Cheque dishonour cases intractable problem: SC

The Supreme Court on Wednesday said there was no doubt or dispute that the huge pendency of cheque dishonour cases has become an intractable problem, accounting for close to 30 to 40% of the cases in the trial courts and a very high percentage in the high courts also.

The top court agreed to a suggestion by the Union government to form a committee of stakeholders, officers and the secretaries of various ministries who will be able to suggest a solution to the problems of pendency of the cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act.

The court was hearing a suo motu matter registered as 'In Re Expeditious Trial' of cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. About 3.5 crore cases are pending in trial courts in the country.

A bench of Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian initially suggested that the Union government may provide for the establishment of additional courts for the better administration of laws.

Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Vikramjit Banerjee said the Ministry of Finance has suggested that instead of setting up additional courts, certain other measures could be taken up. The court, however, said such measures would be inadequate for the purpose.

It, nonetheless, agreed to another suggestion by Banerjee that the matter required wide-ranging discussion for which a committee may be formed.

The bench asked Banerjee to suggest by Thursday the names from various departments for the purpose of forming a panel.