Surajdeen Pasi @ Suraj Deen v. State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Deptt. of Home Lko. and Another

Court No. - 13 Case :- CRIMINAL APPEAL No. - 1721 of 2024 Appellant :- Surajdeen Pasi @ Suraj Deen Respondent :- State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Deptt. Of Home Lko. And Another Counsel for Appellant :- Shyam Bahadur Counsel for Respondent :- G.A. Hon'ble Saurabh Lavania,J.

¶1Supplementary affidavit filed today, is taken on record.

¶2Heard learned counsel for the appellant, learned AGA for the State and perused the record.

¶3By means of instant appeal preferred under Section 14-A(1) of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (in short "SC/ST Act"), the appellant has assailed the order dated 03.05.2024 passed by Special Judge SC/ST (P.A.) Act, District Sultanpur (in short "trial court"), in exercise of Power under Section 203 Cr.P.C., whereby, the trial court dismissed the Criminal Case No. 189 of 2023.

¶4Brief facts of the case are to the effect that the FIR No. 392 of 2019 Police Station Musafirkhana, District Amethi of the appellant was lodged on 14.10.2019 in compliance of order of court concerned dated 13.07.2019 on an application dated 12.07.2019 preferred by appellant.

¶5In nutshell, allegations against the opposite party no.2 namely Suresh Kumar Trivedi are that with permission of appellant the opposite party no.2 was managing the affairs of Gas Agency, which was allotted to the appellant in the year 2003, including related to balance sheet, ITR etc. and in relation to the same the signed cheques of appellant were always available with the opposite party no.2 and the opposite party no.2 misused his position and signed cheques for illegal gains and on being opposed the appellant was abused by the opposite party no.2 and he also made casteiest remarks against the appellant and in this view of the matter the FIR No. 392 of 2019 was lodged under Sections 420/467/ 468/471/ 504/ 506 IPC and 3(1)(n)/3(1)(/k) SC/ST Act.

¶6Thereafter, the investigation was carried out and after completion of investigation the final report no. 26/2023 was submitted by the Investigating Officer, which reads as under:- "Jheku~ th eqti vti lati 283@19 /kkjk 420@467@468@471@504@506 Hkktintifoti o 3¼1½ n] /k ,llh,lVh ,DV Fkkuk eksguxat vesBh esa iathd`r gksdj ?kVuk LFky Fkkuk {ks= eqlkfQj[kkuk dk ik;s tkus ij vfHk;ksx mijksDr fu;ekuqlkj VªkUlQj gksdj Fkkuk eqlkfQj[kkuk esa eqti vti lati 392@19 /kkjk 420@467@468@471@504@506 Hkknfo o 3¼1½ n] /k ,llh,lVh ,DV esa iathd`r gksdj foospuk esjs iwokZf/kdkjh Jh lw{e izdk'k }kjk izkjEHk fd;k x;k muds LFkkukUrj.k gks tkus ds mijkUr vfHk;ksx mijksDr dh foospuk eq> {ks=kf/kdkjh dks izkIr gqbZA vc rd dh rekeh foospuk] c;ku oknh] c;ku xokgku] fujh{k.k ?kVuk LFky] o vU; vfHkys[kh; lk{; ls o vkns'k ekti U;k;ky; ls fofnr gqvk fd oknh eqdnek Jh lwjtnhu mijksDr o foi{kh lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh ds e/; vk'kh"k esllZ xSl ,tsUlh lgefr ls dkQh le; iwoZ es yh x;h Fkh] oknh eqdnek dh ekyh gkyr Bhd u gksus ds dkj.k ,tsUlh esa yxus okys leLr O;; jkf'k dks foi{kh i{k lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh }kjk okgu fd;k tk jgk Fkk o"kZ 2019 esa nksuks i{kksa ds e/; iSls ds ysu nsu dk fookn izdV gqvk] ftlesa oknh eqdnek }kjk fnukad 20-06-2019 dks vius xSl ,tsUlh ij ,dkf/kdkjh ds :i esa dk;ZHkkj laHkkyk x;k rks foi{kh i{k }kjk vius fd;s x;s fuos'k dh /kujkf'k ekaxus ij oknh eqdnek us foi{kh i{k dks 03 psd fn;s x;s Fks] tks [kkrs es iw.kZ cSys.Lk u gksus ds dkj.k ckÅ.l gks x;s] ftl ij izfroknh i{k }kjk yhxy uksfVl vf/koDrk ds ek/;e ls oknh eqdnek dks Hkstk x;k Fkk ftlls f[kUUk gksdj oknh eqdnek }kjk c<+k p<+k dj vkjksi izR;kjksi yxkrs gq, vfHk;ksx iathd`r djk fn;k x;kA oknh eqdnek vafdr vkjksi ds lEcU/k esa dksbZ Bksl vfHkys[kh; lk{; izLrqr ugh dj ldk ,slh fLFkfr esa vkjksih ds fo:} /kkjk 420@467@468@471@504@506 Hkktintifoti o 3¼1½ n] /k ,llh@,lVh ,DV dk i;kZIr lk{; u ik;s tkus ds dkj.k lk{; ds vHkko esa foospuk tfj;s vfUre fjiksVZ la[;k B 26 fnukad 0-03-2020 lekIr dh tkrh gSA ekti U;k;ky; ls vuqjks/k gS fd vfUre fjiksVZ Lohd`r djus dh d`ik dh tk;A "

