2026:CGHC:17954-DB MANPREET KAUR NAFR MANPREET KAUR Date: 2026.04.22 14:28:28 +0530 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRA No. 607 of 2025 Virendra Kumar Sonkar @ Chotu S/o Sudama Sonkar Age 18 Years 10 Months R/o Baijnathpara, P.S. Durg Distt. Durg (C.G.)

... Appellant(s)

versus State Of Chhattisgarh Through Sho Ps Durg Kotwali Distt. Durg (C.G.)

... Respondent(s)

For Appellant(s) : Mr. Goutam Khetrapal, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Ms. Vaishali Mahilong, Dy. G.A.

Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon’ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal, Judge Judgment on Board Per Ramesh Sinha, CJ

20.04.2026

1. This appeal arises out of the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 29.01.2025 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Fourth (F.T.C.), Special Judge, Durg, District- Durg in Special Sessions Trial (POCSO) No. 111/2022, whereby the appellant has been convicted for offence under Section 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (hereinafter called as ‘POSCO’) and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 20 years and fine of Rs.5000/-, in default of payment of fine to further undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for one month.

2. The prosecution case, in bri