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2020 (6) TMI 359 - HC - Indian LawsDishonor of Cheque - Section 138 of the NI Act - trial of summon case - seeking that complainants be directed to produce documents and accounts - HELD THAT:- From the provisions contained in Sections 251 to 259 of the Code, it is quite clear that in a summons case what the Court does on the appearance of the accused is to state the particulars of the offence, and to ask him whether he pleads guilty or has any defence to make. If the accused does not plead guilty the Court will proceed to record the evidence on the side of the prosecution, hear the accused and take the evidence that the defence may produce. The Court will then either hold the accused not guilty or convict him. Section 255(3) of the Code empowers the Court to convict the accused of any offence which from the facts admitted or proved he appears to have committed, if the Magistrate is satisfied that the accused would not be prejudiced thereby. It is significant to note that Chapter XX of the Code which deals with trial of summons-cases, does not contemplate a discharge of the accused. It is quite vivid that in summons-cases once offence under Section 138 of the NI Act is registered under the provisions of the NI Act it has to be tried as a summon case and in summon case, there is no provision for recall or revocation of summons already issued to the accused. The accused has to face the trial and he has to be either acquitted or convicted by the said Court and remedy of the accused, if any, to question the order issuing summons to him, is to file a petition under Section 482 of the Code. As such, the order passed by the learned trial Court duly affirmed by the revisional Court holding that in summon-trial of offence under Section 138 of the NI Act the accused cannot be discharged, is an order which does not need interdiction by this Court in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction. Accordingly, both the Courts below are absolutely justified in rejecting the applications filed by the petitioners claiming discharge. The power to issue a summons for the production of a document or a thing is to be exercised whenever the Court considers that its production is necessary or desirable for the purposes of investigation, inquiry, trial or other proceeding. In other words, the power is available to the Court at every stage of proceedings contemplated under the Code. It has to be noticed that this power is available not only to the Court but also to any officer-incharge of a police station and the only condition for the exercise of the power is that the production of the document or the thing should be necessary or desirable for purposes of the proceedings and the only restriction is that contained under sub-section (3) which provides that the provisions of the Section shall not affect Sections 123 and 124 of the Evidence Act or apply to articles in the custody of the Postal or Telegraph authorities. Both the Courts below are absolutely justified in rejecting the application for production of documents at the initial stage - there are nomerit in this batch of petitions under Section 482 of the Code - petition dismissed.
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