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[Cites 16, Cited by 0]

Bangalore District Court

Aryadurga Damodhar Enterprises vs New Prashanth Hotel on 27 January, 2024

KABC020056802021




         IN THE COURT OF ADDL. CHIEF METROPOLITAN
                MAGISTRATE, BENGALURU CITY.
                          SCCH­6
        Present:    Smt. Chetana S.F.
                                     B.A., L.L.B.,
                    IV ADDL.SMALL CAUSES JUDGE,
                    BENGALURU.

                      CC. No. 1481/2021
          DATED THIS THE 27th   DAY OF JANUARY 2024


 COMPLAINANT        1.      Aryadurga       Damodhar
                    Enterprises
                    having its office at No.49/11,
                    3rd cross, 15th main, 4th block,
                    Nandini layout,
                    Bangalore­560096
                    Represented by its proprietor

                    2. Vathsala Bhat
                    W/o B.Venkatramana Hegde
                    Aged about 50 years
                    Proprietor of
                    Aryadurga             Damodhar
                    Enterprises
                    R/at No.02, Gurukrupa AGB
                    layout,   II   stage,  I  floor,
                    Mahalakshmipuram
                    Bangalore­560086.
                        (By Sri.Yogesh H. Advocate)

                       Vs­
     JUDGMENT                   2              CC No.1481/2021
                                                  SCCH-6

 ACCUSED              1. New Prashanth Hotel
                      A partnership firm,
                      Rep by its     partner/authorised
                      signatory
                      Sri.Harsha
                      S/o Vijaykumar
                      Aged about 35 years
                      having    Basaveshwara      nagar
                      branch Office, business place at
                      No.36/1, 6th main road, 1st stage,
                      Basaveshwaranagar,
                      Bangalore­560 079.

                      2. Sri.Harsha
                      S/o C.Vijaykumar
                      Aged about 35 years
                      Partner/authorised signatory of
                      New Prashanth Hotel
                      A partnership firm
                      R/at No.103/21
                      Tata Silk Farm,5th floor
                      3rd main, Guhan Nilaya
                      Basavanagudi
                      Bangalore­560 004.

                                (Sri.Madesh N.­ Advocate

                                   Sri.Aswath U.­Advocate)

                     ­: J U D G M E N T :­

     This is a complaint filed by the complainant U/Sec. 200 of

Cr.P.C. for the offence punishable under Sec.138 of N.I. Act as
      JUDGMENT                     3             CC No.1481/2021
                                                    SCCH-6

against the accused praying to punish the accused for the said

offence.

     2.     The case of the complainant is that      complainant

supplied goods to the accused under invoice No.3512 dt.17­10­

2019 for Rs.1,90,250/­. It is further stated that the amount of

Rs.1,90,250/­ was due and liable to be paid by the accused to

the complainant for supply of goods, after persistent demand of

the complainant, the accused got issued cheque bearing

No.000280.      The complainant presented the said cheque to the

bank for encashment, but the said cheque dishonoured for the

reason Funds Insufficient. The complainant issued legal notice

on 11­7­2020 to the accused to repay the amount within 15

days and the said notice was served on the accused on 14­7­

2020.      The accused has neither replied to the notice nor paid

the amount to the complainant. Accordingly, the accused has

committed an offence punishable under Sec.138 of N.I Act.

Hence, this complaint.

     3.     After   recording   the   sworn   statement    of     the
     JUDGMENT                    4             CC No.1481/2021
                                                  SCCH-6

complainant and also verifying the documents, cognizance was

taken against the accused for the offence punishable under Sec.

138 of N.I. Act.    The accused on receiving the summons

appeared before this Court through his counsel and he was

enlarged on bail and his plea was recorded. The accused

pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried. Hence, the case was

posted for evidence of the complainant.


     4. The complainant got examined himself as PW.1 and

got marked 17 documents as Exs.P1 to 17.       Then, the case

was posted for recording the statement of accused under

Sec.313 Cr.P.C.      In the statement U/s 313 Cr.P.C., the

accused has denied all the incriminating evidence appearing

against him & intended to lead defence evidence.


     5. Heard the arguments of both side and Perused the
records.
     6. The following points arise for my consideration:

 1.

