Ranjit Singh Purwaha v. M/S Harsha Associates Pvt. Ltd. & Ors

Delhi High Court · 10 Dec 2018 · 2018:DHC:8585
R.K. Gauba
CRL.M.C. 324/2016
2018:DHC:8585
criminal appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court set aside orders dismissing cheque dishonour complaints at the notice framing stage and directed revival of proceedings to allow proper adjudication.

Full Text
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$-2 to 9 (common order)
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
CRL.M.C. 324/2016
CRL.M.C. 325/2016
CRL.M.C. 326/2016
CRL.M.C. 327/2016
CRL.M.C. 328/2016
CRL.M.C. 329/2016
CRL.M.C. 330/2016
CRL.M.C. 331/2016
RANJIT SINGH PURWAHA Petitioner
Through: Mr. Pawanjit S. Bindra, Advocate with Ms. Rishika Arora, Advocate
VERSUS
M/S HARSHA ASSOCIATES PVT. LTD. & ORS Respondents
Through: Mr. Neeraj Grover, Advocate with Ms. Anushka Arora, Advocate
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.K.GAUBA
10.12.2018 These petitions under Sections 482 ofthe code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (Cr.P.C.) bring a challenge to the common order dated 30.11.2013 of the Metropolitan Magistrate passed in eight criminal cases (CC
Nos.7221/13, 7012/13, 7138/13, 7312/13, 7604/13, 8203/13, 8204/13, and
8205/13) as also the commonorder dated 13.02.2015 ofthe court ofsessions passed in criminal revision petitions (CR Nos.37/14, 19/15, 20/15, 21/15, 22/15, 23/15, 24/15, and 25/15).
CRL.M.C. 324/2016 & Ors. Page 1 of3
2018:DHC:8585 The order of the Metropolitan Magistrate related to criminal complaint cases which had been instituted by the petitioner against the respondents, each alleging offence punishable under Section 138 of the
Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 having been committed on account of there being no payment despite notices of demand in the wake of dishonour of eight different cheques, which had statedly been issued pursuant to a settlement dated 25.11,2011 against the backdrop of proceedings arising out of FIR No.121/2010 of Police Station Economic Offences Wing, involving offences punishable under Sections 406/409/420/120-B of the Indian Penal
Code, 1860 (IPC).
The respondents had been initially summoned by the Metropolitan
Magistrate on the basis of pre-summoning inquiry, assumably, inter alia, on the basis of presumptions arising from the issuance of the said cheques and the association of the second to fourth respondents herein with the first respondent company against whose account the said cheques were issued.
The respondents at the stage of framing of notices under Section 251 Cr.P.C. raised certain contentions as to there being no liability due. The
Metropolitan Magistrate, by his order dated 30.11.2013, which is impugned, upheld the said contentions and drawing curtain on the said complaint cases.
The petitioner (as the complainant) approached the court of sessions invoking its revisional jurisdiction but without success as the said petitions were dismissed by order dated 13.02.2015, which is also impugned by the petitions at hand.
CRL.M.C. 324/2016 & Ors. Page 2 of3 f i
After some hearing, the learned counsel for the respondents fairly conceded that the impugned order of the metropolitan magistrate dated
30.11.2013, and of the court of sessions dated 13.02.2015, may be set aside and the proceedings in the criminal complaint cases be revived for framing of notices under Section 251 Cr.P.C., his submission being that the contentions and defences raised before the metropolitan magistrate may be preserved and protected so that the same can be agitated at the appropriate stage of the proceedings including by taking out appropriate remedy after the framing of notices under Section 251 Cr.P.C.
Ordered accordingly.
The parties are directed to appear before the concerned Metropolitan
Magistrate on 14'^ January, 2019.
The petitions stand disposed ofwith above directions. rv^
\ R.K.GAUBA, J.
DECEMBER 10,2018 ' vk
CEL.M.C. 324/2016 & Ors. Page 3 of3
JUDGMENT