her own child and reinforcing the family’s bond.

Legal Battles and Financial Strain

While his personal life gradually found stability, professional challenges surfaced. Rajpal’s directorial venture, Ata Pata Laapata (2010), did not perform well commercially, leading to significant monetary difficulties. The financial setback resulted in multiple cheque-bounce complaints. Recently, the Delhi High Court denied his request for additional time to clear dues totaling nearly ₹9 crore, leading to his transfer to Tihar jail. The court directed him to deposit ₹1.35 crore in each of the seven cases and ordered that previously submitted funds be handed over to the complainant.

The legal conflict traces back to a ₹5 crore loan he secured from M/s Murali Projects Pvt Ltd to finance the film. Before surrendering, Rajpal admitted he lacked the resources to settle the debt. When questioned about seeking assistance from industry peers, he remarked on the individualistic nature of show business. His bail plea is slated for hearing on February 12. According to his manager, Goldie, the family remains hopeful about his release. Several prominent figures, including Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Varun Dhawan, Sonu Sood, Guru Randhawa, and Rao Inderjeet Singh Yadav, have reportedly extended financial help to ease his burden.