Forensic Expert Evidence in Cheque Dishonour Cases: Himachal Pradesh High Court Clarifies Limits on Multiple Expert Opinions

Introduction

The Himachal Pradesh High Court, in its judgment delivered on July 14, 2025, in Mantesh Kumar v. Shobha Ram [1], has provided important clarification on the limits governing requests for multiple forensic expert evidence in cheque dishonour cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Justice Rakesh Kainthla’s decision addresses the critical balance between an accused’s right to fair trial and the prevention of dilatory tactics through repeated expert opinion requests, establishing clear guidelines for courts dealing with similar applications.

This judgment resolves an important procedural question that has been increasingly relevant in the digital age, where questions of signature authenticity and document forgery have become more sophisticated and contested. The decision provides essential guidance for trial courts, legal practitioners, and accused persons regarding the circumstances under which additional expert opinions may be sought and the limitations that apply to prevent abuse of the judicial process.

Factual Background and Procedural History

Case Genesis and Initial Proceedings

The case arose from a complaint filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act against Mantesh Kumar (petitioner/accused) by Shobha Ram (respondent/complainant). The complainant availed of 25 opportunities to present evidence and closed their case on July 23, 2024. Following standard procedure, the accused’s statement was recorded under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

During the defense phase, the accused examined a private forensic expert as DW2, who submitted a forensic report (Ex-DW2/A) concluding that the signatures and handwriting on the disputed cheque were not those of the accused. However, this expert admitted during cross-examination that he had not examined the original documents and had based his analysis on photocopies, significantly undermining the credibility of his opinion.

Additional Evidence and Court’s Preliminary Observations

The accused subsequently examined the Customer Relationship Officer of Federal Bank, Ludhiana, who brought original records containing the accused’s signatures. Based on the evidence presented, the trial court indicated its preliminary view that the complaint would likely be allowed, suggesting that the prosecution had established a prima facie case for conviction.

Faced with this adverse indication, the accused filed an application under Section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act seeking comparison of his signatures through a government forensic expert. Additionally, the accused applied under Section 315 of the CrPC for permission to examine himself as a witness. The accused argued that his right to fair trial was being violated and that the signatures on the cheque were forged, necessitating proper comparison to establish the truth.

Trial Court’s Decision and Appeal

The trial court dismissed both applications through its order dated June 16, 2025. The court relied on the principle established in R. Bhaskar Reddy v. Chinni @ Chengal Reddy [(1998) 3 ALD 113] that since the forensic expert’s report had not been set aside, there was no necessity to appoint another expert for fresh comparison.

Aggrieved by this decision, the accused approached the Himachal Pradesh High Court through Criminal Miscellaneous Motion No. 584 of 2025, challenging the trial court’s order and seeking direction for signature comparison through a government forensic expert.

Legal Framework: Expert Evidence Under Indian Evidence Act

Section 45 – Opinion of Experts

Section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, provides the foundational framework for expert evidence in Indian courts. The provision states: “When the Court has to form an opinion upon a point of foreign law, or of science, or art, or as to identity of handwriting or finger impressions, the opinions upon that point of persons specially skilled in such foreign law, science, or art, or in questions as to identity of handwriting or finger impressions are relevant facts. Such persons are called experts” [2].

This provision recognizes that courts may require specialized knowledge beyond the understanding of ordinary persons to decide complex technical matters. In the context of cheque dishonour cases, handwriting analysis becomes particularly relevant when the accused challenges the authenticity of their signature on the disputed instrument.

Section 73 – Comparison of Signatures and Handwriting

Section 73 of the Indian Evidence Act complements Section 45 by providing for comparison of disputed signatures with admitted or proved specimens. The provision empowers courts to direct comparison of questioned documents with known samples to determine authenticity, providing an additional tool for establishing the truth in disputed signature cases [3].

The Supreme Court has consistently held that handwriting expert opinion is not the exclusive method for proving signatures and handwriting, as other provisions of the Evidence Act also provide alternative means of authentication [4].

Evidentiary Value of Expert Opinion

The Supreme Court has emphasized that expert opinions under Section 45 must be treated with appropriate caution. In Murari Lal v. State of M.P. (1980) 1 SCC 704, the Court established that “there is no rule of law, nor any rule of prudence which has crystallized into a rule of law, that opinion evidence of a handwriting expert must never be acted upon, unless substantially corroborated. But, having due regard to the imperfect nature of the science of identification of handwriting, the approach should be one of caution” [5].

This principle recognizes that while expert evidence is valuable, it is not infallible and must be evaluated within the broader context of all available evidence.

