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STATE OF RAJASTHAN
v.
MIS. KALY AN SUNDARAM CEMENT
INDUSTRIES LTD. AND ORS.
FEBRUARY 12, 1996
[K. RAMASWAMY AND G.B. PATTANAIK, JJ.]
Negotiable Instrnments Act, 1881/Jndian Penal Code, 1860 :
A
B
Section 138/420-Bouncing of cheques-Suits filed for recove1y-
C
Criminal proceedings also initiated-High Court staying proceedings of the
civil suits pending disposal of criminal cases-Held: Pendency of criminal
matters not an impediment to proceed with civil suits-Hence the principle
adopted by the High Court not correct.
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Civil Appeal No. 3644 of D
1996.
From the Judgment and order dated 16.11.94 of the Rajasthan High
Court in S.B. Civil Revision Petition No. 209 of 1994.
Aruneshwar Gupta, Manoj K. Das and ,Ms. Namita Narula for the E
Appellant.
Arun Jaitely, D.A. Dave, Bhaskar Pradhan, Ms. Ruby Ahuja, Mrs.
M. Karanjawala , S.S. Kha,nduja, B.K. Satija and Y.P. Dhingra, for the
Respondents.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
Leave granted.
F
This appeal by Special leave arises from the order of the learned
single Judge made in Civil Revision No. 209/94 on 16.11.1994 of the High G
Court of Rajasthan. Admittedly, the respondent-Company after inviting
tenders had executed an agreement on 13.4.1969 for execution of the
project. Thereafter, three post dated cheques of dates between May and
July 1989 were given for a sum of Rs. 6, 87, 100 each of which got bounced.
After issuing said notice, the suits were filed for recovery. Simultaneously H
463
464
SUPREME COURT REPORTS
[1996] 2 S.C.R.
A
proceedings were initiated under Section 138 of the Negotiable instrument
Act and also under Section 420 IPC in three complaints, CC Nos. 219, 220
and 254 of 1989. The High Court stayed the proceedings of the civil suits
pending disposal of the criminal cases. This appeal came to be filed against
the said order.
B
It is settled law that pendency of the criminal matters would not be
an impediment to proceed with the civil suits. The criminal court would
deal with offence punishable under the Act. On the Other hand, the courts
rarely stay the criminal cases and only when the compelling circumstances
require the exercise of their power. We have never come across stay of any
C civil suit by the courts so far. The High Court of Rajasthan is only an
exception to pass such orders. The High Court proceeded on wrong
premise that the accused would be expected to disclose their defence in
the criminal case by asking them to proceed with the trial of the suit. It is
not a correct principle of law. Even otherwise it no longer subsists, since
many of them have filed their defences in the civil suit. On principle of law,
D we hold that the approach adopted by the High Court is not correct. But
since the defence has already been filed nothing survives in this mat~er.
The appeal is accordingly allowed. The order of the High Court is
set aside. No costs.
E
G.N.
Appeal Allowed.
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