Digitally signed by V PADMAVATHI 1 Date: 2026.05.02

2026:CGHC:19265-DB NAFR HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRA No. 686 of 2024

1. Mohit Thakur S/o Lakhan Thakur Aged About 33 Years R/o Village- Mundra, Police Station, Ranchirai, Dist.- Balod, Presently Residing- Malay Jains New Live Farm House, Koliharpuri, P.S. Pulgaon, Dist. Durg, C.G.

... Appellant (In Jail)

versus

1. State Of Chhattisgarh Through- Station House Officer, P.S.-

Pulgaon, Dist. Durg, C.G.

... Respondent For Appellant : Mr. Sandeep Yadav, Advocate For Respondent : Mr. Shailendra Sharma, Panel Lawyer Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge Judgment on Board Per Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice

27 .04 .2026

1. This criminal appeal under Section 374(2) of the CrPC is directed against the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 14.2.2024 passed by the 8^th Upper Sessions Judge, Durg District Durg (C.G.) in Sessions Trial No.202/2021, convicting accused/appellant for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (for short ‘IPC’) and sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life with a fine of Rs.1,000/-, in default to undergo addi