ORDER :

1. Quashing of an order dated 16.11.2023, passed by the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Raisinghnagar, Rajasthan, whereby the application filed by petitioner/accused under Section 389 Cr.P.C. in a pending appeal against his conviction under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, was allowed subject to the deposit of 20% as interim compensation, is sought herein.

2. The impugned order is primarily premised on the reasoning that as per Section 148 Negotiable Instruments Act, suspension of sentence can only be if a minimum of at least 20% of the fine amount is paid to the complainant.

3. A perusal thereof reveals that the learned Sessions court fell in grave error in directing interim payment of the 20% of fine amount under the impression that the provision contained under Section 148 of N.I. Act is absolute in nature and without compliance thereof, the application of the petitioner seeking suspension of his sentence could not have been allowed. In this regard, reference may be had to Apex Court judgment rendered in Jamboo Bhandari v. M.P. State Industrial Development Corporation Ltd. & Ors. (2023) 10 SCC 446. The relevant thereof of is reproduced he