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Rs 5.55 lakh fine for stop payment - Burden of proof considered

Supreme Court, last week, set aside the judgment of the Karnataka High Court and imposed a fine of Rs 5.55 lakh on the drawer of a cheque for stopping payment in the case, T Vasanthakumar vs Vijayakumari. The magistrate had imposed the fine or in default five months imprisonment on the woman, who issued the cheque. She was a partner in a film distribution firm and the opposite party was a theatre owner. They had commercial transactions during which disputes arose. The question involved was who had the burden of proof to show that the cheque was issued in discharge of a debt or liability. The court ruled that the woman had the duty to prove that in this case, but as it was not done, she should suffer the punishment.

Article referred: http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/excise-duty-at-point-of-sale-sc-115050300727_1.html

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