Disposed

Ram Avtar v. State of Haryana and Others

Punjab & Haryana HC17 Mar 2026CRA-AS/241/2023

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court held that a victim of an offence has the right to appeal under the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC. It directed that the matter be remanded to the Sessions Court to register as an appeal under the said proviso or Section 413 of the BNSS, 2023.

What did the court decide?

Directing the Registry to send the file to the Sessions Court for registration as an appeal under the proviso to Section 372 CrPC/Section 413 BNSS, 2023.

Ram Avtar Vs State of Haryana and Others — Writ and Judicial Review | Punjab & Haryana HC (2026)

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CRA-AS-241-2023

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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201-A

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CRA-AS-241-2023 Date of Decision: 17.03.2026

Ram Avtar

......Appellant

Verus

State of Haryana and others ......Respondents

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CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANOOP CHITKARA

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Present: Mr. Sunil Saharan, Advocate for the appellant(s).

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Mr. Shiva Khurmi, DAG, Haryana.

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Mr. Pawan Kumar Jangra, Advocate for respondent No.3.

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ANOOP CHITKARA J.

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Criminal 635-I Complaint(s) Date of decision: 15.07.2011 No.

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Feeling aggrieved by the trial court's judgment, dismissing the complaint on merits, and acquitting the accused/private respondent, the complainant had come up before this Court by filing the leave to appeal, which was converted into present appeal.

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Counsel for the appellant prays for transfer of appeal to the first Appellate Court in view of judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court passed in “Celestium Financial v. A. Gnanasekaran, 2025(3) RCR(Criminal) 208, decided on 08.04.2025”.

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[7.8] In the case of an offence alleged against an accused

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ANJU RANI 2026.03.18 09:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh

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CRA-AS-241-2023

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under Section 138 of the Act, we are of the view that the complainant is indeed the victim owing to the alleged dishonour of a cheque. In the circumstances, the complainant can proceed as per the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC and he may exercise such an option and he need not then elect to proceed under Section 378 of the CrPC.

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[8]. The right to prefer an appeal is no doubt a statutory right and the right to prefer an appeal by an accused against a conviction is not merely a statutory right but can also be construed to be a fundamental right under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. If that is so, then the right of a victim of an offence to prefer an appeal cannot be equated with the right of the State or the complainant to prefer an appeal. Hence, the statutory rigours for filing of an appeal by the State or by a complainant against an order of acquittal cannot be read into the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC so as to restrict the right of a victim to file an appeal on the grounds mentioned therein, when none exists.

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[10]. As already noted, the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC was inserted in the statute book only with effect from 31.12.2009. The object and reason for such insertion must be realised and must be given its full effect to by a court. In view of the aforesaid discussion, we hold that the victim of an offence has the right to prefer an appeal under the proviso to Section 372 of the CrPC, irrespective of whether he is a complainant or not. Even if the victim of an offence is a complainant, he can still proceed under the proviso to Section 372 and need not advert to sub-section (4) of Section 378 of the CrPC.

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In BNSS, 2023, S. 413 is analogous to S. 372 CrPC, 1973, and thus the ratio of ��shall apply.

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However, the complainant should not face the burden of filing an appeal again before the Sessions Court because the law has been interpreted recently. Therefore, in the interest of Equity, Justice, and Fair play, it would be appropriate to refer this matter to the Sessions Court, where it will be registered as an Appeal under the Proviso to S. 372 CrPC/413 BNSS, 2023, as applicable. If there is any objection regarding whether it is an appeal under the CrPC or BNSS, it shall be registered under the Proviso to S. 413 BNSS, 2023, because the CrPC, 1973, has been repealed.

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ANJU RANI 2026.03.18 09:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh

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CRA-AS-241-2023

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(� Given above, the Registry is to send this file along with the Trial Court’s Record, if any, to the concerned Sessions Division.

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)� �� � *��'�� $ ��. All pending application(s), if any, stand disposed of.

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(ANOOP CHITKARA) JUDGE 17.03.2026 anju rani Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes Whether reportable: No.

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ANJU RANI 2026.03.18 09:31 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Punjab and Haryana High Court Chandigarh

Ram Avtar v. State of Haryana and Others

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Ram Avtar v. State of Haryana and Others

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

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