High Court’s Analysis and Legal Reasoning

Principle Against Multiple Expert Opinions

The High Court’s primary reasoning focused on the established principle that parties cannot repeatedly seek expert opinions merely because previous reports are unfavorable. Justice Kainthla noted that “since the report of the Forensic Expert examined by the petitioner is still on record and has not been set aside, therefore, the learned Trial Court had rightly held that there was no necessity to send the signatures for comparison to another Forensic Expert.”

This principle serves multiple important functions in the judicial system:

Prevention of Forum Shopping: It prevents accused persons from repeatedly seeking expert opinions until they obtain a favorable report, which would undermine the integrity of the expert evidence system.

Judicial Economy: It ensures that court time and resources are not wasted on repeated examinations of the same issues without proper justification.

Finality in Proceedings: It promotes resolution of cases within reasonable timeframes by preventing endless cycles of expert opinion requests.

Precedential Support from Other High Courts

The Himachal Pradesh High Court drew support from the Kerala High Court’s decision in Santhosh K.S. v. State of Kerala and Ors. (2024) MANU/KE/3572/2024, which established that “the accused cannot insist that the disputed signatures be sent to another laboratory after getting adverse report” [1].

The Kerala High Court’s reasoning, extensively quoted in the judgment, emphasized several key considerations:

Bona Fides Requirement: Courts must examine whether requests for additional expert opinions are made in good faith or merely to delay proceedings. The Kerala High Court noted that “without examining the said expert and analysing the opinion given by him, there is no bona fides in filing a petition to send the cheques to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory.”

Alternative Evidence: The Kerala High Court observed that “the opinion of a handwriting expert is not substantive evidence, and the ultimate decision is that of the court. The petitioner is always at liberty to adduce appropriate evidence to prove that the signature did not belong to him.”

Protraction Prevention: Courts must be vigilant against attempts to protract proceedings indefinitely through repeated expert opinion requests.

Judicial Discretion and Case-Specific Factors

While establishing the general principle against multiple expert opinions, the High Court recognized that forensic expert evidence in cheque dishonour cases must be evaluated based on its inherent quality and reliability. The Court noted that the accused’s private expert had admitted examining only photocopies rather than original documents, significantly undermining the credibility of his opinion.

The Court emphasized that “once a report was elicited from an expert through the process of court, it is not open for a party, that too in a private complaint under section 138 of the NI Act, to keep using the process of the court to obtain another report, without even setting aside the first report.”

This approach strikes a balance between ensuring reliable expert analysis and curbing dilatory tactics, thereby safeguarding the integrity of forensic expert evidence within the framework of cheque dishonour proceedings.

Constitutional Considerations and Fair Trial Rights

Article 21 and Due Process

The accused argued that his right to fair trial under Article 21 of the Constitution was being violated by the denial of additional expert evidence. The High Court addressed this concern by clarifying that the right to fair trial does not include an unlimited right to repeatedly seek expert opinions on the same issue.

The Court’s approach reflects the constitutional principle that due process rights must be balanced against the orderly and efficient administration of justice. While accused persons are entitled to present their defense fully, this right cannot be exercised in a manner that indefinitely delays proceedings or abuses the judicial process.

Burden of Proof and Presumptions

In the context of Section 138 NI Act cases, the legal framework includes statutory presumptions that favor complainants while providing accused persons with opportunities to rebut these presumptions through appropriate evidence. Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act creates a presumption that cheques are issued in discharge of legally enforceable debts, placing the burden on accused persons to prove otherwise [6].

The High Court’s decision recognizes that while accused persons have the right to challenge signatures and seek expert evidence, this right must be exercised within reasonable parameters that do not undermine the effectiveness of the statutory framework.

Procedural Safeguards and Trial Management

Section 315 CrPC and Additional Evidence

The accused also sought permission under Section 315 of the CrPC to examine himself as a witness. The High Court noted that this application, combined with the request for additional expert evidence, appeared to be motivated by the accused’s belief that the trial court was biased rather than any genuine evidentiary need.

The Court observed that “the petition shows that the application was filed because the petitioner/accused believes that the learned Trial Court is biased. This is an extraneous consideration and shows that the application was not bona fide but meant to prolong the trial, and could not have been allowed.”

This observation highlights the importance of examining the motivation behind procedural applications and ensuring that they serve legitimate purposes rather than dilatory objectives.

Judicial Active Participation

The High Court addressed the accused’s complaint about the trial court asking questions to witnesses, clarifying that judicial intervention is not only permissible but sometimes necessary for effective truth-finding. Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in State of M.P. v. Balveer Singh, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 390, the Court noted that judges “should not sit as a mute spectator or recording machine but should ask the questions from the witness to elicit the truth” [1].

This principle recognizes that judges have an active role in ensuring that trials serve their truth-finding function effectively, while maintaining appropriate neutrality and fairness.

