Non-Signatory Joint Account Holder Cannot Be Prosecuted in Cheque Bounce Case Under Section 138 NI Act: Allahabad High Court

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a joint bank account holder cannot be prosecuted in a cheque bounce case under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 unless that person has signed the dishonoured cheque. The Court clarified that criminal liability in cheque dishonour matters primarily rests upon the drawer and signatory of the cheque. Justice Sandeep Jain passed the judgment while allowing a petition filed by Madhu…