- 1 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 16TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH RAI K CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5734 OF 2024 C/W CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5745 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5758 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5759 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 5867 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6009 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6011 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6014 OF 2024 CRIMINAL PETITION NO. 6219 OF 2024 IN CRL.P.NO.5734 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA,F Digitally signed by PANKAJA S Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1, R2 NOTICE SERVED BUT UNREPRESENTED) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50530/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.50368/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.5745 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, - 3 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50527/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR - 4 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS NO.50362/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.5758 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. - 5 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50532/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.50371/2019 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.5759 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S AARBEE INTERNATIONAL NO.29/1, 1ST FLOOR, CHUNCHAGATTA MAIN ROAD YELACHANAHALLI - 6 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS BANGALORE-560 078 A PARTNERSHIP FIRM REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR. TARUN REDDY GUNNA SON OF ASHOK REDDY GUNNA AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS PH NO. 9845004274 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G A, ADVOCATE FOR R1, R2 NOTICE SERVED BUT UNREPRESENTED) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.51461/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.56426/2019 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. - 7 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS IN CRL.P.NO.5867 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, - 8 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1, R2 NOTICE SERVED BUT UNREPRESENTED) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50528/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.50365/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.6009 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S AARBEE INTERNATIONAL NO.29/1, 1ST FLOOR, CHUNCHAGATTA MAIN ROAD YELACHANAHALLI BANGALORE-560 078 A PARTNERSHIP FIRM REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER MR. TARUN REDDY GUNNA SON OF ASHOK REDDY GUNNA - 9 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS PH NO. 9845004274 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G A, ADVOCATE FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.51460/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.56444/2019 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.6011 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, - 10 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 43 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50526/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR - 11 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS NO.50361/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCES P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.6014 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 42 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. - 12 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1, R2 NOTICE SERVED BUT UNREPRESENTED) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50529/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.50366/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881, PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. IN CRL.P.NO.6219 OF 2024 BETWEEN: SRI VIJAY KUMAR AGED ABOUT 56 YEARS, SON OF KUMAR, RESIDING AT NO. 146, 2ND CROSS, D BLOCK, KANVA NAGAR, NELAMANGALA, BENGALURU - 562 123. …PETITIONER (BY SRI. SHREERAM TIMMAPPA NAYAK, ADVOCATE) AND: 1. M/S MANTHAN CREATION NO. 40, 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, ROAD, H SIDDAIAH ROAD, - 13 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS 1ST CROSS, OPP KATARIYA TRANST, SUDHAMA NAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 027. A PARTNERSHIP FIRM, REPRESENTED BY ITS PARTNER, MR JITESH BAFNA, SON OF PRAKASH CHAND BAFNA, AGED ABOUT 44 YEARS, PH NO. 9663385882 2. M/S KANVA FASHIONS LIMITED REGISTERED OFFICE AT, SURVEY NO. 7/1 KONGENAHALLI, KASABA HOBLI, KORATAGERE TALUK, TUMKUR DISTRICT, TUMKUR - 572 129. ALSO AT, NO. 861, KANVA SRI SAI COMPLEX, WOC ROAD, OPP MODI HOSPITAL, RAJAJINAGAR, BANGALORE - 560 086. NO. 162, PYATE CHANNAPPA, INDUSTRIAL ESTATE, MAGADI MAIN, ROAD, KAMAKSHIPALYA, BANGALORE - 560 079. …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. PREMA KUMAR G.A, ADVOCATE FOR R1) THIS CRL.P IS FILED U/S.482 OF CR.P.C PRAYING TO QUASH THE PROCEEDINGS INITIATED AGAINST THE PETITIONER IN C.C.NO.50531/2020 ARISING OUT OF PCR NO.50369/2020 FILED BY THE RESPONDENT NO.1 FOR THE OFFENCE P/US/ 138 R/W SEC.142 OF NI ACT 1881 PENDING BEFORE THE XXXIV ADDITIONAL METROPOLITAN MAGISTRATE MAYO HALL AT BENGLAURU WHICH IS HEREWITH PRODUCED AS ANNEXURE A. THESE PETITIONS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: - 14 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RAJESH RAI K ORAL ORDER These petitions are filed challenging the proceedings for the offence punishable under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short, 'N.I. Act'). The respondents herein have filed nine private complaints under Section 200 of Cr.P.C against the petitioner and others alleging that the cheques in question in the private complaints were issued by the Company for a total sum of Rs.1,96,03,732/-, of which the petitioner is one of the Director towards legally enforceable debt. After presentation of the said cheques, the same were returned for "want of funds". 2. It is contended by the learned counsel for the petitioner that as on the date of issuance of cheques in question, the petitioner ceased to be one of the Director of the Company, since he submitted his resignation on 15.11.2018, whereas the cheques in question were issued post resignation of the petitioner i.e., in the year 2019. Therefore, he submits that the petitioner is not involved or held responsible for the day-to-day affairs of the Company. As such, he cannot be - 15 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS prosecuted vicariously along with the Company as per Section 141 of N.I. Act. 3. Learned counsel for the respondents fairly submitted that he does not dispute the said fact that the petitioner ceased to be the Director of the Company as on the date when the cheques in question were issued. 4. I haven given my anxious consideration both on the submission and documents made available before this Court. 5. Section 141 of the N.I. Act deals with offences by companies and it specifies that if an offence is committed under Section 138 of N.I. Act, is a Company, every person who, at the time of the offence was committed, was incharge of, and was responsible of the Company for the conduct of the business of the Company, as well as the Company shall be deemed to be guilty of the offence. 6. In the instant case, the petitioner herein had ceased to be the Director of the Company and was not in charge of the affairs and responsible for the conduct of the - 16 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS business of the Company as on the date when the cheques in question were issued in favour of the complainants to hold them vicariously guilty along with the Company. 7. Therefore, continuation of criminal proceedings against the petitioner would be an abuse of process of law. Accordingly, I pass the following: ORDER The petitions are allowed. Crl.P No.5734/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50530/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.2, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.5745/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50527/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.4, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.5758/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50532/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan - 17 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.2, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.5759/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.51467/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.2, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.5867/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50528/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.4, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.6009/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.51460/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.4, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.6011/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50526/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.2, is hereby quashed. - 18 - HC-KAR CNR: KAHC010326772024 NC: 2026:KHC:50617 CRL.P No. 5734 of 2024 C/W CRL.P No. 5745 of 2024 CRL.P No. 5758 of 2024 AND 6 OTHERS Crl.P No.6014/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50529/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.4, is hereby quashed. Crl.P No.6219/2024: The impugned proceedings in C.C.No.50531/2020, pending on the file of the XXXIV Additional Metropolitan Magistrate, Mayohall Unit, Bengaluru, insofar as it relates to accused No.4, is hereby quashed. In view of disposal of these petitions, pending interlocutory applications, if any, do not survive for consideration. SD/- (RAJESH RAI K) JUDGE HKV List No.: 1 Sl No.: 7