Full Order Text
Final Order 1 · 19 May 2022 · CNR MHMM190146752018
Order Details: Copy of Judgment Pdf Text: 1 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 Filed on : 27/12/2018 Registered on : 27/12/2018 Decided on : 19/05/2022 Duration : 03Y. 03M. 23D. IN THE COURT OF METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE 48TH COURT ANDHERI MUMBAI (Presided over by K. G. Sawant) Case No. 5180/SS/2018 CNR: MHMM190146752018 Exh. No. 47 Rudolph J. Alva, Senior Citizen, Age : 75 years, Indian Habitant, permanently Residing at: 2 Green Beatrice Chawl, Jai Bhawanimata Road, Amboli, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400 058. ...Complainant Versus Teddy William David. Indian Habitant, Religion Christian Permanently Residing, Swarup Niketan, Flat No. 4, Bamanwada Road, VileParle (E), Mumbai – 400099. ...Accused Offence punishable U/s. 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act Advocate Shri. Sanjay Gidh/Smt. Sonali Desai for the complainant Advocate Shri. Mastan Shaikh for the accused -- 1 of 19 -- 2 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 JUDGMENT JUDGMENT (Delivered on 19/05/2022) Accused stands prosecuted for the offence punishable under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. (Hereinafter it is referred as 'N.I.Act' in short.) Case of the complainant in nutshell is as under : 2] It is the case of complainant that he is residing at Andheri along with his family since last 62 years. Prior to 67 years of filing of this case he came into contact of accused, through a common friend. Complainant was a retired from private company and he was in search of job to fulfill his daytoday needs, since he was not having any children, who will take his care in old age. In the month of February 2016, accused represented complainant that he will give him job in domestic airport as a Loader, provided that complainant gives Rs. 2,50,000/ to him as his commission. Believing on representation of accused, he gave Rs. 2,30,000/ to the accused in installment in between March 2016 to May 2016, against which receipts are issued by the accused on his letterheads as a token of acknowledgement. Accused did not provide any job to the complainant and therefore complainant filed report with police station, Andheri against the accused on 14/05/2018 and sent copy of report to concern ACP, DCP and Additional C.P. Thereafter, accused was called in police station by police officer Irfan Shaikh, wherein accused gave undertaking to return the amount of complainant. Accordingly, he issued two cheques bearing no. 100053 and 100054 respectively dated 25/09/2018 and 30/10/2018 for an amount of Rs. 50,000/ and 1,40,000/ respectively. -- 2 of 19 -- 3 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 3] As per instruction of accused, complainant presented cheque bearing no. 100053 for an amount of Rs. 50,000/ for clearance with his banker namely Bassein Catholic Co. Op. Bank Ltd., however, it returned unpaid on 19/02/2018 along with memo for reason “Funds insufficient” in the account of drawer and “Payment stopped by drawer”. Thereafter, complainant presented another cheque bearing no. 100054 for a sum of Rs. 1,40,000/ for clearance. However, same also returned unpaid with reason “Insufficient funds” and “Payment Stopped by drawer”. Thereafter, on request of accused he again deposited said cheques for clearance in Model Cooperative Bank on 15/11/2018, however again these two cheques returned unpaid for reason “Stop payment instruction given by the accused”. 4] Thereafter, complainant went to Andheri Police Station to file complaint against the accused. In response to report of complainant, accused was called by the police and they recorded his statement along with other witnesses. 5] Thereafter, complainant issued demand notice to the accused through his advocate within 30 days from the date of dishonor of cheque i.e. on 23/11/2018, calling upon accused to pay the cheque amount within 15 days from the date of service of notice on him. Notice was served upon accused on 29/11/2018, by which he was called to make immediate payment of Rs. 1,90,000/ for the dishonoured of cheque. However, accused did not pay amount to the complainant within a stipulated period. Therefore, complainant filed this case on 27/12/2018 i.e. within 45 days from the date of service of notice on the accused. -- 3 of 19 -- 4 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 6] The cognizance of offence u/s. 138 of Negotiable Instrument Act was taken and accused was summoned. Post issuance of process, presence of accused was secured before the court and he was submitted to bail. Substance of accusation was read over to accused, to which he pleaded not guilty and opt for trial. Considering nature of offence, this case is a tried as a summons trial case. 7] In order to prove guilt of accused, initially complainant filed his own evidence affidavit but due to his illness and old age he was unable to give answer of the questions put by Ld. Advocate for accused and hence with permission of court, his wife filed her affidavit of evidence at Exh. 39 as a power of attorney holder of complainant. She also examined one Nelson D'souza as a P.W. 2 at Exh. 41. Besides oral evidence, complainant has relied upon following documentary evidence that includes: Sr. No. Description of documents Exh. No. 1. Receipts as a acknowledgement of loan issued by the accused Exh. 23 to 28 2. Two original Cheques Exh. 29 to 30 3. 