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[Cites 11, Cited by 0]

Bangalore District Court

Bindiya B.N vs Sri. S.M. Basavaraju on 22 March, 2021

   IN THE COURT OF XXXIII ADDL. CHIEF
METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE, MAYO HALL UNIT,
               BENGALURU
              ­: PRESENT :­
           M.Vijay, BA (Law), LLB.
   XXXIII ADDL.CHIEF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE,
                    BENGALURU.
     DATED THIS THE 22ND DAY OF MARCH, 2021.
                 C.C.No.53189/2018
COMPLAINANT         : Bindiya B.N
                      D/o. B. Narayanamurthy,
                      R/at No. 699, 18th Cross, 1st
                      Block, 3rd Stage, Manjunath
                      Nagar,West of Chord Road,
                      Bengaluru - 560 010.
                                .Vs.
ACCUSED             : Sri. S.M. Basavaraju
                      Aged about 64 years,
                      R/at No.408, 4th main, 2nd Block,
                      H.R.B.R Layout, Kalyan nagar,
                      Near Murali Gas Agency,
                      Bangalore - 560 043.


                   JUDGMENT .




       The complainant has filed this private complaint
U/s.200 of Cr.P.C., against the accused for the
offence punishable U/s 138 of Negotiable Instrument
Act.
                                2
                                                 C.C.No.53189/2018



2.     The brief facts of the case are as follows:­
       It is averred that, accused on 23.08.2017 has
approached her for to make documentary videos, to
hold     constituency     Survey         and     Social         media
Management in order to promote the accused as
M.L.A candidate of Pulakeshi Nagar constituency
from J.D.S Party, accordingly, she accepted to
complete the entrusted work, in this regard accused
provided the office space to her for the said work at
Sahakara     Nagar,     Bangalore,       further     she        raised
invoice for the above work on 24.10.2017 to the
accused for sum of Rs. 1,85,000/. Towards, part
payment, accused allegedly issued Cheque bearing
No.    178583    dated    25.10.2017           for   a    sum       of
Rs.90,000/­ drawn on Axis Bank, Kalyan Nagar,
Bangalore, and requested her to present it on
27.10.2017.     Accordingly,       she    presented        it      for
collection in her banker Kotak Mahindra Bank, New
Thippsandra Branch, Bangalore. But it was bounced
for want of sufficient funds on 31.10.2017. Later on
the accused requested her once again to present it
accordingly she presented it for the second time for
                                   3
                                                C.C.No.53189/2018


encash 30.11.2017. But, second time also return
with remarks that "Insufficient Funds". Immediately
she constrained to issue legal notice on 21.12.2017,
same was served on 29.12.2017. But, neither repaid
nor     replied   to   her    notice   within     fifteen   days
accordingly, she constrained to file this private
complaint as the accused failed to pay the cheque
amount with in 15days after receipt of legal notice, on
these grounds complainant alleged that the accused
has committed an o/p/ U/S 138 of N.I. Act.


3.      Based on the complaint, the sworn statement
affidavit, the documents, the court took cognizance
of an offense punishable under Sec.138 of N.I.Act and
ordered to register a criminal case against the
accused for the offense punishable under Sec.138 of
N.I.Act.


4.      In   pursuance       of   summons,       the   accused
appeared through his counsel and he was on court
bail.    Plea has been recorded accused pleaded not
guilty and claimed to be tried.
                             4
                                           C.C.No.53189/2018


5.   To prove the case, the complainant got examined
herself as P.W.1 and got marked documents at Ex.P.1
to P.12.

6.   On closure of complainant side evidence, the
accused was examined under Sec.313 (1) (b) of
Cr.P.C., he denied the incriminating materials on
record     and   adduced   his   defence    evidence     by
examining himself as D.W.1 and got marked Ex­D.1
to D.4, the complainant has not chosen to cross
examine the accused.