Whether the complainant proves that the cheque bearing reg.No.000280 for Rs.1,90,250/­ dated 29­6­2020 drawn on JUDGMENT 5 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 Bank of Baroda, Rajajinagar branch, Bangalore issued by the accused has been dishonored on the ground of "funds Insufficient" and even after receiving the intimation regarding the dishonor of cheque failed to pay the cheque amount within the stipulated period and thereby the accused has committed an offence punishable under Sec.138 of N.I. Act?

2. What order?

7. My findings on the above points are as under

Point No.1: In the Affirmative Point No.2: As per final order for the following:
­: R E A S O N S :­

8. Point No.1:­ In view of the present legal position as held by our Hon'ble High Court as well as Apex Court of India in a catena of decisions as well as relevant provisions of the Act, this court has to see whether the complainant has complied all the requirements as contained in Sec.138 of NI Act so as to bring home the guilt of the accused for the alleged offence. If so, whether the accused is able to JUDGMENT 6 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 rebut the legal presumption available to the complainant under Sec.139 of the Act by adducing probable defense or not. However, it is held by the full bench of our Apex Court in the case of Rangappa Vs. Mohan reported in 2010 (1) DCR 706 that;

"The Statutory presumption mandated by sec.139 of the Act, does indeed include the existence of a legally enforceable debt or liability. However, the presumption U/S 139 of the Act is in the nature of a rebuttable presumption and it is open for the accused to raise a defence wherein the existence of a legally enforceable debt or liability can be contested".

9. Therefore, in view of the above decision, once the cheque is admitted, the statutory presumption would automatically fall in favour of the complainant that, the alleged cheque was issued for discharge of an existing legally enforceable debt or liability against the accused and the burden will shift on to the accused to rebut the same.

     JUDGMENT                      7             CC No.1481/2021
                                                    SCCH-6

10. The Learned Counsel for the complainant argued that accused has admitted the transaction and issuance of the cheque Ex­P2 and the signature on it. Hence pray to convict the accused.

INGREDIENTS OF OFFENCE AND DISCUSSION­

11. Before dwelling into the facts of the present case, it would be apposite to discuss the legal standards required to be met by both sides. In order to establish the offence under Section 138 of NI Act, the prosecution must fulfill all the essential ingredients of the offence. Perusal of the bare provision reveals the following necessary ingredients of the offence:­ First Ingredient: The cheque was drawn by a person on an account maintained by him for payment of money and the same is presented for payment within a period of 3 months from the date on which it is drawn or within the period of its validity;

 JUDGMENT                 8                 CC No.1481/2021
                                               SCCH-6

Second Ingredient: The cheque was drawn by the drawer for discharge of any legally enforceable debt or other liability;

Third Ingredient: The cheque was returned unpaid by the bank due to either insufficiency of funds in the account to honour the cheque or that it exceeds the amount arranged to be paid from that account on an agreement made with that bank;

Fourth Ingredient: A demand of the said amount has been made by the payee or holder in due course of the cheque by a notice in writing given to the drawer within thirty days of the receipt of information of the dishonour of cheque from the bank;

Fifth Ingredient: The drawer fails to make payment of the said amount of money JUDGMENT 9 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 within fifteen days from the date of receipt of notice.

APPRECIATION OF EVIDENCE­

12. The accused can only be held guilty of the offence under Section 138 NI Act if the above­mentioned ingredients are proved by the complainant co­ extensively. Additionally, the conditions stipulated under Section 142 NI Act have to be fulfilled. Notably, there is no dispute at bar about the proof of only first, third, fourth and fifth ingredient. The complainant had proved the original cheque vide Ex.P.2 which the accused person had not disputed as being drawn on the account of the accused. It was not disputed that the cheque in question was presented within its validity period. The cheque in question was returned unpaid vide return memo dated 1­7­2020 vide Ex.P.3 due to the reason, "Funds Insufficient". The complainant had proved the service of legal notice dated 10­7­2020 vide Ex.P4 by bringing on record the postal receipt vide Ex.P5 & 6 and RPAD cover at Ex­P7. However, the accused persons had no where denied the receipt of the legal notice, thus, there is no JUDGMENT 10 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 dispute with regard to the fifth ingredient to the offence. As such, the first, third, fourth and fifth ingredient of the offence under section 138 of the NI Act stands proved.

13. As far as the proof of second ingredient is concerned, the complainant has to prove that the cheque in question was drawn by the drawer for discharging a legally enforceable debtor any liability. In the present case, the issuance of the cheque in question is not denied. As per the scheme of the NI Act, once the accused admits signature on the cheque in question, certain presumption are drawn, which result in shifting of onus. Section 118(a) of the NI Act lays down the presumption that every negotiable instrument was made or drawn for consideration. Another presumption is enumerated in Section 139 of NI Act. The provision lays down the presumption that the holder of the cheque received it for the discharge, in whole or part, of any debt or other liability.

