Punjab-Haryana High Court
Standard Corporation India Limited vs Kamblekar Ramesh on 4 February, 2011
Equivalent citations: AIR 2012 (NOC) 32 (P. & H.), 2011 ACD 1052(1) (P&H), (2011) 4 ALLCRILR 723, (2011) 4 RECCRIR 564(1), (2012) 2 BANKCAS 362, (2011) 4 RECCIVR 703
Author: K.C. Puri
Bench: K.C. Puri
CRM No. 540-MA of 2010 -1-
IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH
CRM No. 540-MA of 2010 (O&M)
Date of decision : 4.2.2011
...
Standard Corporation India Limited
................Appellant
vs.
Kamblekar Ramesh
.................Respondent
Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice K.C. Puri
Present: Sh. R.S. Modi, Advocate for the appellant.
Sh. K. Lingaraja, Advocate for the respondent.
...
K.C. Puri, J.
This is an appeal directed by Standard Corporation India Limited, against the judgment dated 7.1.2010 passed by Sh. B.S. Ramana, PCS, Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Barnala, vide which the complaint filed by the complainant-appellant against the accused under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act (hereinafter to be referred to as 'the Act'), in respect of dishonour of cheque amount of ` 3,45,000/- was dismissed in default.
Briefly stated, the complainant-appellant filed a complaint under section 138 of the Act with the allegation that accused issued a cheque for consideration of ` 3,45,000/- on 14.9.2007, which was presented for collection of the amount, and the same was dishonoured. Notice was issued and thereafter complaint was filed. The said complaint was dismissed in default on 7.1.2010 as none CRM No. 540-MA of 2010 -2- appeared on behalf of the complainant.
Learned counsel for the appellant has submitted that the huge amount of the company is involved and the appellant cannot be non-suited on the ground of non-appearance.
Counsel for the respondent has supported the judgment of the trial court and he has submitted that the appeal is maintainable before the Sessions Judge. However, he was not able to support the judgment on merits.
In the present case, the complaint was filed under Section 138 of the Act and the same was dismissed in default and the case has not been decided on merits. From the perusal of the impugned order, it is revealed that even accused has not appeared on that date and the complaint was dismissed for presence of none. It is settled law that case of the parties should not be thrown away on technicalities. A huge amount is involved. Under Section 378 (4) Cr.P.C. leave to appeal can be granted by the High Court. Otherwise also, it is a fit case in which inherent power under Section 482 Cr.P.C. should be exercised as the impugned order does not sustain the test of legal scrutiny.
Consequently, the impugned order dated 7.1.2010 stands set aside. The case is remanded back to the trial Court for fresh decision.
Parties are directed to appear before the trial Court on 1.3.2011.
( K.C. Puri ) 4.2.2011 Judge chugh