Subhin Vamattam v. Plant Lipids (P) Ltd.

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: V.G. Arun
Judgment Date: 2023-07-10
Court Decision / Holding: The Original Petitions are allowed and the impugned orders are set aside. The complaints being of the year 2018, the court below shall take earnest efforts to conduct trial and render judgment as expeditiously as possible.
Final Disposition: Original Petitions allowed; impugned orders set aside; trials to proceed expeditiously.

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

Subhin Vamattam

Respondents

M/S Plant Lipids (P) Ltd.

Legal Representation & Advocates

Counsels for Petitioners

• Domson J. Vattakuzhy

Counsels for Respondents

• S. Sree Dev
• Enoch David Simon Joel
• Rony Jose
• Leo Lukose
• Karol Mathews Sebastian Alencherry
• Derick Mathai Saji

Case Synopsis & Summary

These Original Petitions (OP(Crl.) Nos. 304/2023 and connected cases) challenge orders of the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Kolencherry, directing the petitioners to pay 20% of the amount covered by cheques under Section 143-A of the Negotiable Instruments Act, as a condition for proceeding with trials. The petitions rely on the Supreme Court’s decision in G.J. Raja v. Tejraj Surana to contend that Section 143-A is prospective in nature and should be applicable only to offences where the offence under Section 138 NI Act is committed after the introduction of Section 143-A on 1 September 2018. The respondents contended that the relevant date is the date on which the accused pleads not guilty during summary/trial proceedings. The Kerala High Court, hearing these connected original petitions, agrees with the petitioners, following G.J. Raja, and holds that 143-A cannot be invoked for cases where the alleged offence predates the amendment. Accordingly, the impugned orders are set aside and the court is instructed to proceed with the trials and render judgments expeditiously, given that the complaints are from 2018. The judgment consolidates multiple OP(Crl.) cases and directs expeditious disposal of the matters, clarifying the prospective operation of Section 143-A in light of binding Supreme Court authority.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 143-A of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881

Legal Doctrines & Maxims

Prospective operation of a statute (as applied to Section 143-A by G.J. Raja v. Tejraj Surana)

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The petitioners argued that Section 143-A of the NI Act is prospective in operation and should apply only to offences under Section 138 NI Act that occur after the introduction of Section 143-A on 01.09.2018. Since the alleged offences in these cases predicated on dishonour of cheques occurred before that date, the 143-A orders are invalid and cannot be invoked. They relied on the Supreme Court decision in G.J. Raja v. Tejraj Surana to urge non-application of 143-A in pre-amendment cases.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents contended that the relevant date for applying Section 143-A is the date on which the accused pleads not guilty during the course of a summary trial or summons case, and that amended provisions should be applied accordingly; they argued that the impugned orders were valid under the statutory framework.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
G.J. Raja v. Tejraj Surana	2019 (19) SCC 469	Positive	The Supreme Court decision on the prospective nature of Section 143-A is applied by the Kerala High Court to hold that 143-A cannot be invoked for offences predating its introduction; the judgement relies on this authority to allow the petitions.

Extracted Judgment Text

Exact text extracted from official judgment records.

