2025:HHC:24170 IN THE HIGH COURT OF HIMACHAL PRADESH, SHIMLA Cr. MMO  No. 260 of 2025 Decided on   :   24.07.2025 Bishan Dass …Petitioner Versus Gunjan Gautam …Respondent Coram The Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virender Singh, Judge. Whether approved for reporting?1 For the petitioner      :  Ms. Abhilasha Kaundal, Advocate. For the respondent   : None. Virender Singh, Judge (Oral) By   way   of   the   present   petition,   order   dated 6.1.2025,   passed   by   the   Court   of   learned   Additional   Chief Judicial   Magistrate­II,   Dehra,   District   Kangra   (hereinafter referred to as the trial Court), in a petition filed, under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, bearing Case No.277 of 2013, titled as Gunjan Gautam versus Bishan Dass, has been assailed,   whereby,   the   learned   trial   Court   has   closed   the defence evidence. 1 Whether Reporters of local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? Yes. 2 2025:HHC:24170 2. Parties to the present  lis  are referred to, in the same manner, in which, they were referred to, by the learned trial Court. 3. Notice   of   the   petition   was   issued   to   the respondent. Despite service, the respondent has not bothered to put appearance and to contest the present case. 4. Record of the case has been requisitioned. As per the record, the learned trial Court had recorded the statement of   the   accused,   under   Section   313   Cr.PC,   on   05.08.2024. Thereafter, the matter was adjourned for 09.09.2024, for DWs, on taking steps within a period of seven days, as, the accused had expressed his intention to lead evidence in defence. 5. On   09.09.2024,   neither   DWs   were   present,   nor, steps   had   been   taken. As   such,   learned   trial   Court   has adjourned the matter for 8.11.2024 for DWs, with a direction to the accused to take steps within a period of seven days. 6. On 8.11.2024, neither the steps were taken, nor, DWs   were  present  and  on   that   day,  accused   had   also   not bothered to put appearance and on his behalf, an application 3 2025:HHC:24170 for   exemption  had  been   moved,  which   was   considered   and allowed, by the learned trial Court. Thereafter, the learned trial Court has listed the matter on 21.12.2024, for DWs, on self responsibility. 7. On 21.12.2024, the accused moved an application, under Section 148 of the CPC, for enlargement of time to lead the evidence and for filing list of witnesses. 8. The   said   application   was   considered,   by   the learned trial Court, and in the interest of justice, one last opportunity   was   granted   to   the   accused   to   conclude   his evidence, on taking steps within a period of seven days and the matter was adjourned for 6.1.2025. Learned   trial   Court   has also put a note of caution to the accused, by directing that no further opportunity will be given to the accused for leading the defence evidence. 9. On 6.1.2025, two DWs were present and examined and thereafter, the accused, for the first time, had made a request to the learned trial Court to permit him to appear as his witness, as well as, to examine his brother. 4 2025:HHC:24170 10. As per order­sheet dated 6.1.2025, brother of the accused   was   not   present,   nor,   the   accused   had   moved   the requisite   application,   as   per   the   provisions   of   Section   315 Cr.PC. His   prayer   for   adjournment,   on   that   day,   was considered  and  rejected  by  the learned  trial  Court, on  the ground that no reason has been assigned for adjournment, as, according to the learned trial Court, sufficient opportunities have been granted to the accused to lead defence evidence. 11. Perusal of the record shows that the accused is facing the case, under Section 138 of the NI Act, with regard to dishonour   of   cheque,   amounting   to   Rs.76,800/­,   allegedly issued by him, in favour of complainant Gunjan Gautam, in discharge of his liability. 12. Although,   sufficient   opportunities   have   been granted to the accused, however, considering the fact that the accused has every right to prove and probabilize his defence, by leading cogent evidence, this Court is of the view that in the interest of justice, one more opportunity should be granted to the accused to lead his defence evidence. 5 2025:HHC:24170 13. Consequently, the present petition is allowed and one   last  opportunity   is  granted   to  the   accused   to  lead  his defence   evidence,  on   self   responsibility,  subject   to   costs   of Rs.5,000/­ to be paid to the complainant. 14. Accused, through his counsel, is directed to appear before the learned trial Court on 6th August, 2025. Learned trial Court is further requested to fix a date for DWs, after securing the presence of the parties. 15. It is made clear that in case, the accused fails to adduce his defence evidence, on the date, to be fixed by the learned trial Court, no further opportunity shall be granted to him to adduce the defence evidence. 16. With the above observations, the present petition is disposed of, so also the pending miscellaneous application(s), if any. Record be sent back. ( Virender Singh ) July 24, 2025( ps ) Judge