14. The combined effect of these two provisions is a presumption that the cheque is drawn for consideration and JUDGMENT 11 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 given by the accused for the discharge of debt or other liability. Both the sections use the expression "shall", which makes it imperative for the court to raise the presumptions once the foundational facts required for the same are proved. Reliance is placed upon the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, Hiten P. Dalal vs. Bratindranath Banerjee (2001) 6 SCC 16.

15. Further, it has been held by a three­judge bench of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Rangappa vs. Sri.Mohan (2010) 11 SCC 441 that the presumption contemplated under Section 139 of NI Act includes the presumption of existence of a legally enforceable debt. Once the presumption is raised, it is for the accused to rebut the same by establishing a probable defence. The principles pertaining to the presumptions and the onus of proof were recently summarized by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Basalingappa vs. Mudibasappa (2019) 5 SCC 418 as under:

"25. We having noticed the ratio laid down by this Court in the above cases on Section 118(a) and 139, we now summarise the principles enumerated by this JUDGMENT 12 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 Court in the following manner: 25.1. Once the execution of cheque is admitted Section 139 of the Act mandates a presumption that the cheque was for the discharge of any debt or other liability.
25.2. The presumption under Section 139 is a rebuttable presumption and the onus is on the accused to raise probable defence. The standard of proof for rebutting the presumption is that of preponderance of probabilities.
25.3. To rebut the presumption, it is open for the accused to rely on evidence led by him or the accused can also rely on the materials submitted by the complainant in order to raise a probable defence. Inference of preponderance of probabilities can be drawn not only from the materials brought on record by the parties but also by reference to the circumstances upon which they rely.
25.4. That it is not necessary for the accused to come in the witness box in support of his defence. Section 139 imposed an evidentiary burden and not a persuasive burden.
     JUDGMENT                     13              CC No.1481/2021
                                                     SCCH-6



25.5. It is not necessary for the accused to come in the witness box to support his defence."

16. The presumptions raised under Section 118(b) and Section 139 NI Act are rebuttable presumptions. A reverse onus is cast on the accused, who has to establish a probable defence on the standard of preponderance of probabilities to prove that either there was no legally enforceable debt or other liability. In this case, the arguments raised by the Ld.Counsel for the accused to rebut the presumption are discussed below:

17. The accused has taken the specific defence that PW­ 1 who is the husband and GPA holder of the complainant do not have any personal knowledge with regard to the present transaction and as such the evidence of the PW­1 cannot be considered and believed. In this regard PW­1 was cross examined at length and it was suggested to the PW­1 that PW­1 was not having the personal knowledge with regard to the present transaction and the same has not been mentioned in the GPA which has been out rightly denied by the PW­1. In JUDGMENT 14 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 support of his contention, learned counsel for the accused relied on the rulings reported in AIR 2014 SC630 : 2014 CriLJ 576 :

2014 (11) SCC 790], Narayanan A.C. & anr. v. State of Maharashtra & Ors.,3 wherein Honourable Apex Court considered filing of a complaint by the power of attorney and the nature of evidence of the power of attorney required to prove the transaction. In the said case, the Apex Court settled the following principles:
"(i) Filing of complaint petition under Section 138 of NI Act through power of attorney is perfectly legal and competent.
(ii) The Power of Attorney holder can depose and verify on oath before the Court in order to prove the contents of the complaint. However,the power of attorney holder must have witnessed the transaction as an agent of the payee/holder in due course or possess due knowledge regarding the said transactions.
  JUDGMENT                15            CC No.1481/2021
                                           SCCH-6

(iii) It is required by the complainant to make specific assertion as to the knowledge of the power of attorney holder in the said transaction explicityly in the complaint and the power of attorney holder who has no knowledge regarding the transactions cannot be examined as a witness in the case.
(iv) In the light of Section 145 of NI Act, it is open to the Magistrate to rely upon the verification in the form of affidavit filed by the complainant in support of the complaint under Section 138 of the NI Act and the Magistrate is neither mandatorily obliged to call upon the complainant to remain present before the Court, nor to examine the complainant of his witness upon oath for taking the decision whether or not to issue process on the complaint under Section 138 of the NI Act.
(v) The functions under the general power of attorney cannot be delegated to another person JUDGMENT 16 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 without specific clause permitting the same in the power of attorney. Nevertheless, the general power of attorney itself can be canceled and be given to another person."

