Home Case Index All Cases FEMA FEMA + HC FEMA - 2023 (4) TMI HC This
Forgot password New User/ Regiser ⇒ Register to get Live Demo
2023 (4) TMI 875 - HC - FEMAOffence u/s 57 of the FERA - Non Complaint filed in compliance of the provisions of section 61 (2)(ii) of the FERA - HELD THAT:- As in this case where an offence under Section 57 of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 has been alleged against the accused person, the law provides that either the Enforcement Director or an officer authorised in writing on behalf of the Director or the Central Government or an authorised officer of Reserve Bank, shall be eligible to institute a complaint. The Magistrate has also emphasized that the appellant would not have the locus standi to initiate prosecution in absence of any authorization, without however considering or taking judicial note of his evidence and Exhibit-A (i.e., authorization certificate dated (22.12.2005). The Magistrate could not ignore the ocular and documentary evidence before it, more so, when all these were uncontroverted. By virtue of holding officer at the particular period of time and having been authorized vide ‘Exhibit-A’ there was no impediment for the appellant to institute prosecution, which the Magistrate has not considered and such non-application of mind has rendered his findings not tenable in the eyes of law. The Magistrate was duty bound to take note of the same, more particularly, in terms of Section 57(7) of the Evidence Act. It was a mandate of law. The notification dated 24th September, 1993 read with the direct evidence of the appellant before the Trial Court would unfailingly point out to the fact of the appellant to be competent officer under law, to institute prosecution on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate. By not considering all these factual and legal aspects, the Trial Court has committed gross error. The impugned judgment suffers from non-application of mind and illegality. Thus unable to place occurrence with the finding of the Court in the impugned judgment that provisions of Section 61 (2) (ii) of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1973 has not been complied with by the complainant in order to institute a case punishable under Section 57, as it is in this particular proceeding. In my considered opinion, the impugned judgment of the Trial Court suffers for non-application of mind and wrong appreciation of the fact situation as well as the settled provisions of law. Accordingly, the same would not be maintainable and liable to be set aside, being not inconfirmity with the laws. The impugned judgment is set aside - Appeal allowed.
|