M/S Sankalana Chits Pvt Ltd vs Sheela Martis Alias Sheela Cynthia … on 7 April, 2026

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    Bangalore District Court

    M/S Sankalana Chits Pvt Ltd vs Sheela Martis Alias Sheela Cynthia … on 7 April, 2026

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                                                            Crl.A.No.1484/2024
    
    
    KABC010231872024
    
    
    
    
          IN THE COURT OF THE LIX ADDL.CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS
                 JUDGE, BANGALORE CITY (CCH-60)
    
                       Dated this the 7th day of April, 2026.
                                    PRESENT:
                            Sri Somashekara. A., B.A.L., LL.M.,
                         XV ADDL.CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS JUDGE
                                   BANGALORE CITY.
                       C/c LIX ADDL.CITY CIVIL & SESSIONS JUDGE
                                    BANGALORE CITY
    
    
                             Crl.A.No.1484/2024
    
    APPELLANT/S:       1      M/S Sankalana Chits Pvt Ltd
                              A Company Registered under the
                              Companies Act
                              having its office at RSK Complex
                              No.42 and 45/1,
                              Opp Varalakshmi Nursing College
                              Havanur Extension,
                              Hesaragatta Main Road,
                              Nagasandra
                              Bengaluru
    
                       2      Sri.L.C.Manjunath
                              S/o Channaveeraia
                              Aged about 52 years
                              R/at No.208, LIC quarters
                              Near Post Office,
    
    
    
                                                              Judge Sign.
                                       2
                                                         Crl.A.No.1484/2024
    
    
    
                             Madanayakanahalli,
                             Bengaluru
    
                             (By Sri. A.T.J. Advocate)
                                     V/s
    
    Complainant              Mrs.Sheela Martis @ Sheela Cynthia Martis
                             W/o Ronald Martis
                             Aged about 50 years
                             R/at Ave maria
                             No.404, 5th Cross,
                             Tata Nagar
                             Bengaluru
    
                             (By Sri. N.K. Advocate)
    
    
                                JUDGMENT
    

    This appeal is filed under Section 374 of Cr.P.C. assailing the

    judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed in C.C.

    SPONSORED

    No.5756/2022 dated 09.08.2024 on the file of the VI Addl. Judge,

    Court of Small Causes and Addl. Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bengaluru,

    whereby the trial court convicted the accused for the offence

    punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and

    sentenced them to pay fine of Rs.16,00,000/-, in default to undergo

    simple imprisonment for three months.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    2. For the sake of convenience and consistency, the parties

    are referred to as per their ranks before the trial court.

    3. The complainant’s case before the trial court, in

    substance, was that accused No.1 is a Private Limited Company

    engaged in chit fund business and accused No.2 is its Director, looking

    after the day-to-day affairs of accused No.1. It is the further case of the

    complainant that accused No.2 was known to her husband, namely

    Ronald Martis, and on account of such acquaintance, accused No.2

    approached the complainant and her husband and induced the

    complainant to invest in a chit fund of the value of Rs.10,50,000/-,

    commenced in July 2018, for a period of 30 months.

    4. According to the complainant, accused No.2 informed her

    that she had to pay monthly subscriptions of Rs.35,000/- and made

    available chit reference No. SCPL-10.5/A/17. Believing the

    representations made by accused No.2 and keeping in view the

    acquaintance between accused No.2 and her husband, the

    complainant agreed to invest in the said chit and paid monthly

    subscriptions from July 2018 till December 2020, i.e., till maturity of the

    chit.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    5. It is further contended that on completion of the chit period

    in December 2020, the accused became liable to pay the chit value of

    Rs.10,50,000/- to the complainant. However, the accused failed to

    repay the said amount. On repeated requests and demands, accused

    No.2 executed a Deed of Undertaking dated 18.03.2021 in favour of

    the complainant undertaking to pay the chit amount within six months

    together with interest at the rate of 18% per annum from 01.01.2021.

    Even thereafter, the accused failed to honour the undertaking.

    6. According to the complainant, towards part payment of the

    amount due, the accused issued two cheques, namely: Cheque

    No.000321 dated 02.12.2021 for Rs.4,50,000/- and Cheque

    No.000320 dated 13.12.2021 for Rs.4,50,000/-.