18. Thus the law is settled on the point that a complaint alleging commission of offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act can be presented through the power of attorney holder and the power of attorney holder can depose and verify on oath before the court in order to prove the contents of the complaint. However, the power of attorney holder must have witnessed the transaction as an agent of the payee or holder in due course or possess due knowledge regarding the said transaction.

19. In this regard, in the light of the above arguments on perusal of the Ex­P1 SPA given by the Vathsala Bhat i.e., proprietor of the Aryadurga Damodar Enterprises to PW­1 Venkataramanna Hegde in para No.6 it has been clearly stated by complainant that­ JUDGMENT 17 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 I hereby constitute and appoint the above named B.Venkatramana Hegde, who is my husband and also he is the person who looks after all the day to day affairs of the proprietorship, Aryadurga Damodhar Enterprises, hence he is proper person to conduct the above case, on my behalf, as my lawful attorney to do all or any of the following Acts, Deeds things in respect of above mentioned PCR filed by me, viz.,

20. Thus when PW­1 was looking after all the day today affairs of the proprietorship concern certainly he was having personal knowledge about the present transaction also. In view of the above discussion, the defence taken by the accused is not tenable.

21. Further counsel for the accused argued that complainant has not mentioned in her complaint that PW­1 was looking after the affairs of the proprietorship and he was having the personal knowledge of the present transaction. But in the JUDGMENT 18 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 present case the complaint has been lodged by the complainant herself and it was only at the later stage she has given the SPA to the PW­1. As such non­mentioning of the above fact is not material and fatal to the case of the prosecution.

22. Further accused has taken the contention that complainant has not produced any document to show that she is the proprietor of the said firm and there is no seal of the proprietorship concern in the complaint and in the Ex­P1. But in this regard on perusal of the documents, Ex­P2 cheque the cheque has been issued in favour of the Arya Durga Damodar enterprises and the complainant having possession of the above said cheque has presented the cheque for encashment before the bank and has filed the complaint as a proprietor of the said Arya Durga Damodar Enterprises. Further Ex­P9 the invoice bills of the Arya Durga Enterprises has been produced by the complainant and Ex­P11 to 13 GST processed records shows that Vathsala Bhat is the proprietor of the Arya Durga Damodar Enterprises and all these documents are not at all JUDGMENT 19 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 disproved by accused. As such the defence taken by the accused does not holds any water.

23. 2ND DEFENCE:­ INVOICE BILLS PRODUCED ARE NOT PROPER AND AUTHENTICATED Complainant in support of her contention and to prove the transaction has got marked the invoice bills Ex­P9 amounting to Rs.1,90,250/­. But the accused has taken the contention that as per Ex­P9 accused has not received any goods on the said dates and complainant has not supplied the goods to the accused personally and has not obtained signatures of the accused to the Ex­P9 to prove that the goods were supplied to the accused. In this regard, PW­1 has clearly stated that as per the say of he accused himself the goods were supplied to the godown of the accused and as accused was not present at the godown the signature of the person who was working in the godown was taken to the Ex­P9.

     JUDGMENT                   20              CC No.1481/2021
                                                   SCCH-6

24. In this regard on perusal of Ex­P9 the invoice numbers mentioned in Ex­P9 tallies with the invoice number mentioned in the complaint and also the amount mentioned in Ex­P9 tallies with the amount mentioned in the complaint. Further Ex­P9 bears the seal of the accused stores as New Prashanth hotel and bears the signature of one Niranjan as received by him. Further even the said seal bears the date and also the time, it bears the signature of the person who received the goods. Though accused has denied that he has not personally received the goods and complainant has not personally delivered the goods to him but in a normal course of all the business transactions there is no rule that the owner or the proprietor of the concern has to personally deliver the goods to the person who ordered the goods personally, it is sufficient that the goods were delivered to their godowns or the place of their request and has obtained the signature of the person incharge of the godown or the place for receiving the goods. It is also sufficient that any person incharge of the JUDGMENT 21 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 delivering of the goods have supplied the goods. In the normal course of business rules and conduct, the proprietor of the concern will not personally go and deliver to all its customers. Similarly the person or the owner of the store who has placed the purchase order will not personally receive the goods. As Ex­ P9 invoice bears the seal and signatures of the New Prashanth Hotel and the date, time and the signature of the person who received the goods it can be readily inferred that in the normal course of the business transactions the goods mentioned in Ex­ P9 has been delivered to the accused stores.

