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2024 Supreme(Mad) 2698
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
G. JAYACHANDRAN, J.
R. Munirathinam – Appellant
Versus
Rajam – Respondent
Crl. O.P. Nos. 25391 of 2023
Decided On : 25-04-2024
For the Appellant : D. Shivakumaran, Mayilnathan
For the Respondent: G. Hari Hara, Arun Soma Sankar
Accused incheque dishonor cases must be allowed fair opportunities to challenge complaints, including recalling witnesses and obtaining documents, to effectively rebut statutory presumptions.
Headnote:(A) Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - Section 138 - Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 91, 254(2), 311 - Dismissal of petitions for recall of complainants and production of income tax returns and bank statements in cheque dishonour case - Accused sought recall of witnesses and production of documents to refute statutory presumptions and prove fraud - Trial Court held petitions frivolous - Court found denial of such requests unfair, enabling accused to adequately rebut presumption of cheque dishonour and enhancing fair trial rights. (Paras 11, 12, 18, 19)
(B) The right to fair trial - Accused must be allowed to defend against claims and challenge witness credibility - Refusal to allow recall of witnesses and production of documents undermines fundamental fairness. (Paras 16, 17)
Facts of the case:
Criminal Original Petitions arose from cheque dishonour complaints totaling Rs.30,04,00,000/- against the accused, who admitted partial liability; claims centered on accusations of misrepresentation and loan repayment disagreements.
Findings of Court:
The dismissed petitions were set aside to allow the accused to pursue necessary evidentiary support to challenge claims effectively.
Issues: Whether the denial of the accused's right to recall witnesses and seek documents compromised the fairness of the trial.
Ratio Decidendi: The court emphasized the need for comprehensive avenues for the accused to establish defense and challenge opposing claims, asserting that withholding evidence crucial to rebutting presumption undermines justice.
Result: Petitions for recall and production of documents are allowed; prior dismissal is reversed.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. overview of complaints against munirathinam (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4) |
| 2. defense claims and admission of signatures (Para 5 , 6) |
| 3. petition for recalling witnesses and producing documents (Para 7 , 8) |
| 4. arguments against recall of witnesses and document production (Para 9 , 10 , 11) |
| 5. defense claims of prejudice if recall denied (Para 12 , 13) |
| 6. court's acknowledgment of right to cross-examine (Para 14 , 15 , 16) |
| 7. court's stance on document production and bank witnesses (Para 17 , 18) |
| 8. court allows petitions under sections 311 and 91 (Para 19 , 21) |
| 9. confirmation of trial court's dismissal of certain petitions (Para 22) |
ORDER :
1. These three batches of Criminal Original Petitions filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C, arise from the orders passed by the Trial Court dismissing petitions filed by the accused under Section 91 Cr.P.C, Section 311 Cr.P.C and Section 254(2) Cr.P.C respectively.
2. Twenty private complaints under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 against the petitioner/Munirathinam either in his individual capacity or/and as Managing Partner of M/s Everest Blue Metals have been taken cognizance by the Fast Track Court-II, Metropolitan Magistrate Court at Egmore. The complainants are either Mr.M.Gajendran [8 cheques totally for Rs.9,05,00,000/-, (Rupees Nine Crores and Five Lakhs only)] or his family members, such as, his wife Mrs.G.Rajam [2 cheques totally for Rs.5,57,00,000/- (Rupees Five Crores and Fifty Seven Lakhs only)] and 3 sons Mr.G.Ramachandran [5 cheques totally for Rs.7,12,00,000/- (Rupees Seven Crores and Twelve Lakhs only)], Mr.G.Vasanthakumar [3 cheques totally for Rs.3,95,00,000/- (Rupees Three Crores and Ninty five Lakhs only)] and Mr.M.G.Sureshkumar [2 cheques totally for Rs.4,35,00,000/- (Rupees Four Crores and Thirty Five Lakhs only)]. The sum total of 20 cheques is Rs.30,04,00,000/- (Rupees Thirty Crores and Four Lakhs only).
3. For easy reference, the details of the calender case number, name of the complainant, name of the accused and the cheque amount is tabulated below:-
| S. No. | C.C. Nos. | Petitioner/Accused | Complainant | Cheque No. and Date | Cheque Amount |
| 1 | 9167/19 | Everest Blue Metals R.Munirathinam | M.Gajedran | 476823, Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 09.09.2019 | Rs. 7,75,00,000 |
| 2 | 9233/19 | R.Munirathinam | M.Gajedran | 572724, Indian Bank, Kadathur Branch, dated 13.08.2019 | Rs. 58,00,000 |
| 3 | 616/20 | R.Munirathinam | M.Gajedran | 572725, Indian Bank, Kadathur Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 15,00,000 |
| 4 | 623/20 | Everest Blue Metals M.Raja | M.Gajedran | 476827,Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 5 | 624/20 | Everest Blue Metals M.Raja | M.Gajedran | 476826,Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 6 | 625/20 | Everest Blue Metals M.Raja | M.Gajedran | 476824,Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 7 | 626/20 | Everest Blue Metals R.Munirathinam M.Raja | M.Gajedran | 476825,Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 15,00,000 |
| 8 | 627/20 | R.Munirathinam | M.Gajedran | 938773, Indian bank, Kadathur Branch dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 12,00,000 |
| 9 | 9166/19 | R.Munirathinam | G.Rajam | 698499, Indian Bank Sillarahalli Branch, dated 09.09.2019 | Rs. 5,50,00,000 |
| 10 | 572/20 | R.Munirathinam | G.Rajam | 938776, State Bank of India, Kadathur Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 7,00,000 |
| 11 | 9240/19 | R.Munirathinam | G. Ramachandran | 009615, Canara Bank, Bommidi, dated 09.09.2019 | Rs. 6,75,00,000 |
| 12 | 619/20 | R.Munirathinam | G. Ramachandran | 698498, Indian Bank, Sillarahalli Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 13 | 620/20 | R.Munirathinam | G.Ramachandran | 698500, Indian Bank, Sillarahalli Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 14 | 621/20 | R.Munirathinam | G.Ramachandran | 009618, Canara Bank, Bommidi, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 10,00,000 |
| 15 | 622/20 | R.Munirathinam | G.Ramachandran | 938772, State Bank of India, Kadathur Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 7,00,000 |
| 16 | 9234/19 | R.Munirathinam | M.G. Vasantha Kumar | 698502, Indian Bank, Sillarahalli Branch, dated 09.09.2019 | Rs. 3,80,00,000 |
| 17 | 617/20 | R.Munirathinam | M.G. Vasantha Kumar | 938774, State Bank of India, Kadathur Branch, dated 03.10.2019 | Rs. 5,00,000 |
| 18 | 618/20 | R.Munirathinam | M.G. Vasantha Kumar | 009619, Canara Bank, Bommidi dated 03.10.2 | |
