problem using mysql_fetch_row

[aconite]

  im trying to run a query in php and then access the row of the result set.

the code im using is

for($j=1;$j<$i;$j++)

    {echo $seat_nos[$j];

    $ss=$seat_nos[$j] ;

    $q0="SELECT status FROM seats WHERE seat='$ss' and id='$bus'";

    $chck=mysql_query($q0);

    $cc=mysql_fetch_row($chck);

    echo $cc['status'];

    if($cc[0]=='booked')

    {echo "FOLLOWING SEAT ALREADY BOOKED : ";

      echo $ss;

    exit();

    }

      if($cc[0]==NULL)

    {echo "NULL : ";

    exit();

    }

}

this code always gives $cc[0]==NULL as true...whereas in the database the possible values for status are 'booked' or empty. (i have checked this query in MYSql command prompt.it returns either 'empty' or 'booked'). variable bus and ss both have valid values i checked by displayin them.

i really dont get what the problem is ???