Eswara Prasad, J. - The petitioners are accused in C.C. No. 110/90 on the file of the VII Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate, Vijayawada for the offences punishable' under sections 138 and 142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The first petitioner is the company and the second petitioner is the Director. According to the complainant a cheque was issued by the second petitioner for Rs. 19,000/- on 8.6.1990 in favour of the first respondent and the said cheque was presented on 19.6.1990 and was returned by the bank on 20.6.1990 with an endorsement "Refer to Drawer". Presuming that the said endorsement made that the said cheque was issued without necessary funds in the account of the petitioners, the first respondent laid the complaint stating herein he issued a registered notice dated 23.6.1990 calling upon the petitioner to pay the said amount and the petitioners have failed to pay the amount.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioners submits that blank cheques were kept in the custody of the Branch Manager of the Company; on their being misused by the said Branch Manager, a complaint was launched with the police and F.I.R. dated" 24.6. 1990 was issued. He further subm