In the High Court for the States of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh 281 CRA-AS-121-2016 (O&M) Date of Decision:- 06.04.2026 M/S HOSHIARPUR TRADERS … APPELLANT VERSUS M/S BAINS TRADERS AND ANOTHER ... RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present:- Mr. Jasraj Singh, Advocate for the appellant. ***** SUBHAS MEHLA , J. (Oral) 1. The present appeal has been preferred under Section 378(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter ‘Cr.P.C.’) against the judgment of acquittal dated 10.01.2012 passed by learned Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Hoshiarpur, in a complaint case filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (hereinafter ‘NI Act’). 2. The Hon’ble Supreme Court in M/s Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025(3) RCR (Criminal) 208, after considerable discussion and comparative interpretation of Sections 372 and 378(4) of Cr.P.C., concluded that the victim has a right to file an appeal under Section 372 of Cr.P.C. before the Court of Sessions. Reliance in this regard can also be placed on Satish Kumar Versus Jugal Kishor in CRM-A-2700-MA-2018 decided on 02.07.2025. Further, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Vs. Raj Kumar Arora in 2025/NSC 498; 2025 SCC GEETA RANI 2026.04.06 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh CRA-AS-121-2016 (O&M) ( 2 ) Online 819 has clarified that as a rule of thumb, judgments rendered shall be applicable retrospectively. 3. Therefore, in view of the judgment rendered by the Apex Court in Celestium Financial (supra), the present appeal is remanded back to the learned Sessions Judge concerned with a direction to treat the same as filed under Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. and to dispose of by himself/herself or entrust it to appropriate Court for its disposal. 4. The Registry is directed to send the complete paper-book and the record of the case to the learned Sessions Judge concerned forthwith. 5. Disposed of accordingly. ( SUBHAS MEHLA ) 06.04.2026 JUDGE Geeta Whether speaking /reasoned Yes / No Whether Reportable Yes / No GEETA RANI 2026.04.06 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh