High Court of Judicature at Bombay
K.U. CHANDIWAL, J.
Rajeev Khandelwal
Versus
State of Maharashtra & Another
CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.2049 OF 2010 & CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION NO.2050 OF 2010
Decided on : 17-08-2012
Where main requirement for construing constructive liability of a Director of a company under Section 141 of Act of being incharge of and responsible for conduct of business of company, not fulfilled therefore complaint under Section 138 and 141 of Act, not maintainable. - In a case the complainant in a prosecution under Section 138 read with 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act has to spell out a clear case against the person sought to be made liable by aid of Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act as it is imperative for the complainant to indicate, such person falls within the parameters of Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Even if, it is stated in the complaint that the petitioner was a Director, however, that will not suffice as the record illustrates the petitioner was not a Director of the company nor incharge for the day-to-day affairs of accused-company.
Averments should have been supported with linkage of corresponding documents chaining personal involvement of petitioner in interacting with the complainant or making the complainant to believe that the transaction is to be shouldered by the petitioner. The verification is also too short to fix primary liability of the petitioner either as a Director or otherwise.
The process issued against the petitioner in the afore referred complaints under Section 138 r/w. 141 of The Negotiable Instruments Act is quashed and set aside.
Both the writ petitions are taken together as common question between both the parties is involved. The petitioner-Mr. Rajeev Khandelwal is original accused no.6 in complaint C.C. No.4870/SS/2009 and Original accused no.4 in Complaint C.C. No.5299/SS/2009, he has been prosecuted for an offence punishable under Section 138 r/w. 141 of Negotiable Instruments Act. The respondent no.2 is the complainant engaged in the business of financial advisory services, advising corporate in debt resolution, project finance, mergers and acquisitions and private equity transactions. M/s.Natural Petrochemicals Private Limited appointed respondent no.2 as exclusive financial advisor vide mandate letter dated 1.10.2008 for representing, structuring and assisting for comprehensive financial restructuring of the outstanding liabilities. The respondent no.2 had completed the transactions and asserted, to be entitled to its professional fees as per the mandate letter and it raised a total bill of Rs.33,21,000/-. In discharge of the said liability towards part payment, Sandip Khandelwal (original accused no.2) issued a cheque on behalf of M/s.Natural Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd. drawn on Punjab National Bank, Nirman Darshan, Andheri (E), Mumbai.
2. Since the cheque on its presentation was dishonoured, followed by statutory demand notice dated 14th October, 2009, complaint in terms of Section 138 r/w. 141 of Negotiable Instruments Act was filed. The learned Judge issued process on 2e November, 2009, same is questioned in both the writ petitions.
3. The learned Counsel for petitioner submits that the petitioner has no concern with the company or with the transaction of issuance of cheque as he was not a Director at the relevant time. He has not transacted with respondent-company. The complainant did not verify that the petitioner has nothing to do with the Accused company nor records were checked with the Registrar of Companies. The learned Counsel submits, mere one letter by Petitioner would not bind him as a Director as the very concept of he being a Director has been disputed. If he is other than a Director, to be prosecuted then specific pleadings should have been made to show his role. Notice was wrongly issued at the address of the company with which the petitioner has no concern. Verification statement does not make out a case of involvement of petitioner. The petitioner was neither employee nor on the Board of Directors of M/s. Natural Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd., nor issued, signed or executed any document in favour of respondent no.2 for appointing respondent no.2 as exclusive financial advisor of M/s. Natural Petrochemicals Pvt. Ltd., the liabilities could not sought to be fastened against him.
4. The learned Counsel for complainant submits that the complaint as a whole will have to be read with specific active participation and role of petitioner in transacting with respondent no.2 and in discharge of liability of the company cheques in question were issued.
5. In paragraphs 9 and 10 of the complaint (Complaint CC. No.5299/SS/2009) the respondent no.2 has stated as under:-
"9. That the cheques have been signed, issued, executed and handed over by the Accused no.2 to the Complainant in discharge of aforesaid legally enforceable liability. As the Accused have failed to make the payment of the said dishonoured cheque within the stipulated period of 15 days from the date of service of statutory notice upon them, they have committed an offence punishable under Section 138 r/w. 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (as amended). Hence, this Complaint is filed before this Hon'ble Court."
"10. The Accused no.2 to 4 are the Directors of Accused no.1. The cheque in question has been signed by the Accused no.2 on behalf of Accused no.1. At the relevant time when the offence was committed, the Accused no.2 to 4 were incharge of and were responsible for the day-to-day affairs of Accused No.1 and for the conduct of the business of Accused no.1. The Accu
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