3 Cheque returned memos Exh. 31 to 33 4. Copy of complaint given to police station, Andheri dated 14/05/2018 Exh. 34 5. Office copy of demand notice dated 23/11/2018 Exh. 35 6. Returned envelop along with postal receipt dated 24/11/2018 Exh. 36 7. Notice from sealed envelope Exh. 35A -- 4 of 19 -- 5 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 8. Power of attorney executed in favour of Shervin Alva. Exh. 40 8] Complainant closed his evidence by filing pursis at Exh. 43. After closer of complainant's evidence, statement of accused vide section 313 of Cr.P.C. was recorded vide Exh. 44, wherein accused has taken defence of falsely implication. Accused neither examined himself nor any witness in support of his defence which consist of total denial. 9] Heard Ld. Advocate for both parties at length. Perused written notes of argument filed by complainant at Exh. 45 while accused has filed his written notes of argument at Exh. 46. In view of accusation and argument of both parties following points arise for my determination and I have recorded my findings thereon as follows: Sr. No. Points Findings 1. Does complainant prove that disputed cheques were issued by the accused, in favour of complainant for discharging legal enforceable liability? …. In the Affirmative 2. Does complainant prove that cheques were returned unpaid for reason “Funds Insufficient and Payment stopped by drawer”? …. In the affirmative 3. Does complainant further prove that he had issued statutory demand notice to the accused within limitation demanding cheque amount ? …. In the affirmative to the extent of cheque no. 100054 only -- 5 of 19 -- 6 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 4. Does complainant further prove that inspite of service of notice accused has failed to pay cheque amount to complainant within statutory limit? …. In the affirmative to the extent of cheque no. 100054 only 5. Whether complaint is filed within period of limitation? .. In the affirmative. 6. What order ? …. Accused is convicted to the extent of cheque no. 100054 only. REASONS Admitted/undisputed fact 10] Before going further it is necessary to mention admitted/undisputed facts of this case. i) It is not disputed by the accused that disputed cheques are drawn from his account maintained with Bassein Catholic Co.Op. Bank Ltd. (Scheduled Bank) AS TO POINT NO. 1 11] The accused is roped in the offence punishable u/s. 138 of the N.I. Act. Upon perusal of relevant provision it is manifest that to constitute offence punishable U/s. 138 of N.I. Act following ingredients are to be fulfilled which are mandatory in nature. A person must have drawn a cheque on an account maintained by him in a bank for the payment of certain amount of money to another person from out of that account for the discharge in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability. That the cheque has been presented to the bank within a period of -- 6 of 19 -- 7 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 Three months from the date, on which it is drawn or within period of its validity, whichever is earlier. That the cheque is returned by the bank unpaid, either because the amount of money standing to the credit of the account, is insufficient to honour the cheque or that exceeds and amount arranged to be paid from that account by an agreement made with the bank. The payee or the holder in due course of the cheque makes a demand for the payment of said amount of money by giving a notice in writing, to the drawer of the cheque, within 30 days of the receipt of the information by him from the bank regarding dishonor of the cheque as unpaid. The drawer of the said cheque fails to make payment of said amount of money to the payee or holder in due course of the cheque within 15 days from the receipt of the said notice. The payee or holder in due course lodged written complaint in the court within 30 days thereafter. The drawer of the said cheque failed to rebut the presumption u/s. 118 and 139 of the N.I. Act. 12] Before going further, it is necessary to mention here that as per Section 139 of N.I. Act, there is a presumption in favour of holder of cheque. So also as per Section 118 of the Said Act, there is a presumption that said cheque was issued for certain consideration. For ready reference Section 118 and 139 of the said act are quoted below: Sec. 118Presumptions as to negotiable instruments. Until the contrary is proved, the following presumptions shall be made: a) of consideration. that every negotiable instrument was made or drawn for consideration, and that every such instrument, when it has been accepted, indorsed, negotiated or transferred, was accepted, indorsed, negotiated or transferred -- 7 of 19 -- 8 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 for consideration; b) as to date. that every negotiable instrument bearing a date was made or drawn on such date; c) as to time of acceptance. that every accepted bill of