Hansa Devi v. Golf Link Finance and Resorts Private Limited
Negotiable Instruments Act – Section 138 – Compounding of offence
Case brief
What is this about?
Himachal Pradesh High Court, Shimla; Cr. Revision No.509 of 2025; Hansa Devi v. Golf Link Finance and Resorts Private Limited; decision dated 02.12.2025; Justice Virender Singh; compounding of cheque dishonour offence under Section 138 NI Act upon settlement between parties; application under Section 528 BNSS read with Section 147 NI Act; Cheque No.732574 dated 24.01.2015; setting aside of conviction dated 27.09.2024 and sentence dated 28.09.2024 (two months simple imprisonment, Rs.1,50,000/- compensation) affirmed by Sessions Judge, Shimla on 19.03.2025 in Criminal Appeal No.150-S/10 of 2024; acquittal on compounding; conditional relief with 7% of cheque amount as compounding fee; revival of conviction on non-deposit.
What did the court decide?
Petition allowed: conviction and sentence set aside and petitioner acquitted under Section 138 NI Act; personal and surety bonds discharged; offence compounded on settlement — conditional on deposit of 7% of the cheque amount as compounding fee within eight weeks (50% to Member Secretary, H.P. State Legal Services Authority, Shimla; 50% to H.P. High Court Employees Welfare Association), failing which the petition is deemed dismissed and the conviction and sentence revive.