7.   Heard, both the sides perused the materials on
record, the following point arise for my determination.


         "Whether the complainant proves beyond
         all reasonable doubt that, the accused
         had issued cheque bearing No.178583
         dtd:25.10.2017 for Rs.90,000/­ in her
         favour towards discharge of legally
         recoverable liability and same was
         bounced for "Funds Insufficient" and
         despite of demand notice, the accused
         failed to pay the legally recoverable debt
         or liability, thereby the accused has
         committed the offense punishable under
         Sec.138 of Negotiable Instruments Act?"
                               5
                                               C.C.No.53189/2018




8.   On that basis my finding on the above point is in
the "Affirmative" for the following;


                        REASONS


9.   The accused was intend to contest for member of
legislative    assembly    from     the      constituency    of
Pulikeshi Nagar Bangalore,          for that, the accused
wanted to promote himself as a MLA candidate,
accordingly,    on     23.08.2017     he     approached     the
complainant       to     make       documentary         videos,
constituency survey, social media management, as
the complainant was in the field of creations, she
accepted to carryout the entrusted work, for that, the
accused had provided her an office space at Sahakara
Nagar Bangalore, she completed the above entrusted
work   and     raised    invoice    for    Rs.1,85,000/­     on
24.10.2017, the accused towards payment of part
amount of      the liability, accused allegedly issued a
cheque    bearing       No.178583         date25.10.2017    for
Rs.90,000/­ drawn on Axis Bank, Kalyan Nagar,
Bangalore, on its presentation it was bounced on
                                   6
                                                    C.C.No.53189/2018


31.10.2017, despite service of legal notice accused
failed to pay the cheque amount accordingly, the
complainant claims that the accused has committed
an o/p/u/s 138 of N.I Act.


10. Per contra, the accused                 admitted the alleged
entrustment of work          to the complainant to make
documentary videos, to survey constituency, social
media management, problems of public,opinion of the
public    about        accused,        meeting      with    political
strategies in order to promote him as MLA candidate
for Rs.1,85,000/­, further, he also admitted the
issuance of cheque Ex­P.1 to the complainant, Ex­P.1
cheque and signature on the cheque are admittedly
belongs to him, however, he specifically contended
that,    the    Ex­P.1      cheque         was     issued   to   the
complainant subject to handover the C.D or the
Pen drive containing the entrusted work, but the
complainant doesn't completed the entrusted work
and not handed over the C.D contain the entrusting
work, accordingly, he did not keep                      amount in
account to honour the cheque,                    in this regard, he
caused     a   legal    notice        to   the    complainant     on
                             7
                                          C.C.No.53189/2018


15.12.2017 by asking the complainant to return his
cheque and also an advance amount of Rs. 10,000/­
paid at the time of entrusting the work, on the above
grounds he claims to be innocent and not liable to
pay the claimed amount.


11.   Considering the rival contentions, it is clear that,
there is no dispute about entrustment of work by the
accused to the complainant to make documentary
videos, to conduct constituency survey, to manage
the social media in order to promote the accused as a
MLA candidate to the Pulikeshi Nagar constituency,
and issuance of cheque Ex­P.1 to the complainant by
the accused, signature on the Ex­P.1 cheque is of the
accused for the compliance of Sec.138 (a)to (c) of N.I
Act, however, the only dispute is the accused alleges
that the      complainant has not completed the
entrusted work and not handed over the C.D or the
documents to show that she has completed the
enstrusted work, therefore, he did not keep the
amount in his account to honour             his cheque.
Accordingly, he is not liable to pay the cheque
amount.
                               8
                                             C.C.No.53189/2018




12.     So, considering the admitted facts it is clear
that,    the accused specifically disputed       the legally
enforceable liability, therefore, it is      burden on the
complainant      to   prove   the   existence     of   legally
enforceable liability.


13. The complainant in order to prove her case got
examined herself as Pw1 and placed reliance on the
cheque, return memo, copy of legal notice, postal
receipts, certificate u/s 65 (b) of Evidence Act with
C.D's,     acknowledgment/MOU          dtd      22.10.2017,
printouts of    Whats App, Facebook. She re­iterated
the complainant averments in her examination chief
affidavit and specifically stated     she completed the
entrusted work and handed over the C.D containing
the work carried out by her i.e., video documentary,
management of social media, constituency survey,
towards part payment the accused has issued Ex­P.1
cheque for Rs.90,000/­ but same was bounced. The
accused vehemently cross examined and brought out
on record that, the complainant has not issued the
tax invoice, she didn't have any impediment to
                           9
                                      C.C.No.53189/2018


