Orissa

Rayagada

CC/15/29

Sri Laxmi Agencies, Rayagada Represented by its Partner V. Ramakrishna Raju, - Complainant(s)

Versus

Sri Pradeep Kumar Pattnaik - Opp.Party(s)

Self

13 Apr 2017

ORDER

DISTRICT   CONSUMER  DISPUTES REDRESSAL    FORUM, RAYAGADA,

STATE:  ODISHA.

C.C. Case  No. 29 / 2015.                                         Date.  21.7.  2017.

P R E S E N T .

Sri GadadharaSahu, B.Sc.                                           President I/C.

Smt. Padmalaya Mishra, LL.B.                                     Member

Sri  Laxmi Agencies represented by its partner Sri V.Rama Krishna Raju, S/O: V.Suryanarayana Raju, Nehru Nagar,   Po/Dist: Rayagada, State:  Odisha.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        …….Complainant

Vrs.

Sri  Pradeep Kumar Sobha Nayak, S/O:  Late Sarat Chandra Sobha Nayak,  Clerk in Tahasil office,  At/Po: Gudari , Po/Dist: Rayagada, State:  Odisha.                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                                              .…..Opp. Parties

Counsel for the parties:                                 

For the complainant: - Sri K.Ch.G.S.Kumandan, Advocate, Rayagada.

For the O.Ps:-  Set exparte.

                                                J u d g e m e n t.

          The  present disputes arises out of the complaint petition filed by the above named complainant alleging deficiency in service  against  afore mentioned O.Ps for non refund of cheque amount a sum of Rs.49,088/-. The brief facts of the case  has summarised here under.

1.       That the complainant  is dealing  in building  materials  having their shop.   The O.P.  has purchased Rods and Cements for construction of his  house at Rayagada on credit basis  a sum of Rs.49,088/-.  In turn the complainant  issued a cheque  bearing No. 042371   Dt. 4.9.2014  for Rs. 49,088/-  in favour of the  O.P.  The O.P. presented the cheque in their account at IOB, Rayagada for collection  on Dt.24.10.2014.   The Bank  has returned the cheque with a memo  sent by the IDBI bank indicating  remarks  that  “funds insufficient”  for  payment.   The complainant issued legal notice  on Dt. 8.11.2014   to the complainant but till date the  O.P. not paid the amount. Hence this case. The complainant prays the forum  to direct the O.P. to pay the  cheque amount a sum of Rs.49,088/- with @  Rs.18%  interest  from 4.9.2014 till realization and such other relief as the hon’ble forum deems fit and proper for the best interest of justice.

2.       On being noticed the O.P received  as revealed from the postal receiept but neither appeared nor choose to file written  version. We feel the O.P. has no respect to the forum. The statutary period for filing of written version was over. Hence the O.P was set exparte to close the case in stipulated time.

                                                FINDINGS.

3.       During the expartee  hearing the complainant examined himself and produced  the bounced cheque  issued  by the O.P.  and  banks  remark  along with  legal notice  issued   to the O.P.  by the complainant  which is marked as Annexure-I ,2  & 3.  

In  the absence  of any  denial  by  way  of  written  version  from the side  of the O.P.   it is  presumed that the allegations  levelled against   the  O.P. deemed  to have  been  proved.    Hence it is deemed that the fact is said to be   proved, and this forum  considering  the above  aspects  tendered in evidence believes  it  to exist or consider its existence so probable that under the circumstances of  particular case to act upon the  supposition that the  said  fact exist. 

            We  observed after dishonour of the cheque the complainant informed the Opp.Party  regarding  the  return of cheque by the bank  then also the   Opp.Party knowingly avoided  and did not pay any heed or  he has not taken any step to return back the amount  from which  it clear that  the Opp.Party is not with  an intention to return back the amount inspite of received legal notice. Hence the complainant  filed this case before this forum to get the amount.

            This forum perused the citation of the hon’ble High Court, Odisha where in   hon’ble High Court in  Writ petition © No. 14434 of 2009 and M.C. No. 12274 of 2009  pronounced  judgement  on Dt. 8^th. October, 2009 against the order of  C.C. case of District Consumer Forum, Rayagada    by  two judge bench observed  “Issuance of cheque is as good as cash but if the cheque was issued with an ill-intention, to our mind, the same  will not be encouraged by this court.”   The Hon’ble  High  court  upheld the order of this forum.

            In the present case  the O.P. had purchased Cement and Rods from the  complainant for construction of his  house and instead of making cash payment, he   issued a cheque of Rs. 49,088/-.  But on presentation of the said cheque, bank had  returned the same with an endorsement of  “INSUFFICIENT FUND”  as a result of which the O.P. using the house without making any  payment.  To our mind, this a serious criminal offence and if this forum will  protect the same, it will be an injustice to the society.

          We find there is a gross deficiency and negligence  on the part of the O.P.    

In the above facts, circumstances  & on perusal of the record, the complaint petition,   documents, and referring on above Citation there  exists a strong “prima-facie” case in favor of the complainant.

Hence  to  meet the  ends of justice, the following order is passed.                                                   ORDER.

 In the result with these observations, findings, discussion  the complaint petition is allowed in part  on exparte against  the O.P.

4.      The O.P. is ordered to pay Rs. 49,088/-  with   interest  @ Rs. 9 % per annum from the date of issue of cheque  till realization.   The O.P is ordered to pay Rs.1,000/-  towards  cost.

The O.Ps  are  ordered to comply the above directions within 45 days from the date of receipt of this order failing which the complainant is at liberty to file execution proceeding as laid down in the  C.P.Act for realization of the  same  from the O.Ps.

Dictated and corrected by me

Pronounced  on this          21st   .   Day of        July,   2017.

                                               

                                    Member.                                                      President