Mumbai court sentences Kerala MLA Mani C Kappan to 1 year in jail for cheque bounce offence

A Mumbai court on Tuesday convicted Mani C Kappan, who is the Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kerala's Pala constituency, in a cheque dishonour case filed by businessman Dinesh Menon [Dinesh Menon v Mani C Kappan].

Judge SA Khalane convicted Kappan for the offence punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881 and sentenced him to one year of simple imprisonment.

The Court also directed him to pay ₹1.20 crore as compensation to Menon with interest at 9% from the date of the order until the entire amount is realised.

If he fails to pay compensation within one month, then Kappan has to undergo imprisonment for 6 more months.

The Court consequently issued a standing non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Kappan for his arrest through the concerned police station for execution of the sentence.

The case stemmed from a long-standing financial dispute between Kappan and Menon.

The financial dealings had also led to a separate criminal case against Kappan in Kerala for cheating and criminal breach of trust.

The Kerala High Court had earlier declined to interfere with the framing of charges.

However, a special court in Ernakulam later acquitted Kappan of the criminal charges in February 2025.

The cheque bounce case, instituted in Mumbai, continued culminating in the verdict today.

Detailed order awaited.