SC’s Modified Guidelines on Compounding of Cheque Bounce Cases

The supreme Court, in Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S Borcar & Anr. [2025 INSC 1158], observed that a very large number of cheque bouncing cases are pending and interest rates have fallen in the last few years. Therefore, the Supreme Court modified the guidelines of compounding cheque dishonour cases issued fifteen years ago in Damodar S. Prabhu vs. Sayed Babalal H. [AIR 2010 SC 1907].

SC Guidelines for Speedy Trial of Cheque Dishonour Cases

In Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S Borcar & Anr. [2025 INSC 1158], the Supreme Court has issued a set of directives aimed at the speedy disposal of cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.These guidelines represent a concerted judicial effort to tackle the immense backlog of cheque dishonour cases that burden the Indian judiciary.

No Pre-Cognizance Hearing for Accused in Cheque Dishonour Cases under BNSS

n cheque dishonour cases filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the Supreme Court has held that an accused person does not have a right to be heard at the pre-cognizance stage. In Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S Borcar & Anr. [2025 INSC 1158], the Court clarified that the inquiry conducted by a Magistrate under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), does not require the participation of the prospective accused.

Demand Notice in Cheque Dishonour Case Must State Exact Cheque Amount to be Valid

In Kaveri Plastics v. Mahdoom Bawa Bahruden Noorul [2025 INSC 1133], the Supreme Court has reiterated a mandatory requirement for a valid complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. For the complaint to be maintainable, the statutory demand notice sent to the drawer of the cheque must demand the exact amount covered by the dishonoured cheque.

Jurisdiction in Cheque Dishonour Cases Lies Where the Payee’s Account is Maintained, Not Where the Cheque is Presented

The Supreme Court, in Prakash Chimanlal Sheth v. Jagruti Keyur Rajpopat [2025: INSC: 897], has reiterated the principle governing territorial jurisdiction for an offence of cheque dishonour under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (NI Act). Jurisdiction lies with the court within whose limits the bank branch is situated where the payee maintains the account through which the cheque was presented for collection.

Holder of Power of Attorney can file Cheque Case

The power of attorney holder is competent to file a complaint under Section 138 of the NI Act, even if knowledge is not stated in the complaint but is affirmed in the affidavit, says the High Court of Kerala (KCK) in G.  Komalan, S/o.  Late Gangadharan v Thomas Alexander, S/o.  Eapen Thomas, (Represented by His Power Of Attorney Holder Sanil Thomas, S/o.  Thomas) [2024 KER 95315].

Authorised Signatory of a Cheque can be held liable for Dishonour only if Company is an Accused

The Supreme Court (SC) in Bijoy Kumar Moni v Paresh Manna & Anr [2024 INSC 1024], reiterated that the authorised signatory of a company cannot be held liable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 for dishonour of a cheque drawn on the company's account, unless the company is arraigned as the principal accused.

Dishonour of Cheques due to Stop Payment will Fall under 138 NI Act

Not only the cases of dishonour of cheques on account of insufficiency of funds or on account of exceeding of arrangement but the cases involving dishonour of cheques on account of "stop payment", "account closed" and "Signature Mismatch" also fall within the ambit of offence under the Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (NI Act), states the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Mohammad Shafi Wani v Noor Mohammad Khan.