CHEQUE BOUNCING GUIDELINES

SC GUIDELINES

TO

SETTLE CHEQUE-BOUNCE CASES

The Supreme Court of India has issued guidelines for encouraging quick settlement of cheque bounce cases, stipulating graded penality ranging from 0-20 per cent of cheque amount, depending upon delay.

If the accused made an application compounding the offences at the first or the second hearing of the case, the trial court would allow it without imposing any costs, a three-member Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishanan ruled.

The magistrate concerend would impose a penality of 10 per cent on any request made after the second hearing. Similarly, if the application for compounding is made before a sessions court or a High Court in revision or appeal, the accused would have to pay 15 per cent of the cheque amount by way of costs.

At the Supreme Court level the penality would be 20 per cent, the Bench, which included Justice P.Sathasivam and JM Panchal, said. The guidelines issued in view of a legal vacuum on the subject were also aimed at facilitating quick disposal of 30 lakh cheque-dishonour cases pending in various courts.

Source: The Tribune May 6, 2010.

GREEN THOUGHTS

IM Soni brings out the joys of maintaining a kitchen garden in the middle. "Green fingers" (April 30) Man's longing for seeing tiny seed sprouting into beautiful plants is understandable as both have roots in the mother earth.

We can find joy in plants and trees, if we are bored by the rush of bustiling crowds on our streets.

There is a myriad variety of plants, flowers, trees and birds around us which we fail to notice. In the daily rush of our lives, we forget to appreciate nature's bounty. If we sit for a while and clear the cobwebs blurring the memories of our childhood, we can definitely remember climbing up a gauva tree or stealing mangos while the gardener was away.

In the face of catching up with life, the real wonder of life like trees, flowers, birds, dandelions and beetles are left behind. If we stop and look at a tree, we will wonder why we are in such hurry! We can learn a lot from trees- the virtue of patiences, giving fruits and shade to one and all without discrimination.

BHUSHAN CHANDER JINDAL, JALANDHAR

A LETTER TO THE TRIBUNE May, 6, 2010

INVASION OF PRIVACY

NO LIE DETECTOR TESTS SAYS
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

'NARCO, POLYGRAPH & BRAIN MAPPING INVADE PRIVACY"

The Supreme Court of India is of the view. " No individual can be forced and subjected to such techniques involuntarily, and by doing so it amounts to unwarranted intrusion of personal liberty. "

Source: The Tribune May 6, 2010.