exchange was accepted within a responsible time after its date and before its maturity; d) as to time of transfer . that every transfer of a negotiable instrument was made before its maturity; e) as to order of indorsements. that the indorsements appearing upon a negotiable instrument were made in the order in which they appear thereon; f) as to stamp. that a lost promissory note, bill of exchange or cheque was duly stamped; g) that holder is a holder in due course. that the holder of a negotiable instrument is a holder in due course: Provided that, where the instrument has been obtained from its lawful owner, or from any person in lawful custody thereof, by means of an offence or fraud, or has been obtained from the maker or acceptor thereof by means of an offence or fraud, or for unlawful consideration, the burden of proving that the holder is a holder in due course lies upon him. Section 139. Presumption in favour of holder. It shall be presumed, unless the contrary is proved, that the holder of a cheque received the cheque, of the nature referred to in Section 138, for the discharge, in whole or in part, of any debt or other liability. -- 8 of 19 -- 9 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 13] Being cumulative, it is only when all above mentioned ingredients are satisfied then the person who had drawn the cheque can be deemed to have been committed an offence u/s .138 of the Act. For the purpose of section 138, debt or other liability means a legally enforceable debt or other liability. To understand the spirt of provisions contemplated vide section 138 to 141 of Negotiable Instrument Act, Section 139 of the said act plays significant role. In view of express provision of section 139 of N.I. Act, a presumption shall be drawn that the holder of cheque, received the cheque, of the nature referred to in Section 138 for the discharge of any debt or other liability unless contrary is proved. Thus, it gives power to court to presume unless contrary is proved that the holder of cheque received the cheque for discharge in whole or in part of any debt or other liability. The word “shall presume” as per Section 4 of Indian Evidence Act means whenever it is directed by this act, that the court shall presume a fact, it shall regard such fact as a proved unless and until it is disproved. Thus, the burden of proof as to cheque has not been issued as a legal debt or liability is always on accused and it is for him to rebut said presumption. A useful guidance on the said point can be taken from the verdict delivered by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Goa Plast Pvt. Ltd. V/s .Chico D'souza (2004 SCC (cri) 499) wherein the court has considered the object behind section 138 and 139 of the N.I. Act and held that the entire burden is on accused to show that cheque was not issued for any debt or liability as mentioned in the complaint. Hon'ble Court has further held that presumption u/s. 139 is a rebuttable and it can be rebutted on the basis of evidence brought by the complainant or by leading his own evidence. The standard of proof for rebutting the presumption is preponderance of probabilities which is a -- 9 of 19 -- 10 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 standard applicable to the accused whenever accused is required to prove a fact. 14] In order to discharge initial burden, complainant got examined his power of attorney holder who is his wife namely Shervin Alva at Exh. 39, wherein she has reiterated case from complaint. Her evidence shows that complainant has executed power of attorney in her favour and authorized her to depose in this matter. Her evidence further shows that her husband was retired from private company and accused had promised him to give a job at a Domestic Airport and against that an amount of Rs. 2,50,000/ was to be paid as his commission. Her evidence further shows that in between March 2016 to May 2016, her husband gave Rs. 2,30,000/ to the accused in installment and for partial repayment of said amount, disputed cheques for an amount of Rs. 1,90,000/ was issued by the accused. She also stated that complainant had been to police station against the accused wherein his statement was recorded by the police. Her evidence also shows that at that time one Mr. Nelson D'souza was also present and disputed cheques were issued by accused in presence of said Nelson D'souza. 15] Complainant got examined Shri. Nelson D'souza (C.W. 2) at Exh. 41. His evidence also shows that he had been to Andheri Police Station along with complainant. His evidence shows that accused had cheated to the complainant for an amount of Rs. 2,30,000/ and after intervention of police, accused had voluntarily issues two cheques in favour of complainant in his presence. 