17/06/2025
👍🏾In light of the Supreme Court's landmark judgment in *M/s. Celestium Financial v. A. Gnanasekaran* (2025 INSC 804), **yes**, the Sessions Court will register an appeal against acquittal as the first appeal by a complainant (treated as a 'victim') under the proviso to **Section 372 CrPC**. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
# # # Key Legal Position After the Judgment:
1. **Complainant = Victim**:
The Supreme Court ruled that a complainant in a **Section 138 NI Act** case (cheque dishonour) is a "victim" under **Section 2(wa) CrPC**, as they suffer economic loss due to the offence. Thus, they can directly appeal under **Section 372 proviso** without seeking special leave from the High Court under **Section 378(4)**.
2. **Appeal to Sessions Court**:
The proviso to Section 372 allows victims to file appeals against acquittal **before the court empowered to hear appeals from convictions by the trial court** (typically the Sessions Court for magistrate trials). This bypasses the stricter requirements of Section 378(4), which mandates High Court leave for complainants.
3. **Overruling Contrary Views**:
The judgment implicitly overrules earlier High Court decisions (e.g., *Kushal Singanjude*, Bombay HC, 2019) that barred complainants from using Section 372, holding that NI Act complainants must use Section 378(4). The Supreme Court clarified that such an interpretation would undermine the 2009 amendment’s intent to empower victims.
4. **Procedure for Filing**:
- The victim-complainant must file the appeal **within the prescribed limitation period** (the Supreme Court allowed 4 months in *Celestium*).
- The appeal challenges acquittal, lesser conviction, or inadequate compensation.
- No prior leave or state intervention is required, unlike Section 378 appeals.
# # # Practical Implications:
- **Sessions Court’s Role**: The Sessions Court is now obligated to entertain such appeals as **first appeals** under Section 372 proviso, treating them on par with state appeals against acquittal.
- **Distinction from Section 378**: Unlike Section 378 (which requires High Court leave and is narrower), Section 372 proviso grants an **unconditional right** to victims, aligning with the accused’s right to appeal under Article 21.
# # # Conclusion:
Post-*Celestium*, the Sessions Court **must register and adjudicate** appeals filed by complainants (as victims) under Section 372 proviso, provided the procedural requirements are met. This ensures faster redressal without the bottleneck of High Court leave.
For further details, refer to the Supreme Court’s full judgment or comparative analyses of Sections 372 and 378.