[1] IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1232 OF 1999 CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1232 OF 1999 CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.1232 OF 1999 1. Kishorilal Ramnath Dhoot 2. Smt. Archana Kamlesh Dhoot Both R/o Mangeshi near Hotel Panchali, Padampura Aurangabad both as directors of Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd A-14/1, MIDC Industrial Area Chikalthana, Aurangabad. ..Applicants. V/s 1. Roots and Herbs Pvt. Ltd. Office at 1/23, Laxminarayan Park Koregaon road, Pune-411001 through its Managing Director, Mr. K.K. Jhunjhunwala, R/o 66/9, Koregaon Park, Pune-411001 2. A.M. Bhambere Finance Secretary of accused Company. ..Respondents. Mr. R.F. Totla, with Mr. Anilkumar Patil Advocate for the applicants. Mr. Shailandra Aglawe, advocate for respodnent No.1 CORAM : J.H. BHATIA, J. CORAM : J.H. BHATIA, J. CORAM : J.H. BHATIA, J. DATE : 26TH APRIL, 2007. DATE : 26TH APRIL, 2007. DATE : 26TH APRIL, 2007. ORAL JUDGMENT ORAL JUDGMENT ORAL JUDGMENT . This is an application filed under section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking to quash the criminal proceeding in Reg. Criminal case No.245/1997 pending before J.M.F.C., Pune and registered on the basis of the complaint lodged by responded No.1. [2] 2. To state in brief, the respondent No.1/ complainant filed the complaint under section 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act against Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd., its two Directors and Finance Secretary. It was contended that the present applicants are the Directors and Executives of the Company carrying on the business in the name and style "Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd." The accused required the complainant to advance the loan of Rs. 15 Lakh with collateral security. As per the terms and conditions of the loan, the complainant had advanced the loan by two Demand Drafts, one of Rs. 10 Lakh and another of Rs.5 Lakh.The Demand Drafts were received by the Finance Secretary of the company, who was accused No.3. Out of the said amount, on 11/4/1997 the accused repaid amount of Rs. 5 lakh by a Demand Draft and for the balance amount of Rs. 10 Lakh the accused issued a cheque against its account with United Western Bank Ltd. on 3/4/1997. The cheque was presented by the complainant with its Banker, Union Bank of India, on 1/8/1997 for clearance. However, the cheque was returned with the remarks "referred to drawer". This was informed to the complainant on 5/8/1997. The complainant threatened to take legal action and [3] therefore, the accused agreed to settle the payments and issued another cheque dated 12/8/1997 for the amount of Rs. 10,38,407/-. This cheque was deposited by the complainant on 13/8/1997. The cheque was dishonoured on 20/8/1997. In para 6 of the complaint it is mentioned that it was deposited on 8/9/1997 and was dishonoured on 11/9/1997. Thus there are two dates of presentation and two dates of dishonour of the cheque. According to the complainant, on 24/9/1997 notice was issued by Registered Post A.D. and it was actually served on the accused on 3/10/1997. However they failed to make payment within stipulated period of 15 days in spite of service of notice. Therefore, the complainant filed the complaint on 18/11/1997. The verification statement of K.K. Jhunjhumwala, the Director of the complainant Company was recorded on 15/12/1997. On the basis of the same, the process was issued against the accused persons. 3. The accused Company Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt.Ltd. filed a Revision Application No. 285/1998 before the Sessions Judge, Pune through its two Directors, who are the present applicants, challenging the issuance of process. After hearing the parties that revision [4] application was rejected by the learned Additional Sessions Judge on 12/1/1999. Thereafter the present petitioners filed this application under section 482 Cr.P.C. seeking to quash the proceeding. It is contended that in the complaint, only the company Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd. is shown as accused through the petitioner Nos. 1 and 2 being the Directors and respondent No.2 being the Finance Secretary. It is contended that the present petitioners and respondent No.2 were not shown as accused and in spite of that process was issued against them. It is contended that the notice issued to the petitioners was not valid, legal and proper, because it did not disclose the cheque number, which was allegedly dishonoured. It is contended that it was necessary, because more than one blank cheques were handed over to the complainant. It is further contended that the process could not have been issued against the petitioner and respondent No.2 unless it is averred in the complaint that these three persons were liable in their individual capacity. It is further contended that the cheque was dishonoured on 20/8/1997, while as per the contents of the complaint, the notice was issued on 24/9/1997 i.e. beyond the period of 15 days and therefore, it was not a valid [5] notice. It is contended that the complaint was typed but certain additions appear to have been made later on about the later dates of presentation and dishonour of the cheque. It is contended that in view of all these circumstances, the learned Magistrate committed error in issuing process against the present petitioner and therefore, the proceeding against them is liable to be set aside. 