    7. Both cheques were drawn on Karur Vysya Bank,

    Chikkabanavara Branch, Bengaluru. The complainant presented the

    said cheques through her banker, namely Bank of Baroda,

    Sahakarnagar Branch, Bengaluru, but both the cheques were

    dishonoured on 12.01.2022 with the endorsement “Funds Insufficient”.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    8. Thereafter, the complainant got issued legal notice dated

    20.01.2022. The notice sent to accused No.1 was returned with an

    endorsement that there was no such office in the address, whereas the

    notice sent to accused No.2 was duly served on 01.02.2022. Despite

    service of notice, the accused failed to make payment. Hence, the

    complainant filed the complaint under Section 200 of Cr.P.C. for the

    offence punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments

    Act. After presentation of the complaint, the trial court took cognizance,

    recorded sworn statement, found prima facie material and registered

    the case against the accused.

    9. Before the trial court, the accused appeared through

    counsel and were enlarged on bail. The substance of accusation was

    recorded. The accused pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.

    10. In order to prove her case, the complainant examined

    herself as PW-1 and got marked documents at Ex.P.1 to Ex.P.22. On

    the side of the defence, accused No.2 examined himself as DW-1. No

    documentary evidence was produced on behalf of the accused. After

    hearing both parties and on appreciation of the oral and documentary

    evidence on record, the learned trial Judge held that the accused had

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    committed the offence punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable

    Instruments Act and convicted them, sentencing them to pay fine of

    Rs.16,00,000/-, with default sentence of simple imprisonment for three

    months.

    11. Feeling aggrieved by the said judgment of conviction and

    order of sentence, the accused have preferred this appeal inter alia on

    the following grounds that the impugned judgment is contrary to law,

    facts, probabilities and evidence on record; that the trial court failed to

    properly appreciate the oral and documentary evidence; that the

    complainant failed to prove legally enforceable debt; that the

    complainant had no financial capacity to invest such a huge amount in

    the alleged chit; that the complainant did not produce chit agreement

    or proper records to establish participation in the chit; that the cheques

    in question were not issued towards discharge of any liability but were

    misused by the complainant; that the cheques were allegedly issued

    as security in connection with business dealings with the complainant’s

    husband; that there are discrepancies in the handwriting and ink in the

    cheques; that the complainant has not established place, date, time

    and manner of payment of the alleged chit amounts; that no

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    independent witnesses to the alleged transaction were examined; that

    the trial court wrongly drew presumptions under Sections 118 and 139

    of the N.I. Act without there being proof of foundational facts; and that

    the accused had rebutted the presumption by preponderance of

    probabilities, but the trial court failed to appreciate the defence in the

    right perspective. On these and other grounds, the accused prayed to

    set aside the judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed in

    C.C. No.5756/2022 dated 09.08.2024 and to acquit them.

    12. After registration of the appeal, notice was issued to the

    respondent. The respondent appeared through counsel. The trial court

    records were secured. The accused also filed written arguments

    reiterating the grounds of appeal and contending that the impugned

    cheques had been misused by the complainant and that there was no

    legally enforceable debt in existence.

    13. Heard the learned counsel for the appellants/accused and

    the learned counsel for the respondent/complainant. Perused the

    entire trial court records, oral evidence, documentary evidence and the

    impugned judgment. The following points that would arise for my

    determination.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    1) Whether the complainant proves that the
    cheques at Ex.P.1 and Ex.P.2 were issued by
    the accused towards discharge of legally
    enforceable debt or liability as alleged in the
    complaint?

    2) Whether the trial court is justified in holding that
    the accused have committed the offence
    punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable
    Instruments Act?

    3) Whether the impugned judgment of conviction
    and order of sentence calls for interference by
    this appellate court?

    4) What Order?

    14. My answer to the above points are as under;

    Point No.1: In the Affirmative.

    Point No.2: In the Affirmative.

    Point No.3: In the Negative.

    Point No.4: As per final order, for the following:

    REASONS

    15. Point Nos.1 to 3: Since these points are interconnected

    and arise out of the same set of facts, they are taken up together for

    common discussion in order to avoid repetition.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    16. At the outset, the rival contentions require this court to

    examine whether the complainant established the foundational facts

    necessary to attract Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act

    and, if so, whether the accused succeeded in rebutting the statutory

    presumptions available under Sections 118 and 139 of the Act.

