WP.1592-10 - 1 - VPH IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 1592 OF 2010 AND CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 1594 OF 2010 AND CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 1595 OF 2010 AND CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 1596 OF 2010 AND CRIMINAL WRIT PETITION No. 1597 of 2010 Mr. Kodithottathil Sadashivan Sabu ...Petitioner Vs. Mr. Jojimon Philip Joseph & Ors. ...Respondents *** None for the Petitioner. Mr. Virendra Kanojia, for Respondent No.1 in WP Nos.1596/2010 and 1597/2010. Mr. Rajesh Thakkar for Respondent No. 1 in WP No. 1592/2010, 1595/2010, and for Respondent No. 2 in WP. Nos. 1994/2010, 1596/2010, 1597/2010 Mrs. P. P. Bhosle, APP for the Respondent-State in WP No.1592/2010, 1594/2010,. Mrs. M. R. Tidke, APP for the Respondent-State in WP No.1595/2010. Mr. A. S. Shitole, APP for the Respondent-State in WP No.1597/2010. Mrs. R. V. Newton, APP for the Respondent-State in WP No.1596/2010. *** WP.1592-10 - 2 - CORAM: V. M. KANADE J. DATE : AUGUST 12, 2010 P.C. . None appears for the petitioner. Heard the learned counsel for respondent No.1 and the learned APP for the respondent State. By these petitions, the petitioner is challenging the orders passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Kalyan dated 6th May, 2010, directing the petitioners herein to furnish surety and execute a PR bond in the sum of Rs.15,000/-. I have perused the petitions. It appears that on account of financial constraints, the petitioner is not in a position to furnish a PR bond of Rs.15,000/- and a surety in the like amount. In my view, it would be appropriate if the same amount is reduced from Rs.15,000/- to Rs.8,000/-, particularly because the offence alleged is punishable under section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act and the petitioner is residing at the address mentioned in the said petitions. 2. The writ petitions are accordingly allowed. The orders impugned the writ petitions are modified in the aforesaid terms. [ V. M. KANADE J.]