IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
GOUTAM BHADURI, J.
Dushyant Dang S/o Shri Ramesh Chand Dang - Petitioner
Versus
Jairam Das Verma S/o Shri Jagdev Verma - Respondent
CRMP No. 1382 of 2017
Decided On : 05-12-2017
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Sections 138, 142(b) and 138(c) - Code of Civil Procedure,1908 - Section 438 - Dishonour of the cheque - Preliminary objection - Statutory notice - Alleged in such objection that again the cheques were deposited in the bank in the month of February, 2016 which were dishonoured on 11/02/2016 and second notice for dishonor of the cheque was served on 18/02/2016 which was replied by the accused on 03/03/2016. Thereafter the complaint u/s 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act was filed on 11/03/2016 before the JMFC. It was therefore contended that since after presentation of the cheque for the first time in the month of January – Held, principles as laid down is of an irresistible opinion that order passed in Cr.M.P. No.1353 of 2016 decided on 14/12/2016 i.e. of Babar Hussain Vs. Arjun Singh Netam reported in 2017(2) C.G.L.J. 413 is per incuriam and consequently impugned order dated 11/08/2017 passed in Criminal Revision No.75/2017 is also rendered per incuriam and requires to be set aside – Ordered Accordingly
1. The present petition is against the order dated 11/08/2017 passed in Criminal Revision No.75/2017 by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Durg. By such order the learned court below has affirmed the order passed by the JMFC dated 24/03/2017 in Complaint Case No.2025/2016.
2. Facts as would reflect from the order of revisional court and documents attached with this petition is that complainant/petitioner herein has filed a complaint before JMFC, Durg under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 after dishonour of the cheque given by the respondent. After registration of the complaint, a preliminary objection was preferred by the accused on the ground that alleged two cheques which were issued in his favour dated 1/11/2015 and 2/11/2015 respectively were first dishonoured on 2/01/2016 by the bank. Against such dishonour first statutory notice was served on 15/01/2016 claiming the amount of dishonour of cheques. Admittedly after first dishonour and statutory notice no complaint was filed under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act by the complainant. It was alleged in such objection that again the cheques were deposited in the bank in the month of February, 2016 which were dishonoured on 11/02/2016 and second notice for dishonor of the cheque was served on 18/02/2016 which was replied by the accused on 03/03/2016. Thereafter the complaint u/s 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act was filed on 11/03/2016 before the JMFC. It was therefore contended that since after presentation of the cheque for the first time in the month of January, 2016 and after dishonour thereof, since no complaint was preferred within stipulated statutory period i.e. after service of first notice, subsequent complaint on the basis of second dishonour and notice there off is not tenable as the complaint would be barred by time as the cause of action would accrue and start running after first dishonour and notice thereof.
3. Said objection by the accused was allowed and it was held that complaint on the basis of second dishonor of cheque and notice thereof cannot be sustained when no action has been taken on the basis of the first dishonour cheque and statutory notice thereof within the statutory period.
4. Said order of dismissal was further assailed by the complainant before the revisional court of 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Durg. The Additional Sessions Judge also affirmed the order of dismissal by holding that cause of action started running after receipt of first notice itself on 15/01/2016 and when no complaint was filed within statutory period the subsequent complaint on the basis of presentation of the cheque for 2nd time and to get it dishonoured cannot be sustained. The revisional court mainly relied on the judgment of Babar Hussain Vs. Arjun Singh Netam reported in 2017(2) C.G.L.J. 413 in Cr.M.P. No.1353 of 2016 which was decided on 14/12/2016 and held that the complaint would not be maintainable on the basis of subsequent presentation and dishonour of cheques.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner would submit that judgment rendered by the court below is per incuriam and the dictum which has been followed by the court that of Babar Hussain Vs. Arjun Singh Netam is based on the judgment of Prem Chand Vijay Kumar Vs. Yashpal Singh & another reported in 2005(4) SCC 417. It is contended the ratio and principles of case which was relied on by revisional court stands over ruled by law laid down in case of MSR Leathers Vs. S. Palaniappan and another reported in (2013) 1 SCC 177. Thereby order cannot be sustained and requires to be set aside by restoring the complaint.
6. Learned counsel for the respondent on the other hand supported the order of the court below on the ground that no interference is required since order is well merited which do not call for any interference.
7. Perused the documents and the order of the court below.
8. According to the complaint two cheques one of them bearing number 033604 dated 1/11/2015 for Rs.63,70
A.R. Antulay v. R.S. Nayak reported in (1988) 2 SCC 602
Babar Hussain Vs. Arjun Singh Netam reported in 2017(2) C.G.L.J. 413
Gurbaksh Singh Sibbia v. State of Punjab reported in (1980) 2 SCC 565
Dalmia Cement (Bharat) Ltd. v. Galaxy Traders & Agencies Ltd. and Anr.
Prem Chand Vijay Kumar Vs. Yashpal Singh & another reported in 2005(4) SCC 417
MSR Leathers Vs. S. Palaniappan and another reported in (2013) 1 SCC 177
S.L. Constructions and Anr. v. Alapati Srinivasa Rao and Anr.
Sadanandan Bhadran v. Madhavan Sunil Kumar reported in (1998) 6 SCC 514
SIL Import, USA v. Exim Aides Silk Exporters
Siddharam Satlingappa Mhetre v. State of Maharashtra and Ors. reported in (2011) 1 SCC 694
Tameshwar Vaishnav v. Ramvishal Gupta
Uniplas India Ltd. and Ors. v. State (Govt. of NCT Delhi) and Anr.
Union of India and others Vs. R.P. Singh reported in (2014) 7 SCC 340
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