JUDGMENT

VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA, J. - CrL.P.Nos., 564, 566, 569 and 572 of 2020 are filed under Sec. 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, [In short 'Cr.P.C']seeking to quash proceedings initiated in C.C.Nos., 1145, 1147, 1146 and 1148 of 2019 on the file of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Nandyal, Kurnool District, [In short, Magistrate]for the offences under Ss. 138 and 142 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881.[In short, NI Act]

2. The facts leading to filing of these Petitions are;

a. Accused No.1 is the sole proprietor of Sri Mahati Trading Company. Petitioner/Accused No.2 is the Manager/Authorized signatory of the sole proprietorship. Respondent No.2/defactoComplainant supplied rice worth about Rs.18, 00, 000.00 to the firm of the Accused No.1, on credit basis.

b. Accused No.1 issued acknowledgment to that effect. Thereafter, Accused No.1 issued Cheques bearing No.000378 for Rs.5, 00, 000.00 on 18/5/2019; No.000377 for Rs.5, 00, 000.00 on 20/5/2019; No.000380 for Rs.3, 00, 000.00 on 21/5/2019 and No.000379 for Rs.3, 00, 000.00 on 17/5/2019 respectively. Thereafter, whenRespondent No.2 presented the said cheques, theywere returned with an endorsement 'insufficie