handover the invoice of Rs.1,85,000/­ to the accused,
the address of the complainant as shown in Ex­D.4 is
correct address of the complainant, and made several
suggestions that, the complainant has not completed
the entrusted work, and not furnished the contents of
Ex­P.9 to 11 and suggested that the Ex­P.9 to 11are
created electronic documents for the purpose of this
claim, however, the PW.1 has categorically denied the
suggestions of the accused and specifically stated,
she has carried out video survey, documentary video,
management of social media, attending the meetings
of political people with the accused, meeting of
political strategies, and further she categorically
denied the suggestion of the accused that on
22.10.2017 she went to the house of accused with
two other persons and forced the accused to pay the
amount, due to fear and tension, the accused
allegedly issued the Ex­P.1 cheque.


14. So, considering the entire testimony of Pw.1 as
held supra, the issuance of Ex.P.1 cheque for
Rs.90,000/­ by the accused containing a signature
not at all in dispute, so, the complainant        has
                            10
                                         C.C.No.53189/2018


undoubtedly proved the cheque Ex­P.1 and Ex­P.1(a)
signature are that of the accused. So, once it is
proved it is mandatory on the part of the Court to
draw presumption in favour of the complainant that,
the cheque was issued towards discharge of legally
enforceable liability as per Sec.139 and 118 (a) of N.I
Act. Hon'ble Apex Court in Rangappa Vs. Mohan
wherein the lordship has held that,

     "Once the cheque relates to the account of the
       accused and he accept and admit the
       signature on the said cheque, then initial
       presumption as contemplated under Sec.139
       of N.I. Act has to be raised by the court in
       favour of the complainant. The presumption
       referred to in Sec.139 of N.I.Act is a
       mandatory presumption and not a general
       presumption, but the accused is entitled to
       rebut the said presumption."


15. So, the onus is on the accused to rebut the
presumption that, the legally enforceable liability
doesn't exist, and cheque       has not been issued for
                             11
                                             C.C.No.53189/2018


legally enforceable liability, the accused in order to
rebut the presumption, has mainly relied upon the
admissions brought out on record during the course
of cross examination of Pw1 and his evidence with
Ex­D.1 to 4.


16. The learned counsel for the accused vehemently
argued that, the complainant has admitted that, she
didn't raise the invoice with respect to completion of
work as claimed by her, even the Pw.1 admitted that
she don't have any document to show that she had
handed over the C.D to the accused, further the
claim of the complainant is doubt in nature as the
amount for completion of work was agreed for Rs.
1,85,000/­ but claim of the complainant is only
Rs.90,000/­    which      itself   is   proof     that        the
complainant has not completed the entrusted work,
as per Ex­D.1 MOU subject to hand overing the C.D
or pen drive containing the entrusted work, the
Ex­P.1   Cheque     was      issued,       therefore     it    is
"contingent    cheque"    only     after     completion        of
entrusted work liability would arises, the Ex­P.7 to 9
are marked subject it's objection which are created
                             12
                                               C.C.No.53189/2018


subsequent to filing of this complaint, the accused
has   caused     legal   notice   to     the     complainant
demanding for return of his cheque in view of non­
completion of entrusted work by handing over the
C.D or other electronic devices containing the data of
entrusted work, further, the complainant not chosen
to cross examine the accused therefore, the evidence
of the accused on oath is deems to be accepted by
the complainant, therefore. On these grounds, the
accused claims to have rebutted the presumption lies
in favour of complainant.


17. On the contrary, the counsel for the complainant
vehemently argued that, the Ex­P.6 to 9 are
electronic documents containing the work carried
out by the complainant, therefore, the accused had
issued the Ex­P.1 cheque towards part payment of
liability i.e., Rs.90,000/­ now in order to escape from
the liability caused legal notice as per Ex­D.2,
subsequent to dis­honour of the cheque, without
raising the objection about alleged incomplete of
work at the time of issuance of cheque, on these
grounds    the     complainant         claims      that,    the
                              13
                                            C.C.No.53189/2018


presumption has not been rebutted by the accused
as the Ex­P.6 to 9 have clearly discloses completion
of entrusted work, accordingly, prays to convict the
accused.


