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Informative

High Court of Punjab & Haryana allows M/s Chaddha Steel to appeal acquittal in NI Act case, treating complainant as “victim” under Cr.P.C.

Update / Judgement Date

12 Oct 2025

Source

WCP News Bulletin

Author

Sakshi Bhardwaj — WCP Legal Desk

Reading Time

2 min read

Criminal LawOther Legal Matters
High Court of Punjab & Haryana allows M/s Chaddha Steel to appeal acquittal in NI Act case, treating complainant as “victim” under Cr.P.C.
WCP News Bulletin

Headnote:

The High Court of Punjab & Haryana allowed the application filed by M/s Chaddha Steel under Section 378(4) Cr.P.C., granting leave to appeal against the acquittal dated 18.08.2017 passed by the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Chandigarh, in a complaint under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. The Court relied on the Supreme Court decision in M/s Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025 SCC OnLine 1320, holding that the complainant can be treated as a “victim” under Section 2(wa) Cr.P.C., thereby making an appeal against acquittal maintainable under the proviso to Section 372 Cr.P.C. The matter was directed to the concerned Sessions Judge for assignment and adjudication.


Background:

  1. Applicant/Appellant: M/s Chaddha Steel
  2. Respondents: G.Commerce through its proprietor and another
  3. Case Type: Application under Section 378(4) Cr.P.C. for leave to appeal
  4. Complaint under: Section 138 NI Act
  5. Trial Court Judgment: Acquittal dated 18.08.2017 (Judicial Magistrate First Class, Chandigarh)
  6. Supreme Court Precedent relied: M/s Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025 SCC OnLine 1320


Court Findings:

  1. The appeal against acquittal is maintainable under Section 372 Cr.P.C., following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
  2. Registry directed to send the complete paper-book and trial court record to the Sessions Judge.
  3. Matter is to be treated as filed under Section 372 Cr.P.C. and assigned to the concerned Court for adjudication.


Decision:

  1. Application allowed.
  2. Leave to appeal granted.
  3. Trial Court record to be transmitted to the Sessions Judge for further proceedings.


Legal Provisions Discussed:

  1. Sections 138, 372, 378(4), 2(wa), Cr.P.C.
  2. Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
  3. Supreme Court precedent: M/s Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc., 2025 SCC OnLine 1320


Court: High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh

Case No.: CRM-A-121-MA-2018

Date of Decision: 13.10.2025

Judge: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Aman Chaudhar