ORDER:

1. This Criminal Petition is filed to quash the proceedings in C.C.No. 1551 of 2019 on the file of XIV Additional Judge-cum-XVIII Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Secunderabad for the offences under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

2. The petitioner is questioning the prosecution under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act for return of the cheque presented after three months from the date on the cheque.

3. The case of the 2nd respondent is that the cheque bearing No. 029221 dated 21.09.2018 for Rs.9.00 lakhs was issued. The said cheque was presented for clearance on 27.12.2018 in the bank where the 2nd respondent was maintaining his account and same was returned unpaid on the ground of ‘insufficient funds’.

4. Aggrieved by the said return of the cheque, notice was issued and thereafter, for the reason of not paying amount covered by the cheque, complaint was filed.

5. The only ground raised by the learned counsel for the petitioner is that the cheque is dated 21.09.2018, however, the said cheque was presented on 27.12.2018, which is beyond the validity period of three months of the cheque. For the said reason, the prosecution cannot be maintained against the petitioner/accused. He relied on the judgment of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Shri Ishar Alloy Steels Ltd. vs. Jayaswals Neco Limited in Criminal Appeal No. 219 of 2001 and Special Leave Petition (Crl.) 3854 of 2000, dated 22.02.2001, wherein, the Hon’ble Supreme Court while dealing with the case under Section 138 of the Act, wherein the cheque was presented beyond six months. It was held that the criminal Court had no jurisdiction to issue process to the appellant and accordingly set aside the criminal proceedings.

6. On the other hand, learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent would submit that the cheque is not returned for the reason of not being valid but specific reason was given that funds were insufficient. Once the cheque is returned on the ground of insufficient funds, the ingredients required to be satisfied under Section 138 of the Act are made out and accordingly, the prosecution can be maintained. He also submits that the issues raised by the accused can only be decided during the course of trial and proceedings cannot be quashed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C.

7. It is not in dispute that the subject cheque was presented beyond the three month period of the date of the cheque. The Reserve Bank of India had issued notification on 04.11.2011 signed by the Chief General Manager in-Charge. The said notification was issued in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and accordingly directed the Banks not to make payment of the cheques/drafts/pay order/bankers cheque if the cheques are presented beyond the period of three months from the date of such instruments.

Section 35A in BANKING REGULATION ACT, 1949 reads as follows:

35A Power of the Reserve Bank to give directions: Where the Reserve Bank is satisfied that - in the [public interest] or [in the interest of banking policy] to prevent the affairs of any banking company being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interests of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the banking company; or to secure the proper management of any banking company generally, it is necessary to issue directions to banking companies generally or to any banking company in particular, it may, from time to time, issue such directions as it deems fit, and the banking companies or the banking company, as the case may be, shall be bound to comply with such directions. The Reserve Bank may, on representation made to it or on its own motion, modify or cancel any direction issued under sub-section (1) and in so modifying or cancelling any direction may impose such conditions as it thinks fit, subject to which the modification or cancellation shall have effect.

8. Under Section 138-A of NI Act, it is mentioned that the cheque shoul