N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.

1. These petitions have been filed by A-1, A-3 and A-2 respectively, seeking to quash the order dated 16.12.2017, wherein the Court below has taken cognizance of the protest petition filed by the second respondent and converted it into a private complaint and issued summons to the petitioners under Section 204 of CrPC.

2. The brief facts that are necessary to decide these petitions are as follows:

2.1. The petitioners herein are the company and its Directors. The second respondent company undertakes dredging works. The second respondent entered into a contract with the petitioner company, whereby a work order was granted in favour of the second respondent towards dredging work at Vishagapattinam Port Trust. This contract was entered into between the parties on 18.05.2013. The petitioner company was not satisfied with the work carried out by the second respondent therefore, notice was issued on 03.03.2014, terminating the contract. The second respondent initiated arbitration proceedings against the petitioner company and its Directors on 24.04.2014 and the same is pending.

2.2. In the meantime, a complaint was given by the second respondent against the peti