NEW DELHI: There are 43 lakh cases of cheque bounce pending in various courts across country as of Dec 18. Rajasthan tops all states and UTs with more than 6.4 lakh such cases pending, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, UP and Bengal.
Traffic challans and cheque bounce cases together account for a large number of pending cases in courts across India. While govt has started the option of paying traffic challans through virtual courts, cheque-bounce cases are dealt in regular courts given the criminal nature of cases where evidence recording and witness submissions is involved.
Law minister Arjun Ram Meghwal recently informed in a written response in Parliament on Dec 20 that several factors lead to delay in disposal of cases related to cheque bounce, including frequent adjournments and lack of adequate arrangement to monitor, track and bunch cases for hearing, besides lack of prescribed time frame by respective courts for disposal of various kinds of cases.
“The disposal of cases in courts is contingent upon many factors, which include availability of physical infrastructure, supporting court staff, complexity of facts involved, nature of evidence, cooperation of stakeholders viz bar, investigation agencies, witnesses and litigants & proper application of rules and procedures,” he said.
Given the long delay in disposal of such cases, Supreme Court had in an order dated March 10, 2021, constituted a 10-member committee to study steps that must be taken to facilitate an early disposal of cases under Negotiable Instruments Act.
The committee suggested creation of de novo special negotiable instruments court. The amici curiae in the matter suggested a pilot study in five judicial districts with the highest pendency in five states (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi and UP) so that viability of the scheme can be examined.
In another order of May 19, 2022, the apex court directed that the pilot study shall be conducted in the manner indicated in the said order for a duration of one year in 25 special courts, one in each of the five judicial districts which have been identified as having the highest pendency by the respective five high courts. No further details were available on the progress of the court findings.