JUDGMENT

1. The petitioner, vide the present leave petition under Section 378(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, seeks leave to appeal against the judgment dated 02.09.2021 passed by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, NI Act-04, Central District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi [learned MM] in CC No.516578/2016 titled "Sukhmal Chand Jain vs. Rajesh Jain" filed under Section 138/142 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 [NI Act] and seeks to punish the respondent in accordance with provisions of the NI Act.

2. As per complaint, the respondent/accused [hereinafter referred to as `Respondent'] had issued cheques bearing number(s) 001868, 001781 and 001791 dated 04.09.2014, 04.09.2014 and 08.09.2014 respectively, each for an amount of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs Only) to the petitioner/complainant [hereinafter referred to as `Petitioner'] therein, in discharge of his legal liability. Upon presentation, the said three impugned cheques were returned twice. Firstly, vide return memo dated 18.09.2014 with remarks "Funds Insufficient" and secondly, vide return memo dated 01.12.2014 with remarks "Account Blocked", and the same was conveyed to the complainant on 04.12.2014.

3. In purs