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2026 Supreme(HP) 463

IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA
RAKESH KAINTHLA
Sagar Katha Factory – Appellant
Versus
Jaswant Singh – Respondent


Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellant : Karan Singh Kanwar
For the Respondent: Shalini Thakur

Judgement Key Points

The case of Sanjabij Tari v. Kishore S. Borcar (2025) 259 appears to be discussed in the context of the legal principles governing the presumption of consideration and the burden of proof in cases involving cheques and the Negotiable Instruments Act. Specifically, the judgment emphasizes that once the issuance of a cheque and the signature thereon are admitted, a presumption arises that the cheque was issued for consideration and in discharge of a debt or liability (!) (!) .

Furthermore, the court highlights that this presumption is rebuttable, and the burden shifts to the accused to establish a probable defence to disprove the liability (!) (!) . The decision underscores that the courts should not require the complainant to prove the source of funds or the capacity to pay at the initial stage, as the statutory presumption already supports the existence of a debt or liability (!) (!) .

In the context of the specific case, the judgment notes that the presumption in favor of the complainant was not properly rebutted by the accused, and the evidence on record supported the conclusion that the cheque was issued in discharge of a debt. The case reinforces the principle that the presumption under the relevant sections of the NI Act is a significant factor in determining the guilt or innocence, and courts should carefully consider whether the accused has successfully rebutted this presumption with credible evidence (!) (!) .

Overall, the case emphasizes the importance of the presumption of consideration upon the issuance and signing of a cheque and clarifies that the burden of proof lies with the accused to establish a probable defence to rebut this presumption, especially in proceedings under the Negotiable Instruments Act.


Table of Content
1. trial acquitted for unproved debt, agreement. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6)
2. arguments on presumption, proof, acquittal interference. (Para 7 , 9 , 10)
3. interfere with perverse acquittals in ni act. (Para 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15)
4. five ingredients constitute section 138 offence. (Para 16)
5. presumption of debt on admitted cheque signature. (Para 17 , 18 , 19 , 20)
6. unproved agreement yields to statutory presumption. (Para 21 , 22 , 23 , 24)
7. no adverse inference absent account statements. (Para 25 , 26 , 27 , 28)
8. accused must evidence-rebut presumption of liability. (Para 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33)
9. precedent inapplicable without contradictory evidence. (Para 34)
10. insufficient funds caused cheque dishonour. (Para 35)
11. refused notice deemed validly served. (Para 36 , 37 , 38)
12. acquittal perverse; convict under section 138. (Para 39 , 40 , 41)

JUDGMENT :

RAKESH KAINTHLA, J.

1. The present appeal is directed against the judgment dated 08.03.2013 passed by learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Sirmaur District at Nahan (the learned Trial Court), vide which the respondent (accused before the learned Trial Court) was acquitted of the accusation for which he was bei

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