In such a situation, the jurisdiction will be with the court in Delhi. This is clear from the amended provisions of the Explanation to Section 142(2) of the Negotiable Instruments Act, which is reproduced below:
“(2) The offence under Section 138 shall be inquired into and tried only by a court within whose local jurisdiction,—
(a) if the cheque is delivered for collection through an account, the branch of the bank where the payee or holder in due course, as the case may be, maintains the account, is situated; or
(b) if the cheque is presented for payment by the payee or holder in due course otherwise through an account, the branch of the drawee bank where the drawer maintains the account, is situated.
Explanation.— For the purposes of clause (a), where a cheque is delivered for collection at any branch of the bank of the payee or holder in due course, then, the cheque shall be deemed to have been delivered to the branch of the bank in which the payee or holder in due course, as the case may be, maintains the account.”
The Explanation makes it quite clear that where a cheque is delivered for collection at any branch of the bank of the payee, then, the cheque shall be deemed to have been delivered to the branch of the bank in which the payee maintains the account.
Dr. Ashok Dhamija is a New Delhi based Supreme Court Advocate and author of law books. Read more about him by clicking here. List of his Forum Replies. List of his other articles. List of his Quora Answers. List of his YouTube Videos.