16] Ld. Advocate for accused took crossexamination of these two -- 10 of 19 -- 11 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 witnesses at considerable length. In the evidence of Shervin (C.W. 1) it has come on record that an amount of Rs. 2,30,000/ was given by her husband to the accused in her presence. She has denied suggestion given by Ld. Advocate for accused that, her husband was not fit to do the work of loader. She also denied suggestion given on behalf of accused that she has no any personal knowledge about this transaction. She admitted that receipts are issued by the accused in favour of her husband but not in her favour. She further admitted that filing of report against the accused at Andheri Police Station and pursuant to that accused was called by the police. She also admitted suggestion given by Ld. Advocate for accused that, both the cheques were issued by the accused at police station in favour of complainant. However, she has denied issuance of blank signed cheque by the accused in favour of complainant. She also denied that disputed cheques were obtained by the police by threatening and beating to the accused. She also denied that complainant is engaged in the business of illegal money lending. 17] So far as crossexamination of Mr. Nelson D'souza (C.W. 2) it appears that he was not aware as to how much amount was lying in the account of complainant. He was not aware about the transaction between complainant and accused but he came into picture only at the time of filing of complaint against the accused at police station Andheri. His evidence further shows that, he was present in the police station when accused was called by the police. He also denied that due to pressure of police, disputed cheques were issued by the accused. 18] Thus, from the crossexamination of Shervin (C.W. 1) and Nelson D'souza (C.W. 2), it appears that, accused has taken a defence that, -- 11 of 19 -- 12 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 there was no any transaction between him and complainant and disputed cheques are obtained from him by the police by threatening and beating to him. He has not stated anything about the receipts issued on letterhead of accused at Exh. 23 to 28. Said receipts bears signature of the accused as well as seal of his company. Though accused was called in police station and disputed cheques were issued by him in police station, there is nothing to show that these cheques were issued by him under pressure of police. In fact, evidence on record clearly shows that accused had issued receipts in favour of complainant acknowledging acceptance of loan of Rs. 2,30,000/ from the complainant. It is the argument of Ld. Advocate of accused that complainant had no sufficient income source and therefore there was no question of giving such huge amount by him to the accused. Already accused had issued receipts admitting acceptance of loan from the complainant. In such circumstances, capacity of complainant to pay the amount is no issue. Besides that evidence of complainant shows that he has no any issue and for his old age he wanted to do job to maintain him and his wife. His evidence further shows that, he had given amount to the accused which was received by him as a retirement benefit from the private Ltd. Company. In such circumstances, financial condition of complainant is no matter to disbelieve his case and particularly when accused has issued receipts on his letterhead acknowledging loan. Ld. Advocate for accused has further argued that cheques were issued under pressure of police, however there is nothing to show that disputed cheques were issued by the accused due to pressure of police. On the contrary, record shows that he was liable to pay amount to the complainant and therefore said argument of accused is no acceptable. Evidence adduced by complainant is more than -- 12 of 19 -- 13 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 sufficient to raise presumption u/s. 139 of N.I. Act. It was for the accused to rebut the said presumption by taking probable defence supported by evidence. As discussed earlier defence taken by the accused is not appears to be probable and enough to rebut the presumption u/s. 139 of N.I. Act. Evidence of complainant's witness shows that disputed cheque was issued by the accused in favour of complainant for repayment of loan amount i.e. for discharging legal enforceable liability. In result point no. 1 is answered in the affirmative. AS TO POINT NO. 2 TO 5 19] In order to prove that cheque was returned unpaid for reason “Funds Insufficient and payment stopped by drawer”, complainant has relied upon oral evidence of power of attorney holder of complainant in addition to documentary evidence i.e. cheque return memos filed at Exh. 31 to 33 issued by the concerned bank, which shows that cheques were returned unpaid for reason “Funds Insufficient and payment stopped by drawer” vide memo dated 30/10/2018 and 19/10/2018. Said memo bears seal of the bank and signature of bank officer. As per section 146 of N.I. Act, court shall in respect of every proceeding under this chapter, on production of bank slip or memo having thereon official mark denoting that cheque has been dishonored, presume the fact of dishonor of such cheque, unless and until such fact is disproved. 