SANGEETABEN MAHENDRABHAI PATEL vs STATE OF GUJARAT

The Supreme Court held that the doctrine of double jeopardy under Section 300 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, does not apply as the offences under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, and Sections 406/420 read with Section 114 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, are distinct. The Court affirmed the High Court's dismissal of the appellant's application for quashing the FIR and criminal case, ruling that the appellant could be tried for both offences without violating double jeopardy principles.