Companies Can Challenge Acquittals as 'Victims' Under CrPC: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has held that companies facing financial or reputational harm due to offences like counterfeiting qualify as "victims" under the proviso to Section 372  of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973, even if they are not the original complainant or informant.

The ruling came in Asian Paints Ltd.’s case, where the company challenged an acquittal linked to counterfeit paint sales. The Rajasthan High Court had rejected the appeal for lack of prior leave.

The Supreme Court set this aside, clarifying that juristic persons directly harmed can appeal acquittals or seek compensation without prior permission.