In a significant legal development that has caught the attention of the Indian film industry, the Gujarat High Court has provided major relief to acclaimed filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi in a high-value cheque bounce case.
Court's Decision Brings Temporary Relief
The Gujarat High Court has suspended the two-year jail sentence awarded to the renowned filmmaker in a case involving a bounced cheque worth ₹1 crore. This decision comes as a major reprieve for Santoshi, who was facing immediate imprisonment following the lower court's verdict.
Background of the Legal Battle
The case dates back to 2015 when Rajkumar Santoshi had issued cheques to a businessman from Ahmedabad. According to the complaint, these cheques were presented for payment but were returned by the bank due to insufficient funds, leading to the legal proceedings against the filmmaker.
Lower Court's Verdict and Appeal
Earlier, a sessions court in Ahmedabad had convicted Santoshi under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment. The court had also directed him to pay double the amount of the cheque as compensation to the complainant.
Challenging this decision, Santoshi approached the Gujarat High Court, which has now suspended the sentence while admitting his appeal. The court has granted him regular bail and suspended the sentence pending the final hearing of his appeal.
Conditions Set by the High Court
The High Court has imposed certain conditions while granting relief to the filmmaker:
- Santoshi must deposit 10% of the compensation amount with the court
- He is required to furnish a bail bond
- The filmmaker must comply with all other conditions set by the court
Industry Impact and Reactions
The case has been closely watched by the Indian film fraternity, given Santoshi's significant contributions to Indian cinema with hit films like "Ghayal," "Ghatak," and "The Legend of Bhagat Singh." The suspension of his sentence brings temporary relief not just to the filmmaker but also to his ongoing projects in the industry.
The legal battle continues as the High Court will now examine the merits of Santoshi's appeal in detail, with the next hearing scheduled for a future date.
