Authority: Supreme Court of India
Order Date: 11 August 2026
Case Overview
- Petitioners: M/S. Nautica Hospitality Consulting Private Limited & Ors.; Respondents: State of West Bengal & Anr.
- The petition is Special Leave Petition (Criminal) No.4002/2026 challenging the High Court judgment dated 19 September 2025 (CRR No.2028/2025) which upheld conviction under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and imposed a fine of Rs 17,50,000.
- The Metropolitan Magistrate had ordered the fine, two‑year simple imprisonment for petitioners Nos. 2 and 3, and attachment against petitioner No. 1. The High Court dismissed the revision of the petitioners.
- It is undisputed that Rs 6,50,000 of the fine has already been paid to the complainant, leaving a balance of Rs 11,00,000.
Final Outcome
- The Court directs the petitioners to pay the remaining fine in two equal installments of Rs 5,50,000 each:
- First installment on or before 15 September 2026.
- Second installment on or before 27 October 2026.
- The amounts shall be kept by the Registry in a short‑term fixed deposit with any nationalised bank on an auto‑renewal basis.
- Petitioners Nos. 2 and 3 must file an undertaking, on behalf of themselves and petitioner No. 1, stating compliance with the payment schedule, on or before 24 August 2026; breach will result in serious consequences.
- The interim order dated 27 January 2026 remains operative until the next hearing.
Topics: Legal Enforcement, Fine Payment, Judicial Order