- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1581 CRL.A No. 59 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 20TH DAY OF JANUARY, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G BASAVARAJA CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.59 OF 2025 (A) BETWEEN: S. MANJUNATHA S/O L.R. SEETHRAMAIAH, AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS, R/AT G.G. KOPPALU, HASSAN TOWN, HASSAN DISTRICT-573201. …APPELLANT (BY SRI RAJENDRA V.G., ADVOCATE) AND: GAJULAPALLI LAKSHMAN S/O MALIKONDAIAH, AGED ABOUT 48 YEARS, R/AT A.R. 50/4TH CROSS, R.C. ROAD, NEAR OLD POST OFFICE, HASSAN, HASSAN DISTRICT-573201. ALSO AT K/F M.P. SURESH, BEHIND NALANDA ENGLISH MEDIUM SCHOOL, JAYANAGARA, K.R. PETE, MANDYA DISTRIT-571426. ALSO AT: SCALAR P.U. COLLEGE, K.R. PETE, MANDYA DISTRICT-571426 …RESPONDENT Digitally Signed by THEJAS KUMAR N Location : High Court of Karnataka - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1581 CRL.A No. 59 of 2025 THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED UNDER SECTION 378(4) CR.P.C. PRAYING TO SET ASIDE AN ORDER DATED 30.10.2024 PASSED IN P.C.R.NO.150/2020 PASSED BY THE HON'BLE VII ADDL. CIVIL JUDGE AND J.M.F.C. AT HASSAN AND CONSEQUENTLY RESTORE THE CASE TO ITS ORIGINAL FILE TO AJUDICATE THE CASE IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW. THIS APPEAL COMING ON FOR ORDER ON BEING SPOKEN TO, 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 30.10.2024 passed in P.C.R.NO.150/2020 by the VII Addl. Civil Judge and JMFC, Hassan, (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: - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1581 CRL.A No. 59 of 2025 "10. As already noted, the proviso to Section 372 of Cr.P.C. was inserted in the statue 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. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1581 CRL.A No. 59 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; - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:1581 CRL.A No. 59 of 2025 iv. Considering the matter has been pending for considerable time, the Appellate Court 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 TKN List No.: 1 Sl No.: 18