Budgam man convicted in cheque bounce case, sentenced to one-year jail, Rs 6.6 lakh fine

Srinagar, Sep 11: The Court of 4th Additional Munsiff (JMIC) Srinagar has convicted Mohammad Maqbool Wani, a resident of Ichgam, Budgam, in a cheque bounce case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments in Act, 1881.

Delivering judgment on September 3, 2025, the court held Wani guilty after finding that the cheque he issued to settle a legitimate debt was dishonoured due to insufficient funds.

Despite receiving a formal demand notice, he failed to make the payment within the mandatory 15-day period.

The court sentenced Wani to simple imprisonment for one year and imposed a fine of Rs 6.6 lakh with 6% annual interest from the date of the cheque until realization.

The judgment further states that in the event of default in payment of the fine, the convict will undergo an additional six months of simple imprisonment.

Citing the Supreme Court ruling in R. Vijayan v. Baby & Anr. (2011), the court directed that the fine amount, along with accrued interest, be paid to the complainant, Dr. Gowhar Ahmad Bhat, as compensation under Section 357(1) of the CrPC. The court also noted that Wani had already made a part payment of ₹1.40 lakh, which was adjusted while calculating the fine.

The judgment was pronounced in open court by Adnan Manzoor Naqashbandi, 4th Additional Munsiff (JMIC), Srinagar—(KNO)