    17. It is the principal contention of the appellants/accused that

    there was no chit transaction between the complainant and the

    accused, that the complainant had no financial capacity to invest such

    amounts, that there was no formal chit agreement, that the cheques

    were not issued towards legally enforceable liability, and that the same

    were misused by the complainant after having been issued to the

    complainant’s husband in a different business context. On the other

    hand, the complainant contends that she had in fact invested in the chit

    conducted by accused No.1 through accused No.2, that the chit

    matured in December 2020, that the accused acknowledged liability

    under a deed of undertaking, and thereafter issued the dishonoured

    cheques in part discharge of the amount due.

    18. Before examining the factual matrix, it is necessary to

    reiterate the settled legal position. Once execution of the cheque is

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    admitted or proved, the presumptions under Sections 118(a) and 139

    of the Negotiable Instruments Act arise in favour of the complainant.

    Section 139 specifically mandates that the court shall presume, unless

    the contrary is proved, that the holder of the cheque received the same

    for discharge of a debt or liability. In Rangappa v. Mohan, the Hon’ble

    Supreme Court has clearly held that the presumption under Section

    139 includes the existence of legally enforceable debt or liability. In

    Hiten P. Dalal v. Bratindranath Banerjee , it has been held that the

    presumption is one of law and not a mere presumption of fact. In

    Basalingappa v. Mudibasappa, the Hon’ble Supreme Court further

    clarified that although the accused can rebut the presumption on the

    standard of preponderance of probabilities, the rebuttal must be

    probable, acceptable and rooted in the materials on record; mere

    suggestions, speculative pleas or bald explanations are insufficient.

    Keeping the above legal principles in view, the evidence on record is to

    be appreciated.

    19. The complainant examined herself as PW-1. In her

    evidence, she has consistently stated that accused No.2 approached

    her and her husband, induced her to invest in the chit fund of accused

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    No.1, that the chit value was Rs.10,50,000/-, that monthly installments

    of Rs.35,000/- were agreed, and that she paid the same from July

    2018 till December 2020. She further states that after maturity of the

    chit, the accused failed to pay the matured amount and that accused

    No.2 executed the undertaking dated 18.03.2021, promising to pay the

    amount within six months with interest. She has also stated that when

    the accused continued to default, the two cheques in question came to

    be issued towards part payment, both of which were dishonoured for

    “Funds Insufficient”.

    20. To substantiate her case, she has relied on the cheques,

    endorsements, legal notice, postal records, deed of undertaking, chit-

    related documents, receipts and bank extracts. The documentary chain

    thus relied upon by the complainant is not of an isolated or singular

    character; rather, it is a continuous chain showing the original chit

    transaction, its maturity, acknowledgment of liability by undertaking,

    subsequent issue of cheques and dishonour thereof.

    21. The defence seriously attacked the complainant’s case on

    the ground that no formal chit agreement is produced. It is true that the

    complainant has not produced a formal agreement in the nature

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    contemplated under the Chit Funds Act. It is also true that in her cross-

    examination, she has admitted that she does not know the names of

    other members in the chit and that she was introduced to accused

    No.2 through her husband. But these factors, by themselves, do not

    demolish the complainant’s case. The real test is whether the version

    of the complainant on the core transaction is supported by surrounding

    circumstances and whether the defence version appears probable

    enough to rebut the statutory presumption.

    22. In the case on hand, the most significant circumstance is

    that accused No.2, examined as DW-1, has not denied that the

    cheques belong to his account. He has also not denied his signature

    on the cheques. In fact, the record clearly shows that the defence is

    not one of total denial of signature, but one of misuse of security

    cheques. Once signature on the cheques is admitted, the burden shifts

    heavily on the accused to probabilise the defence of misuse.

    23. The defence version, as emerging from the evidence of

    DW-1, is that accused No.2 knew the complainant’s husband through

    earlier employment and that there were ready-made garment or cloth

    business transactions between them. According to DW-1, the cheques

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    were issued only as security in respect of such business dealings with

    the complainant’s husband and were later misused by the complainant.

    This defence has to be tested on the touchstone of probability.

