Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Jan 11: The fifth court of the judicial magistrate here, in a recent judgment, held the petitioner himself guilty in a cheque bounce case, and penalized him with Rs 10,000. In case of failure to pay this fine, he has been ordered to undergo 30 days of imprisonment.

In the said case, owner of a firm in Bykampady Industrial Area, Swayambhulingam, had filed cheque bounce case against Gopi, who owns a minerals firm in Goa. The court, during the hearing of the case, came to the conclusion that the petitioner had misled the court by hiding the facts, providing false information, and recording of false evidence, all of which are punishable offences under Indian Penal Code.

The court observed that of late, there has been increased habit among traders of obtaining blank signed cheques in advance, filling in amounts and dates at will, and filing cheque bounce cases when cheques are returned for want of funds. This can cause mental, financial, and physical strain on the accused. It also said that in a case, Madras High Court had opined that in such cases, people providing false information to court can be punished. Judicial magistrate of the court, Prakash, delivered this judgment.

Advocates, K S N Rajesh and Soumya had appeared on behalf of the accused in the case.