241 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-A-1288-MA-2017 (O&M) Date of Decision: 18.05.2026 KASHMIR SINGH ...Applicant Versus DIAL SINGH AND OTHERS …Respondents CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ANOOP CHITKARA HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUKHVINDER KAUR Present : Mr. Nakul Sharma, Advocate and Mr. Harsh Gupta, Advocate for the applicant. ANOOP CHITKARA, J. CRM-19380-2017 Allowed as prayed for. CRM-A-1288-MA-2017 Criminal Complaint No.350-1/10.08.2010/21.02.2014 Date of decision: 18.03.2017 Feeling aggrieved by the trial court's judgment, acquitting the accused/respondents, the complainant had come up before this Court by filing the above-mentioned application for leave to appeal. 2. Counsel for the applicant prays for transfer of appeal to the first Appellate Court in view of judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court passed in “Celestium Financial v. A. Gnanasekaran, 2025(3) RCR(Criminal) 208, de- cided on 08.04.2025”. GURPREET KAUR 2026.05.19 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-A-1288-MA-2017 (O&M) -2- 3. In Celestium Financial v. A. Gnanasekaran, 2025(3) RCR(Criminal) 208, decided on 08.04.2025, Hon’ble Supreme Court holds, [7.8] In the case of an offence alleged against an ac- cused under Section 138 of the Act, we are of the view that the complainant is indeed the victim owing to the alleged dishonour of a cheque. In the circumstances, the complainant can proceed as per the proviso to Sec- tion 372 of the CrPC and he may exercise such an op- tion and he need not then elect to proceed under Sec- tion 378 of the CrPC. [8]. The right to prefer an appeal is no doubt a statuto- ry right and the right to prefer an appeal by an accused against a conviction is not merely a statutory right but can also be construed to be a fundamental right under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. If that is so, then the right of a victim of an offence to prefer an ap- peal cannot be equated with the right of the State or the complainant to prefer an appeal. Hence, the statutory rigours for filing of an appeal by the State or by a complainant against an order of acquittal cannot be read into the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC so as to restrict the right of a victim to file an appeal on the grounds mentioned therein, when none exists. [10]. As already noted, the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC was inserted in the statute book only with effect from 31.12.2009. The object and reason for such insertion must be realised and must be given its full effect to by a court. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we hold that the victim of an offence has the right to prefer an appeal under the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC, irrespective of whether he is a complainant or not. Even if the victim of an offence is a complainant, he can still proceed under the proviso to Section 372 and need not advert to sub-section (4) of Section 378 of the CrPC. 4. In BNSS, 2023, S. 413 is analogous to S. 372 CrPC, 1973, and thus the ratio of Celestium Financial shall apply. 5. However, the complainant should not face the burden of filing an appeal again before the Sessions Court because the law has been interpreted GURPREET KAUR 2026.05.19 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-A-1288-MA-2017 (O&M) -3- recently. Therefore, in the interest of Equity, Justice, and Fair play, it would be appropriate to refer this matter to the Sessions Court, where it will be reg- istered as an Appeal under the Proviso to S. 372 CrPC/413 BNSS, 2023, as applicable. If there is any objection regarding whether it is an appeal under the CrPC or BNSS, it shall be registered under the Proviso to S. 413 BNSS, 2023, because the CrPC, 1973, has been repealed. 6. Given above, the Registry is to send this file with the Trial Court’s Record, if any, to the concerned Sessions Division. The concerned Court shall deal with the appeal in accordance with law. 7. Leave to Appeal stand disposed of in the terms mentioned above. All pending application(s), if any, stand closed. [ANOOP CHITKARA] JUDGE May 18, 2026 [SUKHVINDER KAUR] gurpreet JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No GURPREET KAUR 2026.05.19 17:18 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document