25. Further later on complainant has produced copy of GST, processed records on invoices for the year 2018 to 2019 as per Ex­P11 to 13. On perusal of which it is reveals that the invoice numbers of Ex­P9 has not been reflected in the Ex­P11 to 13, but there are references of the other invoice number which shows the transaction between the complainant and New Prashanth hotel. Though accused counsel denied the above said document on the ground that auditor has not been JUDGMENT 22 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 examined but Ex­P11 to 13 is the copy taken from the GST­user dash board from the GST government website and it bears the seal of income tax solutions auditors and the seal. As such the same can be considered and relied on in corroboration with other documents. Mere denying the document is not sufficient to disprove the same. In view of above all discussions, complainant has clearly established that complainant concern has supplied the goods as per Ex­P9 to the accused stores.

26. Further later on complainant has produced copy of GST, processed records on invoices for the year 2018 to 2019 as per Ex­P11 to 13. On perusal of which it is reveals that the invoice numbers of Ex­P9 has not been reflected in the Ex­P11 to 13. As such the EXP11 to EXP13 documents can not be considered and relied on. Nevertheless as complainant has produced invoice bills as per EXP9 the same can be believed and relied on. Mere denying the document is not sufficient to disprove the same. In view of above all discussions, JUDGMENT 23 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 complainant has clearly established that complainant concern has supplied the goods as per Ex­P9 to the accused stores.

27. Further accused has taken the defence that complainant has not produced the income tax returns to show that he has mentioned the said liability in the income tax returns. Admittedly though earlier, PW­1 has not produced income tax returns but later on PW­1 has produced his income tax returns for the year 2020­2021, 2021­2022, 2022­2023 and 2023­2024 as per Ex­P14 to 17 and also has produced 65B certificate as per Ex­P10. On perusal of which, it reveals that complainant in Ex­P14 to 17 has mentioned about the debt, Rs.1,22,139/­, Rs.1,70,048/­ and Rs.2,91,978/­ from New Prashanth hotel ­J.P.Nagar, Jayanagar and Basaveshwaranagar under Schedule­ F sundry debtors in all the above said years of income tax returns i.e., Ex­P14 to 17.

28. In this regard, accused counsel argued that Ex­P14 to 17 cannot be believed as PW­1 in his cross­examination admitted that the laptop belongs to his son and he was using JUDGMENT 24 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 the said laptop and his auditor has downloaded the information to his laptop and as such PW­1 is not the proper person to give the 65B certificate and as such complainant has not complied mandatory provisions in respect of the electronic evidence and as such those documents Ex­P14 to 17 cannot be believable.

29. In this regard, admittedly, PW­1 has clearly admitted that his son is using the laptop and the said laptop belongs to him. Therefore, it is clear that PW­1 has not complied with the mandatory provisions in respect of the proving of the electronic document. But however, on perusal of Ex­P14 to 17 documents those documents bears the seal and sign of the auditors who has issued the same and has been certified by the person who is the author of the document. As such those documents can certainly be relied on and taken into consideration.

30. 3rd DEFENCE­ WITH REGARD TO THE PASSING OVER OF THE CHEQUE.

        JUDGMENT                   25               CC No.1481/2021
                                                       SCCH-6

The accused has taken specific defence wih regard to the passing over of the cheque that Ex­P2 cheque was issued to the PW­1 as a security during his earlier transaction and the same were misused by him and filed this false complaint and complainant has created false invoices and there is no liability by the accused. In this regard on perusal of the whole cross examination except the said bare suggestion, accused has not adduced any defence evidence in support of his contention. Moreover accused has not stated any details of the dates and the particulars of the transaction as to when he has made transaction with the complainant and when he has issued the cheque to the complainant. Even accused has not produced any single document to show that in which year there was transaction between him and the complainant. In this regard, As held by our Hon'ble High court in the case of Siddappa Vs. Smt. Chand bee Hyderabad Reported in 2014 Cr.R 646 (kant)," mere suggestion will not take place of proof even by means of JUDGMENT 26 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 preponderance of probabilities and something more is required to rebut the presumption ".

31. Apart from this, when accused was having knowledge about the possession of his cheques with the complainant then, why accused being business man has not taken any steps or legal action against the complainant for misusing of the cheque and for return of his cheques. There is no explanation in this regard given by the accused.

