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2021 (5) TMI 773 - HC - Indian LawsDishonor of Cheque - presence of legally enforceable debt or liability or not - non-supply of list of prosecution witnesses before issuance of process - section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act - HELD THAT:- It true that in the complaint the respondent has not disclosed the legally enforceable debt or liability in discharge whereof he has received the cheque from the petitioner. That, however, cannot vitiate the complaint for the simple reason that under Section 139 of the Act, there is presumption that holder of the cheque received the cheque of the nature referred to in Section 138 for the discharge, in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability unless of course the contrary is proved - In view of the provision of Section 139 of the Act, it is not available to the petitioner to argue that in the absence of specific mention in the complaint that the cheque was received by the respondent in the discharge of any debt or other liability, the complaint is not maintainable. Equally untenable is the argument of the learned counsel for the petitioner that the complaint in the absence of list of witnesses submitted alongwith the complaint, is not maintainable. It is true that under Section 204 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Court shall not issue summon or warrant against the accused unless list of prosecution witnesses is filed. However, the defect of not supplying the list of prosecution witnesses is only an irregularity and the same would not vitiate the proceedings unless failure of justice has in fact been occasioned thereby - No prejudice has been pleaded by the petitioner in this petition. In the instant case, the petitioner is yet to cause appearance in the case and before the respondent embarks upon recording of his evidence he can very well file the list of witnesses and cure the defect - the defect of not supplying the list of prosecution witnesses before issuance of process is curable, as Section 465 Cr.P.C. would come to the rescue of the respondent. Petition dismissed.
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