{"id":333788,"date":"2024-10-24T17:00:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-24T11:30:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=333788"},"modified":"2024-10-31T09:37:39","modified_gmt":"2024-10-31T04:07:39","slug":"illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/","title":{"rendered":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Punjab and Haryana High Court:<\/span> In an appeal filed for setting aside the impugned judgment dated 15-01-2020, passed by Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Ferozepur (‘the Trial Court’), whereby the respondent was acquitted of the charges in a complaint filed under Sections 138<\/a> and 142<\/a> of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881<\/a> (‘the NI Act’), the Single-Judge Bench of Manjari Nehru Kaul, J.<\/span>, stated that a payment made as a bribe, being an illegal and immoral transaction, did not constitute a legally enforceable liability. Thus, the trial Court correctly concluded that no legally enforceable debt existed in this case, and the cheque issued in furtherance of an unlawful act could not give rise to criminal liability under the NI Act.<\/p>\n

The Court stated that the findings of the Trial Court were in consonance with the settled principles of law governing the enforcement of negotiable instruments and could not be deemed perverse.<\/p>\n

Background<\/p>\n

The appellant contended that the respondent in collusion with his brother-in-law and certain other individuals, intentionally deceived the petitioner by providing false assurances. It was stated that the respondent gave an undertaking and assured the appellant that if a sum of Rs. 1,20,000,00 was paid to the respondent’s brother-in-law, he would secure employment for certain individuals in the Punjab Police.<\/p>\n

Acting upon the assurance, an amount of Rs. 1,20,000,00 was given to the respondent’s brother-in-law. However, it soon became apparent that no such appointments were secured, and the appellant realized that a fraud was committed. Consequently, FIR was registered under Sections 420<\/a>1<\/sup><\/a> and 120-B<\/a>2<\/sup><\/a> of the Penal Code, 1860<\/a> against the respondent’s brother-in-law and other accomplices for the offences of cheating and criminal conspiracy.<\/p>\n

After the FIR was registered, the respondent approached the appellant and proposed a settlement, acknowledging the deceitful conduct. Further, as a part of this compromise, an affidavit dated 05-04-2016, was executed by the respondent. Subsequently, the respondent issued a cheque dated 05-10-2016, for the sum of Rs. 1,00,000 in the appellant’s favour to discharge his legal liability. However, when the appellant presented the cheque for encashment, it was dishonoured on 02-11-2016, with the bank noting that the respondent’s account had been closed. Despite the issuance of a legal notice on 28-11-2016, the respondent failed to remit the cheque amount within the statutory period, leading the appellant to pursue legal action.<\/p>\n

The Trial Court vide impugned judgment acquitted the respondent of the charges. Thus, the appellant filed the present appeal and contended that the Trial Court gravely erred in failing to appreciate the evidence adduced during the trial, thereby rendering the judgment liable to be set aside.<\/p>\n

Analysis, Law, and Decision<\/p>\n

The Court after careful examination of the evidence and the submissions made by the parties, noted that the appellant himself unequivocally admitted during his cross-examination before the Trial Court that the cheque amount was paid as a bribe to the respondent for securing Government employment in the Punjab Police by certain job aspirants. Thus, the Court stated that considering the admission, it was imperative to clarify that the cheque amount could not, under any circumstances, be deemed to have been issued in discharge of a legally enforceable debt or liability.<\/p>\n

The Court stated that under Section 138<\/a> of the NI Act<\/a>, the mere issuance of a cheque did not constitute an offence unless it was proven that the cheque was issued for the discharge of a debt or liability that was legally enforceable. It was well settled that any debt or liability arising from a contract or promise that was unlawful, immoral, or not legally enforceable did not attract the provisions of Section 138<\/a> of the NI Act<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Court stated that a payment made as a bribe, being an illegal and immoral transaction, did not constitute a legally enforceable liability. Thus, the trial Court correctly concluded that no legally enforceable debt existed in this case, and the cheque issued in furtherance of an unlawful act could not give rise to criminal liability under the NI Act. The Court stated that the findings of the Trial Court could not be deemed perverse, rather they were in consonance with the settled principles of law governing the enforcement of negotiable instruments.<\/p>\n

