1. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the opposite parties and also learned counsel for the State.

2. Both the cases are being heard together and are being disposed of by a common order with the consent of the parties as they relate to the same transaction.

3. The petitioners have challenged the orders taking cognizance passed on 24.12.2002 and 28.10.2003 for offences under sections 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and also under sections 406 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code passed by the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Munger, in Case no. 864(C) of 2002 and Case no. 188(C) of 2003.

4. The complainant Shyam Bahadur Singh is dealing in film distribution and financing business at Munger and he had connections with film business at Mumbai. The petitioners, who are accused in this case, are engaged in production of Hindi films. It has been specifically stated that the petitioners have produced a Hindi film titled "Pardeshi Babu" starring Govinda, Ravina Tandon and others. It is alleged that the petitioners were in need of finance and had approached the complainant who is in the, financing business, to lend an advance of a sum of Rs