2013 Supreme(Mad) 3732
Before the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court
M. VENUGOPAL, J.
M.S. Saravanan
Versus
S.M. Jeyaraj
Crl.R.C.(MD) No. 694 of 2013 & M.P.(MD) No. 1 & 2 of 2013
Decided On : 04-11-2013
For the Petitioner:A. Thiruvadikumar, Advocate.
For the Respondent: No Appearance.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the Accused's right to seek expert evidence to rebut the case of the complainant and the importance of fair trial in allowing the Accused to present evidence in support of their defense.
Headnote:
Forgery - Criminal Procedure Code - Section 243(2) - 138 & 139 of Negotiable Instruments Act - The court discussed the provisions of Section 243(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code and the presumption under Sections 138 & 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The court emphasized the Accused's right to rebut the case of the complainant and the importance of fair trial in allowing the Accused to present evidence in support of their defense.
Fact of the Case:
The Accused filed a petition seeking permission to send documents to a handwriting expert to compare signatures. The Trial Court dismissed the petition, leading to the Accused filing a revision petition.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the Trial Court's dismissal of the petition was not valid and set aside the order, directing the Trial Court to restore the petition to the file and dispose of it within four weeks, providing adequate opportunities to both sides.
Issues: The main issue was the Accused's right to seek expert evidence to rebut the case of the complainant and the Trial Court's dismissal of the petition.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the importance of fair trial and the Accused's right to present evidence in support of their defense, highlighting the provisions of Section 243(2) of the Criminal Procedure Code and the presumption under Sections 138 & 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
Final Decision: The Criminal Revision Petition was allowed, and the Trial Court's order was set aside, with directions to dispose of the petition within four weeks, providing adequate opportunities to both sides.
1. The Petitioner/Accused has preferred the instant Criminal Revision Case as against the order dated 6.9.2013 in Crl.M.P.No.5149 of 2013 in C.C.No.721 of 2012 passed by the Learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, (Magisterial Level), Tuticorin, Tuticorin District.
2. Earlier in Crl.M.P.No.5149 of 2013 in C.C.No.721 of 2012 filed by the Petitioner/Accused before the Trial Court it is averred that he has not borrowed any loan from the Respondent/Complainant and further stated that he has not executed any Pro-notes. Further, it is specifically mentioned that the Complainant (Respondent) forged the signature of the Accused and filed the case and also marked documents Ex.A.5 to A8. As a matter of fact, the petitioner has sought for verifying the signatures in Ex.A5 to A8 documents by the Handwriting and Finger Print Experts along with the specimen signatures. Therefore, the Petitioner filed a petition seeking permission of the Trial Court to send the Petition mentioned documents to the Handwriting Expert and to compare his signatures found in the said Pro-notes etc.
3. The Respondent/Complainant filed a counter to Crl.M.P.No.5149 of 2013 stating that the signature in Ex.A.5 to A8-documents could not be compared with subsequent signatures obtained in court. Further, it is stated that the Petitioner/Accused has not denied the signature in the cheque issued and further that the petition has been filed by the Petitioner/Accused only to prolong and protract the proceedings.
4. The Learned Judicial Magistrate, Fast Track Court, (Magisterial Level), Tuticorin, Tuticorin District, while passing the impugned order dated 6.9.2013 in Crl.M.P.No.5149 of 2013 in C.C.No.721 of 2012 (filed by the Petitioner/Accused) has observed in paragraph No.9 to the effect that “Coming to the facts of the present case this case was taken on file on 26.11.2012. The evidence for the prosecution completed on 14.6.2013. After that the accuse was questioned u/s 313 of Cr.P.C and the case was posted for defence. The case was periodically adjourned, at the request of the Accused. Finally the case was posted on 18.6.2013, for of defence witnesses. More than a month time was given, 8 adjournments were granted the Accused has not filed any witness list nor examined any other witness other than the cross examination of the P.W.1. Then the case is posted for Arguments, and 4 times adjournments were granted, this petitioner/Accused moved with this Application. Hence, it is clearly shows from the attitude of the Accused to protract the proceedings, he moved this Application. And further even at the time of the questioning by the court u/s 313 of Cr.P.C., the Accused has not denied the signature in the Pro-Note. And also the Accused stated in his Application that send the signature of the Accused which was obtained in the year 2009 with the admitted signatures to be obtained in the court in the year 2013. It is very specific that comparison of the signatures shall be made with the signatures obtained in the same time period. And also there is no purpose in the petition, that the petitioner is ready to give the specimen signature of him in the year 4 years back” and resultantly dismissed the petition.
5. Assailing the correctness of the order of dismissal dated 6.9.2013 in Crl.M.P.No5149 of 2013 in C.C.No.721 of 2012, the Learned Counsel for the Petitioner/Accused submits that the impugned order of the Trial Court is ex-facie illegal, arbitrary and against the well settled legal principles.
6. According to the Learned Counsel for the Petitioner the Trial Court has failed to appreciate the ingredients of Section 243(2) of Criminal Procedure Code. It is the contention of the Learned Counsel for the Petitioner that the main case was taken on file as C.C.No.721 of 2012 by the Learned Magistrate on 26.11.2012 and on behalf of the prosecution, the evidence was closed on 14.6.2013 and subsequently on 19.7.2013 Section 313 Cr.P.C proceedings were held. Further the petit