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2016 (12) TMI 1872 - HC - Indian LawsDishonor of cheque - Legally enforceable debt or not - offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act proved beyond reasonable doubt, or not - acquittal of accused under Section 255(1) Cr.P.C. - HELD THAT:- A perusal of Section 190 Cr.P.C. indicates that it permits anyone to approach the Learned Magistrate to file a complaint. In fact, it does not prescribe has any qualification for an individual eligible to prefer a complaint. No wonder, any one can set the Criminal Law in Motion by filing a complaint of facts constituting an offence before the Magistrate concerned, who is empowered to take cognizance. One cannot brush aside an important fact that an explicit assertion as to the knowledge of 'Power of Attorney Holder' about the transaction in issue must be stated in the complaint, as opined by this Court. If a 'Power of Attorney Holder' who is not possessing any knowledge as to the transaction in question, then, he cannot be examined as a witness in a given case. A 'Power of Attorney Holder' can adduce evidence before the Court concerned and also to prove the averments of the complaint, he can verify on oath, but the rider is that a 'Power of Attorney Holder' should have witnessed the transaction as an Agent of the Payee/Holder in Due Course should possess the requisite knowledge about the transaction in question - the strict liability under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act can be enforced only when cheque was issued in discharge of any legally enforceable debt or other liability partly or wholly. However, the onus to establish that cheque was not issued against a legally enforceable debt was on the Respondent/Accused. There is no two opinion of an important fact that a cheque must be issued in respect of either post or existing debt or other liability. One of the essential ingredients of an offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act is that the cheque was drawn for discharge in whole or part of liability. If this aspect is not covered in the complaint petition, then, it will be a fatal one. Furthermore, an offence as defined in Section 2(n) of the Criminal Procedure Code includes not only the doing of possible act, but by omitting to do something as well - Under the Negotiable Instruments Act, the arising of cause of action is not mere presentation of cheque nor mere dishonour of cheque alone, real cause of action is non payment of cheque sum or non compliance of demand through notice by the 'Drawer' within the statutory period. The strict liability under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 could be enforced only when cheque was issued in discharge of any legally enforceable debt or other liability, partly or wholly the burden to prove the cheque was not issued against the legally enforceable debt, of course is on the Respondent/Accused. Moreover, the term 'Payee' means the party to whom a bill of exchange, cheque or note is payable - this Court is of the considered view that in the instant case, based on the materials available on record, it is not possible for this Court o pronounce a Judgment and therefore opines that 'Remand of the Matter' is just, fair and necessary, otherwise there would be a failure of Justice. Also that, this Court is of the earnest opinion that the evidence of the Complainant is necessary to prosecute the complaint (filed by P.W.1) in order to render a correct Judgment in the case. The Criminal Appeal is allowed.
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