S RATNAKARA RAVU Vs. ASOK KUMAR KUTTAPPAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner faces indictment in a prosecution under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The first respondent herein has initiated the proceedings at the court of the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court-II, Sulthan Bathery. The petitioner is a permanent resident of Cherthala. He prays that the case may be transferred to any court at Cherthala. The petitioner is sick and laid up. He cannot proceed all the way to Sulthan Bathery to attend the prosecution. This, in short, is the plea. It is further contended that the cheque was handed over to one Kunjachan and the respondent/complainant is only a name lender for the said Kunjachan. In order to harass and victimise the petitioner, such a false claim is made. For these reasons, it is prayed that transfer may be directed, as prayed for.

(2.) The respondent has entered appearance through counsel. He resisted the prayer for transfer. It is contended that there is absolutely no substance in the said prayer. There is no nexus between Kunjachan and the respondent herein. In fact, the counsel submits that the notice of demand issued in compliance with the mandate of Section 138 of the N.I.Act was not responded to at all and the present plea was not contemplated at any prior point of time. In these circumstances, to cater to the convenience of the petitioner, the respondent may not be forced to conduct the case at Cherthala. The learned counsel for the petitioner fairly submits that as per the dictum in K.Bhaskaran v. Sankaran Vaidhyan Balan [AIR 1999 SC 3762], courts at Wayanadu have jurisdiction to adjudicate on the dispute under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.

(3.) With the above observations, this Transfer Petition (Criminal) is dismissed.