(1.) The present appeal is directed against the judgment dtd. 28/5/2010, passed by learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Solan, District Solan, H.P. (learned Trial Court), vide which the respondent (accused before learned Trial Court) was acquitted of the commission of an offence punishable under Sec. 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (NI Act). (Parties shall hereinafter be referred to in the same manner as they were arrayed before the learned Trial Court for convenience.)
(2.) Briefly stated, the facts giving rise to the present appeal are that the complainant filed a complaint before the learned Trial Court against the accused for the commission of an offence punishable under Sec. 138 of the NI Act. It was asserted that the complainant is a C mpany duly incorporated under the Indian Companies Act. Madan Sharma is the Managing Director of the complainant Company. He executed a General Power of Att rney in favour of Sita Ram Verma to file the present complaint. The complainant is involved in the business of manufacturing and selling HDPE pipes, fittings, sprinklers, drip irrigation systems, PIB (silicon-coated), and HDPE Telecom Duct. The accused purchased various items from the complainant on credit. He issued a cheque of ?6,56,202/-drawn on Bharatpur Anchalik Gramin Bank, Sodawas Branch. The complainant presented the cheque before its Bank, but it was dishonoured with an endorsement 'account closed". A notice was served upon the accused asking him to pay the amount; however, the accused failed to pay any money despite receipt of the valid notice of demand. Hence, the complaint was filed to take action as per the law.
(3.) The learned Trial Court recorded the preliminary evidence and found sufficient reasons to summon the accused. When the accused appeared before the Court, notice of accusation was put to him, to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.