N. Santhana Vinoji v. D.John Irudhaya Kennadi
Case brief
What is this about?
Section 138 NI Act conviction compounded on out-of-court compromise after appellate affirmation; Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, in revision under Sections 438/442 BNSS read with Section 147 NI Act and Section 359 BNSS, modified the judgment in C.A.No.27 of 2024, annulled conviction and sentence in C.C.No.87 of 2023, treated the revision petitioner as acquitted on compounding, and ordered immediate unconditional release from jail. Key terms: Joint Memorandum of Compromise dated 11.09.2025; cheque amount Rs.9,00,000/-; initial payment Rs.50,000/- on 06.09.2025; followed K.Balachenniappan Vs Jeyakrishnan (Crl.R.C.(MD)No.875 of 2025, dt. 19.09.2025); relied on Damodar S. Prabhu (2010 (2) SCC (Cri) 1328), Kanchan Mehta (2017 (7) Supreme 558), Vinay Devanna Nayak (AIR 2008 SC 716), Kripal Singh (2004 Crl.L.J. 3786).
What did the court decide?
Criminal Revision Case disposed of in terms of the Joint Memorandum of Compromise dated 11.09.2025; the impugned judgment in C.A.No.27 of 2024 dated 16.12.2024 (confirming conviction and sentence in C.C.No.87 of 2023 dated 16.02.2024) modified; conviction and sentence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act annulled; Revision Petitioner treated as acquitted on account of compounding of the offence with the complainant/respondent; Petitioner directed to be released from jail forthwith without imposing any condition; connected miscellaneous petition closed.