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Supreme Court Of India

(From: 1997 Cri LJ 3898 (Jammu and Kashmir))

Hon'ble Judge(s): M. K. Mukherjee, K. T. Thomas , JJ

Criminal P.C. (2 of 1974) , S.256— Non-appearance of complainant - Complaint for dishonour of cheque filed by attorney- holder of Company - Provisions of S. 256 is applicable even where complainant is Company or any other juristic person - Discretion as to whether personal attendance of complainant should be dispensed with or not - Has to be exercised judicially. 1997 Cri LJ 3898 (J and K), Reversed. Complainant must be a corporeal person who is capable of making physical presence in the Court. Its corollary is that even if a complaint is made in the name of an incorporeal person (like a Company or Corporation) it is necessary that a natural person represents such juristic person in the Court and it is that natural person who is looked upon, for all practical purpose to be the complainant in the case. In other words, when the complainant is a body corporate it is the de jure complainant, and it must necessarily associate a human being as de facto complainant to represent the former in Court proceedings. Hence, provisions of S. 256 is applicable even where complainant is Company or any other juristic person. 1997 Cri LJ 3898 (J and K), Reversed.(Para 24 27) Two constraints are imposed on the Court for exercising the power under the S. 256. First is, if the Court thinks that in a....