In a case that brings attention to long-standing salary disputes and the legal weight of dishonoured cheques, a Jalandhar court recently upheld the conviction of Mann Mediciti Hospital and its director, Dr. J.S. Mann. The case, rooted in a dispute dating back over a decade, ended with a two-year rigorous imprisonment sentence—later suspended after the accused deposited the full amount in court during a revision plea.
A dispute that lingered for years
The matter dates back to 2006–2011, when Dr. Jaswinder Singh, an anesthesiologist, was employed at Mann Mediciti Hospital. He claimed the hospital owed him over ₹9.77 lakh in unpaid salary and a further ₹3.75 lakh for three months’ dues. Though some payments were made, he alleged that a large part of his dues remained unsettled.
In 2013, the hospital issued a cheque for ₹10 lakh in what appeared to be an effort to close the matter. But the cheque bounced. The bank returned it with the remark “Drawer’s Signature Differs.” After his legal notice to the hospital went unanswered, Dr. Singh filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act—a provision that criminalises cheque dishonour.
Court: forgery allegation came too late
During the trial, Dr. Singh presented documents proving his employment and the hospital’s liabilities. The hospital, in its defense, claimed the cheque had been forged—that it had been stolen and filled in fraudulently. But this version didn’t sit well with the court.
One critical detail worked against the hospital: they only lodged a police complaint of forgery after the cheque had already bounced, and they failed to back their claims with expert evidence. Despite being given several opportunities, they didn’t bring in a handwriting or fingerprint analyst. Dr. J.S. Mann himself admitted to discrepancies in his signatures on various documents, further weakening their stance.
The trial court found both the hospital and its director guilty, sentencing them to two years in jail and ordering the payment of the cheque amount, along with 9% interest from the date the cheque was issued. The Additional Sessions Judge later upheld this verdict, rejecting the hospital’s late attempt to introduce new expert evidence on appeal.
A twist in the tale: payment deposited, sentence suspended
The legal chapter didn’t end there. On June 2, 2025, the matter reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a revision petition. In a bid to demonstrate good faith, Dr. Mann and the hospital submitted two demand drafts amounting to ₹21.02 lakh—₹10 lakh towards the principal and ₹11.02 lakh as interest.
Dr. Singh’s counsel refused to accept the drafts, and the High Court directed that the full amount be deposited with the Registrar General to be held in a fixed deposit until further orders.
Taking note of the payment, the court decided to suspend the sentence of Dr. J.S. Mann and Mann Mediciti Hospital for now, pending further hearing. Bail was granted, conditional upon furnishing proper sureties and bail bonds.
What’s next
The case will now be heard again on August 20, 2025. The amount deposited with the High Court remains untouched until then. Dr. Singh still has the option to accept the amount and bring the litigation to a close, though no such indication has been made yet.
This case serves as a reminder of the legal risks associated with cheque dishonour—and highlights how prolonged wage disputes can evolve into complex legal battles. While the sentence has been temporarily suspended, the court’s clear stance on employer accountability remains intact as the matter inches toward final resolution.