Srinagar, Dec 30: A Srinagar court has sentenced a local man to two years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹32 lakh in connection with multiple cheque dishonour cases involving a total amount of ₹16 lakh.
The judgment was pronounced by the Court of the Special Mobile Magistrate (PT&E), Srinagar, which convicted Abdul Hameed Danga under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The court held that the prosecution had proved all essential ingredients of the offence beyond reasonable doubt.
As per case details, the conviction relates to five separate cheque bounce complaints filed by Gulshan Rasool. The court observed that despite issuance of statutory legal notice and ample opportunity, the accused failed to discharge his financial liability arising from the cheques issued in favour of the complainant.
While awarding the sentence, the magistrate underscored that cheque dishonour cases erode financial discipline and weaken public confidence in commercial transactions. Emphasising the deterrent intent of the law, the court awarded two years of simple imprisonment and directed payment of ₹32 lakh—double the cheque amount—as compensation to the complainant, in accordance with legal provisions.
The complainant was represented by advocates Arshad Andrabi, Rayees Maqbool, Zahid Ameen Khan and Adil Farooq Warsi, who submitted that the repeated dishonour of cheques had caused severe financial loss and mental distress to their client.
The court further directed that the sentence and compensation shall be enforced strictly in accordance with law, reiterating that economic offences of this nature will be dealt with firmly to safeguard the interests of victims and uphold the sanctity of negotiable instruments.
