Dismissed

L.Manokaran, M/a 43 Years, v. N.Nathan, M/a 62 Years

Madras HC24 Nov 2021CRL OP/10445/2017

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court Theatre dismissed a Criminal Original Petition seeking quashing of proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, holding that factual issues regarding the debt and cheque validity demand a full trial. However, the Court ordered the release of the accused on bail upon filing an application.

What did the court decide?

Accused ordered to appear and file an application under Section 436 CrPC for bail on executing a bond of Rs. 10,000 with two sureties.

L.Manokaran, M/a 43 Years, Vs N.Nathan, M/a 62 Years — Cheque Dishonour | Madras HC (2021)

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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Dated: 24.11.2021

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C O R A M

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THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N. SATHISH KUMAR

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Crl. O.P. No.10445 of 2017 & Crl.M.P.Nos.6893 of 2017 and 9120 of 2018

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L.Manokaran

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...Petitioner / Accused

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Versus

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N.Nathan ...Respondent/ Complainant

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PRAYER : Criminal Original Petition filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. to call for the records and quash the proceedings in S.T.C.No.582 of 2016 on the file of learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tiruvannamalai for the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

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For Petitioner ... M/s.S.Chandranathan

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For Respondent ... Mr.S.Kalyanaraman - - - - -

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O R D E R

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This Criminal Original Petition has been filed to quash the proceedings in STC.No..582 of 2016 pending on the file of learned Judicial Magistrate No.I, Tiruvannamalaiand quash the same.

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Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner and the learned counsel for the respondent.

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Having gone through the materials available on record, this Court is of the considered view that when a complaint is filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, this Court cannot go into the question of fact as to the validity of the issuance of cheque and whether the cheque has been issued towards a legally enforceable debt or not. Those issues are factual and triable issues, which have to be decided only by way of a full fledged trial and not otherwise

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https://hcservices.ecourts.gov.in/hcservices/

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under Section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure. The above view of this Court is fortified by the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in STATE OF HARYANA AND OTHERS Vs. BHAJANLAL AND OTHERS 1992 Supp (1) Supreme Court Cases 335, wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that the power of quashing a criminal proceeding should be exercised very sparingly and with circumspection.

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In such a view of the matter, this Court is of the view that quashing of the case cannot be considered, at this point of time. Accordingly, this Criminal Original Petition is dismissed. It is for the petitioner to take all his defence before the trial Court. The accused is directed to appear before the trial Court within two weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and file an application under Section 436 of Code of Criminal Procedure. On such filing of the application, trial Court is directed to release the petitioner on bail on the same day on executing a bond for a sum of Rs.10,000/- (Rupees Ten thousand only) each with two sureties. If thereafter, he absconds, a fresh FIR can be registered under Section 229 A of the Indian Penal Code. Consequently, connected Criminal Miscellaneous Petitions are closed.

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Sd/Assistant Registrar(CS VI)

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//True Copy//

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Sub Assistant Registrar

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gba/gpa

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