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JUDGMENT With Criminal Appeal No. 833 of 2002 RAVEENDRAN, J.

These appeals are filed against the common order dated 29.3.2001 passed by the Madras High Court allowing Crl.O.P. Nos.2418 of 1999 and 1563 of 2000. The said two petitions were filed by the respondents herein under section 482 of Criminal Procedure Code ('Code' for short) for quashing the complaints filed by the appellant against them in C.C. No.299 of 1999 on the file of Judicial Magistrate No.6, Coimbatore and C.C. No. 286 of 1998 on the file of Judicial Magistrate, Alandur (Chennai).

4. As NEPC India failed to pay the first two instalments as per schedule, IOC stopped supply of aircraft fuel on 3.6.1997. However, subsequently, under a fresh agreement dated 20.9.1997, a revised payment schedule was agreed and IOC agreed to re-commence supply of aircraft fuel on 'cash and carry' basis. Even this arrangement came to an end as the instalments were not paid.

5. Apprehending that NEPC India may remove the hypothecated aircraft (VT-NEJ) from Coimbatore Airport to a place outside its reach, IOC filed C.S. No.425 of 1997 in the Madras High Court seeking a mandatory injunction to the Airport Authority of India and Director General of Civil Aviation to detain the said aircraft stationed at Coimbatore Airport, under section 8 of the Aircraft Act, 1934, so as to enable it to take possession thereof. The High Court granted an interim injunction on 16.9.1997 restraining NEPC India from removing the aircraft (VT-NEJ) from Coimbatore Airport. In regard to the other hypothecated aircraft (VT-NEK) kept at Meenambakkam (Chennai) Airport, IOC filed a suit (OS No.3327/1998) in the City Civil Court, Chennai for a similar mandatory injunction.

The relevant averments in the complaint in C.C. No.299/1999 (Coimbatore Court) reads as under :-

"The complainant states that on 24.4.98, IOC had come to know that NEPC India Limited in total disregard to the orders of the Hon. High Court, Madras had clandestinely removed both the engines and certain other parts from the Aircraft VT-NEJ Aircraft Sl.No. 10684 (Fokker F27-500) stationed at the Coimbatore Airport, Coimbatore The complainant states that, besides the above, the act of NEPC India Limited in removing the engines and certain other parts from the Aircraft VT-NEJ Aircraft Sl. No. 10684 (Fokker F27-
500) stationed at the Coimbatore Airport, Coimbatore is against the terms of the hypothecation deed dated 01.5.1997 and 20.9.1997 will amount to theft, criminal breach of trust, and cheating which are offences punishable under section 378 (Theft), 403 (Dishonest Misappropriation of Property), 405 (Criminal Breach of Trust), 415 (Cheating), 425 (Mischief) of the Indian Penal Code. No notice was given to IOC in this regard."

The relevant averments in the complaint in C.C. No.286/1998 (Alandur Court) read as under :-