Pro-note bearing signatures taken under duress not legally acceptable, says LHC

Upholding a trial court’s verdict, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday said that a pro-note bearing signatures or a thumb impression taken under duress was not legally acceptable, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Giving a decision on the appeal filed by Noor Bibi, Justice Muhammad Sajid Mehmood Sethi said that as per the respondents in the case, thumb impression was obtained on a blank piece of paper, which was later converted into a fake promissory note.    

The court said that in case of a dispute, only the thumb impression was not sufficient to prove that a loan had been given.

It was further stated that the fact that entry was not made in the Notary Public’s register, raised questions over the transparency of the document. 

The court noted that litigation and rivalry between the two parties was proven from the record.  

It said that the appellant had failed to present a credible proof of the payment of a huge sum of Rs1 million.

The LHC said that the trial court gave the verdict after taking into account all proof and facts.

The high court rejected the appellant’s request for the provision of relief. 

Reporter: Malik Ashraf