#victim status

Chhattisgarh High Court rules that a fraud victim who invested Rs. 85.38 lakh in the same scheme cannot be held guilty of cheating under BNS Section 318(4) if prior complaints and documented losses negate dishonest intent. The ruling clarifies that victim status and lack of mens rea justify anticipatory bail in financial fraud cases.

Madhya Pradesh High Court extends the Supreme Court's Celestium Financial ruling to food adulteration cases, holding that victims filing private complaints under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act can appeal acquittals under BNSS Section 413 proviso without seeking special leave. The decision reinforces victim rights in quasi-criminal prosecutions beyond NI Act offences.

Chhattisgarh High Court holds that complainants under BIS Act qualify as victims under CrPC Section 2(wa), entitling them to appeal directly to Sessions Court under Section 372.