Srinagar, November 19, 2025 — In a landmark ruling, the Court of District Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Anantnag, sentenced Mushtaq Ahmad Ganie of Nussu Badragund, Qazigund, to one year’s simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of ₹25 lakh in connection with a cheque bounce case filed in 2018.
The judgment, delivered by Presiding Officer Anurag Khajuria, concluded an eight-year legal battle initiated by complainant Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a land broker from Sangam Marhama, Bijbehara. Bhat alleged that Ganie had borrowed ₹21 lakh in 2017 and later issued Cheque No. 540609 dated February 19, 2018, which was dishonoured by J&K Bank’s Mirbazar branch due to insufficient funds.
The court found Ganie guilty under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, emphasizing the importance of financial accountability and timely redressal in commercial transactions. The ₹25 lakh fine includes compensation to the complainant and penalty for the offence.
This case reinforces the judiciary’s stance on cheque dishonour and the legal consequences of financial default, especially in high-value transactions.
