IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision: 07.11.2025 Jagir Singh ....Petitioner(s)

V/s Ajaib Singh ....Respondent(s)

CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUMEET GOEL Present: Mr. Kehar Singh Hissowal, Advocate for the petitioner.

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SUMEET GOEL, J. (Oral)

1. The present petition has been preferred by the petitioner impugning the order dated 26.08.2025 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, to the extent, that the execution of sentence and order appealed against has been suspended qua petitioner (herein) subject to depositing of 20% of the amount of compensation. The relevant portion of the impugned order reads thus:

“Arguments heard on the point of waiving of condition of payment of 20 % payment of the cheque amount.

2. It is argued by learned counsel for the applicant-appellant that applicant-appellant is unable to deposit 20% of the cheque amount, at this stage and Section 148 of Negotiable Instruments Act uses the word ‘may’ which implies that it is merely a directory provision and not mandatory. While arguing on these lines, prayer has been made for waiving of the payment of 20 % of the total amount of the cheque in question.

3. On the other h