In Brief
Meters and Instruments Private Limited appealed against a High Court order rejecting their prayer for compounding a cheque bounce offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act on payment of the cheque amount. The Supreme Court held that courts may close Section 138 proceedings and discharge the accused if the cheque amount with assessed interest and costs is paid by a specified date, even without the complainant's consent. The Court directed that summons should indicate the accused need not appear if payment is made by the deadline, and that email and online procedures should be utilised to expedite disposal. The appeals were disposed, allowing appellants to move the trial court afresh for orders in light of this judgment.
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