The Court stated that the Trial Court was right in acquitting the respondent, as the cheque amount did not represent a legally enforceable debt or liability, and therefore, no offence under Section 138<\/a> of the NI Act<\/a> was made out.<\/p>\n

[Surinder Singh v. Ram Dev, 2024 SCC OnLine P&H 12999<\/a>, decided on 15-10-2024<\/span>]<\/p>\n\n

Advocates who appeared in this case:<\/p>\n

For the Appellant:<\/span> Ramesh Kumar Jha, Advocate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

1.<\/a> Corresponding Section 318(4)<\/a> of Nyaya Sanhita, 2023<\/a> (‘BNS’)<\/p>\n

2.<\/a> Corresponding Section 61(2)<\/a> of BNS<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy Penal Code, 1860   HERE<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"penal<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The appellant has himself unequivocally admitted during his cross-examination before the Trial Court that the cheque amount was paid as a bribe to the respondent for securing Government employment in the Punjab Police by certain job aspirants.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67520,"featured_media":314970,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[2680,42127,74460,74458,74459,72862,50074,2670],"class_list":["post-333788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-highcourts","tag-bribe","tag-criminal-liability","tag-enforceable-liability","tag-illegal-transaction","tag-immoral-transaction","tag-justice-manjari-nehru-kaul","tag-negotiable-instruments-act-1881","tag-Punjab_and_Haryana_High_Court"],"yoast_head":"\nIllegal and immoral transaction like bribe cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: P&H HC | SCC Times<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SCC Times\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-24T11:30:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-31T04:07:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"887\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"591\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Arushi\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:title\" content=\"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Arushi\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/\",\"name\":\"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: P&H HC | SCC Times\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-24T11:30:34+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-31T04:07:39+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ded7dcfe9a971ee0916ce27ee7c09c76\"},\"description\":\"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp\",\"width\":887,\"height\":591,\"caption\":\"Punjab and Haryana High Court\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"SCC Times\",\"description\":\"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ded7dcfe9a971ee0916ce27ee7c09c76\",\"name\":\"Arushi\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6b48b1199732c282ba60ff0b2a7076c33917ee6bd9aca6c333a92ceb8fcb6a3d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6b48b1199732c282ba60ff0b2a7076c33917ee6bd9aca6c333a92ceb8fcb6a3d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Arushi\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/arushi\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: P&H HC | SCC Times","description":"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC","og_description":"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/","og_site_name":"SCC Times","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/scc.online\/","article_published_time":"2024-10-24T11:30:34+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-10-31T04:07:39+00:00","og_image":[{"width":887,"height":591,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Arushi","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Arushi","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/","name":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: P&H HC | SCC Times","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp","datePublished":"2024-10-24T11:30:34+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-31T04:07:39+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ded7dcfe9a971ee0916ce27ee7c09c76"},"description":"Punjab and Haryana High Court stated that illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp","width":887,"height":591,"caption":"Punjab and Haryana High Court"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2024\/10\/24\/illegal-immoral-transaction-like-bribe-cannot-give-rise-to-criminal-liability-under-ni-act-ph-hc\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Illegal and immoral transaction like bribe does not constitute legally enforceable liability; cannot give rise to criminal liability under NI Act: Punjab and Haryana HC"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/","name":"SCC Times","description":"Bringing you the Best Analytical Legal News","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/ded7dcfe9a971ee0916ce27ee7c09c76","name":"Arushi","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6b48b1199732c282ba60ff0b2a7076c33917ee6bd9aca6c333a92ceb8fcb6a3d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6b48b1199732c282ba60ff0b2a7076c33917ee6bd9aca6c333a92ceb8fcb6a3d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Arushi"},"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/author\/arushi\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":308042,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2023\/11\/29\/calcutta-high-court-upholds-acquittal-under-section-138-of-negotiable-instruments-act-1881-scc-blog\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":0},"title":"Calcutta High Court upholds acquittal under Section 138 of NI Act on failure to prove existence of legally enforceable debt","author":"Ritu","date":"November 29, 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"Calcutta High Court delved into the legalities surrounding the presumption under Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, emphasizing