RAVUNNI Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The common petitioner in these Crl.M.Cs. faces indictment for the offence punishable under Sec.138 of the N.I. Act in five different prosecutions. The petitioner had come to this Court earlier and another Bench of this Court had directed the petitioner to surrender before the learned Magistrate within a period of two weeks from the respective orders passed in September/October, 2006. The petitioner's application for bail was directed to be considered on the same day and disposed of.

(2.) The petitioner did not appear before the learned Magistrate within the time stipulated. The petitioner has now come to this Court again with the prayer that an extension of time may be granted and he may be permitted to surrender before the learned Magistrate on 15/1/2007.

(3.) It is open to the petitioner to surrender before the learned Magistrate on 15/1/2007 as offered by him. Needless to say that his application for bail will have to be considered by the learned Magistrate on merits, in accordance with law and expeditiously - on the date of surrender itself unless there are compelling reasons.