Suninder Sandha v. Jeevesh Sabharwal

2. For clarity, Suninder Sandha will be referred to as Complainant and Jeevesh Sabharwal as Accused.

3. Briefly stated, sometime in 2011 Complainant/Suninder Sandha reached out to Accused/Jeevesh Sabharwal claiming himself to be having expertise in the field of marketing in real estate Projects. The parties jointly agreed to work on a Project named IRIDIA being built in Noida and developed by a Company namely, Horizon Buildcon Private Limited (“HBPL”). For this purpose a SPV called Horizon Concept Private Limited was floated wherein 25 percent of the shares were held by Complainant/Suninder Sandha and the remaining shares were held by HBPL.

4. In 2013, again Complainant/Suninder Sandha indicated his interest in working further with the Accused/Jeevesh Sabharwal on another Project called Orizzonte. For this purpose, CHIPL was formed and same was incorporated on 02.07.2013. Complainant/Suninder Sandha was to oversee the day-to-day affairs of CHIPL.

5. The parties parted ways in March 2016 pursuant to an MoU dated 16.03.2016. As per MoU Complainant/Suninder Sandha was to receive a total sum of Rs. 27 Crore by way of postdated cheques issued his favour.

6. After taking control of CHIPL, the Accused unearthed a fraud played by the Complainant and got an FIR No. 665/2016 registered against the Complainant/Suninder Sandha on 07.12.2016 for offences under Section 406/420/467/468/471 r/w 120-B/34 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 (“IPC”) at P.S. Vikaspuri (now investigated by P.S. EOW).

7. The Complainant/Suninder Sandha furnished post-dated Cheques mentioned in Clause 8 of the MoU, which got dishonoured as per the instructions of the Complainant. The Complainant sent a legal notice on 19.09.2016 seeking payment of Rs.4.75 Crore. Subsequently, he filed Ct. Cases No. 48771/2016 under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, on 15.10.2016. The case is approaching the stage of cross-examination.

8. Accused/Jeevesh Sabharwal filed an Application under Section 91 of CrPC 02.05.2024 seeking certain documents which are necessary and desirable for the purpose of cross-examination of the Complainant.

9. The Application was partially allowed vide Order dated 23.10.2024, thereby directing the Complainant for producing only two documents out of the List of Documents, as sought by the Respondent.

10. Thus, the present Petitions have been filed by both the parties challenging the said Order. CRL.M.C. 9251/2024 & CRL.M.C. 9252/2024:

11. The Complainant/Suninder Sandha has sought to challenge the Order dated 23.10.2024 on the ground that there is no need of the said documents for adjudication of the Complaint. Section 91 does not warrant production of any document in the possession of the Complainant or other parties, but only the document which are required during the Trial. CRL.M.C. 1081/2025:

12. The Accused/Jeevesh Sabharwal has sought to challenge the Order on the ground that the Ld. M.M. has wrongly denied production of other documents merely on the ground that the same are stated to be not in the possession of the Complainant.

13. Submissions heard and Record Perused.

14. The Complaint under S.138 NI Act is in relation to the dishonour of three cheques given by the Company under the Agreement executed with the respondent.

15. Section 91 of Cr.P.C. is reproduced as under:

16. From a bare reading of the above provision it is manifestly clear, that the two essential elements which are required to be proved by the Applicant are that: (i) it can be invoked against the person in whose possession or power such document obtained is believed to be and he can be directed to produce the same; and (ii) only those documents shall be called which are ‘necessary or desirable’ for the purpose of trial or other proceeding, in the opinion of the court.

17. In State of Orissa v. Debendra Nath Padhi, (2005) 1 SCC 568, it has been observed that:- “...

25. Any document or other thing envisaged under the aforesaid provision can be ordered to be produced on finding that the same is “necessary or desirable for the purpose of investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceedings under the Code”. The first and foremost requirement of the section is about the document being necessary and desirable. The necessity or desirability would have to be seen with reference to the stage when a prayer is made for the production… When the section refers to investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceedings, it is to be borne in mind that under the section a police officer may move the court for summoning and production of a document as may be necessary at any of the stages mentioned in the section… When the section talks of the document being necessary and desirable, it is implicit that necessity and desirability is to be examined considering the stage when such a prayer for summoning and production is made and the party who makes it, whether police or accused......

