IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM & ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
Kaushik Goswami
Manoj Kumar Das, S/o. Late Khagendra Nath Das – Appellant
Versus
State of Assam, Represented by the Public Prosecutor – Respondent
JUDGMENT :
KAUSHIK GOSWAMI,J.
Heard Mr. J. I. Borbhuiya, learned Counsel for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. P.S. Lahkar, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Assam for the State respondent and Mr.S. Chauhan, learned Counsel for the respondent No.2.
2. By way of this petition under Section 482 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, read with Sections 397/401 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, also read with Article 227 of the Constitution of India, the petitioner is seeking setting aside and quashing the impugned F.I.R. of Palashbari P.S. Case No. 86/2019 under Section 417/420/447/294(A)/506 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as “IPC”) and the impugned Charge-sheet No. 147/19 dated 26.06.2019 and the further proceeding of P.R. Case No. 245/2019, originated from the F.I.R. pending before the Court of Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Kamrup, Amingaon.
3. The brief facts of the case is that the respondent No.2 filed an F.I.R. on 7.03.2019 alleging inter-alia that the petitioner had taken an amount of Rs. 2,00,000/- (two lakh) only as loan from him and when asked the petitioner to repay the money, the petitioner instead of repaying the same, came to his Saw Mill while he was abs
Allegations of loan default and defamation do not constitute a criminal offense under IPC; the dispute is civil in nature.
A mere loan dispute does not amount to criminal breach of trust or cheating without evidence of entrustment or fraudulent intent.
The existence of a civil dispute does not automatically warrant quashing of criminal proceedings if cognizable offences are alleged.
Civil disputes should not be criminalized; lack of fraudulent intent and delay in filing complaint vitiate criminal proceedings.
Mere default in loan repayment does not constitute cheating unless there was deception at the inception of the contract.
The court affirmed that inherent powers under Section 482 should not be exercised to quash FIRs when prima facie ingredients of criminal offences are satisfied, emphasizing the need for legitimate pr....
For offences under IPC Sections 420 and 406, mens rea must be established from the inception; mere breach of contract does not constitute a criminal offence without evidence of fraudulent intent.
Abuse of process of law in invoking criminal proceedings for a civil dispute.
Criminal proceedings can continue despite the civil nature of a dispute if criminal allegations are substantiated in the FIR.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the distinction between breach of contract and cheating, emphasizing the need for fraudulent and dishonest intention for the offense of cheating to....
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.