SUKHVINDER KAUR , J. (Oral)

1. The instant application has been filed under Section 419(4) of BNSS seeking grant of leave to file an appeal against the judgment of acquittal dated 28.01.2025, passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate 1^st Class, Phagwara in Criminal Complaint NACT No.380 of 2021, titled as 'Naresh Bhardwaj vs. Ajaib Singh', filed under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (for short ‘N.I. Act’), whereby the respondent was acquitted for commission of offence punishable under Section 138 of the N. I. Act.

2. Today, the case was fixed for addressing arguments on the application. Learned counsel for the appellant, while relying upon a judgment passed by Hon’ble Supreme Court in M/s. Celestium Financial vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc. , 2025(3) RCR (Criminal) 208, made the submission while treating the present application as an appeal, filed under Sections 372 of Cr.P.C. (which is pari materia with Section 413 of SANGEETA Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), the same be sent to appropri