28. We are of the view that jurisdiction under Section 91 of the Code when invoked by the accused, the necessity and desirability would have to be seen by the court in the context of the purpose — investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceedings under the Code. It would also have to be borne in mind that law does not permit a roving or fishing inquiry.”

18. This Court in Sukhmohinder Singh Sandhu vs. CBI, 2010 SCC OnLine Del 2481, observed as under:

than one of those means. The accused under section 91 Cr. P.C. cannot ask the production of documents as a matter of right. However, while making application he has to specify the document and show its relevance. He cannot ask the court to make roving and fishing enquiry as has been done in the applications under consideration. Only when he discloses the nature of document and its relevance, the court to decide if the documents sought to be summoned was necessary or desirable for the just decision of the case.”

19. The documents sought by the Accused are as under: Sr. No. Documents Sought by Accused No. 2 from Complainant/Close Relatives Response of Complainant Findings of Ld. MM

1. The Control of CRM and IT Data hosted with URL http://horizonconceptl 5ll.realboost.in and all other documents maintained by the pertaining to the day-to-day functioning of the Complainant during his employment with CHIPL. [From Complainant] Not in the possession of the Complainant. It is further submitted that the Investigating Agency has already investigated regarding the same and found nothing. Furthermore, the URL mentioned by the Accused Persons have become redundant as the same is not active now. This court is of the opinion that since the URL link has become redundant, no purpose would be served in calling for its data. As far as all the relevant documents relating to functions performed by the complainant during his employment in accused company are concerned, the same are expected to be accused company and should be in their possession.

2. Documents related to the employment of the Complainant with CHIPL. [From Complainant & Close Relatives] Document sought is irrelevant for the present case. The Accused Persons are very well aware about the Complainant with the accused company and even otherwise, it is company of the Accused Persons and they are fully aware about their employees arid their details. This court is of the opinion that as all the relevant documents relating to employment of the complainant with the accused company are expected to be accused company and should also be in their possession.

3. List of all buyers from whom cash was collected in CHIPL's name; Documents related to Complainant‟s interaction with CHIPL. [From Complainant] is not in As already handed over the same to the Accused Persons. Same are stated not to be in the complainant therefore, same cannot be directed to be produced as per the mandate of Section 91 Cr.P.C.

4. Documents related to Mr. Arjun Chaudhary, Mr. Naveen Chaudhary, Mr. Jasmitter Sandha and Ms. Dipti Sandha and their roll while they were handling the affairs of CHIPL/Accused No. is neither in Complainant and nor is relevant. Mr. Arjun Naveen Jasmitter Sandha, Ms. Deepti This court is of the opinion that as the same are stated not to be in the possession of the the mandate of Section

91 Cr.P.C. Moreover, the details of the employees sought by 01 in the subject case. Sandha, are not party in the present complaint.Moreov er, it is the company of Accused Persons and they are very well aware of their employees. the accused are not party to the present offence under section 138 of N I Act, 1881. Any detail qua any employee of the accused company is expected to be within the possession of the accused company.

5. Receipts and any available documentation pertaining to the twenty five cheques issued by the allottees which were supposed to be issued to CHIPL against the sale of units in the project 'Orizzonte', which were instead issued to Concept Capital Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. is not in Same are stated not to be in the same cannot be directed to be produced as per the mandate of

6. Income Tax returns along with audited balance sheets and its complete schedules for the Financial year 2009-2010, 2010- 2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013, 2013- 2014,2014- 2015,2015-2016, 2016-2017. Furthermore, it is not clear as to whose ITRs along with audited balance sheets· are sought by Accused Persons. Also, the legally enforceable debt in the present Same have not been denied to be in complainant and it appears to this Court that these documents will be necessary for the adjudication of the present matter, hence, the instant application qua these documents is partly allowed. complaint is by way of MoU dated 16.03.2016 and hence, ITRs has no role to play.

7. Original Electricity bill of House No. 22, NRI Complex, GK- IV, New Delhi, which was used as 'the address proof to open starlet account‟ As the same does not pertain to his property. The same are stated not to be in the 91 Cr.P.C.

