#deposit condition

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that appellate courts must record specific reasons when denying a waiver of the 20% deposit condition under Section 148 of the NI Act. The Court emphasized that financial hardship constitutes a valid ground for waiver, reinforcing the right to appeal without arbitrary financial barriers.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that imposing a mandatory 20% deposit condition for suspending sentences under Section 148-A of the NI Act requires specific, recorded reasons to avoid unjustly depriving appellants of their right to appeal. The court emphasized that appellate discretion must be exercised judiciously, aligning with Supreme Court precedents that permit exceptions in exceptional cases.