J&K High Court: Bank Manager’s Presence Not Mandatory in Cheque Bounce Trials

The Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court has ruled that it is not mandatory for a bank’s branch manager to personally appear during cheque bounce trials under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

Justice Sanjay Dhar ruled that any authorised bank official with access to relevant records can competently testify.

The decision came after a trial court insisted on the manager’s presence and refused to record the authorised representative’s statement.

The High Court clarified that since such evidence relies on official bank documents, requiring the manager's personal deposition is unnecessary and unjustified.