Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Supreme Court has acquitted a Goa resident in a cheque bounce case dating back to 2017, exercising its discretionary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to deliver complete justice. The court noted that the accused had paid the full cheque amount along with compensation, amounting to ₹2.3 lakh, and thus saw no reason to continue with the conviction.
Article 142 empowers the apex court to pass orders necessary for doing complete justice in any matter before it. In this case, the court held that since the complainant had received the entire amount due, further penal action would serve no purpose. The original conviction under the Negotiable Instruments Act had been challenged before the top court.
Observing that the primary intent of the law was to ensure repayment rather than punishment, the bench ruled in favour of acquittal, citing the absence of any outstanding dues or grievance. The judgment reflects the Supreme Court’s approach in favour of equitable relief in cases where financial disputes have been fully resolved.
