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2023 (7) TMI 1232 - HC - Indian LawsDishonour of Cheque - insufficiency of funds - acquittal of the accused - discharge of liability or not - Burden of rebuttal of presumption - Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Burden of rebuttal of presumption - HELD THAT - The presumption mandated by Section 139 does indeed include the existence of a legally enforceable debt or liability. Bare denial of the passing of the consideration and existence of debt is not enough to rebut the presumption. To rebut the statutory presumptions an accused is not expected to prove his defence beyond reasonable doubt as is expected of the complaint in a criminal trial - Apart from adducing direct evidence to prove that the consideration did not exist or that he had not incurred any debt or liability the accused may also rely upon circumstantial evidence and if the circumstances so relied upon are compelling the burden may likewise shift again on to the complainant. In the present case the accused persons could not/did not discharge their liability under Section 139 of the N.I Act. The complainant has proved the issuance of the cheque by the accused firm by a partner. No evidence otherwise has been adduced. The dishonour of the cheque and the due service of notice has also been duly proved. Thus the findings of the trial court being not in accordance with the evidence on record and with law is liable to be set aside. The cheque is of the year 2002. More than 20 years have passed. The complainant has proved his case against the accuseds/respondents by way of oral evidence and documents. The accuseds/respondents no. 1 to 3 are found guilty and convicted of offence punishable under Section 138 of the N.I. Act and sentenced to pay compensation of Rs.50 lakhs within one month from the date of this order in default to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of one year in respect of respondents/accuseds no.2 and 3 and attachment in respect of the respondent/accused no.1 firm. Appeal disposed off.
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