In a major reprieve for local BSP chief Harmohan Dhawan, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today stayed the proceedings of a case in a local court which had, last week, issued a notice to Dhawan for dishonouring a cheque.

The notices were issued by the UT court after a petition was filed against Dhawan, his wife and son under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The trio is accused of issuing a cheque worth Rs 34 lakh that later bounced.

Advocate Harish Bhardwaj, who represented the complainants to whom the cheque was issued, had alleged that Dhawan and his family had floated a hospitality company along with his clients S A Khan and his brother, who were the partners.

The Khans allegedly invested Rs 57 lakh in Dhawanâ, a Sector-17 restaurant.

The Dhawans issued three cheques to Khans. Though two got encashed, the third one worth Rs 34 lakh was dishonoured.

Arguing on the behalf of Dhawan, his counsel alleged that the cheque was never issued by Dhawan to Khans rather it was stolen by them (Khans).

The counsel submitted that acting on the complaint of Dhawan, a case was also registered by the Chandigarh Police in this regard. Accepting the contentions, Justice R K Jain stayed the proceedings of the lower court till November 30.

Ludhiana doctor’s bail plea dismissed
The Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Dr Sumit Sofat on Wednesday. Claiming innocence and alleging false implication by the Panchkula police, the Ludhiana-based doctor had filed an anticipatory bail plea which was dismissed by Justice R K Jain.

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