IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH [210] CRM-A-1184-2025(O&M) Date of decision: 19.09.2025 M/s Suraj Bhan and Company ....Petitioner Versus Madan Lal ....Respondent CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUBHAS MEHLA Present: Mr.Munish Behl, Advocate for the applicant/appellant. **** SUBHAS MEHLA , J (Oral): 1. The present application has been preferred under Section 419 (4) of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (hereinafter referred to as “BNSS”) (erstwhile Section 378 (4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure), seeking grant of leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal dated 05.02.2025 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Ambala 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 still, applying the doctrine of prospective overruling, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Directorate of Revenue Intelligence Vs. Raj Kumar Arora in SCC Online 819 has clarified that as a rule of thumb, judgments rendered shall ANJAL GUPTA be applicable retrospectively. 2025.09.23 10:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-A-1184-2025 [2] 3. Therefore, in view of the judgment rendered by the Apex Court in Celestium Financial (supra), the present application seeking leave to 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 or entrust it to appropriate Court for its disposal. 4. The application for condonation of delay shall be decided by the appellate Court after providing opportunity of hearing to the opposite party. 5. The Registry is directed to send the complete paper-book and the record of the case to the learned Sessions Judge, concerned forthwith. 6. Disposed of accordingly. (SUBHAS MEHLA) JUDGE September 19. 2025 Anjal 1. Whether speaking/ reasoned : Yes /No 2. Whether reportable : Yes /No ANJAL GUPTA 2025.09.23 10:30 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document