IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 235 OF 2016
[Arising out of S.L.P.(Crl.)No.9288 of 2011]
M/s. Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Ltd. …..Appellant
Versus
M/s. Photon Energy Systems Ltd. & Ors. …..Respondents
J U D G M E N T
SHIVA KIRTI SINGH, J.
Leave granted.
In course of its business of supplying solar cells and laminates, the
appellant-company made supplies to the respondent no.1. Respondent nos.2
to 6 are the Chief Executive Officer; General Manager (Finance); Ex-Chief
Executive Officer; Chairman; and the Managing Director respectively of
respondent no.1. According to appellant’s case, against larger outstanding
dues, the respondent no.1 issued a cheque dated 31st May 2008 for
Rs.3,21,53,903/- only. On a request that there was shortage of some funds
the cheque was not to be presented immediately. There were some disputes
between both the parties which were settled through a mutual meeting and as
per minutes of meeting held on 22nd and 23rd September 2008, the net
payable amount by respondent no.1 was reduced and settled at
Rs.2,87,09,640/-.
The cheque was presented with the bankers – M/s. HDFC but it was returned
on 28.11.2008 with the remark – “funds insufficient”. On receipt of Memo
of Dishonour at its Delhi office, appellant sent a legal notice dated
18.12.2008 demanding only the settled outstanding amount of Rs.2,87,09,640/-
and not the cheque amount which was Rs.3,21,53,903/-. On 19.12.2008,
respondent no.1 paid an amount of Rs.20 lacs towards its debt liability and
in reply to the notice it denied the balance liability. It also adopted a
further defence that the cheque was given for a larger amount by way of
security and was not for any payable debt. The criminal complaint filed by
the appellant under Sections 138/141/142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act,
1881 in the Court of XI Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, City
Criminal Courts at Secunderabad registered as C.C. No.829 of 2009 was
entertained and non-bailable warrant was ultimately issued against the
accused persons on 04.03.2009. The respondents could not succeed against
the order issuing non-bailable warrant but their subsequent petition under
Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure was entertained and finally
allowed by the impugned order under appeal dated 12.10.2011. As a result,
the criminal complaint of the appellant has been dismissed mainly on the
ground that the cheque amount was different from the legally enforceable
debt as per notice given by the appellant to the accused persons.
An interesting question of law as to whether in view of payments or
settlements made after the issuance of a cheque, a complainant can disclose
the true state of affairs and issue a demand for a lesser amount and
whether in such circumstances the criminal prosecution for dishonour of a
cheque for higher amount is legally sustainable or not, did arise in this
case. However, on account of subsequent talks between the parties, an
amicable settlement has been arrived at and hence there is no requirement
now to answer the aforesaid question of law in the present proceedings and
hence the same is left open for adjudication in any other appropriate case.
In the instant proceeding the parties have agreed that between the parties
the total outstanding amount shall be treated as Rs.1,80,00,000/- (Rupees
one crore eighty lac only) and the same shall be paid by the respondents to
the appellant in regular monthly instalments of Rs.15,00,000/- (Rupees
fifteen lac). We accordingly direct that the respondents shall pay the
first instalment of Rs.15 lac by first week of April 2016. The remaining
11 instalments of Rs.15 lac each shall be paid regularly by the first week
of each succeeding month. On admission or proof of such payments in
accordance with the aforesaid arrangement, the complaint case shall stand
quashed if the entire amount of Rs.1,80,00,000/- is paid by the respondents
to the appellant by the first week of March 2017. Till then the complaint
case shall remain in abeyance. It is made clear that if the entire payment
is not made within the time indicated above then this order shall stand
recalled and the complainant will be at liberty to move the concerned court
for proceeding with the criminal case any time in April 2017 by virtue of
the present order. The appeal is disposed of in the aforesaid terms.
.…………………………………….J. [DIPAK MISRA]
……………………………………..J. [SHIVA KIRTI SINGH]
New Delhi.
March 18, 2016.
See Also- Case Brief
