- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34031 CRL.A No. 651 of 2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 7TH DAY OF JULY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 651 OF 2023 BETWEEN: GOPI J., S/O T. JAYARAM, AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS, S.Q.S., COLOUR LAB, K. J. COMPLEX, B. M. ROAD, ROBERTSON PET, K. G. F.- 563 122 …APPELLANT (BY SRI S. JAGAN BABU, ADVOCATE) AND: VENKATESH K, S/O M. KANNAN, AGED ABOUT 51 YEARS, R/AT S. F-5, "BALAJI NEST", 2ND FLOOR, 2ND MAIN, BASAPPA LAYOUT, HENNUR CROSS, HBR LAYOUT, KALYAN NAGAR POST, BENGALURU-560 036. …RESPONDENT (BY SRI MAHESHA P, ADVOCATE) THIS CRL.A IS FILED U/S.378(4) CR.P.C. PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL ORDER PASSED BY XIV ACMM, MAYO HALL, BENGALURU, IN C.C.51455/2021 (ARISING OUR OF PCR NO.134/2018) AND TO CONVICT THE RESPONDENT FOR THE OFFENCES PUNISHABLE UNDER SECTIONS 447, 451, 468, 379, 380, 415, AND 420 OF IPC. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: Digitally signed by SUSHMA LAKSHMI B S Location: High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34031 CRL.A No. 651 of 2023 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S RACHAIAH ORAL JUDGMENT This appeal is filed by the appellant/complainant being aggrieved by the judgment of acquittal passed by the Trial Court. 2. However, the Hon’ble Supreme Court in Celestium Financial Vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc.1, held in paragraph No.10 as under: “10. As already noted, the proviso to Section 372 of the 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 the 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 the Cr.P.C.” 1 2025 SCC Online SC 1320 - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34031 CRL.A No. 651 of 2023 3. On careful reading of the judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court supra, it is evident that the complainant, being the victim, has to file an appeal against the order of acquittal before the Jurisdictional Sessions Court by invoking Section 372 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. 4. In view of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Apex Court, in Celestium Financial case supra, the appeal by the complainant against the order of acquittal is not maintainable before this Court. Since this Court has no jurisdiction to decide the appeal on merit, the appeal is transferred to the jurisdictional Appellate Court/Sessions Court. 5. The parties shall appear before the jurisdictional Appellate Court / Sessions Court on 05.08.2026, without further notice of the concerned Court. 6. The Registry shall transmit the entire appeal papers, including the appeal memo, to the jurisdictional Sessions Court. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:34031 CRL.A No. 651 of 2023 7. The learned counsel for the appellant shall have the liberty to carry out the amendment in the cause title and also the provisions thereof. 8. For statistical purposes, this appeal stands disposed of. Ordered accordingly. 9. In view of the disposal of the appeal, pending I.A., if any, does not survive for consideration and the same is also disposed of. Sd/- (S RACHAIAH) JUDGE GVP List No.: 1 Sl No.: 24