Court Orders Payment of ₹19.07 Lakh Compensation with 6% Annual Interest; Convict Sent to District Jail Amphalla
Jammu, October 19: The Court of Sub-Judge/Special Railway Magistrate, Jammu, has sentenced businessman Mohd. Yousuf Jet to two years of simple imprisonment in a cheque dishonour case involving ₹19.07 lakh, while also directing him to pay compensation equivalent to the cheque amount along with interest.
The judgment was pronounced by Sandeep Singh Sen, KCS (Judicial), who held the accused liable in a complaint filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which deals with the dishonour of cheques for insufficiency of funds or related banking reasons.
As part of the sentence, the court imposed a fine of ₹19.07 lakh and directed that the amount be paid as compensation to M/s Kissan Flour Mills, Jammu, along with simple interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum from the date of the judgment. The court further ordered that any interim compensation of 20 per cent already paid by the accused be deducted from the amount payable.
The court also ruled that in the event of default in payment, the convict would undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.
Seven Cheques Worth ₹19.07 Lakh Dishonoured
According to the case, the complaint was filed after seven cheques issued by the accused, collectively amounting to ₹19.07 lakh, were dishonoured by the bank with the endorsement “Exceeds Arrangements.”
Following the dishonour of the cheques, proceedings were initiated against the accused under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Court Rejects Accused’s Defence
During the proceedings, the accused maintained that the cheques had been issued as security and were subsequently misused.
However, the court rejected the defence, observing that the accused had failed to rebut the statutory presumptions under the Negotiable Instruments Act concerning the existence of a legally enforceable debt or liability.
The court accordingly proceeded to impose the sentence and financial liability upon the accused in the case.
Convict Sent to District Jail Amphalla
Following the pronouncement of the judgment, the court directed that the convict be taken into custody and lodged in District Jail Amphalla, Jammu, to serve the sentence.
Advocate Ajay K. Gandotra appeared on behalf of the complainant, M/s Kissan Flour Mills, Jammu, while Advocate K. B. Kaw represented the accused.
The judgment brings the proceedings in the cheque dishonour complaint to the sentencing stage, with the convict facing imprisonment as well as the court-directed financial liability.(KNC)
