IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE K.P.BALACHANDRAN WEDNESDAY, THE 23RD JANUARY 2008 / 3RD MAGHA 1929 CRL.A.No.292 of 2001 (A) ------------------------------ CC.1850/1998 of CHIEF JUDL.MAGISTRATE, ERNAKULAM .................... APPELLANT/COMPLAINANT: --------------------------------- M/S DISK & DRIVE, VELUKARAN BUILDING, OPPOSITE TOWN HALL, ERNAKULAM NORTH, KOCHI, REP. BY ITS PARTNER SURESH KUMAR P. BY ADV. SRI.S.ABDUL SALAM RESPONDENTS/ACCUSED: ------------------------------ 1. M/S SOFTY COMPUTER SYSTEM, AYYAPPAVILASOM BUILDING, KALPATHI, PALAKKAD REP. BY ITS PROPRIETOR (P.V.CHANDRAHASAN, PRAKASH NIVAS, P.O. PUDUR, ATTAPADY, PALAKKAD). 2. THE STATE OF KERALA, REP. BY THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTION, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.P.RAVINDRA BABU THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 23/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: K.P.BALACHANDRAN, J. ------------------------------------------------ Crl. Appeal No.292 of 2001 ------------------------------------------------ Dated this the 23rd day of January, 2008 JUDGMENT This appeal was admitted and notice was ordered as early as on 05/04/01. Despite lapse of six and a half years, the appellant has not taken steps to have notice issued to the respondent. The appeal is one filed against acquittal of the first respondent under Section 256(1) of the Cr.P.C of an offence punishable under Section 138 of the N.I. Act. The amount of the cheque involved is only Rs.3,280/-. In the circumstances, I am not of the view that any further opportunity is to be afforded to the appellant to take out notice to the first respondent after six and a half years when the appellant has not taken any steps hitherto. In the result, I dismiss this Criminal Appeal. K.P.BALACHANDRAN, JUDGE kns/-