SC Dismisses Transfer Petitions vs Axis Bank

Authority: Supreme Court of India, Criminal Original Jurisdiction, Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Vijay Bishnoi

Order Date: 11 August 2026

Case Overview

• Petitioners: Madhavr... Manikrav Ugale & Anr.; Respondent: Axis Bank Ltd.
• Petition seeks transfer of three criminal complaint cases (No.43041/2021, 43044/2021, 43042/2021) pending before the Metropolitan Magistrate, Kolkata, filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
• Complaints originated in 2021; transfer applications filed in 2026, indicating a five‑year delay. Petitioners had been granted exemption from appearance.
• The Court noted that the presentation of the cheque within the territorial jurisdiction of the Kolkata court confers jurisdiction, and considered the extensive delay in filing the transfer petitions.
• Various interim applications were listed (exemption from filing, stay applications, condonation of delay, ex‑parte stays) with diary numbers 6696/2026 and 6702/2026.

Final Outcome

• The Court condoned the delay in refiling but declined to entertain the transfer prayer.
• The transfer petitions (Criminal No.365/2026 and related petitions) are dismissed.
• All pending applications, if any, are ordered to stand disposed of.

Topics: Banking Litigation, Section 138 NI Act, Court Transfer