1. This appeal is preferred by the appellant challenging the judgment of acquittal passed by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate No. XVIII, Saidapet, Chennai, in C.C. No. 3436 of 1996, dated 20-3-1998, acquitting the accused for the offence under S.138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

2. The complainant has come forward with the allegation that it is a public limited company registered under the Indian Companies Act, 1956, having its Principal Office at Mumbai and a Branch Office amongst other places in India including at Chennai. The complainant has stated that the accused on 9-11-1995 came forward with a written request for discounting a Bill of exchange for a face value of Rs. 15,00,000/- for covering a transaction with M/s. Nalanda Synthetics Limited, Hyderabad.

3. A complaint was filed by the complainant through PW 1, who has been duly authorised by a power of attorney document, Ex. P1. Ex. P2 is the letter of request given by the accused to the complainant for discounting a bill of exchange for a value of Rs. 15,00,000/-. The bill is marked as Ex. P3. The delivery chalan is marked as Ex. P4. The bill of exchange is Ex. P5. The accused also issued a cheque dated 7-2-1996 for a