S. 275A : Offences and prosecutions-Search and Seizure-Prohibitory order-Contravention-Bank Officials mistakenly reading order to extend to Locker also and permitting operation of Locker-Prosecution of Bank for offences of fraud, criminal breach of trust, misappropriation and conspiracy-Bank is a juristic person and question of Mens Rea did not arise-Nothing in first information report or complaint to show bank or its staff members had dishonestly induced someone to deliver any property to any person, and that Mens Rea existed at time of such inducement-No allegation of entrustment of property which bank had misappropriated or converted for its own use to detriment of Department-First Information Report or complaint not showing that bank and its officers acted with common intention or intentionally co-operated in commission of any alleged offences-Continuation of criminal proceedings against appellant-Bank would cause undue hardship to appellant-Bank-First information report is quashed-Prosecution against bank and its officials quashed-Order of High Court is set aside. [S. 131(IA), 132(1) 132(3), Code Of Criminal Procedure, 1973, S. 34, 37 120B 155(2)],201, 206 217, 406, 409, 420, 462]
HDFC Bank Ltd. v State of Bihar (2024)468 ITR 650 / 167 taxmann.com 600/ 301 Taxman 538 (SC) Editorial : HDFC Bank Ltd. v State of Bihar (2022) 448 ITR 103 (Pat)(HC)