1 2025:CGHC:31984 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR ACQA No. 268 of 2024 Jila Alpsankhyak Bachat Sahkari Sakh Samiti Maryadit Jila Durg, Registration No. 2706, Old Bus Stand Durg Tehsil And District- Durg (C.G.). Through- President, Abdul Rauf Qureshi, Presently aged about 65 years (Surname Wrongly Mentioned As Kureshi In Impugned Judgment ) ... Appellant (s) versus Prahlad Dewangan S/o Shri Rajulal Dewangan, presently aged about 39 Years, R/o Muktidham Road, Near Hemant Cycle Store, Shankar Nagar Durg, Tehsil and District- Durg Chhattisgarh. . Respondent(s) For Appellant : Mr. Shalvik Tiwari, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Kanhaiya Yadav, Advocate on behalf of Mr. Tarun Dadsena, Advocate Hon'ble Shri Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari Order On Board SHYNA AJAY Digitally signed by SHYNA AJAY DN: cn=SHYNA AJAY, o=PERSONAL, st=Chhattisgarh, c=IN 2 10/7/2025 1. Heard. 2. This Acquittal Appeal has been preferred against the judgment of acquittal dated 20.12.2023 passed by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Durg (CG) in Criminal RCC No.3629/2015, whereby, the respondent/accused has been acquitted of the charge under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. 3. At the outset, learned counsel for the appellant submits that recently in the judgment dated 08.04.2025 rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025 INSC 804, right to file appeal under proviso to Section 372 Cr.P.C. was discussed and it was held that the victim shall have a right to prefer an appeal against any order passed by the Court acquitting the accused and such appeal shall lie to the Court to which an appeal ordinarily lies against the order of conviction of such Court. He submits that the Appeal may be disposed of reserving liberty so as to avail the said remedy. 4. Counsel for the other side would not oppose the aforesaid prayer. 5. In view of the aforesaid submission and considering the law declared in the matter of Celestium Financial (supra), this Appeal stands disposed of reserving liberty in favour of the appellant to file an appeal within a period of 45 days from this order before the appropriate Court, in accordance with law. It is further made clear 3 that if such an appeal is filed before the concerned Court within the time given by this Court, it would not insist upon the limitation while deciding the same and will proceed to decide the same in accordance with law. 6. Registry shall return the certified copy of the judgment and relevant documents to counsel for the appellant after retaining the photocopy of the same. 7. Registry shall send back the record to the concerned Court. 8. Accordingly, the Appeal is disposed of. Sd/- (Deepak Kumar Tiwari) Judge Shyna/Priyanka