J.C. Flowers Asset Reconstruction Co. ... vs Nagaraj N S

Citation : 2025 Latest Caselaw 9233 Kant
Judgement Date : 16 October, 2025

Karnataka High Court

J.C. Flowers Asset Reconstruction Co. ... vs Nagaraj N S on 16 October, 2025

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                                                              NC: 2025:KHC:41274
                                                          CRL.A No. 1966 of 2024


                       HC-KAR



                            IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
                              DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2025
                                                BEFORE
                                THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA
                                CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1966 OF 2024 (A)
                       BETWEEN:

                       J. C. FLOWERS ASSET RECONSTRUCTION
                       CO. PVT. LTD.,
                       (ACTING IN ITS CAPACITY AS TRUSTEE OF
                       JCF YES TRUST 2022-23/1),
                       A COMPANY INCORPORATED UNDER THE
                       COMPANIES ACT, 2013 AND
                       REGISTERED AS AN ASSET RECONSTRUCTION
                       COMPANY PURSUANT TO SECTION 3 OF
                       SARFAESI ACT, 2002 AND
                       HAVING ITS REGISTERED OFFICE AT
                       12TH FLOOR, CROMPTON GREAVES HOUSE,
                       DR. ANNIE BESANT ROAD,
                       WORLI, MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA-400030
                       REPRESENTED BY ITS
                       AUTHORIZED SIGNATORY
                       MR. MANIMARAN S.
                                                                  ...APPELLANT
Digitally signed by
LAKSHMINARAYAN N
                       (BY SRI. S. SUSHANT VENKATESH PAI, ADVOCATE)
Location: HIGH COURT
OF KARNATAKA

                       AND:

                       1.    NAGARAJ N S
                             NO.4, 4TH CROSS, BADAVARA SANGHA,
                             LAKKASANDRA, BANGALORE- 560030

                             ALSO AT:

                             NAGARAJ N.S.
                             NO.182/25A, 6TH CROSS, HOSA BADAVANE
                             NITUVALLI, DAVANGERE- 577002.
                            -2-
                                        NC: 2025:KHC:41274
                                    CRL.A No. 1966 of 2024


HC-KAR



    ALSO AT:

    NAGARAJ N.S.
    ALLIANCE UNIVERSITY
    CHIKKAHAGADE CROSS,
    CHANDAPURA, ANEKAL MAIN ROAD,
    ANEKAL- 560106, BANGALORE- 550095
                                            ...RESPONDENT
(VIDE COURT ORDER DATED: 16.10.2025           NOTICE   TO
RESPONDENT IS DISPENSED WITH.)

     THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S 378(4) OF CR.P.C. PRAYING TO
SET ASIDE THE IMPUGNED ORDER DTD 19.08.2024 PASSED
BY THE LEARNED XI ACMM AND ADDITIONAL SMALL CAUSES
JUDGE, CITY CIVIL COURT, BENGALURU (SCCH-17) IN
CC.NO.7279/2021 AND ETC.

     THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR HEARING ON
INTERLOCUTORY APPLICATION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS
DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER:

CORAM:    HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA

                    ORAL JUDGMENT

Heard the learned counsel for the appellant.

2. The appellant who is the complainant has filed the complaint under Section 138 of NI Act. The Trial Court has taken cognizance against the accused for the offence under Section 138 of NI Act and case came to be registered in C.C.No.7279/2021. On 19.08.2024, the trial Court has passed the following order: -3-

NC: 2025:KHC:41274 CRL.A No. 1966 of 2024 HC-KAR Complainant present.
Learned counsel for the complainant prays time to take steps. Sufficient time already granted. Inspite of repeated issuance of NBW, the complainant is not taking steps to secure the accused. In the last date of hearing on the request of complainant, it was ordered to Issue NBW by the hands of complainant which shall be executed through jurisdictional police. Even though the NBW is ready it is not collected and it shows that the complainant is reluctant to take steps. No PF is paid and praying for time to take steps. The case is pending from 2021. Hence, no grounds are made out, prayer rejected. In the result the case is dismissed for default.

3. Further, a perusal of the order dated 16.07.2024, it is clear that the complainant has paid PF. The trial Court has passed an order of re-issue NBW to the accused by hands of the complainant, which shall be executed through the jurisdictional police. When the Court has issued NBW to the accused, the same has to be executed through concerned police. In view of the Rule 8 of Chapter 3 of the Karnataka Criminal Rules of Practice, 1968, all processes shall be served or executed by the -4- NC: 2025:KHC:41274 CRL.A No. 1966 of 2024 HC-KAR police, unless the Court which issues the process, otherwise directs. Even if the accused was issued with NBW by the Court, it has to be executed through concerned police. It is not possible to execute non-bailable warrant by the complainant. When the Court has issued NBW to the accused, it is the duty of the concerned police to receive the non-bailable warrant from the Court. The non-collection of the NBW by the complainant is not a genuine ground to dismiss the case. Though the complainant counsel sought time to take steps, the learned Magistrate rejected the prayer of the complainant, which is not sustainable under law. Hence, I proceed to pass the following:

ORDER
i) Appeal is allowed;
ii) The order dated 19.08.2024 passed by the XI Addl. SCJ and ACMM at Bangalore City in C.C No.7279/2021 is set aside;
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NC: 2025:KHC:41274 CRL.A No. 1966 of 2024 HC-KAR

iii) The case in C.C No.7279/2021 on the file of XI Addl. SCJ and ACMM at Bangalore City shall be restored;

iv) The Trial Court is directed to proceed with the case in accordance with law;

v) The complainant shall appear before the Trial Court on 18.11.2025 without seeking any further notice from the Trial Court.

vi) Registry is directed to send a copy of this order to the trial Court for taking necessary action.

Sd/-

(G BASAVARAJA) JUDGE KBM List No.: 1 Sl No.: 56