M/S. NETC Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Aggrieved by the order of conviction and sentence under Sec.138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, passed in CC No.725/SS/2017; CC No.1332/SS/2017 and CC No.267/SS/2017, all dated 8th May, 2019, applicants/convict preferred appeals in the Court of Sessions for Greater Mumbai along with the Miscellaneous Application Nos.1233 of 2020, 1232 of 2020 and 1231 of 2020 seeking condonation of 525 days ' delay occurred in filing appeals against the order of conviction and sentence. The learned Additional Sessions Judge, vide orders dated 29th April, 2021, declined to condone the delay for the reason, that applicants could not make out any 'sufficient cause ' to justify inordinate delay of 525 days. Correctness of these orders is challenged in these Revisions.

(2.) Heard the learned counsel for the applicants and the learned counsel for the respondent no.2-Complainant.

(3.) It may be stated that applicant no.2 is authorised representative of applicant no.1 and in execution of the sentence, he is undergoing imprisonment since 26th March, 2021. The amount of compensation awarded in three complaints is more than Rs.3 Crores.