Ram Babu v. Sunita Rani)

"1. Heard Sri Atul Pandey, learned counsel for the applicant and Sri Rajeev Kr. Singh, learned A.G.A. for the State.

2. The present 482 Cr.P.C. application has been filed to quash the entire proceeding of Complaint Case No. 5727 of 2017 (Ram Babu vs. Sunita Rani) (Case No. 253/2021), u/s 138 N.I. Act, P.S. Sungarhi, District Pilibhit as well as order dated 15.11.2017 passed by C.J.M., Pilibhit and order dated 22.12.2022 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge, Court No.1, Pilibhit.

3. Contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant wants to settle the dispute with opposite party No.2, therefore, this matter may be referred to the Mediation Centre, Allahabad High Court. It is further submitted that the applicant is ready to deposit certain amount as may be directed by this Court.

4. Considering the aforesaid submission and taking into account that in In Re: Expeditious Trial of Cases under Section 138 N.I. Act, 1881, reported in 2021 SCC Online 325, the Apex has already issued several directions for expeditious trial u/s 138 N.I. Act, the present matter is referred to the Mediation Centre, High Court Allahabad, subject to the condition that the applicant will deposit a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- within three weeks from today with the Mediation Centre out of which Rs.95,000/- shall be paid to opposite party no.2 on his appearance before the Mediation Centre on a date to be fixed by the mediation center. Balance Rs.5,000/- shall be retained by the mediation center towards its expenses.

5. Issue notice to opposite party No.2.

6. After depositing the aforesaid amount within aforementioned time, notices shall be issued to the parties fixing some date for mediation and the Mediation Centre shall make all possible efforts to conclude the mediation and conciliation proceedings expeditiously, preferably within a period of three months.

7. List in the week commencing 16.12.2024.

8. It is further provided, if applicants file receipt of deposit of the aforesaid amount before the court below then no coercive action shall be taken against the applicant in the aforesaid case, till the next date of listing.

9. It is made clear that in case there occurs default by the applicant either in depositing the amount or in appearing before the Mediation Centre on the date fixed, the interim order shall cease to operate and the Mediation Centre shall immediately communicate to the office which in turn shall list the case within a week before the appropriate Bench for passing orders in the matter.

10. It is also made clear that in case the applicant fails to submit the receipt of the aforesaid deposit before the court below then the court below is free to proceed against the applicant."

4. There is an office report dated 16.05.2025 which reads as under: "Notice issued to O.P. No. 2 has been served personally. Put up for order."

5. There is an mediation report dated 02.05.2025 being Annexure- E Form-5 Report to the Court, dated 02.05.2025, para-7 whereof is quoted hereinunder: अअतररम समझझतत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 "7. आज दनमनलललखत समझझतत समपन हहआ हह। कक अननसरण मम पककतरर कक मधय यह दक ददनतअक 04.04.2025 क. कक पककतरर नक यह कथन दकयत थत दक उनहकनम आपसस सहमदत सक अपनक दववतद कक पहलक हस इस शतर पर सनलझत ललयत हह दक कक धनरतदश आवकदक- शसमतस सननसतत रतनस Rs.3,00,000/- (र. तसन लतख) पदतवतदस सअ. 2- 95,000/- ( पअचतनवक हजतर रपयक) शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) ददनतअक 21.10.2024 शस रतम बतबब कक अदत करमगस। उपरकक तय धनरतदश मम र. भस समममललत हह जक दक मधयसथतत कक नद मम दतरत मतननसय उचच नयतयतलय कक आदकश कक अननपतलन मम जमत दकयत हह। यह दक पदतवतदस सअ. 2- ख. कक नद मम जमत उक धनरतदश मम र. 95,000/- ( ललयत हह। शस रतम बतबब नक यह कथन दकयत हह दक मधयसथतत पतप कर पअचतनबक हजतर रपयक) यह दक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) ग. दक लतख पतपच हजतर रपयक) ( शस रतम बतबब पदतवतदस सअ.2 कक अब शकष धनरतदश र.2,05,000/- कक अदत करनत हह। पदतवतदस सअ.2) यह दक पककतरर नक यह कथन दकयत हह दक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) नक तसस हजतर रपयक मतत) पहलक कक र. 30,000/- ( कक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस उनचचतस हजतर रपयक मतत) UPI, UTR: पचसस हजतर रपयक मतत) एक हजतर रपयक कक मतधयम सक शस रतम बतबब पदतवतदस घ. शस रतम बतबब ( हस अदत कर ददयत हह तथत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 (आवकदक) 134205080930 IMPS, Ref: 202504044308406) मतत) IMPS, Ref: 202504044306373 सअ.2 कक मतधयम सक, र.25,000/- ( लजसकक पतदप पदतवतदस सअ. 2 तथत र. 1,000/- (र. कक अदत कर ददयत हह, नक र. 49,000/- ( नक सनदनदशत दकयत हह। यह दक अअतररम समझझतत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 ङ. पककतरर कक मधय जहसत तय हहआ थत, शसमतस सननसतत रतनस नक र.1,00,000/- ( डड तफट सअ.032807 पदतवतदस सअ.2 (Ram Babu) पसतनत दकयत हह लजसक पदतवतदस सअ. 2 पदतवतदस सअ. कक पहरतगतफ 7 (घ) मम कक आवकदक- कत एक दडमतणड जक दक बबक ऑफ बडझदत दतरत ददनतअक 29.04.2025 कक मधयसथतत कक नद मम कक ससप ददयत गयत हह लजसकक पतदप आज ददनतअक 02.05.2025 एक लतख रपयक मतत) कक नतम जतरस दकयत गयत हह, २ नक सनदनदशत दकयत हह। च. 253/2021) यह दक दकनर पककतरर कक मधय पररवतद सअ. 5727/2017 (Case No. दववतद व दकनदतरस एक दबसरक कक पदत शकष नहस हह। मम अब ककई दतवत, यह दक दकनर पकर नक इस वतद कक सअनदभर मम एक दबसरक कक छ. मनकदमम (civil and criminal) दतलखल दकयक हब, कक उदचत उपतय करतक हहए वतपस समतप करत लकगम।" लखलतफ लजतनक भस वक उन समसत वतदर/मनकदमर

6. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the entire payments which were subject of dispute, though the matter was referred for mediation and the payments is being paid, now nothing remains pending to be proceeded with.

7. Learned State Law Officer does not dispute the said fact.

8. Accordingly, now nothing remains further to be proceeded with, the application stands Allowed.

9. The proceedings of Complaint Case No. 5727 of 2017 (Ram Babu vs. Sunita Rani) (Case No. 253/2021), u/s 138 N.I. Act, P.S. Sungarhi, District Pilibhit as well as order dated 15.11.2017 passed by C.J.M., Pilibhit and order dated 22.12.2022 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge, Court No.1, Pilibhit, are quashed against the applicants.

10. Liberty is accorded to the opposite party no. 2 to file appropriate application if something survives. Order Date :- 10.7.2025 A. Prajapati ASHUTOSH KUMAR PRAJAPATI High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

"1. Heard Sri Atul Pandey, learned counsel for the applicant and Sri Rajeev Kr. Singh, learned A.G.A. for the State.

2. The present 482 Cr.P.C. application has been filed to quash the entire proceeding of Complaint Case No. 5727 of 2017 (Ram Babu vs. Sunita Rani) (Case No. 253/2021), u/s 138 N.I. Act, P.S. Sungarhi, District Pilibhit as well as order dated 15.11.2017 passed by C.J.M., Pilibhit and order dated 22.12.2022 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge, Court No.1, Pilibhit.

3. Contention of learned counsel for the applicant is that the applicant wants to settle the dispute with opposite party No.2, therefore, this matter may be referred to the Mediation Centre, Allahabad High Court. It is further submitted that the applicant is ready to deposit certain amount as may be directed by this Court.

4. Considering the aforesaid submission and taking into account that in In Re: Expeditious Trial of Cases under Section 138 N.I. Act, 1881, reported in 2021 SCC Online 325, the Apex has already issued several directions for expeditious trial u/s 138 N.I. Act, the present matter is referred to the Mediation Centre, High Court Allahabad, subject to the condition that the applicant will deposit a sum of Rs. 1,00,000/- within three weeks from today with the Mediation Centre out of which Rs.95,000/- shall be paid to opposite party no.2 on his appearance before the Mediation Centre on a date to be fixed by the mediation center. Balance Rs.5,000/- shall be retained by the mediation center towards its expenses.

5. Issue notice to opposite party No.2.

6. After depositing the aforesaid amount within aforementioned time, notices shall be issued to the parties fixing some date for mediation and the Mediation Centre shall make all possible efforts to conclude the mediation and conciliation proceedings expeditiously, preferably within a period of three months.

7. List in the week commencing 16.12.2024.

8. It is further provided, if applicants file receipt of deposit of the aforesaid amount before the court below then no coercive action shall be taken against the applicant in the aforesaid case, till the next date of listing.

9. It is made clear that in case there occurs default by the applicant either in depositing the amount or in appearing before the Mediation Centre on the date fixed, the interim order shall cease to operate and the Mediation Centre shall immediately communicate to the office which in turn shall list the case within a week before the appropriate Bench for passing orders in the matter.

10. It is also made clear that in case the applicant fails to submit the receipt of the aforesaid deposit before the court below then the court below is free to proceed against the applicant."

4. There is an office report dated 16.05.2025 which reads as under: "Notice issued to O.P. No. 2 has been served personally. Put up for order."

