Mehmood Khan V. Sohail Khan and another,
PCrLJ 2017 1305 · Balochistan High Court
This case involved an appeal against the acquittal of Sohail Khan, who had been accused of dishonestly issuing two cheques worth Rs. 400,000 and Rs. 600,000 to Mehmood Khan. The cheques bounced due to insufficient funds, leading to a criminal complaint under Section 489-F of the Pakistan Penal Code, which criminalizes dishonestly issuing a cheque meant to repay a loan or fulfil an obligation. A trial court in Quetta acquitted the accused for lack of evidence, and the complainant challenged this acquittal before the Balochistan High Court.
The High Court explained that not every bounced cheque amounts to a crime. For an offence under Section 489-F, the prosecution must prove dishonest intent, that the cheque was issued to repay a loan or fulfil an obligation, and that it was dishonoured when presented.
In this case, the complainant's own testimony contradicted that of his witness regarding a settlement between the parties, undermining both their credibility. The investigating officer also contradicted the witness's account. Because the surrounding story of why the cheques were issued kept changing and was inconsistent, the court found the prosecution failed to prove dishonest intent or that the cheques were meant to repay a loan or fulfil an obligation.
The High Court upheld the acquittal, ruling that the complainant had not shown any legal error or misreading of evidence by the trial court. This case illustrates that merely iss
یہ مقدمہ سہیل خان کی بریت کے خلاف اپیل سے متعلق تھا، جن پر الزام تھا کہ انہوں نے محمود خان کو 400,000 روپے اور 600,000 روپے مالیت کے دو چیک بددیانتی سے جاری کیے تھے۔ یہ چیک ناکافی رقم کی وجہ سے بینک سے واپس ہو گئے، جس پر پاکستان پینل کوڈ کی دفعہ 489-F کے تحت فوجداری شکایت درج کرائی گئی، جو کسی قرض کی ادائیگی یا ذمہ داری پوری کرنے کے لیے بددیانتی سے چیک جاری کرنے کو جرم قرار دیتی ہے۔ کوئٹہ کی ایک ٹرائل کورٹ نے ناکافی شواہد کی بنا پر ملزم کو