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09.12.2025 26.02.2026 -- 26.02.2026 NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR Judgment reserved on: 09.12.2025 Judgment delivered on: 26.02.2026 CRA No. 600 of 2007

1 - Vijay Kumar Ojha, S/o Late Pandit Chhedi Lal Ojha, Aged about 67 years, Agent, Life Insurance Corporation of India, Branch Office No.1, R/o Jabdapara, New Sarkanda, Bilaspur, Distt.-Bilaspur, C.G.

---Appellant Versus

1 - Union of India, through Superintendent of Police, C.B.I. Raipur (C.G.).

--- Respondent(s)

With CRA No. 631 of 2007

1 - Arun Vasant Bapat, S/o Vasant Vinayak Aged About 42 Years Occupation - Tuition Resident of C-6, Parijat Colony Nehru Nagar, Bilaspur (C.G.)

2 - Manne Singh Thakur S/o Lalan Singh Thakur Aged About 33 Years Occupation - Domestic Servant

3 - Jamuna Bai W/o Shri Manne Singh Thakur Aged About 32 Years Occupation - Domestic Servant Both are R/o Surya Nagar, Gogaon Tah. And Distt. Raipur (C.G.)

---Appellants Versus

1 - Union of India Through C.B.I. Anti Corruption BR. Jabalpur, M.P.

--- Respondent(s)

Hon’ble Smt. Justice Rajani Dubey

CAV Judgment

1. Since both the appeals arise out of same impugned judgment, therefore they are heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

2. The present appeal, preferred under Section 374(2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 30.06.2007 passed by the learned Special Judge (Central Bureau of Investigation), Raipur, Chhattisgarh, in Special Criminal Case No. 22/2004. By the said judgment, all the accused were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years each and to pay a fine of Rs. 300/- each for the offence punishable under Section 420 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. In default of payment of fine, each accused shall undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. The accused were further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years each and to pay a fine of Rs.300/- each for the offence punishable under Section 468 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. In default of payment of fine, each accused shall undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. For the offence punishable under Section 477-A read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, the accused were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and six months each and to pay a fine of Rs.300/- each. In default of payment of fine, each accused shall undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month. For the offence punishable under Section 13(1)(d) read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the accused were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years each and to pay a fine of Rs.300/- each. In default of payment of fine, each accused shall undergo further rigorous imprisonment for a period of one month.

3. Briefly stated the prosecution case is that in the year 1994, the appellant, while working as an LIC Agent, in criminal conspiracy with co-accused Basant, an Assistant Officer of LIC, and other co-

accused, fraudulently showed closed LIC policies as renewed by forging entries in the ledger and fabricated documents relating to five LIC policies. It is alleged that forged signatures of the concerned policyholders were used with the intent to obtain loan sanction amounting to ₹1,46,850/-. Further, appellant Nos. 2 and 3 are alleged to have opened fictitious bank accounts to facilitate the commission of the offence and thereby cheat LIC. Although the loans were sanctioned by the Branch Manager, no loan amount was ever disbursed. Upon detection of the alleged irregularities, the matter was reported to the CBI, and after investigation, a charge-sheet was filed against the appellants, whereupon charges