``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN ``` ``` MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 304 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2039/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670. ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).305/2023, 308/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 2 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 305 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2038/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670. ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311’ ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 3 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 308 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2041/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED:` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670. ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 4 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 310 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2037/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670., PIN - 686670 ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 5 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 313 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2042/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670. ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 6 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 317 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2073/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686670 BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 7 O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 319 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2655/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670. ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENTS` ``` 1M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 2M/S. VIBRANT VALLY MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER, PIN – 686670 BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 8 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ``` PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 320 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENTST 2040/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686670 BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENTS` ``` 1M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN - 682311 2M/S. VIBRANT VALLY MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER., PIN - 686670 BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 9 O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 322 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2072/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686670 BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENTS` ``` 1M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN - 682311 2M/S. VIBRANT VALLY MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER., PIN - 686670 BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 10 ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT ``` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 323 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2071/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN - 686670 BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENT/PETITIONER/COMPLAINANT` ``` M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN – 682311 ``` ``` BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 11 O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 324 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2070/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670., PIN - 686670 ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENTS` ``` 1M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN - 682311 2M/S. VIBRANT VALLY MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER., PIN - 686670 BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON ``` ``` 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` 12 O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases ``` IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM ``` ## `PRESENT` ``` THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE V.G.ARUN MONDAY, THE 10[TH] DAY OF JULY 2023 / 19TH ASHADHA, 1945 ``` ## `OP(CRL.) NO. 331 OF 2023` ``` AGAINST THE ORDER/JUDGMENT ST 2069/2018 OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS ,KOLENCHERRY ``` ## `PETITIONER/2ND RESPONDENT/2ND ACCUSED` ``` SUBHIN VAMATTAM AGED 44 YEARS S/O. THOMAS, VAMATTOM HOUSE, MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM, PIN 686670., PIN - 686670 ``` ``` BY ADV DOMSON J.VATTAKUZHY ``` ## `RESPONDENTS` ``` 1M/S. PLANT LIPIDS (P) LTD., KADAYIRIPPU P.O, KOLENCHERY, ERNAKULAM. REPRESENTED BY ITS ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRAVEEN THOMAS., PIN - 682311 2M/S. VIBRANT VALLY MULLAPPUZHACHAL P.O, VAZHAKKULAM, ERNAKULAM REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGING PARTNER., PIN - 686670 BY ADVS. S.SREEDEV ENOCH DAVID SIMON JOEL(K/925/2009) RONY JOSE(K/705/2012) LEO LUKOSE(K/001131/2016) KAROL MATHEWS SEBASTIAN ALENCHERRY(K/126/2010) DERICK MATHAI SAJI(K/1901/2021) ``` ``` THIS OP (CRIMINAL) HAVING COME UP FOR ADMISSION ON ``` ``` 10.07.2023, ALONG WITH OP(Crl.).304/2023 AND CONNECTED CASES, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 13 ## **JUDGMENT** ## **Dated this the 10[th] day of July, 2023** [OP(Crl.) Nos.304/2023, 305/2023, 308/2023, 310/2023, 313/2023, 317/2023, 319/2023, 320/2023, 322/2023, 323/2023, 324/2023, 331/2023] These Original Petitions are filed challenging the orders of Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Kolencherry, directing the petitioner to pay 20% of the amount covered by the cheques, based on the dishonour of which the 1[st] respondent had filed complaints, alleging commission of the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The impugned orders are passed in puported exercise of the power under Section 143-A of the NI Act. 2. The solitary ground of challenge is based on the judgment of the Honourable Supreme Court _**G.J. Raja v. Tejraj Surana [2019 (19) SCC 469]**_ wherein, while considering a similar challenge, the Apex Court held Section 143-A to be prospective in operation, to be applied or invoked only in cases where the offence under Section 138 of the Act is committed after the introduction of Section 143-A in the NI Act. 3. Learned Counsel for the petitioner submitted that in all O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 14 the cases, the offence was committed prior to 01.09.2018, the date on which Section 143-A was introduced in the statute. 