In a significant development, the Gujarat High Court has granted ad interim bail to Bollywood filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi, who faces legal challenges stemming from a cheque dishonor case. Justice MR Mengdey presided over the proceedings, where Santoshi was granted relief until the next hearing scheduled for February 13, 2025.
Earlier this year, a Gujarat magistrate court convicted Santoshi under the Negotiable Instruments Act, sentencing him to two years in prison and imposing a Rs 20 lakh fine. The conviction was based on allegations that Santoshi had failed to honor a financial commitment by dishonoring a cheque amounting to Rs 22.5 lakh.
During the High Court session, Santoshi’s legal counsel argued that the filmmaker had already made significant efforts to settle the amount, having deposited Rs 6 lakhs of the total due. Santoshi also expressed his readiness to deposit the remaining Rs 16.5 lakhs into the court’s registry to demonstrate his commitment to fulfilling his financial obligations.
The case traces back to a series of financial transactions where the complainant initially claimed that a sum of Rs 20 lakh was given to Santoshi in 2010. It later emerged during the trial that the money was actually handed over by the complainant’s wife. Despite claims from Santoshi’s camp that he had repaid the initial amount plus an additional Rs 17.5 lakh, totaling Rs 37.5 lakh, the complainant maintained that a total of Rs 60 lakh was due, leaving an outstanding balance of Rs 22.5 lakh.
Santoshi’s counsel highlighted discrepancies in the complainant’s account and procedural inconsistencies related to the issuance of the notice under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which pertains to the dishonor of cheques for insufficiency of funds.
Following these arguments, the High Court opted to grant Santoshi ad interim bail, taking into consideration his recent efforts to clear the dues and his compliance with court procedures. The decision provides temporary relief for Santoshi, allowing him more time to settle his legal affairs.