8. Correspondence/com munication of Complainant with Mr. Jeevesh Sabharwal seeking approval price regarding sale of units by CHIPL Documents sought is irrelevant for the present case. It is pertinent to note here that very surprisingly, the accused no. 2 is seeking correspondences between himself and then saying it is not in his own possession which is wholly irrational and illogical and manifests the ill intention of Accused Persons. The said correspondence was between the accused NO. 2 and the complainant, hence, it is expected to be within the possession of accused

9. Correspondence/com munication of Complainant with Mr. Jeevesh Sabharwal whereby informed Mr. Jeevesh Sabharwal about the transactions regarding money taken in cash from allottees who invested in CHIPL projects and the same being deposited in the bank account of CHIPL

10. Proof of deposit of cash taken from buyers in CHIPLs name is not in As he was not dealing with the same Same is stated not to be in the possession of the

11. Proof of transactions regarding money taken from allottees who invested in CHIPL projects and the same being deposited in the bank account of CIDPL. Any proof confirming that Mr. Jeevesh Sabharwal was made aware of these cash transactions. is not in Furthermore, the bank account of accused company is totally in control of Accused Persons, then, how would be possessing documents pertaining to the same. The same are stated not to be in the 91 Cr.P.C. Moreover, list of all the clients dealing with the accused company should be ordinarily maintained by them.

12. Bank statements of account(s) of Concept Capital Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. from the year 2012-2016. As Concept Capital Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. has nothing to do with this case. Bank statements of account(s) of Concept Pvt.Ltd. is sought. However, this court is of the opinion that the same are not necessary for the just decision of the case as Concept Pvt. Ltd. is not a party in the present matter.

13. Bank statements of Bank Account No.91302002262761 Which came to be fraudulently opened at Axis Bank, Vikaspuri from The year 2012-2016 is not in Complainant as he has nothing to do with the same.

14. Bank Statement of Account of Complainant at HDFC Bank, 3NRI Complex, Greater Kailash-IV, New Delhi, 110019 As it is not the case of Complainant that he has given some loan, etc. to the Accused Persons from his bank account. Same have not been denied to be in complainant and it appears to this Court that these documents will be necessary for the adjudication of the present matter, hence, the instant application qua these documents is partly allowed.

15. Bank Statements, Articles of Association, Memorandum of Association, Annual Returns of companies associated with the Complainant along with their audited balance sheets with complete schedules, and close The Complainant is not connected with the companies mentioned from Sr. No.

(d) to (h) ill any manner whatsoever. relatives of the including: a. M/s Concept Capital Infra Projects Pvt. Ltd. from the year 2012b. M/s Concept Infravision Pvt. c. M/s Ping Media Pvt. d. M/s Scarlett Hospitality from the year 2012-2017 e. M/s Atma Ram Amarnath from the year 2012f. M/s CFG International Pvt. Ltd. from the year 2012g. M/s Blue Star Build Prop Pvt. h. M/s Ahuja and Anand Buildwell Pvt.

16. Account Ledgers certificates and other details related to transactions between- M/s Concept Infravision Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Atma Ram Amarnath, M/s CFG International Pvt. Ltd., M/s Blue Star Build Prop Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Ahuja and Anand Buidlwell Pvt. Ltd., supported with Bank statements related to these transactions.

17. Bank statement reflecting the transactions to the loan given by M/s Concept Infravision Pvt. Ltd. to M/s Atma Ram Amarnath, M/s CFG International Pvt. Ltd., M/s Blue Star Build Prop Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Ahuja and Anand Buildwell Pvt. Ltd qua the amount reflected in the balance sheet of infra vision (balance sheet year ending March 2014)

20. The Ld. M.M. while considering the relevance of these documents for the purposes of the trial, has allowed production of documents at

