Rajan Mishra v. Chaman Lal
Negotiable Instruments Act – Sections 138, 147 – Compounding of offence – Criminal Revision against appellate affirmation of conviction
Case brief
What is this about?
Section 138 NI Act conviction compounded on settlement; Section 147 NI Act compounding application (Cr.MP No.3602 of 2025) allowed by Himachal Pradesh High Court; cheque No.047030 dated 21.08.2018 dispute settled, entire settled amount paid; acquittal after compounding; conditional order — 7.50% of cheque amount as compounding fee to H.P. State Legal Services Authority, Shimla and Chief Justice, Disaster Relief Fund within four weeks; deemed dismissal and revival of conviction/sentence on non-deposit; Cr. Revision No.548 of 2024; Virender Singh, J. (Oral); convictions by ACJM and Additional Sessions Judge, Nalagarh, District Solan, H.P.; Criminal Case No.395/3 of 2018; Criminal Appeal No.25-NL/10 of 2023.
What did the court decide?
Revision petition allowed; judgment of conviction dated 04.08.2023 and order of sentence dated 23.08.2023 set aside; petitioner acquitted of offence under Section 138 NI Act; personal and surety bonds discharged — subject to deposit of 7.50% of the cheque amount as compounding fee within four weeks (50% to H.P. State Legal Services Authority, Shimla; 50% to Chief Justice, Disaster Relief Fund), failing which the petition is deemed dismissed and the conviction and sentence revived.