2015 Supreme(Chh) 337
IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH, BILASPUR
GOUTAM BHADURI, J.
A.K.R. Transport - Appellant
Versus
Kamakshi Shipping - Respondent
CRMP Nos. 620 and 650 of 2015
Decided On : 21-08-2015
For the Appellants :K.A. Ansari, Senior Advocate and R.L. Bajpayee, Advocate
For the Respondents:Ashutosh Ghade, Advocate.
Headnote:
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Section 138 - Section 142 - Section 5(3) - Section of 142-A(1)(2) - Section 145(2) - Constitution of India - Article 141 – Code Of Criminal Procedure,1973 - Section 482 - Principal Act - Section 142 - Dishonour Of Cheques - Petitioner Transport filed two complaint cases with averments that respondent Shipping had handed over two Post Dated Cheques (PDC) drawn in favour of complainant/petitioner - Cheques were post - Cheques were drawn on ICICI Bank, who was banker of, respondent herein - Both cheques were presented by petitioner for encashment to his Banker with S.B.I. Branch - Cheques having been sent for collection, it was reported by ICICI bank, that said cheques were dishonoured - Having received intimation of dishonour of cheques due to instruction of "stop payment" by respondent, a legal notice was sent but despite receipt of such notice payment was not made - Consequently a complaint was filed by petitioner before Court - Said complaint having been filed – Held, Procedural statute should not generally speaking be applied retrospectively where result would be to create new disabilities or obligations or to impose new duties in respect of transactions already accomplished - Consideration of all facts and for reasons stated in foregoing paragraphs, court do not find any illegality in order of JMFC as also revisional Court warranting interference by this Court and thus impugned orders cannot be set aside - Argument advanced by learned Senior Advocate to restore complaint, said argument cannot be allowed to sustain - This Court in exercise of its inherent power cannot pass any order to continue proceedings since on date of promulgation of ordnance no complaint was pending before Court of JMFC - If it is done, it would amount to legislation - Petitioners, therefore, if so advised may file a fresh complaint before Court having jurisdiction - However, it has to satisfy reasons for delay in filing complaint, which may be adjudicated on its merits by competent Court - Petition Disposed Of.
GOUTAM BHADURI, J.
1. Both these petitions arise out of the order dated 20.10.2014 passed in Criminal Revision separately filed against the order dated 18.09.2014 passed by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, Pamgarh, District Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. Since the questions of law and facts involved in both these petitions are similar, they are being disposed of by this common order.
2. Briefly stated facts of the case are that the petitioner M/s. A.K.R. Transport filed two complaint cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short N.I. Act) with the averments that respondent M/s. Kamakshi Shipping had handed over two Post Dated Cheques (PDC) - one amounting to Rs. 4,90,000/- in Cr.M.P. No. 620/2015 and the other amounting to Rs. 2,45,000/- in Cr.M.P. No. 650/2015 drawn in favour of complainant/petitioner herein in the month of February, 2014. The cheques were post dated of 10.04.2014. The cheques were drawn on ICICI Bank, Visakhapatnam, who was the banker of M/s. Kamakshi Shipping, the respondent herein. Both the cheques were presented by the petitioner for encashment to his Banker on 10.04.2014 with S.B.I. Branch at Shivrinarayan, Chhattisgarh. The cheques having been sent for collection, it was reported by ICICI bank, Visakhapatnam that the said cheques were dishonoured. Having received the intimation of dishonour of cheques due to instruction of "stop payment" by the respondent, a legal notice was sent on 03.07.2014 but despite receipt of such notice on 09.07.2014, the payment was not made. Consequently on 20th August, 2014, a complaint was filed by the petitioner under Section 138 N.I. Act, 1881 before the Court of JMFC, Pamgarh. The said complaint having been filed, the Court of JMFC, Pamgarh at the time of registration of complaint passed an order dated 18.09.2014 and returned the said complaint with a finding that the cheques which were drawn were dishonoured at Visakhapatnam, consequently, the Court of JMFC, Pamgarh will not have jurisdiction.
3. The Court of JMFC followed the law laid down in Dashrath Roopsingh Rathod v. State of Maharashtra reported in (2014) 9 SCC 129 decided on 01.08.2014. The said order passed by the JMFC was subject of challenge by way of revision before the Sessions Judge, Janjgir Champa, Chhattisgarh. The Sessions Judge by its order dated 20.10.2014 dismissed the revision with an observation that the petitioner contended that while returning the complaint, two months' time should have been provided by the JMFC, Pamgarh, to file compliant before appropriate jurisdictional forum, but the JMFC has not given two months' time. However, the revisions so preferred were dismissed. Therefore, the said orders are subject of challenge before this High Court by way of these petitions.
4. Shri Ashutosh Ghade, Advocate, was appointed as Amicus Curiae in this matter to assist the Court. The petitioner was represented by Shri K.A. Ansari, Sr. Advocate.
5. Learned counsel Shri Ashutosh Ghade appearing as Amicus Curiae made his submissions on the basis of law laid down in (2014) 9 SCC 129 - Dashrath Rupsingh Rathod v. State of Maharashtra and further to interpret the date of application of amendment by way of ordinance, placed reliance in a case law reported in AIR 1970 SC 1636 - Nani Gopal Mitra v. State of Bihar and 1994 SC 4602. He would submit that after pronouncement of judgment of Hon'ble the Supreme Court on 01.08.2014 in Dashrath Rupsingh Rathod, the Negotiable Instrument Act was amended by Amendment No. 6 of 2015. It is contended that though the amendment was procedural in nature, but the benefit of it cannot be granted to the petitioner in given facts of the case. It is submitted that since on the date of return of complaint under Section 138 of N.I. Act by the JMFC on 18.09.2014 and on that date the order of Supreme Court was in force, which would be a law under Article 141 of the Constitution of India. It is contended that therefore the said order of return of