#Victim's right to appeal

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.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court affirmed that a victim-complainant in a cheque dishonour case under Section 138 NI Act can appeal acquittal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC, directing the appeal to be filed before the Sessions Court within four weeks. This ruling reinforces victims' rights to challenge acquittals in economic offences, expanding access to justice beyond traditional prosecution appeals.

Karnataka High Court reinforces that victims appealing acquittals under Section 138 NI Act must file before the Sessions Court under Section 372 CrPC, not the High Court under Section 378(4) CrPC. The ruling binds lower courts to follow the Supreme Court's Celestium Financial decision, impacting victim rights in criminal appeals.

MP High Court sets aside an order rejecting a victim’s appeal under Section 372 CrPC, emphasizing that lower courts must reconsider appeals in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Celestium Financial. The decision reaffirms that victims have a statutory right to challenge acquittals without requiring special leave, strengthening appellate access in criminal proceedings.

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.