Bahadur Singh vs State of Punjab

L.N. Mittal, J.—This is revision petition by Bahadur Singh, who was convicted and sentenced by learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Muktsar vide judgment and order dated 31.05.1999, as affirmed in appeal by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Muktsar vide judgment dated 09.04.2002. The petitioner stands convicted under Sections 279, 337, 338, 427 and 304A of the Indian Penal Code (in short - the IPC) and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for four months u/s 279 IPC, for five months u/s 337 IPC, for seven months u/s 338 IPC and also for seven months u/s 427 IPC. He has also been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay fine of Rs. 500/ - and in default thereof, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for two months u/s 304A IPC. All the substantive sentences have been ordered to run concurrently.

According to the prosecution version, on 15.06.1996, Major Singh (since deceased) was going on his scooter, whereas his brother Mehar Singh (complainant) and son Simranjit Singh were following him on other scooter. At about 05:30 P.M., they reached near bus stand of Village Bhullar. Offending tractor No. PIB 1120 being driven rashly and negligently by the petitioner came from the opposite direction and hit the scooter of Major Singh, who resultantly fell down and suffered injuries. The tractor stopped at some distance. Mehar Singh and Simranjit Singh inquired the name of the tractor driver, who disclosed his name as Bahadur Singh (petitioner). They started attending to Major Singh and sent him in a jeep to hospital and themselves chased the petitioner, who, in the meantime, had fled away. However, they could not trace the petitioner. Major Singh was admitted in the hospital by the jeep driver and Mehar Singh and Simranjit Singh also reached there, but Major Singh succumbed to his injuries. The accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the tractor by the petitioner. Mehar Singh lodged FIR by making statement to the police. Necessary investigation followed and petitioner was sent for trial after investigation.

Mehar Singh (PW-1) and Simranjit Singh (PW-2) have broadly stated according to the prosecution version. Other evidence including evidence of mechanical examination of the scooter and the tractor, medical evidence and investigation of case has also been led. Photographer was also examined. The tractor and the scooter were also seized from the spot by the police.

The petitioner in his examination u/s 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (in short - the Cr.P.C.) denied all th incriminating circumstances appearing against him in the prosecution evidence and claimed to be innocent. He stated that he was sitting near the bus stand for repair of tractor as its tyre had got burst. The petitioner did not lead any evidence in his defence.

I have heard learned Counsel for the parties and perused the case file.

Both the eye-witnesses have supported the prosecution version. FIR was lodged very promptly. The accident occurred at 05:30 P.M. and FIR was registered at 08:00 P.M. Manner of accident was described in the FIR. Registration number of the offending tractor as well as name and address of the petitioner as its driver were mentioned in the FIR. The statements of both the eye-witnesses are thus fully corroborated by the FIR, which was lodged very promptly. There is concurrent finding of guilt of the petitioner by both the courts below on appreciation of evidence. The said finding is neither perverse nor illegal so as to warrant interference in exercise of revisional jurisdiction.

Learned Counsel for the petitioner vehemently contended that Mehar Singh complainant in cross-examination could not identify the petitioner being the driver of the offending tractor at the time of the accident. However, merely on this ground, the conviction of the petitioner cannot be set aside because Simranjit Singh correctly identified the petitioner in the court being driver of the offending tractor at the time of accident. Moreover, name and address of the petitioner as such was mentioned in the FIR lodged promptly. There is no reason why Mehar Singh and Simranjit Singh would falsely implicate the petitioner. The petitioner has also not led any evidence in his defence. The petitioner has admitted his presence at the spot along with tractor. False implication is reasonably ruled out.

Learned Counsel for the petitioner also contended that brother and son of the deceased did not accompany him to hospital. However, it has been explained in the FIR itself that they chased the petitioner, who had, in the meanwhile, fled away and they reached the hospital soon thereafter. The FIR was lodged by Mehar Singh in the hospital itself without any delay. Consequently, it cannot be said that Mehar Singh and Simranjit Singh had not witnessed the occurrence.

In view of the foregoing discussion, I find no infirmity in the concurrent finding of both the courts below regarding guilt of the petitioner. Accordingly, finding of conviction of the petitioner is affirmed.

As regards sentence also, the petitioner does not deserve any relief because the petitioner, by driving the tractor rashly and negligently, prematurely put to an end the life of Major Singh aged about 42 years only. Sentence of imprisonment for one year for offence u/s 304A IPC cannot be said to be excessive, notwithstanding that the occurrence took place about 13 years ago. The petitioner has remained in custody for only three months and eleven days, as per Custody Certificate placed on record today by learned State counsel. The said period of custody is not adequate punishment for offence u/s 304A IPC. The quantum of sentence imposed on the petitioner does not warrant reduction.

The appeal is without any merit and is accordingly dismissed. The appellant, who is on bail, shall surrender to his bail bonds or shall be taken in custody to undergo the remaining period of his sentence.