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                           Serial number 11 are a proof of transactions regarding money taken from the      │
│                           allottees who invested in CHIPL. Again the relevance of these documents in       │
│ Signature Not Verified                                                                                     │
│ Digitally Signed          CRL.M.C. 9251/2024 & connected matters                           Page 16 of 18   │
│ By:VIKAS ARORA                                                                                             │
│ Signing Date:28.05.2025                                                                                    │
│ 17:53:52                                                                                                   │
│                           adjudication of the Complaint under Section 138 NI Act has not been              │
│                           explained by the accused in the Application under Section 91 Cr.P.C cannot       │
│                           be used by the accused to as blanket Application to get all the documents        │
│                           pertaining to the affairs of CHIPL. These documents have again been              │
│                           rightly, denied by the Learned MM.                                               │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

21. The two documents are the Income Tax Returns and the Bank Statements, have rightly been held to be the relevant documents for adjudication of the Complaint under S.138 NI Act. The challenge by the Complainant to the impugned Order dated 23.10.2024 directing production of these two documents has no merit and the CRL.M.C. 9251/2024 & 9252/2024 of the Complainant has no merit.

22. The all other documents listed from Serial number 1 to 17 (except at Serial No.6 & 14) have been denied to be produced by the Respondents.

23. The document at Serial number 1, the Control of CRM and IT Data hosted with URL, has been rightly denied by the Learned MM since this URL link has become redundant and no purpose would be served in calling for its data.

24. The documents at Serial number 2, relating to employment of the Complainant with CHIPL, have been rightly denied by observing that these documents would also be in power and possession of the Complainant.

25. The documents at Serial numbers 3,4,&5 pertain to the list of buyers from whom cash was collected in CHIPL‟s name; Documents relating to the employment of various employees and their roll while handling the affairs of CHIPL; and the receipts and documentation in regard to twenty five cheques issued by the allottees in favour of CHIPL against the sale of units. As can be made out these documents pertain to the affairs of the Company CHIPL and cannot be in any manner considered material or relevant for adjudication of the present complaint under Section 138 NI Act.

26. The document at Serial number 7 is original Electricity Bill installed at GK-IV, New Delhi as proof of the address of open Starlet account but again no relevance of the same has been shown by the accused. Likewise, the documents at Serial numbers 8 & 9 pertaining to correspondence between the Complainant and the accused, which again are irrelevant. Moreover, as observed by the Learned MM these are communications between the Complainant and the accused which must be in power and possession of the accused, with which he can confront the Complainant during the cross-examination. These documents have also been rightly denied by the Learned MM.

27. The documents at Serial number 10 are a proof of deposit of cash taken from the buyers in the name of the Company and the documents at Serial number 11 are a proof of transactions regarding money taken from the allottees who invested in CHIPL. Again the relevance of these documents in adjudication of the Complaint under Section 138 NI Act has not been explained by the accused in the Application under Section 91 Cr.P.C cannot be used by the accused to as blanket Application to get all the documents pertaining to the affairs of CHIPL. These documents have again been rightly, denied by the Learned MM.

28. The documents at Serial number 12 are the Bank statements of CCIPL from 2012-2016. The documents at Serial number 13 are the Bank statements account opened at Axis bank, Vikaspuri from 2012-2016.

29. The statement of HDFC bank, sought at Serial Number 14, has been rightly allowed and the Complainant directed to produce the same. However, the relevance of the other bank accounts of the Complainant cannot be considered either relevant or material for the present Petition and have been rightly denied for the same reasons.

30. The documents at Serial number 15 which pertains to Bank Statements, Memorandum of Association, Annual Returns of the companies associated with the Compliant and the audited Balance Sheets of the Complainant and its various Companies as stated herein, have been rightly denied.

31. The documents at Serial number 16 which are the Account Ledgers certificates of CIPL and other Companies and the documents at Serial number 17 pertain to Bank Statement reflecting loan transaction of CCIPL, are again the documents which cannot be considered necessary for adjudication of the complaint under Section 138 NI Act. These documents have therefore, been rightly denied to the accused persons.

32. The documents, other than those at Serial number 6 & 14, production of which is sought by the Accused person, are neither necessary nor required for the proper adjudication of the complaint case filed by the Complainant herein under Section 138 N.I. Act. and are also stated to be not in the possession of the Complainant. Conclusion:

33. There is no merit in the aforesaid Petitions which are hereby dismissed. The pending Application(s), if any, are disposed of accordingly.

JUDGE MAY 28, 2025