K.BABU, J.

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Criminal.R.P No.54 of 2026 ---------------------------------------

Dated this the 29^th day of January, 2026 O R D E R The challenge in this Crl.Revision Petition is to the judgment dated 11.10.2023 in Crl.Appeal No.54 of 2020 passed by the Additional Sessions Court-V, Kollam, confirming the conviction and modifying the sentence rendered by the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-IV, Kollam, in judgment dated 19.02.2020 in S.T No.203 of 2019.

2. Heard Sri.Pratheesh.P, the learned counsel for the revision petitioner, Sri.S.Santhosh Kumar, the learned counsel for respondent No.2 and Sri.E.C.Bineesh, the learned Public Prosecutor.

3. The revision petitioner is the sole accused. He has been convicted under Section 138 of the Negotiable instruments Act, 1881 (for short ‘the NI Act’) and sentenced to undergo imprisonment till rising of the Court. He was also directed to pay a fine of Rs.18,20,150/-.

4. Respondent No.2/complainant filed a complaint before the Trial Court alleging that the revision petitioner/accused executed Ext.P1 cheque for a sum of Rs.15,42,500/-. The complainant presented the cheque for encashment. It was dishonoured unpaid