The Supreme Court has issued a notice to Sridevi [Images] and the Maharashtra Government on a petition filed by film financiers alleging that cheques of Rs 10 crore issued by her, had bounced.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, sought responses from the actress and the state government on the petition filed by Mumbai-based raw photograph film suppliers and financiers -- G G Photo Ltd, Photo Film Industries and Foto Industries. They had approached the apex court challenging a Bombay High Court order that stayed criminal proceeding initiated against Sridevi in the case.

Madhu Gupta and Sushil Gupta, the owners of the three firms, alleged that the three cheques issued by the actress against a loan for production of films bounced due to insufficient funds in her account in Vijaya Bank [Get Quote], Santa Cruz branch.

'The accused in the course of her business under different banners availed financial assistance and credit facilities from the petitioner. The accused to discharge her legally enforceable liability gave these cheques and all the three cheques were returned due to insufficient funds,' the petition filed through K K Mani stated.

The court of Kurla Metropolitan Magistrate, on a criminal complaint filed by Guptas, had issued summons against the actress under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.