¶7According to the final report financial aid was provided to the appellant by opposite party no.2 to get, establish and run the Gas Agency and the financial dispute between the appellant and opposite party no.2 arose in the year 2019 and for this reason the appellant took charge of the Gas Agency on 20.01.2019 and provided three cheques to opposite party no.2 to discharge his liability and as the cheques were bounced, the opposite party no.2 sent the notice and therefore, the FIR was lodged and the appellant failed to provide documentary evidence and after observing herein before the Investigating Officer, submitted the Final Report.

¶8It is to be noted that the cheques were issued on 21.06.2019,

22.06.2019, 24.06.2019, and thereafter the notice dated 05.07.2019 for instituting the proceedings under the Negotiable Instrument Act (in short 'N.I.Act'), was given in respect of cheque no. 297701 of Bank of India, Branch Tiloi District Amethi, which was bounced on

03.07.2019.

¶9After the above, the FIR No. 392 of 2019 was lodged on

14.10.2019 in compliance of order dated 13.07.2019 passed on the application of the appellant dated 12.07.2019, as appears from the record.

¶10Upon notice on final report, the appellant filed the protest petition, which was treated as complaint case and in terms of Sections 200 and 202 Cr.P.C. statements were recorded and thereafter the trial court dismissed the complaint case vide order dated

