IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

255 Decided on : 12.02.2026 Suja Singh . . . Petitioner (s)

Versus State of Punjab and another . . . Respondent(s)

CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SANJAY VASHISTH Present : Mr. Hasrat Brar, Advocate for the petitioner(s).

Mr. Rahul Jindal, AAG Punjab Mr. Vineet Sachdeva, Advocate for respondent No. 2 ****

SANJAY VASHISTH , J. (Oral)

1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner namely Suja Singh, by challenging the judgment dated 06.11.2023 passed by learned Sessions Judge, Ferozepur, in criminal appeal No.66 of 2022, whereby judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 21.07.2023 passed by learned trial Court in complaint bearing NACT/285/2018, dated 20.02.2018, has been upheld.

2. On 27.08.2025, following order was passed:-

“CRM-33837-2025

1. Present application has been moved by the applicant/appellant seeking condonation of delay of 568 days in filing the revision petition.

2. Notice in the application.

3. On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Sr. DAG, Punjab, puts an appearance on behalf of the respondent/State.

4. Considering the grounds mentioned in the application, prayer made therein is allowed.

5. Accordingly, delay of 568 days in filing the accompanying revision petition is hereby allowed.

CRR-2091-2025 (O&M)

1. Present petition has been filed by the petitioner namely Suja Singh, by challenging the judgment dated 06.11.2023 passed by learned Sessions Judge, Ferozepur, in criminal appeal No.66 of 2022, whereby judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 21.07.2023 passed by learned trial Court in complaint bearing NACT/285/2018, dated 20.02.2018, has been upheld.

2. It is noticed that petitioner has been convicted and sentenced for committing an offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. He was awarded a sentence of one year of rigorous imprisonment, along with a direction to pay compensation equivalent to the cheque amount, inclusive of interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of issuance of the cheque.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the judgment passed by the Appellate Court was never challenged. However, during the intervening period, monetary dispute between the petitioner and respondent No.2, namely Punjab Gramin Bank, was amicably resolved, and the entire amount has already been repaid.

In support of this submission, reliance is placed on a letter dated

08.04.2025 issued by the Manager of Punjab Gramin Bank, Branch Office Arif Ke (Annexure P-1). In light of the settlement, counsel prays that the offence be permitted to be compounded, and, consequently, judgment of conviction and sentence, be set aside.

4. Notice of motion.

5. On advance notice, Mr. Neeraj Madaan, Senior Deputy Advocate General, Punjab, appears on behalf of respondent No.1/State, and Mr.

Vineet Sachdeva, Advocate, appears on behalf of respondent No.2/Bank.

Copy of the complete paper book has been handed over to learned State counsel in the Court today.

6. List again on 22.09.2025.

To be shown in the urgent list.

7. However, it is clarified that in the event, contention recorded today by learned counsel for the petitioner is found to be correct and the same is acceptable to respondent No.2 (the Bank), an affidavit to that effect, along with a reply to the application bearing CRM-33839-2025 (filed for compounding of the offences), be filed in advance before the next date of hearing.”

3. As per reply dated 17.09.2025, filed by respondent No. 2 – Bank, matter has been settled amicably. Paragraphs no. 4 and 5 of the reply reads as under:

“4. That it is respectfully submitted that the respondent no.2/Bank and petitioner entered into one time settlement and the respondent no.2/Bank had received the full and final payment from the present applicant in respect of the loan account and issued No Objection Certificate dated 08.04.2025 (Annexure P-1 in main petition). The rights of Bank has been protected. 5. That the respondent no.2/bank has no objection if the judgment