RAJIV SHARMA, J.

1. This appeal is instituted against the judgment and order dated 19.07.2017 rendered by the learned Sessions Judge, SAS Nagar (Mohali), in Sessions Case No.RT-10 dated 16.02.2015 / 26.04.2016 whereby the appellant along with co-accused Ashok Kumar and Ravinder Singh @ Happy were charged with and tried for offences punishable under Sections 302, 324, 341 Indian Penal Code (in short 'IPC'). Co-accused Ashok Kumar and Ravinder Singh @ Happy were acquitted. The appellant Vishal Wadhwa has been convicted and sentenced for offences punishable under Sections 302, 324 IPC, as under:-

Name of convict	Offence	Sentence
Vishal Wadhwa	Under Section 302 IPC	Rigorous imprisonment for life and also to pay a fine of Rs.20,000/-, in default whereof, to further undergo R.I. for a period of four months.
	Under Section 324 IPC	Rigorous imprisonment for one year and also to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/-, in default whereof, to further undergo R.I. for a period of two months.

2. The case of the prosecution in a nutshell is that the