Topic
Under Indian criminal law, a victim has the statutory right to appeal an acquittal directly to the Sessions Court under Section 372 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, without needing special leave from the High Court.
Gujarat HC ruled that the complainant in a cheque-bounce matter is the victim and may file an appeal against an acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, directing the case be transferred to the Sessions Court. This expands the victim’s procedural rights in NI Act prosecutions.
Supreme Court affirmed that a victim can invoke the proviso to Section 372 CrPC to appeal an acquittal, treating a criminal revision as an appeal. The Court upheld the trial court’s acquittal on grounds of insufficient evidence, clarifying victims’ procedural standing in murder and other IPC cases.
Madhya Pradesh High Court affirms that victims in Section 420 IPC cases, not just NI Act offences, can appeal acquittals under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC without requiring special leave under Section 378(4). This ruling broadens victim rights in criminal appeals, ensuring complainants in cheating cases have independent appellate recourse.
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.
Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that a victim in a cheque bounce case under Section 138 NI Act can appeal an acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC without seeking special leave. The decision reinforces the Supreme Court’s holding in Celestium Financial, clarifying that victims need not be complainants to exercise this right, streamlining access to justice in financial disputes.
Punjab & Haryana High Court holds that victims may appeal acquittals under Section 372 CrPC without seeking special leave, aligning their rights with those of the accused. The ruling eliminates procedural barriers, empowering victims to challenge acquittals directly before the Sessions Court, marking a significant shift in criminal procedure.
Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that complainants under Section 138 NI Act qualify as victims under CrPC, entitling them to file appeals as a matter of right without seeking special leave.
Punjab and Haryana High Court holds that victims may appeal acquittals directly under Section 372 CrPC without seeking special leave under Section 378(4), affirming Supreme Court's interpretation.
Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that victims in private complaint cases under Central Excise Act can appeal acquittals under proviso to Section 413 BNSS, affirming rights established in Celestium Financial v. A. Gnanasekaran.