CRR-344-2026 (O&M) 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRR-344-2026 (O&M) Vinod Kumar ...Petitioner(s). Versus State of Haryana & another ...Respondent(s). Judgment reserved on Judgment pronounced on Operative Part Pronounced or full Uploaded on 23.02.2026 05.03.2026 Fully pronounced 05.03.2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANOOP CHITKARA, Present: Mr. Lokesh Vohra, Advocate for the petitioner(s). Mr. Vivek Chauhan, Addl.A.G., Haryana. Ms. Divya, Advocate for respondent no.2. ---- ANOOP CHITKARA, J. Case No. CIS No.NACT/176/2022 (CNR No.HRFT03-000649-2022) Date of decision: 17.07.2025 Names of convict Vinod Kumar Conviction under sections 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act Sentence imposed Simple imprisonment for one year and further, to pay compensation of Rs.10,15,000/- i.e. equal to the cheque amount to the complainant. Criminal Appeal No. CIS No.CRA-422-2025 Criminal Appeal No.162-CRA(Act) of 2025. Date of decision: 12.11.2025 1. Challenging the judgment of conviction and sentence dated 17.07.2025 passed by the Judicial Magistrate, Ist Class, Fatehabad, as affirmed by Additional Sessions ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.03.05 15:04 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh CRR-344-2026 (O&M) 2 Judge, Fatehabad, dismissing the appeal, whereby the petitioner was convicted under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act and sentenced, as mentioned above, the petitioner has come up before this Court by filing the present criminal revision petition. 2. At the outset, counsel for the petitioner submitted that the petitioner is a poor person and has no source of income and therefore, he is not in a position to pay the compensation as awarded by the trial Court. He submitted that the petitioner is the first offender and out of the total awarded sentence of one year, he has already undergone a period of 3 months and 13 days including remission (as on 20.02.2026). He further submitted that the petitioner has already suffered a lot for the last about four years and he would be contended and satisfied if the sentenced awarded to the petitioner is reduced to the period already undergone by him. 3. State counsel has handed over custody certificate of the petitioner dated 20.02.2026, as per which the petitioner has already undergone a period of 03 months and 13 days (including remission of 4 days). 4. Legal aid counsel appearing on behalf of respondent no.2 i.e. The Fatehabad Central Co-operative Bank Limited, has strongly opposed the prayer made on behalf of the petitioner and submitted that the petitioner be directed to pay the compensation amount, as awarded by the trial Court. 5. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and have perused the relevant material placed on record. 6. Given the submissions made by counsel for the petitioner, State counsel as well as respondent no.2-complainant and after going through the record of the case, I am of the considered opinion that given the period of custody undergone by the petitioner, ends of justice would be met if the order of conviction is affirmed and sentence awarded to the petitioner is reduced to the period of sentence already undergone by the petitioner. However, respondent no.2 shall have the remedy to recover the amount of compensation from the petitioner. ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.03.05 15:04 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh CRR-344-2026 (O&M) 3 7. For the foregoing reasons, the above-mentioned revision petition is disposed of and the substantive sentence of the petitioner-accused is reduced to the period already undergone by him, which as per record is about 3½ months, as he was taken in custody on 12.11.2025. However, respondent no.2 shall be at liberty to recover the amount of compensation from the petitioner in accordance with law. Petitioner be released immediately in this case, without any delay. All pending CRM(s), if any, are also disposed of accordingly. (ANOOP CHITKARA) 05.03.2026 JUDGE Ak Whether speaking/reasoned? : Yes Whether reportable? : No ASHWANI KUMAR 2026.03.05 15:04 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court, Chandigarh