15.
(Allahabad HC) 24-05-2023
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (26 of 1881), Section 138, 147 – Cheque bounce complaint -- Compounding of offence without consent of complainant – Ld. Magistrate dismissed the application -- Sessions’ court has remanded the matter to decide it afresh as per law laid down in M/s Meters and Instruments Private Limited case, AIR 2017 Supreme Court 4594 -- Supreme Court has carved out a window in the existing scheme of things saying that the case can be disposed of without obtaining direct consent of the complainant under certain circumstances. The circumstances included :
-- offering an amount fair and acceptable which in the opinion of the court is appropriate for duly compensating the complainant. That is under certain circumstances the court can proceed in absence of direct consent.
-- the court is empowered to apply its discretion in terms of provisions of Section 258 Cr.P.C.
-- this matter is distinct and separate from compounding of the case where both the parties agree.
M/s Meters and Instruments Private Limited’s case has emphasized that where an appropriate amount has been offered/deposited, the trial court may consider to drop the proceeding -- Court has not lost its power of discretion in such matters -- Revision impugning Session Court’s order dismissed.
(Para 3-9)