(1.) ALL these petitions emanate from the proceedings under Section 138 of the Negotiable instruments Act, 1881 (for short, "the Act" ). Therefore, we propose to decide these petitions by a common judgment.
(2.) THESE petitions raise following two issues, which are required to be determined:-
(3.) NOW, we would deal with basic facts arid issues involved in individual petitions. Criminal Writ Petition No. 1228 of 2004 :