[2012(7) ADJ 529]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : MUSHAFFEY AHMAD, J.
SAJAL GARG AND ANOTHER ....Revisionists
Versus
STATE OF U.P. AND ANOTHER ....Respondents
(Criminal Revision No. 3929 of 2011, decided on 22nd May, 2012)
Result; Revision Allowed.
Hon’ble Mushaffey Ahmad, J.—This revision has been directed against the order dated 3.9.2011 passed by Special Judicial Magistrate (C.B.I.) Ghaziabad in Complaint No. 451 of 2011, Smt. Maju Gupta v. M/S Ghaziabad Shares Service Pvt. Ltd. and another, through its Director Sajal Garg and Smt. Sangita Garg by the impugned order learned Magistrate summoned the revisionist to face trial for offence under Section 406 I.P.C. In the complaint respondent No. 2 has alleged that her husband Anil Kumar Gupta and the accused-revisionists were members of the family; in the year 2003 Anil Kumar Gupta sold some of his property and received Rs. 36,58,700.00 as consideration Anil Garg former director of the firm came to Anil Kumar Gupta and asked for a loan of Rs. 36,58,700.00 to purchase land for the firm. This was upto between Anil Garg and Anil Kumar Gupta that Anil Garg shall pay 15% interest on money borrowed and the money would be returned on demand and alongwith interest. Anil Kumar Gupta believed Anil Garg and passed on the aforesaid amount of money. The loan stands out till date and it is a part of firm assets on 11.3.2005 the accused-revisionists changed the name of erstwhile M/S Ghaziabad Shares Service Pvt. Ltd to M/s Chhappraula Real Estate Pvt. Ltd. and the accused entered into the shoes of Anil Garg. They are still directors of the firm. Anil Kumar Gupta expired and the complainant is his heir. Now the complainant asked accused-revisionists director to return the money but they have not returned and responded satisfactorily instead they misbehaved with the complainant. A registered notice was given to the accused-revisionists asking them to repay the money but the same has not been done. Another notice was served but to no avail. This shows the accused-revisionists have no intention to pay the money and they have committed breach of trust making themselves liable for punishment under Sections 420 and 406 I.P.C. In support of the allegations in the complaint the complainant examined herself under Section 200 Cr.P.C. and Sri Pradeep Kumar Garg under Section 202 Cr.P.C., they have deposed supporting the allegations of the complainant. After hearing the complainant and examining the complaint and the statement of witnesses the Special Judicial Magistrate drew up the impugned order summoning the revisionist to face trial for offence under Section 406 I.P.C.
2. Learned counsel for the revisionists argues that a complaint itself shows that the money was borrowed by Anil Garg on interest at the rate of 15% per annum and this transaction was civil in nature and no offence under Section 406 I.P.C. was made out as there was no entrustment followed by criminal breach of trust. Learned counsel refers to two case laws. In the case of G.Sagar Suri v. State of U.P., AIR 2000 SC 754, decided on 28.1.2000, paragraph 13 is quoted below:
“................. As normally understood business of a finance company is to invite deposits, pay interest on that and also to give loans and earn interest. A finance company also advances short term loans. In that case it is essentially a commercial transaction..............................”
3. Hon’ble High Court in the case of Ram Narain Aggarwal v. Rajendra Kumar, 1984 -ACCR-0-77, observed in paragraph 6 as follows:
“(6) Besides, the alleged type of conversation assertions and assurances are a normal feature of any transaction of taking and advancing loan. Normally, it involves civil liability on breach of contract. There is thin line of difference between a case of breach of contract and a case of cheating (and thereby inducing delivery of property). A mere breach of contract is not, necessarily cheating. The element which converts the breach of contract into an offence of cheating is the dishonest or fraudulent intention of the accused at the time he induces the complainant to enter into the contract. Mere denial of the transaction or refusal to repay would not convert it to a criminal liability. The i
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.