Srinagar: A Srinagar court has convicted a local man in multiple cheque dishonour cases involving a total amount of ₹16 lakh and sentenced him to two years of simple imprisonment along with a fine of ₹32 lakh, which is double the cheque amount.
The verdict was delivered by the Court of the Special Mobile Magistrate (PT&E), Srinagar, which found Abdul Hameed Danga guilty of the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The court held that the prosecution had successfully established the essential ingredients of cheque dishonour beyond reasonable doubt.
According to case details, the conviction pertains to five separate cheque bounce cases filed by the complainant, Gulshan Rasool. The court observed that despite legal notice and sufficient opportunity, the accused failed to honour the financial liability arising out of the cheques issued to the complainant.
While awarding the sentence, the court noted that cheque dishonour cases undermine financial discipline and public confidence in commercial transactions. Emphasising the deterrent aspect of the law, the magistrate sentenced the accused to two years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹32 lakh, payable to the complainant as compensation in accordance with legal provisions.
The complainant was represented by a team of advocates including Arshad Andrabi, Rayees Maqbool, Zahid Ameen Khan and Adil Farooq Warsi, who argued that repeated dishonour of cheques caused financial hardship and mental distress to the complainant.
The court directed that the sentence and fine shall run in accordance with law, reaffirming that economic offences of this nature would be dealt with firmly to protect the interests of victims and uphold the sanctity of negotiable instruments.