that it is a \u201crebuttable presumption\u201d.","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"calcutta high court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/calcutta-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/calcutta-high-court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/calcutta-high-court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/calcutta-high-court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":347950,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/15\/punjab-and-haryana-hc-rejects-anticipatory-bail-plea-junior-engineer-who-allegedly-took-bribe\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":1},"title":"\u2018Bribery strikes at root of public administration, erodes public faith in govt. institutions\u2019; Punjab and Haryana HC rejects anticipatory bail plea of Junior Engineer","author":"Editor","date":"May 15, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe demand for Rs. 1000 \u2014 however modest in quantum \u2014 is not to be seen in isolation but must be viewed in light of the position held by the accused engineer and the context of the demand. The act of coercing an ordinary citizen to pay a bribe for\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Punjab and Haryana High Court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":348521,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/05\/22\/andhra-pradesh-high-court-upholds-acquittal-no-enforceable-debt-section-138-ni-act-legal-news\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":2},"title":"Andhra Pradesh High Court upholds acquittal in Section 138 NI Act Case as no legally enforceable debt found on loan of \u20b93 lakhs","author":"Arunima","date":"May 22, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"The dispute arose from a \u20b93 lakh loan allegedly given by the complainant to the accused. The cheque issued for repayment bounced due to insufficient funds.","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Andhra Pradesh High Court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Andhra-Pradesh-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Andhra-Pradesh-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Andhra-Pradesh-High-Court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Andhra-Pradesh-High-Court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":364043,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/10\/16\/rajasthan-hc-section-138-ni-act-on-cheque-for-time-barred-debt-revives-enforceability-under-contract-act\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":3},"title":"Cheque for Time-Barred Debt Revives Enforceability Under S. 25(3) Contract Act; Dishonour attracts Section 138 NI Act: Rajasthan High Court","author":"Editor","date":"October 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cA meaningful reading of Sections 20, 118 and 139 of the NI Act makes it clear that a person who signs a cheque and delivers it to the payee remains liable unless he successfully rebuts the statutory presumptions.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Section 138 NI Act on Cheque for Time-Barred Debt","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Section-138-NI-Act-on-Cheque-for-Time-Barred-Debt.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Section-138-NI-Act-on-Cheque-for-Time-Barred-Debt.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Section-138-NI-Act-on-Cheque-for-Time-Barred-Debt.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Section-138-NI-Act-on-Cheque-for-Time-Barred-Debt.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":339419,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/01\/20\/self-incrimination-not-cooperation-with-investigation-p-h-hc-grants-bail-to-accused\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":4},"title":"\u2018Co-operation with investigation doesn\u2019t extend to self-incrimination’; Punjab & Haryana HC grants anticipatory bail to accused in Municipal Corporation corruption case","author":"Editor","date":"January 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"\u201cThe investigating agency must instead rely on independent and lawful methods to gather information rather than pressuring the accused to act against their constitutional safeguards. Insisting on custodial interrogation solely for self-incriminatory purposes is unconstitutional and sets a dangerous precedent.\u201d","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Punjab and Haryana High Court","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Punjab-and-Haryana-High-Court.webp?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":193825,"url":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2018\/03\/07\/presence-legally-recoverable-debt-time-issuing-cheque-necessity-action-s-138-ni-act\/","url_meta":{"origin":333788,"position":5},"title":"Presence of a legally recoverable debt at the time of issuing cheque is a necessity for an action under S. 138 NI Act","author":"Saba","date":"March 7, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Karnataka High Court: A Single Judge Bench comprising of K. Somashekar, J., decided a criminal appeal filed under Section 378(4) CrPC, wherein the order of acquittal under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, passed in favour of the respondent by the trial court was upheld. The respondent took a loan\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Case Briefs"","block_context":{"text":"Case Briefs","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/category\/casebriefs\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67520"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=333788"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/333788\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/314970"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=333788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=333788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=333788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}