Ahmedabad Courts Introduce Digital Payment System for Cheque Dishonour Cases
In a significant judicial reform aimed at decongesting one of the city's most overloaded court dockets, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) courts in Ahmedabad officially launched an online payment facility for cheque dishonour cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act on Friday. The system's inauguration was marked by the processing of its first payment on the same day, leading to the disposal of the case and setting a precedent for Gujarat's legal landscape.
Supreme Court Directive Drives Implementation
Court authorities have clarified that this initiative follows explicit directions issued by the Supreme Court in the landmark case of Sanjabij Tari v/s Kishore S Borcar. In its ruling, the apex court mandated all district courts across India to provide accused individuals, at the summons stage itself, with an option to deposit the cheque amount online. The primary objective behind this directive is to promote early settlements and minimize prolonged litigation in cheque bounce disputes, which often clog judicial systems.
How the New Online Payment Mechanism Works
Under the newly implemented system, an accused person can now directly deposit the cheque amount into the court's designated bank account using SBI Collect, a secure online payment gateway. Once the transaction is completed, the court can instantly verify the payment through the bank's digital interface. This allows judicial officers to promptly proceed with passing orders for compounding and disposal of the case, provided all parties involved agree to the settlement.
Key features of the mechanism include:- Direct online payment via SBI Collect to court accounts
- Real-time verification of transactions through bank interfaces
- Expedited processing for cases amenable to financial settlement
Addressing a Massive Case Backlog
This reform arrives at a critical juncture, as courts in Ahmedabad specifically designated to handle cheque return matters are currently struggling with an overwhelming backlog of more than 4 lakh pending cases. Compounding this issue, an additional 10,000 to 15,000 new cases are filed every month, further straining judicial resources and delaying justice.
Judicial officers have expressed optimism that the online payment option will facilitate faster resolutions, particularly in disputes where the core issue is purely financial and can be settled amicably. By streamlining the payment process, the courts aim to reduce the time and resources spent on litigation, thereby easing the burden on the judiciary and litigants alike.
This move is expected to set a benchmark for other districts in Gujarat and potentially across India, as courts seek modern solutions to tackle case overloads and enhance access to justice through digital means.
