HAZARI LAL GUPTA Vs. RAMESHWAR PRASAD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) These four appeals are by special leave against the order dated 22 March, 1971 of the High Court at Allahabad dismissing the applications of the appellant under section 561-A of the Criminal Procedure Code for quashing the proceedings based upon first information report lodged against the appellant by the four respondents.

(2.) The appellant has been living and doing business in the United Kingdom since the year 1963. The appellant is one of the Directors of M/s. H. Gupta (London) Limited and Oriental Wool Crafts Limited carrying on business in England. The company is dealing in the business of carpets imported from India.

(3.) Sometimes in the month of June, 1970 four complaints were lodged against the appellant. The complaints are residents of Bhadohi in the District of Varanasi. The complainants are manufacturers of carpets. The complainants came in contant with the appellant in the year 1962. The complaints and the appellant had dealings and transactions in carpets. In the year 1965 the appellant withheld payment of several bills representing the price of carpets sent by the complainants to the appellant. In the year 1965 the appellant came to India. The complaints demanded money. The appellant said that he would send them payment from London. The complainants did not receive any money. When the appellant came to India in 1970 the complainants were kept in the dark about his visit to India. Eventually, the complainants came to know about it. The complainants on or about 4 July, 1970 lodged complainants against the appellant.