#Appeal Against Acquittal

The Gujarat High Court dismissed the State's appeal against acquittal of a husband and in-laws under Section 306 IPC, ruling that persistent harassment over childlessness, without proof of active instigation coupled with mens rea, does not constitute abetment of suicide. The decision raises the evidentiary bar for prosecutions linking domestic cruelty to suicide.

The Gujarat High Court upheld a Section 376 acquittal, holding that written live-in consent deeds raise a presumption of implied consent to sexual relations, and a marriage promise by a minor is legally unenforceable. The ruling establishes that documented cohabitation agreements can defeat 'false promise of marriage' rape charges when the accused was below marriageable age.

The Supreme Court reinstated a husband's acquittal under Sections 306 and 498-A IPC, ruling the High Court erred in overturning the trial court without finding its view perverse or impossible. Vague, general allegations of harassment - without specific incidents - cannot establish cruelty or abetment of suicide.

Madhya Pradesh High Court affirms that complainants in cheque bounce cases under Section 138 NI Act qualify as 'victims' under CrPC, entitling them to appeal acquittal directly under Section 372 CrPC without seeking special leave. This ruling aligns with the Supreme Court's precedent in Celestium Financial, reinforcing victim rights in economic offences.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has affirmed that victims may file appeals against acquittals under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC before the Sessions Court, even if the original appeal was filed incorrectly under Section 378. The court granted liberty to refile within four months, suspending limitation objections if the initial filing was timely or delay was previously condoned - empowering victims with a clear, court-sanctioned second chance to challenge unjust acquittals.

The Karnataka High Court dismissed the State's appeal against acquittal, ruling that forensic reports and witness testimonies failed to establish an unbroken chain of circumstantial evidence required for conviction under Section 302 IPC. The judgment reinforces that acquittal stands unless guilt is proven beyond reasonable doubt, even in appeals.

Karnataka High Court clarifies that appeals against acquittal under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act must be filed before the Sessions Court, not the High Court, reinforcing jurisdictional boundaries under the CrPC. The ruling impacts litigants and practitioners by redirecting such appeals to the appropriate forum, ensuring procedural compliance.

Karnataka High Court reaffirms that appeals against acquittal orders passed by a Magistrate must be filed before the Sessions Court, not the High Court, under Section 378(4) CrPC. The ruling underscores the statutory hierarchy in criminal appeals, impacting litigants and practitioners in cheque bounce and other criminal cases.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court has affirmed that a victim in a private complaint case has an independent right to appeal an acquittal under Section 372 CrPC, unshackled from the State’s prosecutorial role. This ruling, anchored in Celestium Financial v. Gnanasekaran, closes a long-standing ambiguity and empowers victims to seek justice without waiting for state action, reshaping criminal appellate access in non-state-initiated cases.

Bombay High Court Aurangabad Bench reaffirms that appellate courts cannot substitute their view for the trial court's acquittal unless witness inconsistencies amount to perverse appreciation of evidence. The ruling underscores the high threshold for overturning acquittals under Section 378 CrPC, impacting prosecutors and defense lawyers in criminal appeals.

Bombay High Court directs transfer of leave to appeal against acquittal under Section 138 NI Act to Sessions Court as appeal under Section 372 CrPC, following Celestium Financial v. Ganasekaran.

Punjab & Haryana High Court holds that victims can appeal acquittals under Section 372 CrPC without High Court leave, overriding Section 378(4) requirements.

Punjab & Haryana High Court clarifies that complainants in Section 138 NI Act cases can appeal acquittals under Section 372 CrPC without special leave, simplifying procedural requirements.

Gujarat High Court upholds acquittal in NDPS case, emphasizing that conscious possession and unbroken chain of custody are essential for conviction under Section 20(b)(ii).

Gujarat High Court affirms that appellate courts must uphold acquittals unless guilt is the only reasonable conclusion, emphasizing unbroken circumstantial evidence chains.