4. Learned Counsel for the respondent argued that, going by Section 143-A the relevant date is the date on which the accused pleads not guilty to the accusation made in the complaint, during the course of a summary trial or a summons case. Even though the contention appears to be attractive, in the light of the law laid down by the Apex Court in _**G.J. Raja**_ (supra) , the challenge against the impugned order can only be upheld. In the result, the Original Petitions are allowed and the impugned orders are set aside. The complaints being of the year 2018, the court below shall take earnest efforts to conduct trial and render judgment in the cases, as expeditiously as possible. Sd/- smm ## **V.G.ARUN, JUDGE** O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 15 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 304/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2039/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN CMP NO. 652/2021 IN S.T NO. 2039/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN CMP NO. 652/2021 IN S.T NO. 2039/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY OBJECTION IN CMP NO. 652/2021 IN S.T NO. 2039/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN CMP NO. 652/2021 IN S.T NO. 2039/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 16 ## A `PPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 305/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEARING S.T. NO. 2038/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN CRL.M.P NO. 651/2021 IN S.T. NO. 2038/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` ``` Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED 29.09.2021 IN CRL.M.P. NO. 651/2021 IN S.T. NO. 2038/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` ``` Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN CRL.M.P. NO. 651/2021 IN S.T. NO. 2038/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 17 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 308/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` |`Exhibit P1`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING`| |---|---| ||`ST NO. 2041/2018 FILED BY THE`| ||`RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P2`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN CMP NO.`| ||`654/2021 IN S.T NO. 2041/2018 BEFORE`| ||`THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE`| ||`COURT, KOLENCHERRYV`| |`Exhibit P3`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN CMP`| ||`NO. 654/2021 IN S.T NO. 2041/2018`| ||`BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS`| ||`MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P4`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED`| ||`27.02.2023 IN CMP NO. 654/2021 IN S.T`| ||`NO. 2041/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 18 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 310/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2037/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P NO. 650/2021 IN S.T NO. 2037/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN C.M.P NO. 650/2021 IN S.T NO. 2037/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 650/2021 IN S.T NO. 2037/2018 BEFORE THE HON'BLE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 19 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 313/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2042/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN CMP NO. 655/2021 IN ST NO. 2042/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN CMP NO. 655/2021 IN ST NO. 2042/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN CMP NO. 655/2021 IN ST NO. 2042/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 20 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 317/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2073/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P NO. 663/2022 IN ST. NO. 2073/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN C.M.P NO. 663/2022 IN ST. NO. 2073/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 663/2022 IN ST. NO. 2073/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 21 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 319/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2655/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P NO. 656/2021 IN ST NO. 2655/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRYV Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN C.M.P NO. 656/2021 IN ST NO. 2655/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 656/2021 IN ST NO. 2655/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 22 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 320/2023` |`PETITIONER`|`EXHIBITS`| |---|---| |`Exhibit P1`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING`| ||`ST NO. 2040/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P2`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P`| ||`NO. 653/2021 IN ST NO. 2040/2018`| ||`BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS`| ||`MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P3`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN C.M.P`| ||`NO. 653/2021 IN ST NO. 2040/2018`| ||`BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS`| ||`MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P4`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED`| ||`27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 653/2021 IN ST`| ||`NO. 2040/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 23 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 322/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` |`Exhibit P1`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED`| |---|---| ||`14.08.2018 BEARING ST NO. 2072/2018`| ||`FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE`| ||`THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE`| ||`COURT, KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P2`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P`| ||`NO. 662/2022 IN ST NO. 2072/2018`| ||`BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS`| ||`MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY (DATED`| ||`NIL)`| |`Exhibit P3`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED`| ||`25.07.2022 IN C.M.P NO. 662/2022 IN ST`| ||`NO. 2072/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P4`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED`| ||`27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 662/2022 IN ST`| ||`NO. 2072/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 24 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 323/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2071/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P NO. 661/2022 IN ST NO. 2071/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN C.M.P NO. 661/2022 IN ST NO. 2071/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 661/2022 IN ST NO. 2071/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 25 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 324/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` ``` Exhibit P1A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT BEARING ST NO. 2070/2018 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P2A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN CMP NO. 660/2022 IN ST NO. 2070/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P3A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION IN CMP NO. 660/2022 IN ST NO. 2070/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY Exhibit P4A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED 27.02.2023 IN CMP NO. 660/2022 IN ST NO. 2070/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY ``` O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 26 ## `APPENDIX OF OP(CRL.) 331/2023` ## `PETITIONER EXHIBITS` |`Exhibit P1`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE COMPLAINT DATED`| |---|---| ||`14.08.2018 BEARING ST NO. 2069/2018`| ||`FILED BY THE RESPONDENT HEREIN BEFORE`| ||`THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE`| ||`COURT, KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P2`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE PETITION IN C.M.P`| ||`NO. 659/2022 IN ST NO. 2069/2018`| ||`BEFORE THE JUDICIAL FIRST CLASS`| ||`MAGISTRATE COURT, KOLENCHERRY (DATED`| ||`NIL)`| |`Exhibit P3`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE OBJECTION DATED`| ||`25.07.2022 IN C.M.P NO. 659/2022 IN ST`| ||`NO. 2069/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| |`Exhibit P4`|`A TRUE COPY OF THE ORDER DATED`| ||`27.02.2023 IN C.M.P NO. 659/2022 IN ST`| ||`NO. 2069/2018 BEFORE THE JUDICIAL`| ||`FIRST CLASS MAGISTRATE COURT,`| ||`KOLENCHERRY`| O.P(Crl)No.304 of 2023 and connected cases 27