1. This petition has been filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure with a prayer to quash the order dated 31.1.2004 of the learned Judicial Magistrate, Ist Class, Patna passed in Complaint Case No. 372(C) of 1999 whereby the petition filed by the petitioner and other accused persons praying for permitting to be represented through the lawyer under Section 205 of the Code of Criminal Procedure during the trial has been rejected by the learned Magistrate.

2. It appears that in this case cognizance of the offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act has been taken against the petitioner and others due to bouncing of the cheque issued by M/s. Assay Auto Lube Ltd., 442, Kewal Industrial Estate, S.B. Marg, Lower Parel, Bombay, 13. It is said that the petitioner and other accused of the complaint petition are the Directors of the Company, hence they have been made accused in this case. It appears that after taking of cognizance of the offences and issuance of summons a petition was filed on behalf of the petitioner praying for his personal exemption from appearance during the trial and allowing him to be represented by his lawyer.

3. Learned counsel