Balaji International v. Thukral Steel Corporation

2. The Court is of the view that since the monies have been paid by Ms. Neetu, a housewife, who has to take care of her family including two school.going children, the case apropos her can be allowed. The conviction is in a cheque dishonour case;not a heinous crime under the IPC.. She is not stated to be a habitual offender. In the circumstances, the punishment is set aside and the case is compounded. In tenus of the dicta of the Supreme Court in Damodar S Prabhu vs Sayed Babalal H 2010 (5) see 663 the petitioner is to pay an amount of 15% of the cheque amount i.e. Rs. 1,05,0001- as cost. Para 15 ofDanlodar S Prabhu (supra) states as under: (t.... 15. With regard to the progression of litigation in cheque bouncing cases, the learned Attorney General has urged this Court to frame guidelines for a graded scheme of imposing costs on parties who unduly delay compounding of the offence. It was submitted that the requirement ofdeposit ofthe costs will act as a deterrent for delayed composition, since at present, free and easy compounding of offences at any stage, however belated, gives an incentive to the drawer of the cheque to delay settling the cases for years. An application for compounding made after several years not only results in the system being burdened but the complainant is also deprived of effective justice. In view of this submission, we direct that the following guidelines be followed:­ THE GUIDELINES (iJ In the circumstances, it is proposed asfollows: (aJ That directions can be given that the Writ of Summons be suitably modified making it clear to the accused that he could make an application for compounding of the offences at the first or second, hearing ofthe case and that ifsuch an application is made, compounding may be allowed by the court without imposing any costs on the accused. (b) If the accused does not make an application for compounding as aforesaid, then ifan application for compounding is made before the Magistrate at a subsequent stage, compounding can be allowed, subject to the condition that the accused will be required to pay 10% of the cheque amount to be deposited as a condition for compounding with the Legal Services Authority, or such authority as the Court deems fit.

(c) Similarly, if the application for compounding is made hefore the Sessions Court or a High Court in revision or appeal, such compounding may be allowed on the condition that the accused pays 15% of.the cheque amount by way ofcosts.

(d) Finally, if the application for compounding is made before the Supreme Court, the figure would increase to 20% ofthe cheque amount. Let it also be clarified that any costs imposed in accordance with these guidelines should be deposited with the Legal Services Authority operating at the level ofthe Court before which compounding takes place. For instance, in case of compounding during the pendency ofproceedings before a Magistrate's Court or a,Court ofSessions, such costs should be deposited with the District Legal Services Authority. Likewise, costs imposed in connection with composition before the High Court should be deposited with the State Legal Services Authority and those imposed in connection with composition before the Supreme Court should be deposited with the National Legal Services Authority. '

3. In terms of the above guidelines, the petitioner will deposit a sum of Rs. 30,000/- in CRL.REV.P 844/2017 & CRL.REV.P. 845/2017 and Rs.35,000/- in CRL.REV.P. 847/2017 with the Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee. The petitions stand disposed off ac rdingly.

NAJMI WAZIRI, J DECEMBER 06, 2017