Introduction: Definitions and Intents of Section 138 NI Act
Section 138 deals with dishonor of a cheque and the provisions follow up on the remedy available to the aggrieved party(payee/drawee). The payee must satisfy the prior conditions as laid out in Section 138, i.e., drawing of the cheque, presenting it to the bank, and the bank has to return the cheque stating insufficiency of funds, the payee must issue a notice to the payer about the same within 30 days of the bank memo, and the drawer has refused/not performed his obligations within 15 days of the notice. The aggrieved party can be the payee or the holder in due course (when endorsed).
Locus Standi of Complainant in 138
In reference to the locus standi of the complainant, it is not limited to just the payee, but also includes the guarantor, indemnifier, in case of company-a resolution is passed to endow any member of the board with the power of attorney but lack of authorization as such is not a ground to refute the case since lack of authorization is a curable defect, and in case of a partnership firm, any partner can initiate the complaint on behalf of the firm, irrespective of the consent of other partners. More importantly, the power of attorney holder must have the personal knowledge of the disputed transaction and should be able to depose as a witness.
The written material in the legal notice must contain the amount claimed, called the ‘said amount’, else it is deemed to be invalid. Subsequently, ancillary demands such as interest merely being mentioned in the legal notice do not make it invalid as long as the said amount is also claimed.
Period of limitation and Territorial jurisdiction
The limitation period to initiate a complaint is stipulated to be 1 month, excluding the day when the cause of action arose. The payee must file a complaint before the 1st Class Judicial Magistrate, whose territorial jurisdiction is either-
- The branch of the bank where the payee presented the cheque for transfer of the funds to his account, OR
- The drawer’s branch of the bank, where the payee presented the cheque for payment through cash
If it is brought to the notice of the Court that there are multiple complaints at different jurisdictions, the Court may combine the complaints as per the Jurisdiction rule laid out above, or wherever the first case was filed and is pending.
Several Presentations of Cheque and Successive Cause of Action
The payee is allowed to present the cheque multiple times for encashment within its validity, and if there are multiple dishonors, and the payee has not issued a legal notice for the first time, as laid down in MSR Leathers v. S.Palaniappan, a prosecution is permissible on the second or subsequent dishonors, i.e., limitation period restarts with each new dishonor, provided that there was no legal notice issued.
Furthermore, as held in CC Alvi Haji, if the drawer has not paid 15 days after the issue of summons, which is generally attached with the complaint, then he cannot contend that there was no proper service of the notice, because he gets another 15 days as per the serving of the summons to fulfill his obligations.
Kind of Trial under the Negotiable Instruments Act
The Court can proceed with either a Summary trial or a fully-fledged trial, based on the gravity of the case. All offences under the NI Act must be tried summarily, and a summary trial is set to be completed within 6 months from the date of complaint, unless the Court is of the opinion that a Summary trial is undesirable or if the punishment exceeds 1 year or a fine of five thousand is insufficient, it may be reheard or converted to a full regular trial.
Presumptions, Interim Compensations and Appeal
The Court presumes in favor of the payee and that the cheque is dishonored. If the drawer pleads not guilty, the Court shall order the payment of an interim compensation, not exceeding 20% of the total Cheque amount, and the drawer is required to pay the same within 60 days, extendable for another 30 days if there exists a reasonable cause. If this payment is not done, then the payment shall be considered as a Fine and will be subjected to Section 421 of the CrPC.
Additionally, if the drawer is acquitted, the payee must return the interim compensation paid, and if the drawer is found guilty, the interim compensation shall be reduced from the final payment. If the drawer is convicted, he is allowed to appeal this judgment by depositing 20% of the disputed cheque amount.
Security Cheques, Burden of Proof, and Rebuttal of Presumption
With reference to the precedents regarding the claim of the dishonored cheque being a Security cheque, is held to not be a solid defence, unless and until the accused can prove that there existed no liability at the time of ‘presentation’ of the cheque-which shifts the burden of proof on the accused, as against the cardinal rule of criminal jurisprudence and the standard of proof thus expected is up to the level of preponderance of probabilities, i.e., the prosecution can fail if the accused raises probable doubts regarding the existence of the debt. Consequently, the ambiguity regarding an advance payment cheque, no liability lies at the time of payment, but if the advance is a future debt, then it attracts the culpability as per this Act. The rebuttable presumption of dishonor would be to engage in questioning the financial competence of the complainant, upon bringing credible material challenging the existence of the debt as laid down in Rangappa v. Sri Mohan.
And lastly, this offence is compoundable, and the accused may plead for mediation/settlement accordingly.
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