JUDGMENT

Signature Not Verified Digitally Signed W.P.(CRL) 1393/2023 & other connected matters Page 3 of 10

1. By way of the present petitions, the petitioner seeks setting aside of the order dated 18.11.2022 passed by learned Presiding Officer, Special Court (N.I. Act), South East District, New Delhi and seeks directions to the Trial Court to conduct joint/one trial of the cases bearing CC No. 2281/2017, 2282/2017, 2283/2017, 2284/2017, 2285/2017, 2286/2017, 2287/2017 and 2288/2017 filed under Section 138 Negotiable Instruments Act (hereinafter referred to as the ‘NI Act’).

2. Considering that the criminal complaints arise out of the same impugned order involving the same parties and since common arguments have been addressed from both the sides, the present matters are taken up for consideration together and disposed of vide this common judgment.

3. The facts necessary for adjudication of the present petitions are that as per the complaint, the accused persons were distributors of alcoholic beverages of the complainant/respondent No.2. The partnership firm, namely, Jasbir Singh & Company, was in a business relationship with the complainant/respondent No.2. During the course of busin