Appeals Before Sessions Court, Ludhiana

Practising Before the District & Sessions Court, Ludhiana

Appeals before the Sessions Court form a crucial stage in criminal and civil litigation. The Sessions Court, Ludhiana exercises appellate and revisional jurisdiction over matters arising from Judicial Magistrate Courts across Ludhiana district and its surrounding tehsils. Proceedings at this stage are not fresh trials; they are decided strictly on the basis of trial court records, evidence, and legal grounds raised earlier.

Understanding the scope, limitations, and strategy of Sessions Court appeals is essential for effective representation.

What Matters Are Heard by the Sessions Court in Ludhiana

The Sessions Court, Ludhiana primarily hears:

• Criminal appeals against judgments passed by Judicial Magistrates

• Appeals against conviction or acquittal

• Appeals against orders in cheque bounce cases under the NI Act

• Bail and cancellation of bail matters

• Revisions against interim or procedural orders

• Certain civil appeals and revisions as provided by law

The court acts as a supervisory and appellate authority over Magistrate Courts.

Appeals From Judicial Magistrate Courts

Most Sessions Court appeals arise from orders passed by:

• Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC)

• Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM)

These appeals are confined to examining:

• Whether the trial court applied law correctly

• Whether evidence was properly appreciated

• Whether findings are legally sustainable

The Sessions Court does not ordinarily permit new evidence unless legally justified.

Criminal Appeals Before Sessions Court

Criminal appeals commonly filed before the Sessions Court include:

• Appeal against conviction

• Appeal against sentence

• Appeal against acquittal

• Appeal against summary convictions

Success in criminal appeals depends heavily on how the case was conducted at the trial stage, including framing of charges, cross-examination, and preservation of objections.

Cheque Bounce (NI Act) Appeals

Appeals under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act are frequently filed before the Sessions Court. Such appeals require:

• Close examination of trial court records

• Proper understanding of statutory presumptions

• Scrutiny of compliance with notice and limitation requirements

Many cheque bounce appeals fail not due to weak facts, but due to procedural lapses at the Magistrate level.

Appeals Against Interim and Procedural Orders

The Sessions Court also exercises revisional jurisdiction over:

• Interim orders

• Bail-related orders

• Procedural irregularities

• Jurisdictional errors

However, not every order is appealable or revisable. Strategic legal assessment is essential before invoking appellate jurisdiction.

Why Trial Court Proceedings Decide Sessions Court Appeals

Sessions Court appeals are record-based proceedings. The appellate court relies on:

• Evidence recorded before the trial court

• Cross-examinations conducted

• Legal objections raised during trial

• Reasoning adopted by the Magistrate

Weak trial court handling often limits the scope of relief at the appellate stage. This is why many appeals succeed or fail based on the quality of trial court proceedings.

Role of a Sessions Court Advocate

A Sessions Court advocate must:

• Understand trial court records in depth

• Identify sustainable grounds of appeal

• Distinguish between appealable and non-appealable issues

• Argue questions of law and appreciation of evidence

• Anticipate appellate scrutiny

Sessions Court advocacy requires a different skill set from trial court litigation.

Jurisdiction of Sessions Court, Ludhiana

The Sessions Court, Ludhiana hears appeals arising from Magistrate Courts located in and around:

Ludhiana, Khanna, Jagraon, Samrala, Doraha, Maloudh, Raikot, Sahnewal, Payal, Mullanpur, Machhiwara and adjoining areas.

Practice Focus

Sachar Law Firm, led by Advocate Harshit Sachar, regularly handles matters before the District & Sessions Court, Ludhiana, including:

• Criminal appeals

• Cheque bounce appeals

• Bail and revision matters

• Appeals arising from Magistrate Court proceedings

The firm’s approach emphasises legal strategy, trial record scrutiny, and focused appellate advocacy.

Conclusion

Appeals before the Sessions Court are a decisive stage in litigation. They require careful legal analysis, procedural precision, and a strong understanding of trial court proceedings. Whether challenging a conviction, sentence, or procedural irregularity, the appellate process demands clarity of law and disciplined advocacy.