LAWS(P&H)-2006-3-178

GURDIAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

Decided On March 08, 2006
GURDIAL SINGH Appellant
V/S
STATE OF PUNJAB Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This order shall dispose off Crl. Misc.No. 53978-M of 2002 and Crl. Misc. No. 3547-M of 2003 as in both these petitions the quashing of FIR No. 175 dated 29.7.2002 under Section 420 and 120-B IPC registered at Police Station City Hoshiarpur has been prayed for. As per the allegations in the FIR (Annexure P-1) one Ashok Kumar opened an account in the State Bank of India at Hoshiarpur. He deposited a bank draft dated 7.7.2000 issued by the State Bank of India South Hall,, Middlesex, London, which has been drawn on the State Bank of India Faridabad in his account. The proceeds of the said draft to the tune of Rs.5,67,600/- were credited to the account of Ashok Kumar out of which he withdrew Rs.67,000/- and transferred the balance amount to the account of the petitioner-Gurdial Singh. The petitioner also got a draft prepared for Rs.4,00,000/- from his account and withdrew the balance amount.

(2.) Subsequently, respondent Nos. 3 and 4, namely, Anil Kumar and Mrs. Shanta Kumar resident of 340 Wellinster Road, Hounslow- SJBEngland informed the bank that the draft in question belonged to their father whose name is also Ashok Kumar. Accordingly, an inquiry was conducted by the officials of the bank and Ashok Kumar admitted that the draft in question did not belong to him and was given to him by the petitioner. Ashok Kumar returned the entire amount to the petitioner who has further remitted the entire amount of Rs.5,67,600/- to the original complainant i.e. Anil Kumar and Mrs. Shanta Kumar of England and also the State Bank of India, Hoshiarpur.

(3.) Counsel for the petitioner contends that as the entire amount in question has already been paid by him not only to the original complainant i.e. Anil Kumar and Mrs. Shanta Kumar but has also paid an equal amount to the bank also, hence, the petitioner is not liable to be prosecuted any further in the present case. Mr. Parveen Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioner, submits that not only has the petitioner paid the entire amount to the original complainant as well as to the bank but he is also ready and willing to pay the interest as accrued on the entire amount at the prevalent bank rate. Respondent No.3-Anil Kumar who is the original complainant has also written to the Assistant General Manager, State Bank of India, Hoshiarpur, stating that as he and respondent No.4 have received the amount of Rs.5,67,600/-, therefore, they do not wish to take any action against the petitioner.