18. Having considering the rival arguments with
materials on record the crucial point arises to the
court that,

              "whether the accused as rebutted
           the presumption or the materials on
           record is sufficient or suffice to rebut
           the presumption U/S 139 of N.I.Act".

    On this aspect, I have carefully perused the
material on record, it transpires that, though the
complainant deposed that there was oral agreement
held in between her and accused with respect to
carryout of entrusted work but, the complainant as
well as the accused both have relied upon the MOU,
the complainant marked the copy of MOU as
Ex­P.11 on the other hand, the accused also relied
upon the very same document as Ex­D.1, on careful
perusal of Ex­P.11 which discloses that, the said
                             14
                                             C.C.No.53189/2018


document came to be existence on 22.10.2017, but,
the     contents   of   document        discloses   that    on
23.08.2017 the complainant has agreed to carryout
the preparation of documentary videos by screeping,
shooting both indoor and outdoor editing, voice over,
music      lay­outing   with     high    re­sounding       and
uploading in social media, maintaining facebok, web
page      and storing in hard disc or pen drive to
preserve the document in complete manner, which
includes transporting, copy rights, taxes applicable
and royalty/patents applicable from 24.08.2017 to
23.09.2017, on the said day the document further
discloses Rs.10,000/­ advance was paid to the
complainant and remaining balance has been shown
as Rs.90,000/­. Further, in same document, the list
of the the works carried out by the complainant has
been mentioned as follows.

      1. Political entry of S.M Basavaraju
        documentary uploaded in "Youtube".
      2. Ganesha Festival wishes.
      3. Functions of J.D.S Office.
      4. Interview of Marimuttu and Rajeshwari
                            15
                                         C.C.No.53189/2018


        along with Basavaraju.
     5. About rain " Maleya Avanthara"
      documentary.
     6. J.D.S protesting at Town hall.


     In addition to that, the Ex.D.1 further reads that
the above documentary has yet to pre­revival and
finalize the copy and will share in hard disc or pen
drive and to deliver the same to the party by the
company. So, the above document clearly discloses
on 22.10.2017 the complainant has undertaken to
furnish the hard disc or pen drive containing the
works carried out by her to the party. By affixing the
signature on MOU, her signature has been marked
as    Ex­D.1(A)   same    is    not   disputed   by   the
complainant. However, the said Ex­D.1 does not
further discloses that, the time for delivering the
hard disc or pen drive containing the data about
work carried out by the complainant, that apart, the
very same document relied by both the parties
clearly discloses the above mentioned works has
been carried out by the complainant, but, the
accused specifically claiming that C.D's or pen drive
                            16
                                            C.C.No.53189/2018


has not furnished to him as agreed under MOU, But
in­contrary though the complainant initially not
produced the C.D's but, after completion of defence
evidence the complainant produced the C.D.'s,
printouts    of Whats App, e­mail's, Youtube images
and specifically claimed she furnished the C.D's to
the accused, but, the accused denies the same and
claims     the C.D's EX­P.6 to 9 have been created
subsequent to filing of this complaint. However,
though he cross examined the Pw­1, on these
electronic    records     he     didn't    question,     the
authenticity, admissibility of     electronic documents
i.e., with respect to his alleged creation of this C.D's
subsequent to filing of this case, because he has
every opportunity to brought out on record the date
of creation of electronic records, date of recording,
it's copying, contents or data driving in to C.D, and
certificate U/S 65 (b) Evidence Act i.e., about
custody,     conversion   from    the     gadgets   to   the
computer, who was having control over computer
which are not at all questioned by the accused, but,
simply he alleges the C.D's are created which cannot
be accepted without questioning by playing the C.D's
                           17
                                        C.C.No.53189/2018


in the court about works carried out by the
complainant and date of creation of documents, in
absence of that, mere denial, which does not ipso
facto ground to reject the electronic documents
because the Ex­P.11 and D.1 clearly discloses the
work done by the complainant, despite noting the
works carried out by the complainant in Ex­D.1. the
accused claiming that the complainant has not
completed the works entrusted to her.


