Mridula Bhatkar, J.—Applications for leave to appeal are allowed. Admit appeals. Appeals to be numbered accordingly. By consent, the appeals are called out forthwith and heard finally, at the stage of admission

2. In all these 13 appeals, the parties are same with same status i.e., the appellant company is the original complainant and the respondents are the original accused. All these criminal cases were filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act as the cheques issued by the respondents in favour of the complainant were dishonoured. Out of these 13 cases, 9 cases are decided by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, 30th Court, Kurla, Mumbai by the judgment and order dated 29.11.2011 and the other four matters are decided by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, 33rd Court, Ballard Pier, Mumbai by judgment and order dated 9.1.2014. In all these criminal cases, the respondents are acquitted and, therefore, these appeals are preferred by the original complainant challenging these judgments and orders of acquittal against the respondents.

3. The complainant is a partnership firm and is in the business of manufacturing of plastic granules and Respondent No. 1 is a