(1.) Rule. Rule made returnable forthwith and, with the consent of the counsels for the parties, heard finally.
(2.) These applications under sec. 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (the Code) assail the orders of issue of process against the applicants for an offence punishable under sec. 138 read with 141 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (the Act, 1881) passed by the learned Metropolitan Magistrate, 28th Court, Esplande, Mumbai.
(3.) The background facts leading to these applications can be stated in brief as under:-