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2023 Supreme(Jhk) 1570

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHASH CHAND, J.
Biglal Oraon – Petitioner
Versus
The State of Jharkhand – Respondent
Cr. Revision No. 548 of 2022
Decided On : 25-08-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Petitioners: Mahesh Tewari, Sanjay Kumar Pandey.
For the Respondents: Nehala Sharmin, Arun Dubey.

Headnote:(A) Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Sections 138, 139, 118, 142, and 145 - Conviction for dishonour of cheque - The petitioner was convicted under Section 138 for issuing cheques without sufficient funds, sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment, and directed to pay Rs.8,00,000/- as compensation to the complainant - The complainant arranged Rs.7,60,000/- for the accused’s daughter’s treatment, issuing two cheques which bounced due to insufficient funds - The demand-cum-legal notice was served but the accused failed to pay - Legal presumptions in favor of holder under Section 139 were not rebutted. (Paras 1-30)

(B) Burden of proof - The burden lies on the accused to disprove presumption of legally enforceable debt once signature on the cheque is admitted. (Paras 18-29)

Facts of the case:
The accused requested the complainant for monetary assistance for treatment, leading to issuing cheques that were dishonoured; the accusations included failure to discharge liability despite legal notice.

Findings of Court:
Conviction and sentence affirmed; the evidence met the standard of proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Issues: Was the cheque issued for legally enforceable debt? Was the legal notice properly served?

Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the necessity of proof for rebutting legal presumptions under Sections 118 and 139 of the N.I. Act, reaffirming both trial and appellate courts’ findings as sound.

Result: Revision petition dismissed.

Table of Content
1. overview of criminal revision and factual background. (Para 1 , 2 , 3)
2. evidence presented for the prosecution and defense. (Para 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8)
3. details on previous judgments and appeals. (Para 9 , 10 , 11)
4. court's analysis and evidence examination. (Para 12 , 13 , 14)
5. legal presumptions and burden of proof. (Para 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26)
6. supreme court's interpretations of related case law. (Para 27 , 28 , 29)
7. final ruling and order from the court. (Para 30 , 31 , 32)

JUDGMENT :

SUBHASH CHAND, J.

1. This criminal revision has been preferred against the judgment dated 11th March, 2022 passed by the Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi in Criminal Appeal No. 157 of 2019, whereby and whereunder the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 24th June, 2019 passed by the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Ranchi in Compliant Case No. 3111 of 2017 by which the petitioner has been convicted for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one year and was directed to pay fine by way of compensation a sum of Rs.8,00,000/- to the complainant, namely, Debu Prasad Banerjee has been affirmed.

2. The brief facts leading to this criminal revision are that the complainant, namely, Debu Prasad Banerjee had moved the complaint before the Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Ranchi with these allegations that he and the accused both were well known to each other as a good friends. The daughter of accused Biglal Oraon was suffering from serious mental disease, therefore, he requested the complainant to arrange the amount of Rs.10 lacs for her proper treatment in a good hospital of India. On the request of the accused Biglal Oraon in good faith the complainant arranged the amount of Rs.7.60 lacs from his friends and relatives and gave the same to the accused. Further case of the complainant is that in order to discharge his liabilities of Rs.7.60 lacs, the accused has issued two cheques to the complainant. The first cheque bearing number 000142 dated 8th July, 2017 for a sum of Rs.10,000/- and the second cheque bearing number 000172 dated 10th July, 2017 and were drawn on Bank of India, Harmu Branch, Ranchi and same were issued in favour of the complainant. As per request of accused, the complainant deposited the said two cheques of Rs.7.60 lacs on 27th July, 2017 of Bank of India, Harmu Branch, Ranchi with his Banker State Bank of India, P.B.B. Branch, P.P. Compound, Ranchi but both the cheques got dishonoured due to ‘Insufficient Funds’ on 28th July, 2017. Thereafter the complainant immediately informed the accused on mobile phone about the dishonour of the said cheques but the accused told the complainant that he will not pay the said cheques amount and also threatened the complainant to face the dire consequences. The complainant sent legal notice through his Advocate on 6th August, 2017 but in spite of receipt of the notice, he did not make any payment till the date of filing of the complaint case. Hence, the complaint was made before the Magistrate concerned.

3. The accused was summoned by the court concerned for the offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. After the appearance of the accused, the substance of acquisition was stated to the accused by the Magistrate concerned under Section 251 Cr.P.C. which he denied and did not plead guilty, rather claimed to face the trial.

4. In documentary evidence adduced two original deposit slips as Exts.1 and 2, Ext.4 is cheque bearing no. 000142 dated 8th July, 2017 of Bank of India, Harmu Branch, Ranchi for amount of Rs.10,000/-. Ext.3 is cheque bearing no. 000172 dated 10th July, 2017 of Bank of India, Harmu Branch, Ranchi for amount of Rs.7,50,000/-. Exts.5 and 6 are return memo report dated 28th July, 2017. Ext.7 is legal notice. Exts.8 and 9 are postal receipts dated 6th August, 2017. Ext.10 is track report of India Post. Ext.11 is execution report of warrant of arrest and Ext.12 is show caus

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