Case of HDFC Bank Limited vs State of Maharashtra, SC Judgement Dated 22nd May 2025. In a landmark clarification of the legal requirements under Section 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, the apex court ruled that a complaint need not set out detailed roles of company directors verbatim from the statute to attract vicarious liability for dishonour of cheques. It held that substantive compliance, wherein a complaint indicates the director was in charge of and responsible for the conduct of the business, is sufficient for process to be issued. This decision reinforces the principle that directors cannot avoid liability merely on the ground of technical omissions at the pre-summons stage.