IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA 276 THE FEROZEPUR CENTRAL CO GURNAM SINGH CORAM: Present: MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J.(ORAL) 1. leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal passed in a complaint case instituted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (hereinafter referred to as, ‘NI Act’), whereby the complaint filed by the applicant was dismisse 2. proceedings is whether an appeal against an order complaint case under Section 138 of the NI Act can be entertained under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. at the instance of the complainant? 3. Vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc. 2025 INSC 804 : 2025(3) RCR (Criminal) 208’ the Hon'ble Supreme Court authoritatively held that a complainant in a prosecution under Section 138 of the NI Act, qualifies as a ‘victim’ under Section 2(wa) of the Cr.P.C., being the person to the dishonour of a cheque. Consequently, such a complainant is entitled to pursue an appeal against acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C., without the requirement of seeking special leave under Section 378(4) of the Cr.P.C IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM- Date of decision: August 04 THE FEROZEPUR CENTRAL CO-OPERATIVE BANK LTD Versus GURNAM SINGH HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL Mr. Puneet Kumar Bansal, Advocate for the applicant. MANJARI NEHRU KAUL, J.(ORAL) The applicant has filed the present application seeking grant of leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal passed in a complaint case instituted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (hereinafter referred to as, ‘NI Act’), whereby the complaint filed by the applicant was dismissed and the accused was acquitted The limited question arising for consideration in the present proceedings is whether an appeal against an order complaint case under Section 138 of the NI Act can be entertained under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. at the instance of the complainant? The issue is no longer res integra Gnanasekaran Etc. 2025 INSC 804 : 2025(3) RCR (Criminal) 208’ the Hon'ble Supreme Court authoritatively held that a complainant in a prosecution under Section 138 of the NI Act, qualifies as a ‘victim’ under Section 2(wa) of the Cr.P.C., being the person to the dishonour of a cheque. Consequently, such a complainant is entitled to pursue an appeal against acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C., without the requirement of seeking special leave under Section 378(4) of the Cr.P.C. IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH -A-977-2022 Date of decision: August 04, 2025 OPERATIVE BANK LTD. ...Applicant ...Respondent HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE MANJARI NEHRU KAUL , Advocate The applicant has filed the present application seeking grant of leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal passed in a complaint case instituted under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (hereinafter referred to as, ‘NI Act’), whereby the complaint filed by the d and the accused was acquitted. The limited question arising for consideration in the present proceedings is whether an appeal against an order of acquittal passed in a complaint case under Section 138 of the NI Act can be entertained under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. at the instance of the complainant? res integra. In ‘M/s Celestium Financial Gnanasekaran Etc. 2025 INSC 804 : 2025(3) RCR (Criminal) 208’, the Hon'ble Supreme Court authoritatively held that a complainant in a prosecution under Section 138 of the NI Act, qualifies as a ‘victim’ under Section 2(wa) of the Cr.P.C., being the person who suffers financial loss due to the dishonour of a cheque. Consequently, such a complainant is entitled to pursue an appeal against acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C., without the requirement of seeking special leave under Section ...Applicant ...Respondent The applicant has filed the present application seeking grant of leave to appeal against the judgment of acquittal passed in a complaint case Act, 1881 (hereinafter referred to as, ‘NI Act’), whereby the complaint filed by the The limited question arising for consideration in the present of acquittal passed in a complaint case under Section 138 of the NI Act can be entertained under the ‘M/s Celestium Financial , the Hon'ble Supreme Court authoritatively held that a complainant in a prosecution under Section 138 of the NI Act, qualifies as a ‘victim’ under who suffers financial loss due to the dishonour of a cheque. Consequently, such a complainant is entitled to pursue an appeal against acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C., without the requirement of seeking special leave under Section Jaspreet Kaur 2025.08.05 18:02 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh CRM-A-977- 4. by the principle that procedural rule must serve and not obstruct the course of justice, this Court deems it appropriate to direct treated as one authoritatively instituted under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. 5. Financial's case (supra) cases including in off on 21.07.2025, the present application is disposed of with a direction that the learned Sessions Judge concerned shall treat the present appeal as an appeal filed under the same to an appropriate Court for disposal on merits, in accordance with law 6. appeal expeditiously, without being impeded by any delay in fili appeal, in view of the legal position now clarified by the Hon'ble Apex Court. 7. of the complete paper the learned Sessions Jud 8. August 04, 2025 Jaspreet Kaur 977-2022 Adopting a pragmatic and justice oriented approach and guided by the principle that procedural rule must serve and not obstruct the course of justice, this Court deems it appropriate to direct treated as one authoritatively instituted under the proviso to Section 372 of In view of the authoritative pronouncement in Financial's case (supra) and the view taken by this Court also in subsequen cases including in Rajat Deep v. Prince, CRM off on 21.07.2025, the present application is disposed of with a direction that the learned Sessions Judge concerned shall treat the present appeal as an appeal filed under the proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. and assign the same to an appropriate Court for disposal on merits, in accordance with law The concerned Appellate Court shall proceed to decide the appeal expeditiously, without being impeded by any delay in fili appeal, in view of the legal position now clarified by the Hon'ble Apex The Registry is directed to transmit this order along with copy of the complete paper-book and return the trial Court record, if received, to the learned Sessions Judge. Disposed of accordingly. , 2025 Whether speaking/reasoned Whether reportable -2- Adopting a pragmatic and justice oriented approach and guided by the principle that procedural rule must serve and not obstruct the course of justice, this Court deems it appropriate to direct that the present appeal be treated as one authoritatively instituted under the proviso to Section 372 of In view of the authoritative pronouncement in M/s Celestium and the view taken by this Court also in subsequent Rajat Deep v. Prince, CRM-A-1320-MA-2016, disposed off on 21.07.2025, the present application is disposed of with a direction that the learned Sessions Judge concerned shall treat the present appeal as an proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. and assign the same to an appropriate Court for disposal on merits, in accordance with law. The concerned Appellate Court shall proceed to decide the appeal expeditiously, without being impeded by any delay in filing the appeal, in view of the legal position now clarified by the Hon'ble Apex The Registry is directed to transmit this order along with copy book and return the trial Court record, if received, to (MANJARI NEHRU KAUL) JUDGE : Yes/No : Yes/No Adopting a pragmatic and justice oriented approach and guided by the principle that procedural rule must serve and not obstruct the course that the present appeal be treated as one authoritatively instituted under the proviso to Section 372 of M/s Celestium t , disposed off on 21.07.2025, the present application is disposed of with a direction that the learned Sessions Judge concerned shall treat the present appeal as an proviso to Section 372 of the Cr.P.C. and assign the The concerned Appellate Court shall proceed to decide the ng the appeal, in view of the legal position now clarified by the Hon'ble Apex The Registry is directed to transmit this order along with copy book and return the trial Court record, if received, to Jaspreet Kaur 2025.08.05 18:02 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh