- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 11TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1147 OF 2025 (A) BETWEEN: STCL LIMITED (A GOVT. OF INDIA UNDERTAKING), NO. 7A, STC TRADE CENTER, 3RD FLOOR, NANDINI LAYOUT, BANGALORE - 560096, REPRESENTED BY ITS CHIEF MANAGER - FINANCE, MR. M.S. PRABHU. …APPELLANT (BY SRI. VINAY KUTTAPPA K.S., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. META COPPER AND ALLOYS LTD., GANDHI MANSION, 3RD FLOOR ABOVE SOUTH AFRICAN CONSULATE 20, ALTAMOUNT ROAD, GRANT ROAD MUMBAI-400026. 2. META COPPER AND ALLOYS LTD. NEAR UPASNAGAR, PO ZUARINAGAR, GOA- 403726 3. SRI SUSHIL S. KHAITAN MANAGING DIRECTOR, NO. 36/37, MITTAL CHAMBERS, NARIMAN POINT, MUMBAI 400021 Digitally signed by SHARADAVANI B Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 ALSO AT. NO. 14B, STERLING APARTMENT, 7TH FLOOR, 36G, DESHMUKH MARG, MUMBAI 400026 4. SRI P. PARVATHISEM (DELETED AS PER ORDER DATED 01/04/2017) DIRECTOR, NO. 36/37, MITTAL CHAMBERS, NARIMAN POINT, MUMBAI 400021 ALSO AT NO. 301, RAMANEEYAM KALANJALI, SIDDARTH ARCADE, SAI SANKALPA NAGAR, NEAR KOUNDINYA CLUB, JEEDIMETLA VILLAGE, RANGA REDDY DISTRICT, HYDERABAD - 500055. 5. DR. ANANDA SWAROOP KHANNA DIRECTOR, NO. 36/37, MITTAL CHAMBERS, NARIMAN POINT, MUMBAI 400021. ALSO ATAND NO. 504, GLEN CLASSIC, HIRANANDANI GARDEN, POWAI, MUMBAI 400076. 6. MR. DEEPAK MATHUR ADDITIONAL DIRECTOR, NO. 36/37, MITTAL CHAMBERS, NARIMAN POINT, MUMBAI 400021. ALSO ATAND G-306, GIRISIKHARA ENCLAVE, HILL TOP COLONY, ERRAMANZIL, HYDERABAD 500082. …RESPONDENTS THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S 378(4) CR.PC BY THE ADVOCATE FOR THE APPELLANT PRAYING THAT THIS - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 HONOURABLE COURT MAY BE PLEASED TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER DATED 10.02.2025 PASSED IN CC.NO.53538 OF 2018 BY XXXIII ADDL. CHIEF MAGISTRATE AT MAYO HALL, BANGALORE, DISMISSED THE CASE BY ACQUITTING THE RESPONDENT FOR NON-PROSECUTION OF THE APPELLANT U/S. 138 OF N.I. ACT., AND ETC. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA ORAL JUDGMENT 1. This appeal is filed by the appellant/ complainant being aggrieved by the dismissal of complaint vide order dated 10.02.2025 passed in C.C No.53538/2018 by the XXXIII Additional Chief Magistrate at Mayo Hall, Bangalore (for short "the trial Court"). 2. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of CELESTIUM FINANCIAL v. A GNANASEKARAN ETC. reported in 2025 SCC ONLINE SC 1320, at paragraph 10 of the judgment, has observed as under: - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 "10. As already noted, the proviso to Section 372 of Cr.P.C. 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 Cr. P.C., 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 Cr. P.C." 3. In the light of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's recent clarification of the legal position, it is now evident that the appellant, being the complainant under Section 138 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, is also entitled to file an appeal before the Sessions Court. If this Court were to proceed to hear and decide the appeal at this stage, it could deprive the parties of an available forum, i.e. this Court, for further challenge. - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 4. Considering the above, it is deemed fit that the present appeal be transferred to the concerned appellate Court of Sessions. Accordingly, I pass the following: O R D E R i. Registry is directed to transfer the entire record of the case to the concerned Principal District & Sessions Judge, who may assign it to the concerned Appellate Court having the jurisdiction and for which purpose, it would be listed before the Principal District & Sessions Judge; ii. The concerned transferee court is directed to issue Court notice to both the parties to appear before the concerned Court, and the concerned Court, thereafter, shall proceed with the case in accordance with law; iii. In case there are applications pending for condonation of delay or any other pending applications, the same also be transferred to be considered by the learned Judge of transferee Court, in accordance with law; iv. Considering the matter has been pending for considerable time, the Appellate Court - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:9208 CRL.A No. 1147 of 2025 is requested to make an endeavour to dispose of the matter as expeditiously as possible; v. The appellant is permitted to carry out necessary amendment in the cause-title and also the provisions thereof; vi. It is made clear that this Court has not made any observations as to the merits of the case and all rights and contentions of the parties are left open to be agitated before the Court concerned. 5. In the light of the above observation and directions, appeal stands disposed of. Sd/- (G BASAVARAJA) JUDGE RJ List No.: 1 Sl No.: 17