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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
G.JAYACHANDRAN
R.D.Sakthi – Appellant
Versus
T.S.Murali – Respondent
ORDER :
G. JAYACHANDRAN, J.
1. The petitioner herein is the sole accused in the private complaint initiated under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act.
2. This petition to quash the complaint is filed on the ground that the subject cheque was not issued by the petitioner from the account maintained by him in the bank to attract offence under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
3. According to the learned counsel for the petitioner, the cheque which is subject matter of the complaint in S.T.C.No:2533/2022 is drawn in favour of S.Murali T.N. Srinivasan for a sum of Rs. 8,25,000/- dated 03/02/2021. The drawer of the cheque is ‘Rose Health Care’ which is a partnership firm, in which, the petitioner is one of the partner and signed the cheque. The statutory notice dated 19/04/2021 issued to the petitioner and not to the drawer which is a partnership firm as contemplated under Section 141 of NI Act. The petitioner issued the cheque but not to discharge his liability. For the cheque issued on behalf of the firm, the petitioner cannot be held vicariously liable without prosecuting the firm which has issued the cheque. Inspite of a detailed reply to the statutory notice denyi
Liability under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act cannot be established against a partner without including the partnership firm as an accused.
Vicarious liability under Section 141 of the N.I. Act arises only when the company or firm commits the offense as the primary offender, and the accused must be the drawer of the cheque to be held lia....
A partner cannot be held liable under Section 138 of the NI Act without the partnership firm being arraigned as an accused, reaffirming the necessity of a separate legal entity in cheque dishonour ca....
There is a presumption under Section 139 of the N.I.Act that there exists a legally enforceable debt or liability.
For partners to incur vicarious liability under the Negotiable Instrument Act, the partnership firm must first be convicted of the offense; absence of firm conviction precludes individual partner lia....
Negotiable instruments – Quash of criminal proceedings against one of the Director - petitioner was only a partner of the firm which has issued the cheque and she was not responsible for the conduct ....
A non-signatory to a cheque cannot be prosecuted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for cheque bounce, as liability is limited to the cheque's drawer.
Prosecution under Section 138 of the N.I. Act is not maintainable against signatories of a cheque unless the firm, as the drawer, is also arraigned as an accused.
Point of Law : Dishonoured of cheque - Conviction confirmed - Petitioner still convicted even if he issues his personal cheque in discharge of dues of company - Petitioner being signatory of bounced ....
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