20] In the case at hand cheque returned memo bear seal of the bank and signature of bank officer. Accused did not bring any evidence to rebut presumption u/s. 146 of N.I. Act, therefore, it becomes clear that disputed cheques was dishonored for a reason “Funds Insufficient and payment stopped by drawer”. -- 13 of 19 -- 14 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 21] In order to show that statutory demand notice was issued to accused within statutory period, complainant has filed on record office copy of notice at Exh. 35 and postal receipt and returned envelop along with postal receipt on it at Exh. 36 which shows that demand notice was sent on 24/11/2018. It appears that, notice was sent on correct address of the accused. Said notice was returned back on 26/11/2018 with remark “Intimation posted”. Envelope bears stamp of the post and it bears address of accused as a flat no. 4, 1st floor, Swaroop Niketan, Bamanwada Road, VileParle (E), Mumbai 99. It is not the case of accused that, this is not his correct address. Thus, notice was sent on correct address of the accused but accused has not accepted this notice and hence as per section 27 of General Clauses Act it is to be presumed that notice is duly served upon accused. Admittedly, accused did not pay cheque amount to the complainant within 15 days from the date of service of notice or till today. 22] In this regard judgment passed by Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of C.C. Alavi Haji V/s. Palapetty Muhammed decided in criminal appeal no. 767/2007 dated 18/05/2007 is relevant, wherein in para No. 17 of the judgment Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed as under : “It is also to be borne in mind that the requirement of giving of notice is a clear departure from the rule of Criminal Law, where there is no stipulation of giving of a notice before filing a complaint. Any drawer who claims that he did not receive the notice sent by post, can, withing 15 days of receipt of summons from the court in respect of the complaint under Section 138 of the Act, make payment within 15 days of receipt of summons (by receiving a copy of complaint with the summons) and, therefore, the complaint is liable to be rejected. A person who does not pay within 15 days of receipt of the summons from the court along with the copy of the complaint under Section 138 of the Act, cannot obviously contend that there was no proper -- 14 of 19 -- 15 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 service of notice as required under Section 138, by ignoring statutory presumption to the contrary under section 27 of the G.C. Act and section 114 of the Evidence Act. In our view, any other interpretation of the proviso would defeat the very object of the legislation. As observed in Bhaskaran Case (Supra), if the giving of notice in the context of Clause (b) of the proviso was the same as the receipt of notice a trickster cheque drawer would get the premium to avoid receiving the notice by adopting different strategies and escape from legal consequences of Section 138 of the Act. ” From the above observation it becomes clear that a person who does not pay cheque amount within 15 days of receipt of summons from the court, he cannot take defence that there was no proper service of demand notice, when notice was sent by registered post on his correct address. Admittedly in the case at hand accused has not offered or paid cheque amount to complainant within 15 days from the date of service of summons from the court on him. Therefore, this defence of non service of summons is not available to him. 23] From the above discussion it becomes clear that notice was duly served upon accused, however question arise whether notice was sent within limitation. Complainant has produced on record cheque returned memos at Exh. 31 in respect of cheque no. 100054 for an amount of Rs. 140000/. Said memo is dated 30/10/2018. Complainant has produced on record another two memos issued by drawer bank as well as drawee bank in respect of cheque no. 100053 for an amount of Rs. 50000/. These memos are dated 17/10/2018 and 19/10/2018. So, if we presumed that complainant had received the memo from his bank on 19/10/2018, then also notice sent on 24/11/2018 is not within limitation i.e. within 30 days from the date of intimation given by the bank to the payee or holder in due course about dishonored of cheque. -- 15 of 19 -- 16 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 24] From the perusal of above evidence, it becomes clear that demand notice sent by the complainant as per Section 138 (b) of N.I.Act, is not within limitation in respect of cheque bearing no. 100053 for an amount of Rs. 50000/. So far as another cheque bearing no. 100054 dated 30/10/2018 for an amount of Rs. 1,40,000/ is concerned, notice is well within limitation. 25] Ld. Advocate for complainant has argued that complainant had presented the cheque for clearance once again on 15/11/2018 and same were dishonored vide memo dated 16/11/2018. However, from perusal of complaint, evidence affidavit and notice, it appears that complainant has mentioned that he had presented these cheques for clearance on 15/11/2019 but he did not mention date of its dishonor/memo in the complaint, notice and affidavit. He has produced on record the cheque returned memos having seal of the bank at Exh. 31 to 33 dated 30/10/2018, 19/10/2018 and 17/10/2018, which clearly shows that he has filed this complaint relying on memo dated 30/10/2018 and 19/10/2018. Memo issued by the bank dated 16/11/2018 is not produced on record by the complainant along with evidence affidavit. The said memo was neither tendered in evidence nor complainant had argued relying on those memos. Therefore, argument of complainant in relation to memo dated 16/11/2018 cannot be considered, since these memos are not proved and same are not filed by the complainant along with his evidence or along with evidence of power of attorney holder. 