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2019 (1) TMI 1699 - BOMBAY HIGH COURTDishonor of Cheque - offences punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 - legally enforceable debt or other liability - rebuttal of presumption - section 139 of NI Act - HELD THAT:- Under Section 138 of the said Act where any cheque drawn by a person on an account maintained by him is drawn in favour of another person for the discharge, in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability, is returned by the bank unpaid, the said person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may be extended to two years or with fine which may extend to twice the amount of the cheque, or with both. Explanation to Section 138 provides “For the purposes of this section, “debt or other liability” means a legally enforceable debt or other liability”. The key word is legally enforceable debt or other liability - Section 139 of the said Act provides for presumption in favour of holder and it says it shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the holder of a cheque received the cheque for the discharge, in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability. It is settled law that this presumption is rebuttable and the onus is on the accused to raise the probable defence. The standard of proof for rebutting the presumption is that of preponderance of probabilities and not beyond reasonable doubt. To rebut the presumption, it is open for the accused to rely on evidence led by him or 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. It is not necessary for the accused to come in the witness box in support of his defence because Section 139 imposed an evidentiary burden and not a persuasive burden. Admittedly there are disputes between the parties. The accused has raised a probable defence that complainant has not proved that there was legally enforceable debt or liability. There is an acquittal and therefore, there is double presumption in favour of accused. Firstly, the presumption of innocence available to accused under the fundamental principle of criminal jurisprudence that every person shall be presumed to be innocent unless he is proved guilty by a competent court of law. Secondly, accused having secured acquittal, the presumption of his innocence is further reinforced, reaffirmed and strengthened by the Trial Court. For acquitting accused, the Trial Court observed that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. The opinion of the Trial Court cannot be held to be illegal or improper or contrary to law. The order of acquittal cannot be interfered with - Appeal dismissed.
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