1. The challenge in the present criminal revision is to the order dated 17.04.2017 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar, dismissing the appeal preferred against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 11.04.2016 passed by learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Amritsar, vide which the petitioner was convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 1 year under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instrument Act, 1881 (for short, ‘the Act’) and to pay compensation of Rs.5 lakh.

2. The facts relevant as narrated in the complaint filed under Section 138 of the NI Act are that petitioner No.2 through petitioner No.12 had purchased certain items from the complainant for a sum of Rs.4,76,000/-. In discharge of the said liability, petitioner No.1 as authorized signatory issued a cheque No.028147 dated 03.11.2008 for Rs.4,76,000/- drawn on SBI, Industrial Area, Mohan Nagar, on behalf of petitioner No.2, in favour of the complainant’s proprietorship concern. However, on presentation thereof, the same was dishonoured and returned with the remarks “Payment Stopped by drawer”. Despite issuance of legal notice, the petitioners failed to make the payment withi