Bombay High Court

BHAGWANRAO ANNASAHEB SATPUTEversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND ANR

Disposal: Disposed Off

Holding

The proceedings are transferred to the Sessions Court having jurisdiction.

Summary

The appellant, Bhagwanrao Annasaheb Satpute, filed a criminal appeal before the Bombay High Court seeking transfer of the proceedings to a Sessions Court with appropriate jurisdiction. The learned counsel for both parties relied on the Supreme Court decision in Celestium Financial Ltd. v. A. Gnanasekaran (2025 SCC OnLine SC 1320) to argue that the matter should be heard by a Sessions Court. The Court examined whether the transfer was permissible under the law and consistent with the precedent cited. It held that the transfer was appropriate and ordered the proceedings to be moved to the competent Sessions Court. The order also directed the Sessions Court to re‑register the case, issue notices, and expedite the trial, while the appeal and any interim applications were disposed of.

Issues considered

Whether the criminal proceedings pending before the High Court should be transferred to a Sessions Court having jurisdiction
Whether the Supreme Court precedent in Celestium Financial Ltd. v. A. Gnanasekaran authorises such a transfer

Subjects

transfer of criminal proceedings
jurisdiction
sessions court
high court order
procedural law

Judgment

Digitally signed
by LAXMIKANT
LAXMIKANT GOPAL
GOPAL CHANDAN (25) APEAL-4.20.DOCX
CHANDAN Date:
2026.08.25
16:27:08 +0530
lgc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CIRCUIT BENCH AT KOLHAPUR
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 4 OF 2020

Bhagwwanrao Annasaheb Satpute : Appellant.
Versus
The State of Maharashtra and anr. : Respondents.
______________________________________________________

Ms. Swarrali B Chougule i/by Mr. Shailesh D Chavan for the
Appellant.
Mr. S. S. Choudhary, APP for the Respondent – State.
______________________________________________________

CORAM : ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.

DATED : 25 AUGUST 2026
PC:-

1. Heard learned Advocate for the Appellant and learned APP
for the Respondent – State.

2. Learned Advocates for the parties, by referring to the
decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Celestium
Financial Vs. A. Gnanasekaran Etc. reported in 2025 SCC OnLine
SC 1320, submit that these proceedings would now lay before the
Sessions Court having jurisdiction. They therefore request that
these proceedings be transferred to the Sessions Court having
jurisdiction.

3. In view of the above, the following order is passed :-

1
(25) APEAL-4.20.DOCX

(i) The present proceedings be transferred to the Sessions
Court, having jurisdiction;

(ii) The Registrar (Judicial) of this Court to take appropriate
steps for transferring these proceedings to the Sessions
Court, having jurisdiction;

(iii) The Sessions Court, to which these proceedings would be
transferred or assigned, after re-registration of the same,
shall issue notice to the parties to the said proceedings
and thereafter proceed with the matter on its own merits
and in accordance with law.

(iv) Considering the proceedings which are now being
transferred have been pending for some time, the
Sessions Court to which these proceedings would be
assigned is requested to make an endeavour to expedite
the proceedings. Parties shall cooperate in the early
disposal of the proceedings.

4. Criminal Appeal No. 4 of 2020 is disposed of.

5. Interim Application, if any, is also disposed of.

(ASHWIN D. BHOBE, J.)

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