Stages of Cheque Bounce Case
Section 138. of NI Act. deals with Dishonour of cheque for insufficiency, etc., of funds in the accounts
Notice:
When matter of cheque bounce is presented before the advocate and on the request of the client, advocate has to issue legal notice to the person who issued the cheque within 30 days from the date of the cheque bounce and call for amicable settlement / demand the amount for which cheque was bounced providing 15days to respond and settle the matter and also attach a copy of memo received from the bank.
The opposite Party has 15 days from the receipt of the notice to settle the matter and not from the notice sent date. No cause of action arises and client need to wait for the period of 15 days given to the opposite party responds and settles the matter that’s the end. If opposite party did not responded or does not want to settle the matter with in the given time of 15 days after completion of the given period , then the holder of the cheque can file criminal case before appropriate court jurisdiction within 30 days of the of the expiry of given time. In case, it is beyond the said period of 30 days, the delay can be condoned by the court on sufficient cause being shown.
Filing complaint:
The complaint needs to be filed before the jurisdictional magistrate within 30 days from the accrual of the cause of action. The complainant needs to be present before the magistrate at the time of filing. Complaint should be filed in the jurisdiction of accused bank as most of the courts are not accepting in the jurisdiction of complainant bank. Hon’ble judge will pass it over to the Section for check and put up where section employees verifies that the jurisdiction, documents .If satisfied the file will be sent to Hon’ble Judge. At the time of check and Put up the original documents need to be shown to the appropriate authority. If Hon’ble Judge satisfies with the Check N Put up and the Case, the magistrate will post the matter for sworn statement.
Sworn Statement:
At this stage, the complainant needs to enter the witness box and give further details regarding the case. If the magistrate is satisfied that there is some substance in the case of the complainant, then he will issue summons to the accused.
Appearance of Accused:
On receipt of summons, the accused need to appear in the court. If accused appears then the next step would be Recording of Plea else If he does not appear in the court, the court will issue an arrest warrant against him. After appearance, the accused is supposed to take a bail from the court with or without sureties. If the accused is unable to furnish a surety then he can deposit a cash security, instead of surety. This cash security is refundable to the accused after the conclusion of the case.
Recording of Plea:
In the next stage, the court will ask the accused as to whether he has committed the offence or not. If the accused admits the guilt, the court will immediately pronounce him punishment. If he pleads innocence, the court will post the matter for evidence.
Evidence:
The Complainant has to furnish his evidence, normally by way of affidavit; this is known as examination-in-chief. He needs to produce all documents in support of his case like bounced cheque, dishonor memo, copy of notice etc. Later complainant will be cross examined by the accused. If there are other witnesses in support of the complainant, then their evidence also has to be recorded.
Statement of the Accused:
After the Complainant side evidence is over, the court will put some questions to the accused regarding his guilt. An accused needs to give his version to the same.
Defence Evidence:
After the Accused statement the court will give an opportunity to the accused to leave his evidence. The accused can also produce documents in support of his case, as well as witnesses in his support. Accused and his witnesses will be cross examined by the complainant. After this, the case is posted for arguments.
Arguments:
Both the Complainant and the accused will submit their arguments before the court. They can also furnish judgments of high courts and Supreme Court in support of their case. Normally a written argument containing a gist of the oral argument is also furnished to the court.
Judgment:
After the arguments, case is posted for judgment. If the court finds that the accused has committed offence, he will be punished with fine or imprisonment. If he is innocent, the court will acquit him. If the accused is convicted, he can file an appeal before the sessions’ court within 30 days.