The HC set aside the impugned order of the ASJ, holding that...

The HC set aside the impugned order of the ASJ, holding that Respondent No. 2, as one of the two directors of the accused company, is vicariously liable under Section 138 read with Section 141 of the NI Act for the dishonour of the cheque. The court emphasized that mere assertion of directorship coupled with specific averments of being in charge and responsible for the company's business suffices to invoke liability, without requiring verbatim statutory language. The court rejected the contention that the complaint failed to demonstrate Respondent No. 2's involvement in day-to-day affairs, aligning with precedent that the essence of allegations prevails over formalistic pleading. Consequently, Respondent No. 2's liability stands affirmed, and the petition challenging the complaint's maintainability is dismissed.