PANAJI
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has temporarily suspended the jail term imposed on one Dhanvy Naik, convicted in a cheque-bouncing case.
The Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Ponda pronounced the order under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act on October 26, 2023, sentencing him to two months of imprisonment. He was directed to pay a compensation of Rs 1.06 lakh to the complainant, failing which he would have to undergo another two months of imprisonment. His appeal was dismissed by the Sessions Court on January 7, 2025 prompting him to seek relief from the High Court.
“The Appellate Court had directed the Applicant (Naik) to surrender before the JMFC, Ponda on January 24, 2025. However, a Criminal Revision Application came to be filed to challenge the order of the Sessions Court. In that view of the matter, the sentence imposed upon the Applicant shall stand suspended until further orders on the application furnishing Bail Bond of Rs 5,000 with one surety in the like amount before the JMFC, Ponda, within a period of one week from today (Thursday),” reads the order by Justice Valmiki Menezes while disposing of the application.
During the appeal proceedings, Naik deposited Rs 77,000 before the Sessions Court in Panaji sitting at Ponda; and thereafter expressed willingness to deposit the remaining Rs 29,000 within two weeks. The High Court further directed the Registry to accept the payment.
