The petition is filed seeking to quash the criminal proceedings in C.C.No.3505 of 2003 on the file of the XIV Metropolitan Magistrate, Egmore, Chennai.

2. In the criminal proceedings initiated by the respondent/complainant for offence punishable under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act as against the petitioner/accused, the latter, having contended that the statutory notice was slapped on the petitioner/accused only after the expiry of 15 days from the date of intimation of the return of the cheque, seeks for quashment.

.3. The complainant is Bharti Telenet Limited. The accused K.Prashanth subscribed for the telephone services provided by the Telephone Company by sending a subscription form accepting the terms and conditions therein. The accused was highly irregular in making payment under the said agreement. The accused was liable to pay a balance sum of Rs.9,00,000/= towards the aforesaid services provided to the accused. The accused issued a cheque bearing No.653575 dated 11. 2003 for a sum of Rs.9,00,000/= drawn on Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, Mylapore, Chennai. The complainant presented the cheque for payment, but the cheque was