IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT JABALPUR BEFORE HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE RAJENDRA KUMAR VANI

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ON THE 26 OF SEPTEMBER, 2025 CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 675 of 2025 SANTENDRA SONI Versus JITENDRA CHOUDHARY Appearance:

Shri A.K. Mehta, learned counsel for the appellant.

Shri Gourav Mourya, learned counsel for the respondent.

ORDER This appeal has been filed under Section 419 of BNSS/378(4) of Cr.P.C. by “victim” of an offence as defined under Section 138 of N.I. Act against judgment dated 25.11.2024 passed by Judicial Magistrate First Class, Jabalpur in SCNIA No.254/2018, whereby respondent/accused has been acquitted of an offence under Section 138 of N.I. Act.

2. Aforesaid criminal case was instituted on the basis of private complaint filed by the victim/appellant.

3. The question before this Court is whether instant appeal is covered under proviso to section 413 of BNSS (372 of Cr.P.C.).

4. The aforesaid issue is no longer res integra in light of the judgment of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Celestium Financial Vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc. , 2025 SCC Online SC 1320. The issue arose in said adjudication was whether an appeal would be maintainable under the proviso to Section 372 of the Code