Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 — Section 138 — Dishonor of Cheque — A conviction under Section 138 of the NI Act is not sustainable when the cheque amount includes a security deposit, and the accused is entitled to deduct legitimate claims, rendering the debt not entirely enforceable against him.The Supreme Court held that a conviction under Section 138 (NI Act) cannot be sustained when the cheques in question were given as security for refund of a security deposit, and the accused was enti