Over 4 lakh cases of cheque bounce await hearing in Ahmedabad, new courts to be established

Considering the significant backlog of cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act in Ahmedabad, the Gujarat High Court has decided to establish four additional courts at Apna Bazar Building to ensure speedy and effective resolution of these cases. These new courts will become operational from June 18.

Notably, Ahmedabad accounts for over four lakh pending cases—approximately 60% of all pending cheque bounce cases in the entire state of Gujarat.

To ease the burden of pending cases and accelerate their resolution, the Gujarat High Court has taken this important step of starting four new courts at the Apna Bazar Multi-storey Building near Lal Darwaja. This move is expected to significantly reduce the case backlog.

Currently, there are 19 courts functioning under the Negotiable Instruments Act at the same building. Additionally, one judge has been appointed for online court proceedings. With the new additions, the total number of courts for cheque bounce cases will increase to 24—23 physical courts and one online court.

It was further noted that the number of cases has risen sharply along with the increase in courts. In recent years, the number of banks, finance companies, housing societies, and lending institutions has grown substantially, which has led to a spike in cheque bounce cases as well as fraud-related litigation.

Most of these cases are being filed by banks, financial institutions, lending agencies, and jewellery firms or societies. As a result, the volume of pending cases has surged accordingly.

With adequate infrastructure and manpower, if these courts operate efficiently within a defined timeline, it is possible to significantly ease the burden of cheque bounce litigation. Currently, cases involving crores of rupees are pending in these courts, with litigants eagerly awaiting resolution.