19. Further, it is not the case of the accused that
whatever the works noted in Ex­D.1 has not been
done by the complainant, when such being the case
is   mere   contention    without    questioning     the
authenticity of C.D's, when the data stored in the
C.D's have been prepared, to whom the complainant
met and collected opinion, how many videos of
functions recorded in the constituency which are all
not been questioned, therefore, on careful perusal of
the Ex­D.1 and C.D's (Viewed the in C.D's Ex.P.8 in
Court   Laptop)   which   clearly   proves   that,   the
complainant has completed the entrusted work,
however, the accused specifically contended that no
                           18
                                       C.C.No.53189/2018


such C.D or pen drive furnished to him by the
complainant. But the Pw.1 categorical stated the
contents of Ex­P.9 to 11 has been furnished to the
accused, further it is not case of the accused that,
the contents of Ex­P.9 to 11 is not pertaining to him
as entrusted by him to the complainant, so, even
though the complainant has admitted that no
document has been produced before Court to show
that she has furnished the C.D containing the data
of Ex­P.9 to 11, but, she specifically stated cheque
was issued on completion of the work, accordingly,
she presented it for collection, further, she stated on
22 or 23 of October 2017 she furnished the C.D to
the accused on the same day the accused issued
Ex­P.1    cheque    for   Rs.90,000/­.     It   clearly
corroborates the Ex­D.1 that it is not in dispute as
per Ex­D.1 on 22.10.2017 accused has issued
Ex­P.1 cheque to the complainant, further, in second
part of Ex­D.1 the signature of the complainant does
not found place to believe the contents of second
part of Ex­D.1, so, it can be easily inferred that the
cheque was issued only after completion of work.
                           19
                                       C.C.No.53189/2018


20.   Further, in the legal notice Ex­D.2 the accused
specifically   claimed   that   on   22.10.2017     the
complainant and two other persons gone over to the
house of the accused, that too, in the night
demanded the balance amount, accordingly, he
issued post dated cheque, subject to hand over of
videos and films of accused on or before of
24.10.2017, that apart, in the chief examination the
accused stated on 22.10.2017 in the night at about
11.00 p.m, the complainant gone to his house with
two others have insisted him to make payment
without completing the assigned work. Due to
tension, he claims to have issued cheque for
Rs.90,000/­ subject to handover the document on or
before 25.10.2017. However, in contrary to above
contention the accused during the course of cross
examination of Pw.1 made specific suggestion that,
the Ex­P.1 cheque was issued to the complainant as
a security advance so, in one breath the accused
claimed the Ex­P.1 cheque was issued as security
advance, however, in other breath in­contrary he
claims to have issued the cheque on 22.10.2017 due
to fear or tension, but, to believe his contention that
                                 20
                                                      C.C.No.53189/2018


he had issued the Ex­P.1 cheque under the tension
or forcible action of complainant and two others in
the night at his house, he has not produced any
document to show about the forcible actions of
complainant alleged to have occurred in the house of
accused      on   22.10.2017.             So,   the    inconsistence
defence of the accused cannot be acceptable, as the
person cannot blow hot and cold at the same time,
further, the Ex­D.1 clearly discloses cheque was
issued on 22.10.2017 but not issued as an advance
security.


21. Further, the accused is not a laymen, he having
knowledge about consequences of issuances of
cheque, even after issuance of cheque he could have
instruct his banker to stop payment, but, no such
instruction admittedly given, however, he issued
legal notice Ex­D.2 subsequent to dishonour of
cheque      for   insufficient       fund       and     claims    that
non­furnishing       of   C.D        or     Pen   drive     to   show
completion of work, he didn't keep the money in his
account to honour the cheque, but, as per his own
contention the C.D or Pen drive should have been
                           21
                                       C.C.No.53189/2018