4. Heard Mr. Totla, learned Counsel for the petitioners and Mr. Shailendra Agalawe, learned Counsel for respondent No.1. Mr. Totla learned Counsel for the petitioners referred to number of authorities from the Supreme Court and this High Court in support of his contentions. The learned Counsel for respondent No.1 vehemently contended that the petitioners had previously filed revision application before the Sessions Court and after rejection of that revision application they have filed this application under section 482 of Cr.P.C. and in fact this is second revision application in the garb of application under section 482 Cr.P.C. and it is not tenable under the law. Mr. Totla, however, contended that revision application No. 285/1998 was filed by the Company and not by the present petitioners. After [6] perusal of the judgment and particularly title of the Criminal Revision Application No. 285/1998, it becomes clear that application was field in the name of Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd. through its Director Kishorilal Dhoot and Smt. Archana Kamlesh Dhoot, who are the present petitioners. It appears that the title of the revision application was prepared on the basis of the title of the complaint but for all purposes that revision application was filed by the present petitioners though in the name of the company. It is not that somebody had filed earlier revision application to which the present applicants were not parties and, therefore, they could not be held bound by the out come of the earlier revision application. I have no doubt that the earlier revision application NO. 285/1998 was in fact filed by the present petitioners and after rejection of that application, they have come to this Court. 5. Mr. Totla contended that if the High Court on examination of the record finds that there is gross miscarriage of justice, or abuse of process of the Court or the required statutory procedure has not been complied with or there is failure of justice or order [7] passed or sentence imposed by the Magistrate requires correction, the High Court has inherent powers and in the appropriate case, even revisional power under section 397(1) r/w section 401 of the Code to rectify the same. For this he placed reliance upon Krishnan and Krishnan and Krishnan and another V.Krishnaveni and another, 1997 All MR. (Cri) another V.Krishnaveni and another, 1997 All MR. (Cri) another V.Krishnaveni and another, 1997 All MR. (Cri) 651. 651. 651., wherein in para 10 the Supreme Court observed as follows:- "Ordinarily, when revision has been barred by Section 397(3) of the Code, a person-accused/complainant-cannot be allowed to take recourse to the revision to the High Court under Section 397(1) or under inherent powers of the High court under section 482 of the Code since it may amount to circumvention of the provisions of S.397(3) or section 397(2) of the Code. It is seen that the High Court has suo motu power under Section 401 and continuous supervisory jurisdiction under section 483 of the code. So when the High Court on examination of the record finds that there is grave miscarriage of justice or abuse of process of the Courts or the required statutory procedure has not been complied with or there is failure of justice or order passed or sentence imposed by the Magistrate requires correction, it is but the duty of the High Court to have it corrected at the inception lest grave miscarriage of justice would ensue. It is therefore, to meet the ends of justice or to prevent abuse of the process that the High Court is preserved with inherent power and would be justified, under such circumstances, to exercise the inherent power and in an appropriate case even revisional power under section 397(1) r/w section 401 of the code. As stated earlier, it may be [8] exercised sparingly so as to avoid needless multiplicity of procedure, unnecessary delay in trial and protraction of proceedings." In view of the provisions of section 397(3) Cr.P.C., it is clear that if an application for revision has been made by any person either to the High Court or to the Sessions Judge, no further application by the same person shall be entertained by either of them. In the present case