In a bid to reduce the pendency of cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the the Negotiable Instruments Act, the Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the establishment of pilot courts presided over by retired judges in five districts of five states that have the highest pendency, i.e., Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh. A bench comprising Justices L Nageswara Rao, BR Gavai and S Ravindra Bhat said that it has accepted suggestions made by amicus Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra on establishments of pilot courts. The Supreme Court bench passed the verdict after the apex court took suo moto cognizance of the humongous pendency of cheque bounce cases in March 2020. In the order, the bench said, "We have incorporated the suggestions of the amicus with respect to the setting up of the pilot courts and we have given the timelines also. It is to begin on September 1,2022 onwards. The secretary general of this court shall ensure that a copy of the present order is directly communicated to the registrar general of the said five high courts, which should put it before the chief justices for immediate action."