32. In this regard it is pertinent to note the principle held in Sri.Prakash @ Jnana Prakash v/s Miss T.S. Susheela reported in ILR 2012 KAR 4815 our Hon'ble High Court has held that ­If the documents had been illegally obtained by the complainant, it is inexplicable that the petitioner did not choose to give a complaint to the police or to take other measures insofar as that conduct of the complainant is concerned and hence has disbelieved the evidence set forth ­ JUDGMENT 27 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 Applying the ratio laid down by the Hon'ble Court to the present case on hand, the accused in this case also has not taken up any legal measures neither against complainant nor against the Bank and its employees regarding possession of cheque. From this an inference can be drawn that no prudent man will keep himself silent without taking any steps to safeguard his interest when his document lies with the possession of other party.

33. Apart from this accused has not taken the said defence earlier by giving the reply to the notice at the earlier opportunity. Apart from this, by taking the said defence, accused has clearly admitted that there was transaction between him and the complainant.

34. Further, the accused has not taken this defence at the earliest stage by issuing the reply notice or taken any criminal proceedings against the complainant. In the absence of any such recourse being adopted by the accused, it is highly impossible to believe his defence. The Hon'ble Apext Court in JUDGMENT 28 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 the case of Rangappa Vs. Mohan Reported in 2010 (1) DCR 706, wherein it was held as fallows:

"­Very fact that the accused had failed to reply to the statutory notice under Sec.138 of N.I.Act leads to inference that there was merit in the complainant's version".

35. In the present case also the accused inspite of the service of the notice has not replied to the notice and taken the defence at the later stage only for the sake of the defence. That, being the true facts it can be held that, the accused has failed to establish his defence.

36. In view of all the above discussions, it can be concluded that the complainant has established through cogent and convincing evidence the fact of issuance of the cheque for discharge of legality enforceable debt, which is dishonored for want of sufficient funds, Issuance of legal notice within stipulated time, failure on the part of Accused to repay the amount within stipulated period. On the other hand, the accused has failed to rebut the presumption available to the JUDGMENT 29 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 complainant through probable evidences that would preponderate upon the evidence lead by the complainant. Therefore, the accused is held to have committed an offence punishable under Sec. 138 of N.I. Act. Accordingly Point No.1 is answered in the Affirmative.

37. POINT NO.2:­ In view of my answer to point No.1, I proceed to pass the following:­ ­: O R D E R :­ Acting U/Sec.255(2) of Cr.P.C. accused is hereby convicted for the offence punishable U/Sec.138 of Negotiable Instruments Act.

Accused is sentenced to pay a fine of Rs.1,95,250/­ for the offence punishable under section 138 of N.I.Act. The amount of Rs.1,90,250/­ shall be paid to the complainant by way of compensation in accordance with Sec.357(1) of Cr.P.C. within three months from today.

The remaining amount of Rs.5,000/­ shall be confiscated to the state. In default of payment of fine, the accused shall JUDGMENT 30 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months.

The bail and surety bond of the accused and surety shall stand canceled. Office to furnish the copy of this judgment, free of cost to the accused.

(Dictated to the Stenographer directly on computer, after her typing, corrected, signed and then pronounced by me in open Court this the 27th day of January 2024).

(CHETANA S.F.) IV Addl., Small Cause Judge & ACMM, Court of Small Causes, BENGALURU.

ANNEXURE List of witnesses examined for the Complainant:

P.W1 -               B.Venkatramana Hegde

For the accused:­
NIL

List of documents marked for the Complainant:­ Ex.P1­ SPA Ex.P2 - Cheque JUDGMENT 31 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6 Ex.P2(a) - Signature of accused Ex.P3 - Bank endorsement Ex.P4- Legal notice Ex.P5 & 6­ 2 postal receipts Ex.P7 _ RPAD covers Ex.P8­ Postal acknowledgment Ex.P9 5 invoices Ex.P10 65B certificate Ex.P11 GST processed records and invoices Ex.P12 GST processed records Ex.P13 GST processed records sumoto cancel record Ex.P14 to 16 IT returns computarised copy Ex.P17 Income tax returns assessment computarised copy For the accused:­ NIL (CHETANA S.F.) IV Addl. Small Cause Judge & ACMM, Court of Small Causes, BENGALURU.

JUDGMENT 32 CC No.1481/2021 SCCH-6