as pointed out above the present petitioner had previously filed revision application before the Sessions Court, though in the name of the company, and that revision application has been already rejected. Therefore, under section 397(3) they are not entitled to file second revision application. However, by virtue of the powers under section 397(1), this Court has suo motu powers of revision to rectify the mistake, if found that there has been grave miscarriage of justice, or abuse of the process of the Court or that there is failure of justice etc. Under section 482 Cr.P.C. this Court has also got inherent powers to make such orders as may be necessary to give effect to the order of the Court or to prevent abuse of the process of any Courts or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. As the petitioners have filed the application under section 482 Cr.P.C. they [9] will have to satisfy this Court that it is necessary for this Court to pass some orders to prevent the abuse of the process issued by the Magistrate or otherwise to secure the ends of justice. In paragraph 8 of the judgment in Krishnan V. Krishnaveni (Supra) Krishnan V. Krishnaveni (Supra) Krishnan V. Krishnaveni (Supra) the Supreme Court clearly laid down that High Court has under Section 397 r/w section 401 Sou Motu revision powers and under Section 483 continuous supervisory jurisdiction so as to prevent miscarriage of justice or to correct irregularity of the procedure or to meet ends of justice and in addition it has also inherent powers under section 482 Cr.P.C. However, as Their Lordships observed, the High Court must exercise such power sparingly and cautiously when the Sessions Judge has simultaneously exercised revisional power under Section 397(1)) Cr.P.C. Keeping this legal position in mind, the contentions made in the present petition will have to be considered. 6. Mr. Totla, learned Counsel for the petitioner relied upon Zuari Cement Ltd. & others V/s Prabhat Zuari Cement Ltd. & others V/s Prabhat Zuari Cement Ltd. & others V/s Prabhat Agencies, 2005(2) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 678 Agencies, 2005(2) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 678 Agencies, 2005(2) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 678 in support of his contention that the complaint was filed only against the company and not against the present petitioner and [10] that the name of the present petitioner was shown only to represent the company. The title of the company is as follows:- "Roots & Herbs (I) Pvt. Ltd., a Company registered under the Company Act, having its registered office at 1/23 Laxminarayan Park, Koregaon Road, Pune-411001, through its Managing Director Mr. K.K. Jhunjhunwala, Age--years, Occupation-Business, Residing at 66/9, Koregaon Park, Pune-411001 ....Complainant. V/s Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd., a Company registered under the Companies Act having its registered office at A-14/1 MIDC Industrial Area, Chikalthana Aurangabad-431210, through its Directors: 1. Shri Kishorilal R. Dhoot, Adult, Occ-Business. 2. Smt.Archana Kamlesh Dhoot, Adult, Occ-Business. Both residing at Mangirish, Near Hotel Panchavati, Padampura, Aurangabad-431001 and 3. Mr. A.M. Bhambere, Adult, Occ-Business, Finance Secretary of Company ...Accused" He contends that if the title is read it become clear that Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd., the company, was the only accused and the company was to be represented by its Directors and Finance Secretary, who were shown as Nos. 1,2 and 3 respectively. It appears that in Zuary Zuary Zuary Cement Ltd and Others Cement Ltd and Others Cement Ltd and Others also title of the complaint was almost similar and taking into consideration the contents of the complaint and allegations made therein, [11] this Court held that the complaint was only against the company and not against its Directors. However, if the facts of that case are carefully read it becomes clear that according to the complainant his cheque book was lost and he was shocked when he came to know that the accused company had presented six cheques from that cheque book for payment to Goa Urban Co-Operative Bank Ltd. It was alleged by the complainant that he did not owe any amount to the accused company in respect of any debt or liability and the attempt to encash the cheque was made by the acucsed/company. The attempts were made by accused/company to encash said cheques and it constituted offence under section 379, 403 and 407 IPC. Taking into consideration the nature of the offence of theft, misappropriation etc. made against the company, the learned Judge was justified in holding that the complaint was against the company only and the two directors were only representative of the company because there was no personal allegations against them. It is