    24. On a careful scrutiny, the said defence does not inspire

    confidence for several reasons. Firstly, if really the cheques were

    issued as security in relation to cloth business dealings with the

    complainant’s husband, there ought to have been at least some

    documentary trace of such business. No invoice, no ledger, no account

    extract, no delivery challan, no written acknowledgment, no

    correspondence, no business record and no bank transaction

    statement has been produced by the accused. A person carrying on a

    cloth or ready-made garment business would ordinarily maintain some

    documentary record. The complete absence of any such document

    makes the defence version bald and unsubstantiated.

    25. Secondly, though the accused contended that the

    cheques were blank cheques and were misused, no prompt action

    appears to have been taken by the accused. No reply notice was

    issued denying liability. No police complaint was lodged alleging

    misuse of the cheques. No stop payment instruction was shown to

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    have been issued. No civil or criminal action was initiated against the

    complainant or her husband for alleged misuse. This silence on the

    part of the accused is a weighty circumstance. A prudent person

    whose signed blank cheques are allegedly misused to foist a criminal

    case would not remain passive.

    26. Thirdly, the defence has relied upon the alleged

    differences in ink and handwriting in the cheques. This contention also

    does not advance the case of the accused. It is well settled that mere

    difference in ink, handwriting or the fact that the contents of the cheque

    are filled up by somebody other than the drawer is not by itself

    sufficient to invalidate the cheque or rebut the statutory presumption,

    so long as signature is admitted. The law does not require that all

    entries in the cheque must be in the handwriting of the drawer. Once

    the accused admits that the signed cheques emanated from his

    account, the burden remains on him to show in what circumstances

    they were issued and how they came to be misused. That burden is

    not discharged by merely pointing to different ink or handwriting.

    27. Fourthly, the defence of lack of financial capacity of the

    complainant also does not merit acceptance in the peculiar facts of this

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    case. This is not a simple hand loan case resting only on oral

    assertion. Here, the complainant’s case is one of investment in a chit

    for a defined period with monthly installments, followed by bank

    transfers and undertaking by the accused. The bank extracts produced

    by the complainant assume great significance. From the materials

    discussed in Point No.1 and the evidence extracted from the trial

    record, it is seen that several entries in Ex.P.16 to Ex.P.18 showing

    transfer of amounts from the complainant’s account to the accused

    side were specifically put to DW-1. To those entries, DW-1 did not

    issue categorical denial. On the contrary, he stated that such amounts

    “may have come”. That answer is destructive of the defence of total

    falsity.

    28. When specific entries such as amounts transferred on

    different dates from 2018 to 2021 were put to DW-1, the natural

    response, if the complainant had no such dealings, would have been to

    deny receipt altogether and produce contrary bank statements. But

    DW-1 did not produce his bank statement. Instead, he admitted in

    substance that such amounts might have been received. This

    admission is not trivial. It corroborates the complainant’s case that

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    monies were in fact flowing from her to the accused side. Another

    highly material circumstance is the admission of DW-1 that “Sankalana

    Chits” belongs to them/their concern, though he attempted to deny that

    the amounts received were toward chit transaction. Once the identity of

    the concern and receipt of monies are not firmly denied, the

    complainant’s documentary evidence gains strength.

    29. The defence next contended that the complainant has not

    established the place, date and time of every installment and that no

    independent witness to the chit transaction is examined. In the facts of

    the present case, such contention cannot be accepted as fatal. Chit

    transactions of the nature pleaded by the complainant are usually

    between the subscriber and the chit concern; they are not necessarily

    witnessed by independent outsiders on each occasion. More

    importantly, where there are documentary indications like receipts, chit

    reference, passbook entries, undertaking and bank transfers, the non-

    examination of an independent witness does not destroy the

    complainant’s case. Section 138 proceedings are not to be treated as if

    the complainant must prove each installment by examining separate

    witnesses, especially once the statutory presumptions come into play.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    30. The Deed of Undertaking dated 18.03.2021 also assumes

    considerable significance. According to the complainant, after maturity

    of the chit and failure of payment, accused No.2 executed the

    undertaking agreeing to pay the amount within six months with 18%

    interest from 01.01.2021. The defence has attacked this document

    also as fabricated, but again, except oral denial, no positive material is

    placed to show fabrication. If accused No.2 had truly never undertaken

    any such liability, it was open to him to challenge the document by

    suitable evidence, opinion or surrounding circumstances. No such

    effort is seen.