03.05.2024. The order impugned dated 03.05.2024, being relevant, on reproduction reads as under:- "i=koyh vkt rych vkns'k gsrq fu;r gSA ifjoknh ds fo}ku vf/koDrk dks iwoZ fu;r frfFk ij lquk tk pqdk gSA i=koyh dk lE;d :i ls ifj'khyu fd;k x;kA ifjoknh lwjtnhu iklh }kjk ifjokn i= ds ek/;e ls dFku fd;k x;k gS fd izkFkhZ dks vkjf{kr dksVs esa eqlkfQj[kkuk esa xSl ,tsUlh feyh gS] tks fd vk'kh"k xSl lfoZl ds uke ls eqlkfQj[kkuk esa gS] ftldk izkFkhZ forjd ¼ekfyd½ mDr xSl ,tsUlh dh ns[kHkky o lapkyu lu 2003 ls izfroknh lqjs'k dqekj f}osnh iq= Jh Loti Jh nsoujk;u f=osnh iq= Jh Loti Jh nso ujk;u f=osnh fuoklh xzke o iksLV etjs dqVejk Fkkuk eksguxat rglhy fryksbZ tuin vesBh mRrj izns'k dj jgs Fks] ftldk pkyw [kkrk izfroknh ds fryksbZ ifjlj esa fLFkr iatkc us'kuy cSad esa gS] ftldk [kkrk la[;k 4505009300000035 gS] ftlds lapkyu gsrq xSl ,tsUlh ls lEcfU/kr izi= o izkFkhZ dh gLrk{kj dh gq;h psd ¼psdcqd½ mDr lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh ds ikl jgrh Fkh] ftldk mi;ksx lapkyu ds fy, lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh fd;k djrs Fks ,oa xSl ,tsUlh dh cSyUl lhV ,oa vkbZ0Vhtivkjti izkFkhZ ds fcuk tkudkjh ds mDr izfroknh cuok;k djrk Fkk] izkFkhZ dks izfroknh lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh ds Åij dksbZ 'kadk ugha Fkh ijUrq lhV o vkbZ0Vhtivkjti esa xyr rjhds fy[kk i<+h djok;k djrk FkkA tc izkFkhZ dks bl ckr dh tkudkjh gqbZ rks izkFkhZ us bldh f'kdk;r iz/kkuea=h dk;kZy; esa fd;k] ftldh tkap lhtivksti eqlkfQj[kkuk dks feyh] tkap esa ik;k x;k fd izfroknh }kjk tks dtZ izkFkhZ ds mij n'kkZ;k x;k gS og xyr gSA izkFkhZ ds mij izfroknh dk dksbZ dtZ ugha gS] vc izkFkhZ dks izfroknh ds mij 'kadj gksus yxh rks izkFkhZ vyx cSad esa viuh xSl ,tsUlh dk [kkrk [kksyokus dk iz;kl djus yxk ,oa cSad vkQ cM+kSnk 'kk[kk eqlkfQj[kkuk esa [kkrk [kksyokus dk iz;kl djus yxk ,oa cSad vkQ cM+kSnk 'kk[kk eqlkfQj[kkuk esa [kkrk [kksyok fy;k ,oa xSl ,tsUlh dk lapkyu [kqn viuh ns[k&js[k esa fnukad 20-06-2019 ls djus yxk ,oa izfroknh ls viuh gLrk{kfjr dh gq;h psds¼psdcqd½ o xSl ,tsulh ls lEcfU/kr izi= okil ysus x;k rks izfroknh us xkyh