In Brief
This case concerns the retrospective application of Section 148 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (amended in 2018), which requires appellants in cheque-dishonour cases to deposit at least 20% compensation while their appeals are pending. The appellants challenged the trial court's direction to deposit 25% compensation as a condition for suspending their sentence, arguing Section 148 should not apply retrospectively to cases filed before the amendment. The Supreme Court upheld the direction, holding that Section 148 applies retrospectively because it operates at the appellate post-conviction stage and does not take away vested appellate rights. The Court also held that non-compliance with deposit conditions vacates suspension of sentence. The appeals were dismissed.
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