MANU/DE/0196/2012
IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Crl. M.C. No. 2351/2011
Decided On: 17.01.2012
Appellants: Sharma Contracts (India) Pvt. Ltd.
Vs.
Respondent: State & Anr.
Hon'ble Judges:
Hon'ble Mr. Suresh Kait
Counsels:
For Appellant/Petitioner/Plaintiff: Mr. Subhasish Mohanty, Adv.
For Respondents/Defendant: Ms. Ritu Gauba, APP for State, Mr. J.K. Bhola, Adv. for Respondent No. 2
Subject: Criminal
Acts/Rules/Orders:
Negotiable Instruments Act - Section 138; Code of Criminal Procedural (CrPC), 1860 - Section 219, Code of Criminal Procedural (CrPC), 1860 - Section ; Code of Criminal Procedural (CrPC), 1860 - Section 220(1); Indian Penal Code 1860 - Section 379; Indian Penal Code 1860 - section 380
Case Note:
Criminal - Quashing of Summon - Section 219 of Criminal Procedural Code, 1860 (Cr.PC) and Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act - Present petition filed for quashing of summon issued by trial Court against Petitioner - Held, out of 25 cheques, 14 cheques were dishonoured on different dates for reasons "Exceed Arrangements" - Petitioner had raised legal issue vide instant petition that Respondent No. 2 filed one complaint in regard to all 14 cheques - Vide order trial Court had issued summons to Petitioners Nos. 1 to 3 - Petitioner submits that when a person commits more offences than one of same kind committed within a period of 12 months from first to last of such offences whether in respect of same person or not, he might be charged with and tried by one trial for any number of them not exceeding three - Therefore, filing of one complaint against dishonour of 14 cheques was barred by Section 219 of Cr.PC - In Lalit Fabrics Private Limited v. Linkers Associates Limited, wherein it was held that all cheques were of different dates and on presentations, said cheques were dishonoured from time to time for reasons of "Insufficient Funds", could not be said to lose its right to initiate criminal complaint merely on ground that notice related to more than one cheque, such interpretation of Section 219 of Cr.PC would be contrary to very spirit of Section 138 of Act - Therefore, Court was of opinion that notice in respect of more than one cheques disentitles payee to initiate action under Section 138 of Act - Mere reference in complaint to 20 cheques as having been dishonoured could not render complaint bad in law or not maintainable - Order of trial Court issuing summon did not get invalidated on that score - Keeping in view above discussion, Court not inclined to interfere with order passed by trial Court - Accordingly, Petition was dismissed
JUDGMENT
Suresh Kait, J.
1. Vide the instant petition, the petitioner has assailed the order dated 15.4.2011 passed by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, Delhi whereby summons have been issued against the petitioner.
22
|
28th Dec., 2010
|
933701
|
7,27,474/-
|
Bounced 11/01/11
|
23
|
9th January, 2011
|
933957
|
4,63,487/-
|
Bounced 11/01/11
|
24
|
15th January, 2011
|
933702
|
7,27,474/-
|
Bounced 29/01/11
|
25
|
25th January, 2011
|
933703
|
7,27,475/-
|
Bounced 29/01/11
|
5. Out of 25 cheques as mentioned above, 14 cheques were dishonoured on different dates for the reasons "Exceed Arrangements"
6. The petitioner has raised a legal issue vide the instant petition that respondent No. 2 filed one complaint in regard to all the 14 cheques. Vide order dated 15.4.2011 and 2.7.2011, learned Metropolitan Magistrate has issued summons to the petitioners Nos. 1 to 3.
18. Keeping in view the above discussion and the settled law in view, I am not inclined to interfere with the order passed by learned Metropolitan Magistrate, dated 15th April, 2011.