nsdj ckr fd;k vkSj tku eky dk uqdlku igqapkus dh /kedh nsrs gq, dgk rqedks ,tsUlh pykus ugha nsaxsA ge rqedks cjckn dj nsaxs ,oa xkyh nsdj Hkxk fn;kA izfroknh us izkFkhZ dh gLrk{kj ;qDr psdks dk nq:i;ksx djrs gq, vius uke ls psds Hkjdj izkFkhZ dks uqdlku igqapkus ds fy, vius frykbZ fLFkr cSad vkQ cM+kSnk o iatkc us'kuy cSad fryksbZ ds [kkrksa esa yxkdj o psds ckmUl djkdj izkFkhZ dks /kujkf'k :0 7449933 :i;s dh Hkjik;h djus ds fy, uksfVl Hkstok fn;kA tcfd izkFkhZ us izfroknh ls dksbZ yksu o m/kkj /kujkf'k ugha fy;k gSA izfroknh Hkfo"; esa Hkh psdksa dk nq:i;ksx dj ldrk gS o vU; yksxksa ls feydj djk ldrk gSA izfroknh vkSj Hkh fuEufyf[kr QeksaZ dk lapkyu viuh ljgaxh ds cy ij djrk gSA ifjoknh lwjtnhu iklh }kjk /kkjk 200 nati izti lati ds c;ku esa l'kiFk dFku fd;k gS fd eq>s o"kZ 2003 esa xSl ,tsUlh feyh Fkh] ,slk dqN ugha gS fd lu 2019&2020 esa esjh vkfFkZd fLFkfr [kjkc gks x;h gksA ;g dguk xyr gS fd esjh vkfFkZd fLFkfr [kjkc gksus ds dkj.k foi{kh lqjs'k dqekj }kjk dksbZ xSl ,tsUlh dk [kpkZ ogu fd;k x;k gksA lu 2019 esa esjs o lqjs'k dqekj ds chp iSls ds ysu&nsu dks ysdj fookn gqvk FkkA xSl ,tsUlh vHkh Hkh esjs ikl gSA foi{kh lqjs'k dqekj izcU/kd FksA vkbZ0Vhtivkjti dk dke ns[krs Fks] blhfy, rhu psd eSus bUgsa fn;k FkkA ;g rhuksa psd eSaus xSl flys.Mj eaxokus ds fy, fn;k FkkA dwVjfpr <ax ls CySad gLrk{kfjr psd fn;k FkkA y[kuÅ IyksV ls xSl vkrh Fkh tc psd fn;k Fkk rc eq>s irk Fkk fd psd dgka ls vk;sxhA blds ckotwn psd ij psd dh /kujkf'k izkIr djus okys dk uke eSus ugha fy[kkA ;g dguk xyr gS fd foi{kh lqjs'k dqekj ls eSaus dqN /kujkf'k m/kkj yh Fkh] mlh ds Hkqxrku gsrq psd fn;k FkkA esjs o foi{kh lqjs'k dqekj ds chp iSls ds ysu&nsu dks ysdj fookn gS] blhfy, eSaus ;g eqdnek fd;kA eq>s fnukad 20-06-2019 dks 'kke pkj cts lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh us tkfrlwpd xkyh xykSt fn;k o tku ls ekjus dh /kedh nsrs gq, pys x;s vkSj ,tsUlh dk dke djus ls euk dj fn;kA bl ?kVuk dks ogka ij ekStwn c`ts'k dqekj feJk] fxjtk 'kadj ;kno] t;dju ;kno vkfn LVki ds yksxksa us ns[kkA lk{kh ih0MCyw01 c`ts'k dqekj us vius c;ku vUrxZr /kkjk 202 natiiztilati esa