Case: Hmt Watches Ltd Vs. M.A. Abida

3. Succinctly stated, the appellant filed criminal complaint cases against respondent – M.A. Abida stating that as many as 57 cheques dated 28.09.2006 were issued by her in discharge of outstanding liability towards the complainant/appellant (HMT Watches Ltd.). When the cheques were presented for collection the same were received back, dishonoured by bankers with the endorsement –stopped by theNotice of demand dated 9.10.2006 was issued by the complainant to the respondent no.1 but she failed to make the payment of the amount mentioned in the cheques, i.e., total Rs.1,79,86,357/-. Instead, she sent reply to the notice disputing liability to pay. On this, complainant filed twenty criminal complaints mentioned above, against the respondent no.1 with regard to the offence punishable under Section 138 of the N.I. Act.4. The accused – M.A. Abida filed Criminal M.C. No. 2366 of 2008 and Criminal M.C. No. 2367 of 2008 challenging the proceedings initiated by the complainant on the ground that she was Re-Distribution Stockist (RDS) of watches manufactured by the appellant. The business with the appellant was done till September, 2003 onbasis. The accused further pleaded in the petitions filed before the High Court under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, that after 2003 the appellant company used to collect cheques towards the amount covered by distinct invoices with respect to various consignments for securing payment of amount covered by the invoices.5. The High Court accepted the plea of the accused (respondent no.1) and quashed the criminal complaint cases. Hence, these appeals through special leave.

Court's reasoning:
10. Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we are of the view that the accused (respondent no.1) challenged the proceedings of criminal complaint cases before the High Court, taking factual defences. Whether the cheques were given as security or not, or whether there was outstanding liability or not is a question of fact which could have been determined only by the trial court after recording evidence of the parties. In our opinion, the High Court should not have expressed its view on the disputed questions of fact in a petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, to come to a conclusion that the offence is not made out. The High Court has erred in law in going into the factual aspects of the matter which were not admitted between the parties. The High Court further erred in observing that Section 138(b) of N.I. Act stood uncomplied, even though the respondent no.1 (accused) had admitted that he replied the notice issued by the complainant. Also, the fact, as to whether the signatory of demand notice was authorized by the complainant company or not, could not have been examined by the High Court in its jurisdiction under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure when such plea was controverted by the complainant before it.Lastly, it is contended on behalf of the respondent no.1 that it was not a case of insufficiency of fund, as such, ingredients of offence punishable under Section 138 of the N.I.Act are not made out. We are not inclined to accept the contention of learned counsel for respondent no.1.For the reasons as discussed above, we find that the High Court has committed grave error of law in quashing the criminal complaints filed by the appellant in respect of offence punishable under Section 138 of the N.I. Act, in exercise of powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by accepting factual defences of the accused which were disputed ones. Such defences, if taken before trial court, after recording of the evidence, can be better appreciated.