SC for speedy disposal of cheque-bounce cases

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 16

The Supreme Court on Friday issued a set of directions for speedy disposal of more than 35 lakh cheque-bounce cases that clog the subordinate courts across India.

A five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by CJI SA Bobde, suggested that the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, should be amended to allow one consolidated trial for multiple cheques, if the entities involved in the transactions were the same.

“We recommend that suitable amendments be made to the Act for provision of one trial against a person for multiple offences under Section 138 of the Act committed within a period of 12 months, notwithstanding the restriction in Section 219 of the Code (of criminal Procedure),” it said.

The top court had on March 5 last year registered a suo motu case and decided to evolve a “concerted” and “coordinated” mechanism for expeditious disposal of cheque-bounce cases.