26] Considering all these things, it becomes clear that notice was sent within limitation only in respect of cheque bearing no. 100054 for an amount of Rs. 1,40,000/. Admittedly, accused did not pay cheque -- 16 of 19 -- 17 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 amount to the complainant within statutory period. In result point no. 2 is answered in the affirmative and point no. 3 to 4 are also answered in the affirmative to the extent of cheque no. 100054 filed at Exh. 30. AS TO POINT NO.6 27] Taking into consideration answer of points Nos. 1 to 5, it becomes clear that the complainant has duly proved its claim with cogent evidence against the accused to the extent of cheque no 100054 only. So far as cheque no. 100053 is concerned, demand notice was not sent within limitation, so complaint filed in respect of said cheque is also not within limitation. Therefore, accused is held guilty in respect of issuance of cheque no. 100054 for an amount of Rs. 1,40,000/ only. 28] As discussed above, the offence P/u/s. 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, is established against the accused. After considering the conduct of the accused and nature of offence, I do not find any special reasons or justifications to extend the benefit of probation to him vide Section 3 to 5 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958. Therefore, the accused is called upon to state on the point of sentence. (K. G. Sawant) Date : 19/05/2022 Metropolitan Magistrate, 48th Court, Andheri, Mumbai. Hearing on the point of sentence: 29] I explained to accused that, he is held guilty for the offence of the dishonor of cheque bearing no. 100054 for an amount of Rs. 1,40,000/ and that the N.I. Act has provided punishment to the offence of imprisonment upto two years and fine upto twice of the cheque -- 17 of 19 -- 18 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 amount. Thereafter, I asked the accused to clarify his stand on the nature and quantum of the sentence, if any. 30] Upon asking on the point of sentence, the accused submitted that, minimum sentence may be imposed upon him. He stated that he is ready to pay cheque amount in respect of one cheque i.e. an amount of Rs. 1,40,000/ to the complainant in two installments within 2 months. Ld. Adv. for accused has submitted that minimum sentence may be imposed. On the other hand, Ld. Adv. For complainant has submitted that, cheque was issued against the remuneration of labour charges and therefore he prayed to impose fine amount to the extent of double of the cheque amount and also prayed for imprisonment. 31] Heard both sides and gone through record. In this matter, disputed cheque was issued in the year 2018. Almost 4 years have been completed from issuance of cheque. In this court only 3 different cases for the offence punishable u/s. 138 of N.I. Act against this accused filed by 3 different complainants in respect of different transaction are pending. In one of the matter yesterday only accused is convicted. Having heard both parties, on the point of sentence, considering purpose of legislature, behind this enactment, conduct of the accused, I am of the view that granting the compensation along with sentence of imprisonment will serve the ends of justice. In result I pass following order: ORDER i. The accused Teddy William David is hereby convicted for the offence punishable under section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 vide section 255(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. -- 18 of 19 -- 19 C. C. No. 5180/SS/2018 ii. Accused is sentenced to suffer simple imprisonment for the period of One year and he shall pay compensation of Rs. 2,30,000/ (Rs. Two Lacs Thirty Thousand) to the complainant vide Section 357(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Accused shall pay above amount of compensation within two months from today, in default of payment of compensation, accused shall suffer simple imprisonment for the period of 15 days. iii. The amount of compensation realized from the accused, shall be paid to the complainant, subject to expiry of the appeal period or the orders of Honourable Appellate Court (if any). iv. Accused to surrender his bail bond. v. No question of setoff under section 428 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, as the accused has not spent any period in the custody during the trial. vi. The copy of this Judgment be provided free of cost to the accused, immediately after it is prepared, in view of section 363(1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. vii. Dictated and pronounced in open court. Mumbai (K. G. Sawant) Dt. 19/05/2022 Metropolitan Magistrate 48th Court, Andheri, Mumbai. Dictated On : 19/05/2022 Typed On : 19/05/2022 Signed On : 19/05/2022 -- 19 of 19 --