dgk gS fd eSa vk'kh"k xSl lfoZl eqlkfQj[kkuk] vesBh esa izca/kd gwa] bl xSl ,stsUlh esa eSa lu 2013 ls izca/kd ds in ij gwa] bl ,tsUlh ds izksijkbVj lwjtnhu iklh gSA tc esjh fu;qfDr bl ,tsUlh esa gq;h Fkh] ml le; bl ,tsUlh dh ns[k&js[k lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh djrs FksA lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh bl xSl ,tsUlh dk lkjk dk;Z ns[krs Fks] xSl ,tsUlh ij izkIr gksus okyh /kujkf'k dSf'k;j izkIr djrk Fkk vkSj og iSlk QeZ ds [kkrs esa iatkc us'kuy cSad fryksbZ esa tek gksrk FkkA lu 2019 rd xSl ,tsUlh dk iSlk iatkc us'kuy cSad fryksbZ esa tek gksrk Fkk] lu 2019 ds ckn cSad vkQ cM+kSnk 'kk[kk eqlkfQj[kkuk esa tek gksrk gSA lu 2019 esa ifjoknh lwjtnhu rFkk lqjs'k dqekj ds chp erHksn gks x;k rc ls lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh bl ,tsUlh ij ugha vk;s vkSj u gh ,tsUlh dk dksbZ dk;Z fd;sA lu 2019 esa lwjtnhu iklh bl ,tsUlh dk lkjk dke cSad vkfn dk dke Lo;a ns[krs gSA blh izdkj dFku ih0MCyw02 rqaxukFk frokjh] ih0MCyw03 nsoyky ;kno] ih0MCyw04 f=;qxh ujk;u ,oa ih0MCyw05 jrhiky us vius&vius c;ku vUrxZr /kkjk 202 ntiiztilati esa fd;k gSA i=koyh ij miyC/k lk{;ksa rFkk ifjoknh lwjtnhu ds c;ku varxZr /kkjk 200 natiiztilati rFkk mldh vksj ls ijhf{kr lk{; ih0MCyw01 ds :i esa c`ts'k dqekj] ih0MCyw02 ds :i esa rqaxukFk frokjh] ih0MCyw03 ds :i esa nsoyky ;kno] ih0MCyw04 ds :i esa f=;qxh ujk;u ,oa ih0MCyw05 ds :i esa jrhiky dks /kkjk 202 natiiztilati ds c;kuksa dk ifj'khyu fd;k] ftlesa vkosnd }kjk foi{kh ij psdcqd] cSysal lhV o vkbZ0Vhtivkjti bR;kfn esa dwVjpuk djuk dgk x;k gSA tcfd ifjoknh us vius c;ku esa Lo;a Lohdkj fd;k gS fd lu 2019 esa esjs o lqjs'k dqekj ds chp iSls ds ysu&nsu dks ysdj fookn gqvkA ogha ifjoknh dh vksj ls ijhf{kr lkf{k;ksa us Hkh vius c;ku esa Li"V dgk gS fd oknh lwjtnhu rFkk lqjs'k dqekj ds chp erHksn gks x;k rc ls lqjs'k dqekj f=osnh bl ,tsalh ij ugha vk;s vkSj u gh ,tsalh dk dksbZ dk;Z fd;sA iSlksa dh dwVjpuk djus ;k mlds lkFk QzkM+ djus dk dksbZ dFku ifjoknh us vius c;ku esa ugha fd;k gSA ek= ;g dgk gS fd eSus xSl flys.Mj eaxokus ds fy, CySad gLrk{kfjr psd fn;k Fkk] y[ku

