Prospective operation of interim compensation under Section 143-A barred deposit order in a pre-amendment complaint.

Section 143-A of the Negotiable Instruments Act was introduced by the 2018 amendment and was treated as prospective in operation. Because the complaint had been filed before the amendment came into force, the court held that the power to direct interim compensation could be exercised only in complaints arising after the amendment. The order requiring deposit of interim compensation in the present complaint was therefore unsustainable.

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Issues: Whether Section 143-A of the Negotiable Instruments Act could be applied to direct deposit of interim compensation in a complaint case filed before the amendment came into force.

Analysis: The provision for interim compensation under Section 143-A was introduced by the Negotiable Instruments (Amendment) Act, 2018. The complaint had been instituted before the amendment became effective, and the provision was treated as prospective in operation. On that basis, the power to direct interim compensation could be exercised only in respect of cases arising after the amendment was brought into force.

Conclusion: Section 143-A could not be applied to the present complaint, and the order directing deposit of interim compensation was unsustainable.

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