IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM
Crl.MC.No. 2036 of 2009()
1. T.G.SADANANDAN, S/O.GOPALAN,
... Petitioner
Vs
1. STATE OF KERALA REP.BY THE DIRECTOR
... Respondent
2. MURALEEDHARAN T.P.,
For Petitioner :SRI.P.N.PURUSHOTHAMA KAIMAL
For Respondent : No Appearance
The Hon'ble MR. Justice M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR
Dated :24/06/2009
O R D E R
M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR,J.
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CRL.M.C.No. 2036 OF 2009
===========================
Dated this the 24th day of June,2009
ORDER
Petitioner is the accused and second respondent
the complainant in S.T.551/2009 on the file of Judicial
First Class Magistrate-II, Hosdurg. Learned Magistrate
took cognizance of the offence under section 138 of
Negotiable Instruments Act on Annexure 1 complaint
filed by the second respondent. This petition is filed
under section 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure to
quash the complaint or in the alternative to transfer
the case to Judicial First Class Magistrate Court,
Aluva on the ground that Judicial First Class
Magistrate-II, Hosdurg has no territorial jurisdiction
to take cognizance of the offence or to Aluva try the
case. The argument of the petitioner is that the
entire transaction has taken place within the
jurisdiction of the Judicial First Class Magistrate
Court Aluva and the fact that second respondent
presented the cheque for encashment through his bank at
Nileshwar will not enable the Magistrate to try the
case.
Crl.M.C.2036/2009 2
2. On hearing the learned counsel, I do not find any
reason either to quash the case or to transfer the
complaint as sought for. The components constituting an
offence under section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act
include the demand for the amount covered by the
dishonoured cheque, in writing. Unless the amount is
demanded there cannot be a failure to pay it by the drawer
of the cheque. A complainant is entitled to demand the
amount covered by the dishonoured cheque, on getting
information of the dishonour, from the place where he
resides or works. When first respondent is residing
within the jurisdiction of Judicial First Class
Magistrate, Hosdurg he is definitely entitled to demand the
amount covered by the dishonoured cheque in writing from
Hosdurg. When the amount was demanded in writing, by
sending a notice from a place within the jurisdiction of
Judicial First Class Magistrate, Hosdurg, learned
Magistrate has definitely jurisdiction to take cognizance
of the case and also to try the case.
Petition is dismissed.
M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR
JUDGE
tpl/-
M.SASIDHARAN NAMBIAR, J.
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W.P.(C).NO. /06
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JUDGMENT
SEPTEMBER,2006