Å IyksV ls xSl vkrh Fkh tc psd fn;k Fkk rc eq>s irk Fkk

fd psd dgka ls vk;sxhA blds ckotwn psd dh /kujkf'k izkIr djus okys dk uke eSaus ugha fy[kkA blls ;g Li"V ugha gksrk gS fd ifjoknh ds lkFk foi{kh }kjk fdl izdkj dh dwVjpuk ,oa QzkM fd;k x;kA ifjoknh ,oa mldh vksj ls ijhf{kr lkf{k;ksa ds c;kuksa ls ,slk izrhr gksrk gS fd ek= ifjoknh }kjk eux<Ur rF;ksa ds vk/kkj ij ;g eqdnek izLrqr fd;k x;k gSA ;gka ;g Hkh mYys[k djuk vko';d gS fd dsl Mk;jh esa miyC/k lkf{k;ksa ds c;kuksa dk ifj'khyu fd;k] ftlesa lkf{k;ksa }kjk ;g dgk x;k gS fd o"kZ 2000 esa vkbZtichtiihti dEiuh }kjk foKkiu gqvk Fkk fd eqlkfQj[kkuk dLcs esa ,llh dksVs esa xSl ,tsalh tkjh gksuh gS] ftl ij lwjtnhu o lqjs'k dqekj f}osnh iwoZ ls ifjfpr Fks o ,d nwljs ij Hkjkslk djrs Fks rc lqjs'k dqekj f}osnh us lwjtnhu ds uke ls xSl ,tsalh izkIr dj viuk iSlk yxkdj xSl ,tsalh dk lapkyu 'kq: fd;k Fkk vkSj xSl ,tsalh dk uke Hkh lqjs'k dqekj f}osnh us vius csVs vk'kh"k dqekj f}osnh ds uke ij j[kk FkkA mijksDr leLr foospuk ds vk/kkj ij izFken`"V;k ;g izrhr gksrk gS fd ifjoknh }kjk ek= eux<Ur rF;ksa ds vk/kkj ij ,oa psd ckmUl dk iSlk u nsus iM+s] blfy, ;g eqdnek lafLFkr fd;k x;k gSA ifjokn i= esa ,sls rF;ksa dk mYys[k dj nsus ls] ftuls dksbZ vijk/k curk gS] U;k;ky; fdlh dks ryc dj dk;Zokgh ugha djrk] cfYd U;k;ky; dks ;g ns[kuk gksrk gS fd izFke n`"V;k okLrfod rF; D;k gS\ ;|fi bl LRkj ij ekeys dh xgjkbZ esa tkus dh vko';drk ugha gS] fQj Hkh oknh eqdnek }kjk tks Hkh vfHkdFku fd;s x;s gks] vFkok tks Hkh lk{; izLrqr fd;k x;k gks] mldh lw{e laoh{kk djuh gksrh gSA U;k;ky; dks ;g Hkh ns[kuk gksrk gS fd U;kf;d izfdz;k dks fdlh ds mRihM+u dk vk/kkj ugha cuk;k tk ldrkA fof/k O;oLFkk x;k'kq|hu cuke LVsV vkQ ;wtiihti ,0lhtilhti 2013¼80½ ist 101] fnihy dqekj feJk cuke LVsV vkQ ;wtiihti ,0lhtilhti 2013¼80½ ist 870 ds izLrj 20 ,oa fof/k O;oLFkk dju flag cuke LVsV vkQ ,etiihti 1992 lhtivkjti,ytitsti ist 3054 esa izfrikfnr fl}kUrksa dk Hkh voyksdu fd;k x;kA fof/k O;oLFkk x;klq|hu cuke LVsV vkQ ;wtiihti mijksDr esa ;g vo/kkfjr fd;k x;k gS fd ;fn U;k;ky; dh jk; esa izkFkZuki= nqjk'k; ls ,oa dkuwu ds nq:i;ksx djus ds vk'k; ls izLrqr fd;k x;k gS] rc ;|fi fd izkFkZuki= esa fd;s x;s dFkuksa ls laKs; vijk/k dk xBu gksrk gks] rc Hkh U;k;ky; izkFkZuki= fujLr dj ldrh gSA blh fl)kUr dks mijksDr of.kZr fof/k O;oLFkkvksa esa Hkh izfrikfnr fd;k x;k gSA ekuuh; mPpre U;k;ky; }kjk fof/k O;oLFkk fcjyk dkjiksjs'ku fyfeVsM cuke ,MosUV~t bUosLVesaV 2019¼2½ lhtilhti,ltilhti ist 1640 esa Hkh ;gh fl)kUr iqu% izfrikfnr fd;k x;k gS vkSj vo/kkfjr fd;k x;k gS fd nkf.Md dk;Zokgh dks mRihM+u dk ek/;e ugha cuk;k tk ldrkA ifjoknh ,oa foi{kh ds e/; iSls dk ysu&nsu dk fookn gSA ifjoknh dh vksj ls vius leFkZu esa tek 'kqYd ls lEcfU/kr izi=ksa izLrqr fd;s x;s gS fdUrq mlds }kjk cSad dk LVsVesaV izLrqr ugha fd;k gS] ftlls ;g lkfcr gks lds fd foi{kh }kjk iSlksa ds ysu&nsu esa dwVjpuk dh x;h gSA bl izdkj fdlh dks ryc djus dk dksbZ vk/kkj ugha gS] rnuqlkj fujLr fd;s tkus ;ksX; gSA vkns'k fQkStnkjh okn la[;k 189@2023] lwjtnhu iklh cuke lqjs'k dqekj /kkjk 203 ntiiztilati ds vUrxZr fujLr fd;k tkrk gSA"

¶11Assailing the order dated 03.05.2024, it is stated that the trial court has not considered the contents of the protest petition and the statements recorded in terms of Sections 200 and 202 Cr.P.C., in its true spirit. Accordingly, the order impugned is liable to be interfered and the case should be remanded back for a fresh decision.