5. There is an mediation report dated 02.05.2025 being Annexure- E Form-5 Report to the Court, dated 02.05.2025, para-7 whereof is quoted hereinunder: अअतररम समझझतत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 "7. आज दनमनलललखत समझझतत समपन हहआ हह। कक अननसरण मम पककतरर कक मधय यह दक ददनतअक 04.04.2025 क. कक पककतरर नक यह कथन दकयत थत दक उनहकनम आपसस सहमदत सक अपनक दववतद कक पहलक हस इस शतर पर सनलझत ललयत हह दक कक धनरतदश आवकदक- शसमतस सननसतत रतनस Rs.3,00,000/- (र. तसन लतख) पदतवतदस सअ. 2- 95,000/- ( पअचतनवक हजतर रपयक) शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) ददनतअक 21.10.2024 शस रतम बतबब कक अदत करमगस। उपरकक तय धनरतदश मम र. भस समममललत हह जक दक मधयसथतत कक नद मम दतरत मतननसय उचच नयतयतलय कक आदकश कक अननपतलन मम जमत दकयत हह। यह दक पदतवतदस सअ. 2- ख. कक नद मम जमत उक धनरतदश मम र. 95,000/- ( ललयत हह। शस रतम बतबब नक यह कथन दकयत हह दक मधयसथतत पतप कर पअचतनबक हजतर रपयक) यह दक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) ग. दक लतख पतपच हजतर रपयक) ( शस रतम बतबब पदतवतदस सअ.2 कक अब शकष धनरतदश र.2,05,000/- कक अदत करनत हह। पदतवतदस सअ.2) यह दक पककतरर नक यह कथन दकयत हह दक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस (आवकदक) नक तसस हजतर रपयक मतत) पहलक कक र. 30,000/- ( कक शसमतस सननसतत रतनस उनचचतस हजतर रपयक मतत) UPI, UTR: पचसस हजतर रपयक मतत) एक हजतर रपयक कक मतधयम सक शस रतम बतबब पदतवतदस घ. शस रतम बतबब ( हस अदत कर ददयत हह तथत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 (आवकदक) 134205080930 IMPS, Ref: 202504044308406) मतत) IMPS, Ref: 202504044306373 सअ.2 कक मतधयम सक, र.25,000/- ( लजसकक पतदप पदतवतदस सअ. 2 तथत र. 1,000/- (र. कक अदत कर ददयत हह, नक र. 49,000/- ( नक सनदनदशत दकयत हह। यह दक अअतररम समझझतत ददनतअक 04.04.2025 ङ. पककतरर कक मधय जहसत तय हहआ थत, शसमतस सननसतत रतनस नक र.1,00,000/- ( डड तफट सअ.032807 पदतवतदस सअ.2 (Ram Babu) पसतनत दकयत हह लजसक पदतवतदस सअ. 2 पदतवतदस सअ. कक पहरतगतफ 7 (घ) मम कक आवकदक- कत एक दडमतणड जक दक बबक ऑफ बडझदत दतरत ददनतअक 29.04.2025 कक मधयसथतत कक नद मम कक ससप ददयत गयत हह लजसकक पतदप आज ददनतअक 02.05.2025 एक लतख रपयक मतत) कक नतम जतरस दकयत गयत हह, २ नक सनदनदशत दकयत हह। च. 253/2021) यह दक दकनर पककतरर कक मधय पररवतद सअ. 5727/2017 (Case No. दववतद व दकनदतरस एक दबसरक कक पदत शकष नहस हह। मम अब ककई दतवत, यह दक दकनर पकर नक इस वतद कक सअनदभर मम एक दबसरक कक छ. मनकदमम (civil and criminal) दतलखल दकयक हब, कक उदचत उपतय करतक हहए वतपस समतप करत लकगम।" लखलतफ लजतनक भस वक उन समसत वतदर/मनकदमर

6. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the entire payments which were subject of dispute, though the matter was referred for mediation and the payments is being paid, now nothing remains pending to be proceeded with.

7. Learned State Law Officer does not dispute the said fact.

8. Accordingly, now nothing remains further to be proceeded with, the application stands Allowed.

9. The proceedings of Complaint Case No. 5727 of 2017 (Ram Babu vs. Sunita Rani) (Case No. 253/2021), u/s 138 N.I. Act, P.S. Sungarhi, District Pilibhit as well as order dated 15.11.2017 passed by C.J.M., Pilibhit and order dated 22.12.2022 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge, Court No.1, Pilibhit, are quashed against the applicants.

10. Liberty is accorded to the opposite party no. 2 to file appropriate application if something survives. Order Date :- 10.7.2025 A. Prajapati ASHUTOSH KUMAR PRAJAPATI High Court of Judicature at Allahabad