Court Upholds Liability in Cheque Bounce Case, Dismisses Revision Applications

The court dismissed the applications, upholding the impugned orders dated 24.4.2015. It found the applicant's liability under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act prima facie established, as she issued cheques towards personal liability. The court determined that the special procedure under the N.I. Act supersedes the general provisions of the Cr.P.C., and non-compliance with Section 202 Cr.P.C. did not invalidate the process issuance. Consequently, the court discharged the rule, affirming the dismissal of the revision applications for quashing the process against the applicant.

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Issues Involved:
1. Quashing of the impugned orders dated 24.4.2015.
2. Liability under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.
3. Applicability of Section 202 Cr.P.C. to complaints under Section 138 of the N.I. Act.

Issue-wise Detailed Analysis:

1. Quashing of the Impugned Orders Dated 24.4.2015:
The applicant sought to quash the impugned orders dated 24.4.2015, whereby the learned Sessions Judge, Greater Mumbai, dismissed the revision applications for quashing the process against the applicant under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The applicant argued that the cheques were drawn on the account maintained by Jeevandeep Hospital, a proprietorship concern, and not on the applicant's account. The applicant claimed she signed the cheques only as an authorized signatory of Jeevandeep Hospital and was not liable for prosecution. However, the court noted that the applicant and Ketan had applied for and availed the loan in their individual capacity, and the loan account statement was in the applicant's name. The court concluded that the applicant had issued the cheques towards the discharge of her personal liability, and thus, the principles laid down in Bimal Singh were not applicable.

2. Liability Under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act:
The court examined whether the applicant could be prosecuted under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. It was noted that the applicant was a signatory to the subject cheques drawn on the account of Jeevandeep Hospital. The complaint alleged that the cheques issued by the applicant towards repayment of the medical equipment loan were dishonoured and that the applicant had not paid the amount despite statutory notices. The court referred to the Apex Court's decision in Aparna Seth vs. Sheth Developers, which held that under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, only the drawer of the cheque could be prosecuted. The court found that the applicant had issued the cheques towards the discharge of her personal liability, and thus, the essential ingredients of the offence under Section 138 of the N.I. Act were prima facie disclosed.

3. Applicability of Section 202 Cr.P.C. to Complaints Under Section 138 of the N.I. Act:
The applicant contended that the learned Magistrate issued the process without complying with the mandatory provisions of Section 202 Cr.P.C., which requires an inquiry or investigation before summoning an accused residing beyond the Magistrate's jurisdiction. The court analyzed the relevant provisions of Sections 200 and 202 of the Cr.P.C. and noted that the object of Section 202 is to ensure that innocent persons are not harassed by false complaints. The court referred to various judgments, including Vijay Dhanuka v. Najima Mamtaj, which held that an inquiry or investigation is mandatory before issuing summons against an accused residing beyond the Magistrate's jurisdiction.

However, the court also considered the special provisions of the N.I. Act, including Sections 142 to 147, which provide a special procedure for the trial of offences under the Act. The court noted that Section 145 of the N.I. Act allows the complainant to give evidence by affidavit, and the Magistrate can issue process based on the affidavit and documents without examining the complainant on oath. The court concluded that the provisions of Section 202 Cr.P.C. are not mandatory for complaints under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, as the special procedure under the N.I. Act overrides the general provisions of the Cr.P.C. The court held that the non-compliance with Section 202 Cr.P.C. does not vitiate the issuance of process if there is material to indicate that the Magistrate applied his mind to the complaint and supporting documents.

Conclusion:
The court dismissed the applications, holding that the applicant's liability under Section 138 of the N.I. Act was prima facie established, and the non-compliance with Section 202 Cr.P.C. did not invalidate the issuance of process. The court discharged the rule and upheld the impugned orders dated 24.4.2015.

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