furnished on or before 25.10.2017 but, the accused
even after completion of 25.10.2017 till presentation
of the cheque he did not raise any objection for
non furnishing of C.D's so, he kept mum soon after
issuance of cheque till he got message from his
banker about dishonour which clearly shows that,
the Ex­D.2 nothing but an after thought story in
order to avoid the payment, therefore, even though
the complainant has not cross examined the Dw.1
and the testimony of Dw.1 even if presumed to be
true, subsequent to closure of defence evidence the
complainant has placed reliance on Ex­P.6 to 9 the
C.D's to over come the defence that, she has
completed the entrusted work, therefore, I do not
found any force in the argument of learned counsel
for the accused for non­issuance of invoice is fatal to
the claim of the complainant cannot be acceptable
as it is not the case of the accused that he issued
blank cheque to the complainant, but, it is his
definite case that he issued Ex­P.1 completed cheque
for Rs.90,000/­ if so the accused could have raise
the objection for non­furnishing the tax invoice.
                           22
                                        C.C.No.53189/2018


22. Further, so for as contingent cheque is concern,
the accused   has not disputed the issuance of the
Ex­P.1 cheque subject to hand­overing of C.D or
Pendrive containing the data as agreed, on the other
hand complainant claims she handed over the C.D's
only after receipt of the same accused        issued the
Ex­P.1   cheque,    during     the   course    of   cross
examination the accused specifically posed question
to that effect but, the complainant categorically
stated only after furnishing all the documents to the
accused, the accused has issued cheque to her
further, it is not the case of the accused that he
issued Ex­P.1 cheque while entrusting the work on
24.08.2017 as a contingent cheque for Rs.90,000/­
with condition that only after completion of work the
complainant must present the cheque for collection,
the learned counsel by relying upon the secondary
part of Ex­D.1 claiming that Ex­P.1 is a contingent
cheque but, it does not contain the signature of the
complainant to believe his contention that, only by
completing works the cheque must be presented for
collection, therefore, it cannot be acceptable.
                            23
                                          C.C.No.53189/2018


23. So, considering the entire materials on record
Admittedly issuance of cheque on 22.10.2017 to the
compliant for Rs. 90,000/­, it was bounced for
insufficient funds accordingly, initial presumption
has been drawn in favour of the complainant, so
once it is proved the onus is on the accused to
brought out the materials from the mouth of
complainant or produce materials to disprove the
case of the complainant that, at the time of issuance
of cheque the liability does not exist, at this stage it
is worth to note the decision of Hon'ble Apex Court
between Sumethi Vij Vs. M/s. Paramount Tech. Fab.
Industries, held that
        " to disprove the presumption, the
        accused should bring on record such
        facts     and    circumstances,     upon
        consideration of which, the court may
        either believe that the consideration
        and debt didn't exist or their non­
        existence was so probable that a
        prudent    man     would    under    the
        circumstances of the case, act upon the
        plea that they didn't exist".
                            24
                                         C.C.No.53189/2018


 So, on this backdrop of settle principle I have
carefully perused the available material on record are
suffice to rebut the presumption lies in favour of the
complainant, but, the material on record clearly
discloses as per the accused the complainant did not
complete her entrusted work and not handover the
C.D containing the data pertaining to the accused,
however, the complainant has produced the C.D's as
per Ex­P.6 to 9 to substantiate her works carried out
and stored in C.D's pertaining to the accused, though
the accused specifically cross examined the Pw.1 on
these electronic documents, does not disputes the
contents of the C.D's not pertaining to him as
entrusted to the complainant. Further, he has not all
posed any questions with regard to authenticity and
admissibility of C.D's, date of video recording, it's
storage, to whom the complainant met during survey,
where she      surveyed, management of social media,
highlighting    the   problems   of   public   and   also
certificate filed U/S 65 (b) of Indian Evidence Act,
therefore, the complainant has over come the defence
of accused that she has not furnished C.D's to the
accused as such the argument of the accused about
                                 25
                                              C.C.No.53189/2018