    31. It is also important to note that the complainant’s case is

    not that the two cheques represent the full chit amount. Her case is

    that the two cheques for Rs.4,50,000/- each were issued towards part

    payment of the amount due. This explanation fits into the larger

    narrative of the undertaking and delayed repayment. Therefore, the

    argument that the complainant must explain every rupee of the original

    chit amount in order to maintain prosecution on the dishonoured

    cheques is misconceived. The subject matter of prosecution is the

    dishonour of the two cheques admittedly signed by the accused,

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    issued in part discharge of liability. Once that liability is probabilised

    and the cheques are dishonoured, Section 138 stands attracted.

    32. The evidence of DW-1 also suffers from internal

    inconsistencies. In one breath, he speaks of company structure,

    directors and connection with the concern; in another breath, he

    attempts to distance himself from the business. He admits

    acquaintance with the complainant’s husband and business dealings,

    but fails to state clearly the period, extent, settlement or record of such

    dealings. He claims payments were made “part by part” in cash, but is

    unable to state when, how much, or in whose presence. Such vague

    and evasive testimony cannot be elevated to the level of a probable

    defence.

    33. The appellants have repeatedly urged that the prosecution

    must prove the case beyond all reasonable doubt and that reverse

    burden cannot operate unless the complainant proves the entire

    transaction independently. There cannot be any quarrel with the

    proposition that criminal liability must ultimately rest on proof. But in

    cheque dishonour cases, the statutory scheme specifically modifies the

    evidentiary burden once execution of cheque is admitted. The doctrine

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    of reverse burden in Sections 118 and 139 is not an exception

    invented by courts; it is built into the statute itself. Therefore, once the

    accused admits signature and account, the complainant is entitled to

    the statutory presumption and the accused must rebut it by probable

    material. In the present case, the accused has failed to do so.

    34. The submissions that the complainant’s complaint

    averments and oral evidence are allegedly at variance are also not

    made out from record in any substantial manner. The broad structure

    of the complainant’s case remains consistent throughout: investment in

    chit, maturity in December 2020, undertaking in March 2021, issue of

    two cheques, dishonour, notice and failure to pay. Minor omissions or

    imperfect details do not corrode the substratum of the prosecution.

    35. The compliance of statutory requirements under Section

    138 is also clearly established. The cheques were presented within

    time. They were dishonoured for “Funds Insufficient”. Notice was

    issued within limitation. Service on accused No.2 is proved. Despite

    service, there was no payment. The complaint was filed within the

    prescribed period. Hence, all ingredients of Section 138 stand fulfilled.

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    36. On cumulative appreciation of the oral and documentary

    evidence, this court is satisfied that the trial court has rightly

    appreciated the evidence and rightly concluded that the accused failed

    to rebut the statutory presumption. The complainant has established

    the existence of legally enforceable liability far beyond the threshold

    required in a prosecution under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. The

    defence of security cheque and misuse remains a mere plea

    unsupported by acceptable evidence.

    37. The following circumstances assume decisive importance

    in this case the cheques belong to the account of the accused and

    signatures thereon are admitted. The complainant has produced not

    merely the cheques and dishonour memos, but also supporting

    documents like undertaking, receipts and bank extracts. Specific bank

    entries from the complainant to the accused side were confronted to

    DW-1 and not categorically denied. DW-1 admitted the identity of

    Sankalana Chits as their concern. No document whatsoever is

    produced to support the alleged cloth business security-cheque theory.

    No reply notice, stop payment instruction or complaint of misuse was

    issued by the accused. The defence evidence is evasive, inconsistent

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    and lacking in particulars. Statutory presumptions under Sections 118

    and 139 remain unrebutted.

    38. Therefore, I am of the firm opinion that the trial court was

    fully justified in holding that the accused had issued the cheques

    towards discharge of legally enforceable liability and that upon

    dishonour and failure to comply with notice, they committed the offence

    punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

    39. For the very same reasons, this court holds that the

    learned trial Judge was correct in convicting the accused for the

    offence punishable under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments

    Act. There is no perversity, illegality, misreading of evidence or

    miscarriage of justice in the reasoning adopted by the trial court. The

    conviction recorded is based on sound appreciation of evidence and

    settled legal principles.

