STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: In an interesting development Judicial Magistrate Budgam convicted Mushtaq Ahmad Wagay, accused of cheque bounce offence, and sentenced him to imprisonment of two years besides payment of double the cheque amount to the complainant. The stringent punishment is being seen as a significant step towards stopping the growing instances of issuing a cheque without sufficient funds in one’s account, according to a Srinagar based news agency.
The instant complaint under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act had been filed by J&K Bank’s branch head for business unit Humhama against Mushtaq Ahmad Wagay proprietor M/s Mushtaq Ahmad Wagay for cheating the bank by presenting a cheque that bounced due to insufficient funds in the account. He had issued the cheque after repeated requests by the Bank to adjust his TOD (Temporary Over draft) of Rupees Three Lac plus applicable interest.
The Court vide its judgment dated 27.04.2016 observed that “The accused has admitted in his statement the contents of the complaint. The accused was asked that same can be read against him and he can be convicted but he claimed against the trial, he admits cheque, notice and transactions, as such admitted liability as well as debt. Court is meant to administer justice and follow procedure for reaching a just decision…”
The judgment concluded thus: “Since the accused pleaded against the trial and in view of the admission made regarding guilt, accused is convicted and he shall undergo imprisonment of 2 years and shall pay double the cheque amount to the complainant. The accused shall be sent to Central Jail Srinagar”.
