Inder Pal Singh v. State & Anr

O R D E R %

07.11.2024

¶1Counsel for petitioner seeks leave to withdraw this petition with the liberty to agitate their appeal against acquittal of respondent/accused in proceedings under Section 138, NI Act before this Court in view of Section 378(4) Cr.P.C.

¶2Initially, petitioner had filed an appeal against acquittal of respondent/accused before ASJ, South, Saket Courts, which was dismissed based on reading of proviso to Section 372 and Section 378(4), Cr.P.C. read along with decision of the Supreme Court in Mallikarjun Kodagali (Dead) represented through Legal Representatives v. State of Karnataka & Ors.,

(2019) 2 SCC 752.

¶3Mallikarjun Kodagali (supra) clearly resolves the issue raised by the petitioner, in that the complainant has the right to appeal against an acquittal to the Sessions Court in a s. 138 NIA matter. Para 76 reads as under: "76. As far as the question of the grant of special leave is concerned, once again, we need not be overwhelmed by submissions made at the Bar. The language of the proviso to Section 372 CrPC is quite clear, particularly when it is contrasted with the language of Section 378(4) CrPC. The text of this provision is quite clear and it is confined to an order of acquittal passed in a case instituted upon a complaint. The word "complaint" has been defined in Section 2(d) CrPC and refers to any allegation made orally This is a digitally signed order. or in writing to a Magistrate. This has nothing to do with the lodging or the registration of an FIR, and therefore it is not at all necessary to consider the effect of a victim being the complainant as far as the proviso to Section 372 CrPC is concerned." (emphasis added)

¶4Leave and liberty as prayed for is granted.

¶5Petition stands disposed of along with the pending application.

¶6Order be uploaded on the website of this Court. ANISH DAYAL, J NOVEMBER 7, 2024/sm/sc This is a digitally signed order.

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + CRL.REV.P. 1291/2019 & CRL.M.A. 42668/2019 INDER PAL SINGH .....Petitioner Through: Mr. Manish Kaushik and Mr. Ajit Singh Joher, Advs. versus STATE & ANR .....Respondents Through: Mr. Digam Singh Dagar, APP for State. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ANISH DAYAL