Criminal law is to punish the offender for committing an offence by lawful authority of the state. The place of offence determines the authority capable of punishing the offender. 177 and related sections of CrPC fixes wo can punish the offender. The offence of 138N.I.Act is done and completed only at the bank dishonoring the cheque. A third party action-in this case the complainant- cannot fix the authority topunish the offender. If so, why the confusion regarding the place where the offence can be legally prosecuted in the light of various SC/HC judgments?