Case Management and Efficiency

The decision contributes to broader discussions about case management and efficiency in the Indian judicial system. By establishing clear limits on repeated expert opinion requests, courts can better manage their dockets and ensure that cases proceed to resolution within reasonable timeframes.

The approach adopted by the High Court promotes judicial efficiency while maintaining appropriate safeguards for accused persons’ rights, reflecting a balanced approach to case management that serves both individual and systemic interests.

Implications for Legal Practice and Trial Strategy

Strategic Considerations for Defense Counsel

The judgment provides important guidance for defense counsel in Section 138 cases regarding the strategic use of forensic expert evidence in cheque dishonour cases. Key considerations include:

• Quality Over Quantity: Defense counsel should focus on obtaining high-quality expert evidence from the outset rather than relying on the possibility of multiple opinions. The case demonstrates that courts will scrutinize the quality and reliability of expert evidence, particularly when experts have not examined original documents.
• Timing and Planning: Applications for expert evidence should be made at appropriate stages of proceedings with proper justification. Last-minute applications made after adverse indications from the court may be viewed skeptically.
• Alternative Evidence: Counsel should consider alternative methods of challenging signature authenticity, including witness testimony, documentary evidence, and other provisions of the Evidence Act beyond expert opinions.

Prosecution Strategy and Response

For prosecutors, the judgment reinforces the importance of presenting strong foundational evidence that can withstand challenges based on signature authenticity. Key strategies include:

• Original Document Preservation: Ensuring that original documents are properly preserved and presented in court, as the case demonstrates the reduced credibility of expert opinions based on photocopies.
• Comprehensive Evidence: Building cases that do not rely solely on signature authentication but include corroborating evidence of the underlying transaction and debt.
• Opposing Dilatory Tactics: Being prepared to oppose applications for additional expert evidence that appear to be motivated by delay rather than genuine evidentiary needs.

Comparative Analysis with Other Jurisdictions

Common Law Approaches

In common law jurisdictions, similar principles govern the admissibility and use of expert evidence. Courts generally require that expert evidence meet standards of reliability and relevance while preventing abuse through repeated applications. The approach adopted by the Himachal Pradesh High Court aligns with these international best practices.

Evolving Standards for Expert Evidence

The judgment reflects evolving standards for expert evidence that emphasize reliability, scientific validity, and judicial efficiency. These trends are visible across various jurisdictions as courts grapple with increasingly sophisticated scientific evidence while maintaining efficient trial procedures.

Future Implications and Legal Development

Technology and Digital Evidence

As commercial transactions increasingly involve digital elements, questions of document authenticity and signature verification may become more complex. The principles established in this judgment provide a foundation for addressing these evolving challenges while maintaining appropriate procedural safeguards.

Judicial Training and Guidelines

The decision may influence the development of judicial training programs and guidelines regarding the management of expert evidence in commercial disputes. Clear standards for evaluating applications for additional expert opinions can improve consistency across different courts and jurisdictions.

Legislative Considerations

The judgment may inform future legislative discussions about the Negotiable Instruments Act and Evidence Act, particularly regarding the balance between accused persons’ rights and the efficient resolution of commercial disputes.

Conclusion

The Himachal Pradesh High Court’s decision in Mantesh Kumar v. Shobha Ram represents a balanced and principled approach to the use of forensic expert evidence in cheque dishonour Cases. By establishing clear limits on repeated requests for expert opinions while maintaining appropriate safeguards for fair trial rights, the Court has provided valuable guidance for the administration of justice in commercial disputes.

The judgment’s emphasis on preventing dilatory tactics while preserving legitimate defense rights reflects a mature understanding of the tensions inherent in criminal trial procedure. The decision recognizes that while accused persons must have adequate opportunities to present their defense, these rights cannot be exercised in a manner that indefinitely delays proceedings or abuses the judicial process.

Most importantly, the judgment contributes to the development of coherent principles for managing forensic expert evidence in cheque dishonour cases in an era of increasing technological sophistication and complexity. By grounding its decision in established legal principles while addressing contemporary challenges, the Court has provided a framework that should serve the legal system well as evidentiary practices continue to evolve.

The decision’s impact extends beyond immediate procedural clarifications to contribute to broader discussions about judicial efficiency, case management, and the balance between individual rights and systemic effectiveness. This contribution to jurisprudential development ensures that the legal system remains capable of addressing commercial disputes effectively while maintaining appropriate protections for all parties involved.

The precedent established by this judgment will likely influence trial court practice across India, providing clear guidance for judges, prosecutors, and defense counsel dealing with similar issues in cheque dishonour cases. By establishing principled limits on expert evidence requests while maintaining flexibility for genuine cases, the decision promotes both justice and efficiency in commercial dispute resolution.