Jeet Ram vs. Naresh Kumar alias Neshu CRMPM No. 346 of 2026 01.07.2026 Present: Mr. Jagat Pal, Advocate, for the applicant. Mr. Himanshu Kapila, Advocate, vice Mr. Rakesh Chauhan, Advocate, for the respondent. CRMPM No. 346 of 2026 This application has been filed for condonation of delay in filing appeal against acquittal of the respondent, vide judgment dated 04.12.2024, passed by Sessions Judge, Bilaspur, District Bilaspur, H.P. in Sessions Trial No. 20/7 of 2020, arising out of FIR No. 79/2020, registered under Sections 364, 302, 201, read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, in Police Station Sadar, District Bilaspur, H.P. Respondent was served for 28.04.2026, on which date, four weeks’ time was granted to file reply as well as Power of Attorney with rider that no further opportunity shall be granted for this purpose and matter was adjourned for today. Till date neither reply, nor power of attorney on behalf of respondent has been filed. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that in cases involving heinous crimes like murder, normally State prefer appeal against acquittal, however, in present case, State has not preferred appeal and, therefore, applicant, who is the father of the person murdered, preferred present appeal. It has been further submitted that after receiving copy of the judgment passed by Trial Court, applicant could not prefer appeal for want of legal assistance. According to learned counsel for applicant, he was under impression that State may be preferring appeal, but when nothing was heard about it, then he preferred present appeal against acquittal along with present application. In absence of rebuttal, considering the averments made in the application and submissions made by learned counsel for the applicant-appellant during the course of hearing, reason assigned for delay in preferring appeal appears to be genuine and there is sufficient cause which prevented the applicant for filing appeal within limitation period. In view of above, delay in filing the appeal is condoned. Application is allowed and disposed of. Cr.A.(A-DB) No. of 2026 Cr.A.(A-DB)ST No. 1032 of 2026 Be registered. Respondent is duly represented through counsel. Power of Attorney on behalf of respondent be filed within two weeks. List for further orders on 20.07.2026. Cr.M.P. No. of 2026 Cr.M.P.ST No. 1035 of 2026 Be registered. This application has been filed, seeking leave to file appeal against acquittal. As the appeal is being preferred by the complainant, this application is not required to be filed with appeal. Therefore, this application is disposed of, being not pressed at this stage. Records be requisitioned. (Vivek Singh Thakur) Judge (Ranjan Sharma) Judge 1st July, 2026 (Susheel)