CRM-A-1728-MA-2018 (O&M) 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH 226 CRM-A-1728-MA-2018 (O&M) Date of decision: 12.09.2025 KAPIL SARDANA ....Appellant Versus REENA RANI ...Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMAN CHAUDHARY ***** Present : Mr. Parminder Singh, Advocate the applicant-appellant ***** AMAN CHAUDHARY, J. (ORAL) 1. The present application has been preferred under Section 378(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter ‘Cr.P.C.’) seeking grant of leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal dated 04.06.2018 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Karnal in a complaint filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (hereinafter ‘NI Act’). 2. Hon’ble the Supreme Court in M/s Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025 SCC OnLine 1320, held that an appeal is maintainable under the proviso of Section 372 Cr.P.C. (corresponding Section 413 of BNSS, 2023) against an order of acquittal passed in a complaint under Section 138 of NI Act, by treating the complainant therein, as a ‘victim’ within the meaning under Section 2 (wa) of Cr.P.C, in view of which, the present appeal is disposed of by directing the concerned Sessions Judge, for treating it to have been filed under Section 372 of Cr.P.C. and Deepak Patwal 2025.09.13 09:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-A-1728-MA-2018 (O&M) 2 assigning the same to the Court concerned for deciding it. 3. Registry is directed to send the complete paper-book and trial Court record, if received, along with the said order forthwith, while also informing the parties. 12.09.2025 (AMAN CHAUDHARY) Deepak Patwal JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned : Yes / No Whether reportable : Yes / No Deepak Patwal 2025.09.13 09:13 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document