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2021 (4) TMI 740 - HC - Indian LawsDishonor of Cheque - service of notice - legal notice sent, returned as claimed - acquittal of accused - rebuttal of presumption - HELD THAT:- The postal cover sent through RPAD returned as not claimed does not mean due service of notice. Even during the course of cross-examination of P.W.1, nothing has been elicited regarding service of notice. When the appellant-complainant has not sent the legal notice to the respondent-accused under certificate of posting, there is no presumption of due service of notice to the respondent-accused. It is pertinent to note that the respondent-accused has not placed rebuttal evidence to prove that the notice was not sent to the correct address and the respondent-accused was not working at the address shown in the envelope sent through legal notice. Ex.P-12 is the legal notice postal cover, the address shown in the said postal cover and the address shown in the cause title of the complaint are one and the same. The respondent-accused has not at all denied that he was working as Health Inspector at the City Municipality Council, Davanagere. When a sender has dispatched the notice through registered post with correct address written on it, Section 27 of General Clauses Act could be profitably imported and in such a situation service of notice deemed to have been effected on the sender unless he proves that it was really not served and he was not responsible for such non-service. In the present case, there is no rebuttal evidence to show that the complainant has deliberately and intentionally sent the legal notice to the wrong address and the accused was not working at the place and address shown in the registered envelope. The finding recorded by the Court below regarding service of notice through registered post holding that there is no proper service of notice is contrary to Section 138 of N.I. Act - the respondent-accused has failed to rebut the presumption by placing cogent and convincing evidence. Therefore, this Court is of the view that the findings recorded by the Court below cannot be sustained in law. Appeal allowed - decided in favor of appellant.
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