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Bombay High Court

LIC HOUSING FINANCE LIMITEDversusM/S. RAPID DEVELOPERS AND ORS

Decided
Disposal
Disposed Off

Holding

An appeal may be withdrawn with liberty to re‑file before the Sessions Court, as per the precedent set by Celestium Financial v. Ghanasekaran.

Summary

The appellant, LIC Housing Finance Limited, filed criminal appeals against M/s. Rapid Developers and others in the Bombay High Court. The appellant sought permission to withdraw these appeals and to re‑file them before the Sessions Court, relying on the Supreme Court’s decision in Celestium Financial v. Ghanasekaran. The Court considered whether such withdrawal with liberty to re‑file is permissible. Relying on the precedent, the Court allowed the withdrawal of the appeals and granted liberty to approach the Sessions Court. Consequently, the appeals were dismissed and recorded as withdrawn, with a direction that the Sessions Court may consider any delay if the appeal is later filed.

Issues considered

  • Whether an appellant may withdraw a criminal appeal and be granted liberty to re‑file it before a lower court.
  • Whether the Supreme Court’s ruling in Celestium Financial v. Ghanasekaran governs the withdrawal of appeals in this case.

Subjects

  • withdrawal of appeal
  • liberty to refile
  • criminal appellate jurisdiction
  • procedural law
  • precedent

Judgment

                                                                                           53-APEAL-774-2015.doc



                               N.S.Kamble


                                    IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
                                          CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

                                                    CR. APPEAL NO. 774 OF 2015


                               Lic Housing Finance Limited                              … Appellant
                                     Versus
            Digitally signed
NILAM   by NILAM
        SANTOSH
                               M/s. Rapid Developers And Ors                            … Respondents
SANTOSH KAMBLE
KAMBLE Date: 2026.01.09
        11:27:26 +0530                                        WITH
                                                    CR. APPEAL NO. 760 OF 2015

                               Lic Housing Finance Limited                              … Appellant
                                     Versus
                               M/s. Rapid Developers And Ors                            … Respondents
                               ________________________________________________________
                               M/s.Consulta Juris, for the Appellant.
                               Mr.Somil Gada i/b Mr.Tushar Goradia, for Respondent Nos.1 to 3.
                               Mr.M.G. Patil, APP for Respondent-State.
                               ________________________________________________________
                                                               CORAM : SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.

                                                               DATE           : 8th JANUARY, 2026

                               P.C. :

                               .            Heard learned counsel for Applicant, learned counsel for

                               Respondent Nos.1 to3 and learned APP.

                               2.           Learned counsel for Applicant on instructions seeks leave to


                                                                Page 1 of 2
                                                           53-APEAL-774-2015.doc



N.S.Kamble


withdraw these appeals with liberty to file appeal before the learned

Sessions Court as per the view of the Hon’ble Apex Court in the case

Celestium Financial Vs. Ghanasekaran Etc.1

3.           Considering the submission of learned counsel for Appellant,

Appeals are allowed to be withdrawn with aforesaid liberty.

4.           Appeals are dismissed and disposed of as withdrawn.

5.           Learned Sessions Court shall consider the delay, if appeal is

filed as application was pending before this Court.



                                                (SHIVKUMAR DIGE, J.)




1 (2005) SC 2099.

                                  Page 2 of 2


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