contingent cheque cannot be acceptable in view of his
inconsistence stands and admission about issuance
of cheque on 22.10.2017 i.e., much after the
entrustment of work in the month of august 2017.
Therefore, considering entire material on record, the
defence of the accused and the material brought out
from the evidence of Pw.1 is not acceptable evidence
to rebut the presumption because it is admittedly the
cheque was dishonour due to insufficient funds, as
per   the   accused     the     complainant      supposed    to
handover the C.D or pen drive containing the data
entrusted to the complainant, but, even after lapse of
two   months    i.e.,   after    issuance   of    cheque    till
dishonour of the cheque the accused not tried to keep
the amount in his account nor requested the
complainant to return his cheque for alleged non­
hand overing the C.D therefore, as per Ex.P.6 to 9 the
complainant has proved her claim about completion
of entrusted work i.e., making videos, surveying the
constituency meeting the people, attending the party
functions etc., as entrusted by the accused            hence,
the defence of the accused cannot be acceptable
accordingly, the material on record brought out and
                           26
                                        C.C.No.53189/2018


produced are not sufficient that the cheque was not
issued for legally enforceable liability, hence, accused
failed to rebut the presumption lies in favour of the
complainant. As such the complainant has proved
the issuance of cheque for legally enforceable liability
which was agreed as per Ex.P.11 and D.1 and same
was bounced for insufficient funds, despite service of
legal notice the accused failed to pay cheque amount
and issued legal notice to return cheque and non
completion of alleged entrusted work cannot be
acceptable, hence the complainant as proved the
ingredients of S.138 (a) to (c) of N.I Act. Accordingly,
the accused found guilty of an o/p/u/s 138 of N.I
Act.


24. So,   far   as   sentence   and   compensation     is
concerned, the material on record clearly revealed
that as per Ex.D.1 for completion of entrusted work
the accused has issued cheque in the year 2017 and
avoided the payment, therefore, considering the
nature of the transaction and duration of pendency,
if fine of Rs.1,20,000/­is imposed on the accused
that would meet the ends of justice. Therefore, the
                              27
                                             C.C.No.53189/2018


accused is sentenced to pay a fine of Rs.1,20,000/­
out of the fine amount received the complainant is
entitled for Rs.1,15,000/­ as a compensation under
Sec.357(1) of Cr.P.C. and remaining amount of
Rs.5,000/­ is to be appropriated to the State.             In
case of default, the accused shall under go simple
imprisonment for a period of 6 months. Accordingly
I answer the above point in "Affirmative".            In the
result, following;


                       ORDER

Acting under section 255(2) of Criminal Procedure Code, the accused is convicted of the offence punishable U/s 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act, The accused is sentenced to pay a fine of Rs.1,20,000/­ (Rupees one lakh twenty thousand) in default, the accused shall undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months.

28

C.C.No.53189/2018 Out of the fine amount received, Rs.5,000/­ is to be appropriated to the State and by way of compensation as per the provision U/s 357(1) of Cr.P.C. the complainant is entitled for Rs.1,15,000/­.

The bail bonds and surety bond of the accused shall stand cancelled.

Office is directed to furnish a free copy of the judgment to the accused.

(Dictated to the Stenographer directly on computer, typed by her, corrected, signed and then pronounced by me in the open court, on this the 22nd day of March, 2021) (M.Vijay), XXXIII ACMM, BENGALURU.

ANNEXURE

1. Witnesses examined on behalf of Complainant:

P.W.1 : Bindiya B.N 29 C.C.No.53189/2018

2. Documents marked on behalf of complainant:

Ex.P.1       : Original cheque
Ex.P.1(a)    : Signature of the accused
Ex.P.2       : Bank return memo
Ex.P.3       : O/c of the legal notice
Ex.P.4       : Postal receipts
Ex.P.5       : Postal Acknowledgment
Ex.P.6       : Returned postal cover
Ex.P.6(a)    : Returned postal cover opened in the

open court and notice therein marked.

Ex.P.7       : Certificate under section 65 B of the
               Evidence Act
Ex.P.8       : The C.D

Ex.P.9 to 12 : 3 Compact discs and printout of Whats App messages, Whats App images, Screen shots of Face book.

3. Witnesses examined on behalf of Accused:

D.W.1 : Sri. S.M. Basavaraju.

4. Documents marked on behalf of Accused:

Ex.D.1 : Acknowledgment/memo Ex.D.2 : O/c of the notice Ex.D.3 : Postal receipt Ex.D.4 : Postal acknowledgment (M.Vijay), XXXIII ACMM, BENGALURU.