Satya Pal Singh vs State Of M.P. And Ors

The Supreme Court held that the father of the deceased has locus standi to file an appeal against the acquittal of the accused under the proviso to Section 372 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, without needing leave under sub-Section (3) of Section 378. The Court found that the High Court failed to examine this legal aspect, leading to a mechanical disposal of the appeal. The judgment of the Delhi High Court in Ram Phal v. State & Ors. was cited, affirming the rights of victims' relatives to appeal, thus establishing that the appeal was maintainable.