settled position that nobody can be vicariously held liable for criminal act of another person except where section 34 or 149 of Indian Penal code may be applicable. [12] 7. In my opinion, the facts of the present case are totally different and authority in Zuari Cement Ltd. Zuari Cement Ltd. Zuari Cement Ltd. (Supra) (Supra) (Supra) does not come to rescue of the present petitioner. In paragraph 1 of the complaint in his case the sentence reads thus: "The accused are the Directors and Executives of the Company carrying the business under the name and style of Dhoot Chemo Plast Pvt. Ltd. at the address given above." In paragraph 2 it was mentioned that "the accused desired to enhance their business and therefore they were in need of financial assistance. The accused required the complainant to advance the loan of Rs. 15 lakhs with collateral security." In para 4 it was stated that "the accused issued the cheque bearing No. 337457." From these averments made in the complaint it is clear that the present petitioners themselves were accused and their names were not shown just to represent the company. 8. Section 141(1) Negotiable Instrument Act reads as follows:- " S.141. Offence by Companies.-(1) If the person committing an offence under section 138 is a company, every person who, at the time the offence was committed, was in charge of, and was responsible to, the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as the company, shall be deemed to be guilty of the [13] offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly." From this, it is clear that when the offence under section 138 is committed by a Company, every person, who at the time the offence was committed, was in-charge of and was responsible to the company for the conduct of the business of the company, as well as company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence and shall be liable to be proceeded against and punished accordingly. In view of this provision it is clear that when the offence is committed, the persons who are responsible to the company for the conduct of the business, are also liable to be prosecuted and punished. Such provision was not available in the complaint lodged by the complainant in Zuari Cement Ltd. Zuari Cement Ltd. Zuari Cement Ltd. In view of the specific provisions under section 141 of Negotiable Instrument Act, the Directors, who are personally responsible for carrying the business of the company, are equally liable to be prosecuted and punished. 9. Mr. Totla further contended that in the present case, verification was not properly recorded and therefore, on this count itself the prosecution is [14] liable to be quashed. In support of his contention he placed reliance upon M/s Nova Electricals, Jalgaon Vs. M/s Nova Electricals, Jalgaon Vs. M/s Nova Electricals, Jalgaon Vs. State of Maharashtra & Anr. 2006 All MR(Cri.) 2456 State of Maharashtra & Anr. 2006 All MR(Cri.) 2456 State of Maharashtra & Anr. 2006 All MR(Cri.) 2456, wherein this Court had held that recording of verification of statement is not a mere formality and it has to be recorded by the Court because the object of verification is to discourage frivolous proceeding. The said judgment reveals that verification statement was not recorded and without that the process was issued. In spite of this, this High Court felt that for the omission of recording of verification the complainant cannot be penalised and therefore, the trial Court was directed to proceed from the stage of verification again. This authority also does not help the petitioners because in the present case verification statement of one K.K. Jhunjhunwala, Director of the complainant company, was recorded and after that the process was issued. 10. Mr. Totla further contended that statutory notice issued by the complainant itself was barred by limitation as it was about more than 15 days after the cheque was dishonoured. For this purpose, he relied upon the contents of the complaint, which were typed. [15] In para 6 it was typed that on 12/8/1997 cheque bearing No. 337458 for the amount of Rs. 10,38,407/- was issued by accused and it was deposited on the request of the accused on 13/8/1997. The cheque was also dishonoured on 20/8/1997 with memo of bank ’Not arranged for’. After this typed statement there was hand written statement, which reads " it was deposited on 8/9/1997 and it’s dishonour on 11/9/1997". In paragraph 8 of the complaint it was mentioned that, the legal notice was issued on 24/9/1997 and it was received by the accused on 3/10/1997. In the verification statement however, there is no mention about the presentation of the cheque on 8/9/1997 and it’s dishonour on 11/9/1997. Mr. Totla contended that the hand written portion at the end of para 6 must have been added later on and should, therefore, be ignored. According to him, in the typed