¶12At this stage, taking note of the specific averments, regarding investment made by the opposite party no.2 in Gas Agency of appellant, made in para-1 of the complaint case instituted by opposite party no.2 under Section 138 of N.I.Act, this Court put a question to learned Counsel for the appellant that as to whether the same has been refuted and in response, he could not place before this Court any document or paragraph where from it can be inferred that the averments made in the said paragraph have been denied.

¶13Learned A.G.A. opposed the present appeal. He stated that the present appeal is liable to be dismissed at the admission stage. To support his submission, learned A.G.A. further submitted that it appears from the record that after notice dated 05.07.2019 sent by opposite party no.2 for instituting a case under Section 138 of N.I.Act, the FIR was lodged, accordingly the FIR itself was/is nothing but abuse of process of law and taking note of the entire facts related to relationship between the appellant and opposite party no.2, the Investigating Officer submitted the final report before the trial court. Accordingly the order passed by the trial court is not liable to be interfered.

¶14Further contention is that the appellant himself has admitted before the trial court while recording his statement in terms of Section 200 Cr.P.C. that there is a financial dispute between the appellant and opposite party no.2, as the appellant before the trial court stated that "lu~ 2019 esa esjs o lqjs'k dqekj ds chp iSkls ds ysu&nsu dks ysdj fookn gqvk" and this statement was taken note of by the trial court for rejecting the application vide order dated 03.05.2024.

¶15It is also stated that to support the allegations levelled in the protest petition, the appellant intentionally with-held the material evidence such as statement of Bank Account and the documents to show his financial status in the year 2003, when the Gas Agency was allotted to the appellant, and as such, adverse inference should be drawn against the appellant as it is settled principle of law that whosoever with-held the best piece of evidence available then against him, an adverse inference should be drawn. Accordingly, no interference is required in the matter.

¶16Considered the aforesaid and perused the records.

¶17Upon due consideration, this Court finds that the trial court while passing the order dated 03.05.2024 has not committed any illegality. It is for following facts and reasons:-

(i) The cheque no.297701 was bounce on 03.07.2019 and thereafter the notice dated 05.07.2019 was given by the opposite party no.2 for the purposes to institute a case in terms of Section 138 of N.I.Act and thereafter the FIR was lodged by preferring an application dated 12.07.2019 upon which on 13.07.2019 court passed the order and FIR was lodged on 14.10.2019.

(ii) In view of aforesaid, this Court is of the view that to avoid the proceedings and to create pressure upon opposite party no.2, in connection with the proceeding/case instituted under Section 138 of the N.I.Act, the FIR was lodged, which was/is nothing but an abuse of process of law.

(iii) The opposite party no.2 had invested some amount in Gas Agency and there exists financial dispute between the parties, which can be inferred from the following facts:-

(a) Name and style of the concern namely Ashish Gas Agency and the fact that Ashish is the name of the son of opposite party no.2, as appears from the impugned order dated

03.05.2024, which has not been refuted.

(b) The appellant to establish/show his financial status in the year 2003 has not brought any document on record.

(c) The appellant has not refuted the specific averments regarding investing huge amount in the Gas Agency made by the opposite party no.2 in paragraph no.1 of the complaint case under N.I. Act.

(iv) Admittedly, as appears from the statement of the appellant, there exists some financial dispute between the appellant and opposite party no.2, and accordingly this Court finds that to a dispute essentially of civil nature appellant wants to cloak criminal offence.

¶18For the forgoing reasons, the appeal is dismissed. No order as to costs. Order Date :- 30.05.2024/Jyoti/- High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench