Authority: High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla
Order Date: 07.08.2026
Case Overview
- Petitioner Ankush Rana filed six criminal revision petitions (Cr. Rev. Nos. 524‑531 of 2025) challenging convictions under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act issued by the Sessions Judge, Hamirpur, affirming judgments of the Judicial Magistrate First Class.
- Each original case involved a bounced cheque issued by the petitioner to M/s Arsai Beverages Private Limited, with fines ranging from Rs 6,000 to Rs 51,000 and imprisonment terms from one to three months.
- The petitioner appealed; the appellate court dismissed the appeals on 31.07.2025. Subsequently, the petitioner deposited 30 % of the compensation and secured bail bonds as ordered on 12.09.2025.
- Prior to hearing, the parties entered into a compromise: the petitioner paid Rs 1,50,000 in cash to the respondent’s counsel in open court as full compensation.
- Both counsel agreed that, with full compensation received, the offence could be compounded under Section 147 of the Act, despite no formal application being filed.
Final Outcome
- The High Court exercised its power under Section 147 to compound the offences, set aside all convictions and sentences, and acquit Ankush Rana.
- Bail bonds were discharged, and any interim orders were vacated.
- The petitioner was directed to pay Rs 10,000 as litigation charges to the respondent and Rs 5,000 as a compounding fee to the Himachal Pradesh State Legal Service Authority within six weeks.
- The trial court was ordered to release the amounts deposited with it to the petitioner’s savings bank account within one week.
Topics: Legal Settlement, Cheque Bounce