Ruled in favour of Sunil S/O Dinkarrao Lokhande (Applicant)
In Short
This case was about a cheque bounce dispute where the accused was earlier convicted by lower courts for failing to pay money. However, both parties later sat together, resolved their differences through mediation, and agreed on a settlement amount. The High Court accepted this voluntary compromise, set aside the earlier conviction, and acquitted the applicant.
The Parties
Party A: Sunil S/O Dinkarrao Lokhande
Party B: Ashish S/O Prakash Nardiya
Advocates & Judges
For Party A: Learned Advocate Mr. N.A. Waghmare
For Party B: Learned Advocate Mr. S.A. Thakkar
Judge(s): Hon'ble Justice Mehroz K. Pathan
What the Case Was About
A financial dispute arose between an agriculturist and a local store owner over a bounced cheque, leading to a criminal case. A lower court originally found the applicant guilty, and an appellate court upheld that decision. While the matter was pending in a revision application before the High Court, the two sides decided to try mediation to settle the matter peacefully. They successfully reached an agreement outside the courtroom, resolving the financial dispute entirely.
Judgment Date
07-10-2026
The Outcome
The High Court allowed the application to settle the offence and set aside the previous judgments and orders of conviction. The applicant was acquitted of the cheque bounce charge and discharged from his bail bonds, while the complainant was permitted to withdraw the deposited money.
What the Court Looked At
- The parties successfully resolved their dispute through mediation and placed a signed Compromise Deed on record.
- The applicant arranged a Demand Draft of Rs. 1,00,000 in favour of the complainant as per the settlement terms.
- Supreme Court guidelines allow courts to close cheque bounce cases if a genuine settlement happens while an appeal or revision is still pending.
- The court noted that the settlement was completely voluntary and free from any force or coercion.
"The settlement arrived at between the parties is voluntary in nature and that there was no coercion or force involved."
What This Means For You
Getting convicted in a cheque bounce case does not automatically mean the end of the road if you are willing to make things right. In this case, the applicant managed to turn things around by talking things out in mediation and paying the agreed settlement amount before the High Court finalized the revision. The key lesson is that settling genuine financial disputes amicably and early—even after losing in lower courts—can open doors to closing criminal proceedings with judicial approval. If you are struggling with a similar conviction and wondering how to resolve outstanding financial disputes, Setback Solutions can help you understand your plain-language options and coordinate the next steps without any stress.
You Still Have Options
If you are dealing with a "lost my case, what now" situation or facing a strict cheque bounce conviction while trying to find a peaceful way out, please know that you do not have to handle it alone. Exploring a mediated settlement or seeking a second opinion on your case can often reveal practical paths forward that you might have missed. Reach out to Setback Solutions for help understanding your options and coordinating the next step. Please remember that Setback Solutions is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice or guarantee results, but we are always here to offer plain-language help and coordination.