Criminal Matters The Supreme Court hears appeals against the judgement in a criminal proceeding of a high court if the high court— (i) has on appeal reversed an order of acquittal of an accused person and sentenced him to death; or (ii) has taken before itself any case from any subordinate court and convicted the accused person and sentenced him to death; or (iii) certifies that the case is a fit one for appeal to the Supreme Court. In the first two cases, an appeal lies to the Supreme Court as a matter of right (ie, without any certificate of the high court).