    40. Thus, upon a complete and independent re-appreciation of

    the entire oral and documentary evidence available on record, this

    appellate court is fully satisfied that the complainant has established all

    the mandatory ingredients constituting the offence punishable under

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The evidence placed by

    the complainant is not only legally sufficient to attract the statutory

    presumptions available under Sections 118 and 139 of the Act, but is

    also materially corroborated by the surrounding circumstances,

    including the admitted signatures on the cheques, the documentary

    record relating to the underlying transaction, the dishonour memos, the

    statutory notice, and the failure of the accused to make payment in

    spite of due service of notice. On the contrary, the defence set up by

    the accused that the cheques were issued as blank security cheques

    in connection with some independent business dealings with the

    complainant’s husband remains a mere explanation unsupported by

    any acceptable documentary evidence, contemporaneous conduct, or

    convincing probabilities. The accused, though examined as DW-1, has

    not placed such cogent and probable material as would create a

    serious dent in the complainant’s case or probabilise non-existence of

    legally enforceable liability. The statutory presumptions, therefore,

    remain intact and unrebutted.

    41. This court further finds that the learned trial Judge has

    appreciated the evidence on record in its proper perspective, has

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    assigned sound, logical and legally sustainable reasons, and has

    reached a conclusion that is fully supported by the evidence and the

    settled principles governing prosecutions under Section 138 of the

    Negotiable Instruments Act. No perversity, illegality, misreading of

    evidence, or miscarriage of justice is demonstrated so as to warrant

    appellate interference. The grounds urged in the appeal are found to

    be either unsupported by the record or insufficient in law to displace

    the well-reasoned findings recorded by the trial court. Therefore, this

    court records its final judicial satisfaction that the judgment of

    conviction and order of sentence passed by the trial court are just,

    proper, and in accordance with law, and the same deserve to be

    confirmed in toto.

    42. So far as interference by this appellate court is concerned,

    it is settled that unless the findings of the trial court are shown to be

    perverse, wholly unreasonable, contrary to record or based on

    misapplication of law, the appellate court would not lightly upset a

    reasoned judgment of conviction. In the case on hand, the grounds

    urged in the appeal are substantially a repetition of the defence already

    taken before the trial court. On re-appreciation of the entire record, this

    Judge Sign.

    24

    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    court finds no valid ground to interfere. The findings recorded by the

    trial court are supported by the evidence available on record.

    43. As regards sentence also, the trial court has imposed a

    fine of Rs.16,00,000/- in respect of dishonour of two cheques

    aggregating to Rs.9,00,000/- arising out of a matured chit liability.

    Having regard to the nature of transaction, lapse of time, admitted

    undertaking, and object of Section 138 proceedings being

    compensatory in substantial measure, the sentence cannot be said to

    be excessive or illegal. The default sentence of three months simple

    imprisonment is also within legal bounds. Thus, even on sentence, no

    interference is called for. Accordingly, I answer Point No.1 and 2 are in

    the Affirmative and Point No.3 in the Negative.

    44. Point No.4: In view of my findings on Point Nos.1 to 3, the

    appeal is devoid of merits and is liable to be dismissed by confirming

    the judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed by the trial

    court. Hence, I proceed to pass the following:

    Judge Sign.

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    Crl.A.No.1484/2024

    ORDER

    The criminal appeal filed under Section 374 of
    Cr.P.C. by the appellants/accused is hereby
    dismissed.

    Consequently, the judgment of conviction and
    order of sentence dated 09.08.2024 passed in C.C.
    No.5756/2022 on the file of the VI Addl. Judge,
    Court of Small Causes and Addl. Chief Judicial
    Magistrate, Bengaluru, is hereby confirmed.

    The appellants/accused are directed to appear
    before the trial court to deposit the fine amount,
    failing which the trial court shall take steps in
    accordance with law to enforce the sentence.

    Office is directed to transmit the Trial Court
    Records along with a copy of this judgment to the trial
    court forthwith.

    (Dictated to the Typist on Computer, then corrected, signed and pronounced
    by me in open court on this the 7th day of April, 2026.)

    (Somashekara A.)
    XV Addl. C.C. & Sessions Judge,
    BANGALORE CITY.

    C/c LIX Addl. C.C. & Sessions Judge,
    BANGALORE CITY.

    Judge Sign.



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