M/s.Reliance Industries Ltd. v. M/s.Ashwini Associates
Case brief
What is this about?
Crl.A.(MD)No.1132 of 2025, Madras High Court (Madurai Bench), K. Murali Shankar J — S.138 NI Act acquittal reversed; presumptions Ss.118 & 139 drawn on admitted cheque signature; security-cheque plea rejected (Sripati Singh applied); discharge plea unproven; POA-holder witness competency upheld (A.C.Narayanan; Choice Intermodel Services); cheque filling by third party immaterial (S.20 NI Act; Bir Singh; Oriental Bank of Commerce; Kalamani Tex; Padmavathy followed); notice-amount discrepancy claim rejected distinguishing Kaveri Plastics; vicarious liability S.141 partners incharge; fine Rs.2,63,29,776.61 each (total Rs.5,26,59,553.22) with default simple imprisonment 3 months, compensation u/s 357 Cr.P.C.; leave saga: Crl.O.P.(MD)No.865 of 2015 dismissed 23.02.2015, Supreme Court Crl.A.No.1937 of 2017 granted leave 13.02.2025; STC 39/2011 renumbered STC 940/2012; cheque No.272076 dt.30.07.2010 Federal Bank; del credere agreement 25.04.2008; parties: Reliance Industries Ltd vs Ashwini Associates & partners; also cites Sanjabij Tari, Sri Dattatraya, Kanchan Mehta, Rohitbhai Jivanlal Patel, K.N.Beena, Krishna Janardhan Bhat, T.Nagappa.