KIRAN MODI Vs. NEOFIC INDUSTRIES

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The respondent herein has filed a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, being Complaint No. 41/1/2003 dated 16.4.2003, impleading four accused persons. Accused No.1 is the company on behalf of which cheques in question were issued, which were dishonoured and became the basis of filing of the complaint. Accused No.2 is the Director of the accused No.1 (hereinafter referred to as 'the company'), who had signed the cheques. Accused Nos. 3 and 4 (who are the petitioners herein) are the other two directors of the company. It is alleged in the complaint by the respondent (hereinafter referred to as 'the complainant') that five cheques were issued on behalf of the company for a total sum of Rs.91,627/-, which were dishonoured.

(2.) After the pre-summoning stage, evidence was recorded. The learned trial court took cognizance and issue summons to the accused persons vide order dated 28.8.2003. The two petitioners challenged that order by filing Crl.M.C. No. 615/2004 in this Court. The same was, however, disposed of vide order dated 8.3.2004 with a direction to raise all the pleadings before the trial court in view of the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of K. M. Mathew v. State of Kerala, (1992) 1 SCC 217. However, in view of the subsequent judgment in the case of Adalat Prasad v. Rooplal Jindal, (2004) 7 SCC 338, over-ruling K.M. Mathew (supra) insofar as powers of the trial court are concerned and holding that the trial court has no power to review its order once summons are issued, the present petition is filed. The plea taken is that the petitioners are not in control of the affairs of the company and nothing is stated in the complaint assigning any such role.

(3.) I have examined this aspect in detail in the judgment rendered by me on 20.12.2006 in the case of J. N. Bhatia (Col.) and Ors. v. State and Anr., and connected matters, which judgment is reported as 2007 III AD (Delhi) 142. After taking note of various judgments of the Supreme Court, this Court and other High Courts, including the case of S.M.S. Pharmaceuticals Ltd. v. Neeta Bhalla and Anr., (2005) 8 SCC 89, the legal position is summarised in the following words :-