K. Ramachandriah, J. - Petitioner was the complainant and respondents 2 to 4 were accused in P.C.R. No. 88/89 on the file of the Metropolitan Magistrate, IV Court, Bangalore City (for short 'the Magistrate'). It arose out of a private complaint presented by the petitioner-complainant under section 400 Cr. P.C. alleging that respondents Nos. 2 to 4 are liable to be punished under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act as amended by the Banking Public Financial Institutions and Negotiable Instruments Laws (Amendment) Act 1988 (Act 66/1988) (for short 'the Act').

2. The case of the complainant as alleged in his complaint was that respondents 2 to 4 (hereinafter referred to as 'the accused') issued a Cheque (Ex P.3) for Rs. 1,000/- in his favour in respect of certain amount they had received under an agreement marked as Ex.P.1. When the said cheque was duly presented, it was returned by the Bank with the endorsement "account closed". Therefore, the accused have committed an offence under Section 138 of the Act.

3. After hearing the learned counsel for the complainant on the point of maintainability of the complaint, the learned Magistrate by order dated 15-11-1989 came to th