Punjab & Haryana High Court allows settlement in cheque-bounce case despite appeal upheld

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has ruled that a cheque-bounce conviction can be compounded and settled even after being upheld in appeal, provided the parties reach a full settlement.

The court set aside a 2019 trial court ruling against a businessman and a 2025 Sessions Court order that had dismissed his appeals. The decision came after the parties resolved their dispute at a local mediation centre.

The judgment clarifies the scope for settlement in such criminal cases, allowing offenders and complainants to reach compromises even at advanced stages of legal proceedings when both parties are willing.