ANBU G Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PETITIONER is the accused in C. C. No. 56/2008 on the file of Chief Judicial magistrate Court, Manjeri, that was taken cognizance under Section 138 of negotiable Instruments Act on Annexure I complaint filed by second respondent. This petition is filed under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure contending that Chief Judicial Magistrate, Manjeri has no territorial jurisdiction to take cognizance of the offence as the complainant and the accused are not within the jurisdiction of the Court and the entire cause of action had taken place within the jurisdiction of Chennai court and therefore the complaint taken cognizance by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate is to be quashed.

(2.) LEARNED Counsel appearing for the petitioner and second respondent were heard.

(3.) IF the recitals in Annexure I complaint reveal that no part of the cause of action for an offence under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments act is taken place within the jurisdiction of Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, manjeri, it could be said that the Court has no jurisdiction. But going by the averment in the complaint it cannot be said that the Court has no jurisdiction. Learned Counsel appearing for the petitioner argued that even though it is pleaded in the complaint that cheques were handed over in Manjeri infact all the cheques were handed over at Chennai and therefore based on the factum of handing over of the cheques, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Manjeri cannot get jurisdiction to take cognizance of the offence. Reliance was placed on Annexure ii verification form where receipt of the cheques is mentioned. But that also does not specifically mention that those cheques were handed over at Chennai and not at Manjeri. Whatever it be, the question whether the cheques were really handed over at Manjeri as claimed by second respondent or at Chennai as claimed by the petitioner cannot be decided in this petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal procedure. Therefore based on that fact, the case cannot be quashed as sought for. If the petitioner has a case that no part of the cause of action has arisen within the jurisdiction of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Manjeri, he is at liberty to move a petition before the Chief Judicial Magistrate to decide the question of jurisdiction. If such a petition is filed, Chief Judicial magistrate to pass appropriate order in accordance with law. Petition is dismissed.