Expeditious disposal and procedural discipline under the Negotiable Instruments Act

must be harmonized with the foundational tenets of natural justice and fair opportunity. While the special statutory regime governing cheque dishonor envisions speedy trials through summary or summons procedures, speed cannot be prioritized at the expense of substantive justice. Striking off a complaint case for default may superficially accelerate the disposal rate of the court's docket, but it frustrates the broader statutory objective of providing an efficacious penal mechanism against dishonored cheques. Procedural discipline must serve the administration of justice rather than extinguish legitimate statutory rights, necessitating that subordinate courts demonstrate measured tolerance and afford adequate leeway to complainants before directing the peremptory closure of criminal complaints. (Yatendra Singh Vs State of U.P. & Another | 2026 INSC 109)