portion of paragraph 6, it was clear that the cheque was dishonoured on 20/8/1997 and same fact was stated in verification statement also. According to him while the cheque was dishonoured on 20/8/1997, the notice was issued on 24/9/1997. As such it was clearly beyond period of 15 days from the date of dishonour. If a cheque is dishonoured once, it does not debar or prohibit the holder of cheque to present the cheque [16] again. If the handwritten portion in paragraph 6 is taken into consideration, it appears that the cheque was presented twice, firstly on 13/8/1997 and secondly on 8/9/1997 and was dishonoured on 11/9/1997. In fact by this, he gave one more opportunity to the accused to see that the cheque was honoured. He would not present the cheque again, notice dated 24/9/1997 would be clearly barred by limitation. As he presented the cheque again, the period of limitation will begin from the date when it was dishonoured again. While taking this view, I am supported by number of authorities from different High Courts, the Supreme Court and this High Court also. For the sake of brevity only some of those cases may be referred here (1) M/s Sayed Rasool &Sons, and others Vs. (1) M/s Sayed Rasool &Sons, and others Vs. (1) M/s Sayed Rasool &Sons, and others Vs. M/s Aildas & Company 1992 CRI L.J. 4048 (2) M/s S.K.D. M/s Aildas & Company 1992 CRI L.J. 4048 (2) M/s S.K.D. M/s Aildas & Company 1992 CRI L.J. 4048 (2) M/s S.K.D. Lakshmanan Fireworks Industries and another Vs. K.V. Lakshmanan Fireworks Industries and another Vs. K.V. Lakshmanan Fireworks Industries and another Vs. K.V. Sivarama Krishnan and another 1995 CRI. L.J. (3) 1993 Sivarama Krishnan and another 1995 CRI. L.J. (3) 1993 Sivarama Krishnan and another 1995 CRI. L.J. (3) 1993 CRI L.J. 680 Bombay (4) Central Bank of India Another CRI L.J. 680 Bombay (4) Central Bank of India Another CRI L.J. 680 Bombay (4) Central Bank of India Another V. Saxons Farms and others (1999) 8 S.C.C. 221 T V. Saxons Farms and others (1999) 8 S.C.C. 221 T V. Saxons Farms and others (1999) 8 S.C.C. 221 Thus, it is well settled legal position that there is no no no restriction regarding number of times the cheque can be presented and that on every subsequent presentation and dishonour there arose the fresh cause of action for filing the complaint and the period of sending the [17] notice is to be reckoned from the date of receipt of the intimation of bank about dishonour on the last presentation and on the basis of this the complaint is maintainable. In view of this, if the cheque was presented on 8/9/1997, the notice was within limitation as it was within 15 days from the date of its last dishonour. However, it is the fact that in the verification statement there is no reference to the presentation of the cheque and its dishonour second time. This is a question of fact which can be looked into at the time of trial. It may be noted here that at the time of arguments before this Court, the learned Counsel for the respondent complainant produced the Xerox copy of the said cheque as well as intimation about it’s presentation dated 8/9/1997. It is not clear on what date the intimation was actually received by the company. However, the question of fact which can be looked into at the time of trial and if it is found that the notice was issued beyond 15 days after the intimation was received by the complainant, he will have to face the consequences. This being a question of fact merely on this count process cannot be quashed at this stage. [18] 11. Mr. Totla contended that in the complaint nowhere it is mentioned that the present petitioners were in-charge of and were responsible to the company for the conduct and business and therefore they cannot be held guilty in view of the provisions of section 141 of Negotiable Instruction Act. According to him, merely being the Directors of the company by itself does not make them liable for being prosecuted for dishonour of the cheque and in support of this contention he placed reliance upon Madanlala Taparia & Anr. V. Bank of Madanlala Taparia & Anr. V. Bank of Madanlala Taparia & Anr. V. Bank of Rajasthan Ltd. & Anr., 2005 All MR (Cri) 956. Rajasthan Ltd. & Anr., 2005 All MR (Cri) 956. Rajasthan Ltd. & Anr., 2005 All MR (Cri) 956., Suman Suman Suman Madanlal Bora Vs. State of Maharashtra & Others, Madanlal Bora Vs. State of Maharashtra & Others, Madanlal Bora Vs. State of Maharashtra & Others, 2000(1) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 243, as well as Sabhita 2000(1) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 243, as well as Sabhita 2000(1) Bom. C.R. (Cri) 243, as well as Sabhita Ramamurthy & Anr Vs. Channabasavaradhya AIR 2006 S.C. Ramamurthy & Anr Vs. Channabasavaradhya AIR 2006 S.C. Ramamurthy & Anr Vs. Channabasavaradhya AIR 2006 S.C. 3086 3086 3086. In Sabhita Ramamurthy, the Supreme Court