Kishan and Others vs State of Rajasthan

Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, J.—Mishri Lal (P.W.3) had submitted a written report (Exhibit-P/10) before Harchand (P.W.19), who at relevant time was posted as SHO, at Police Station Reni, District Alwar.

Harchand (P.W.19) while appearing in the court stated that on 17.4.2004, Mishri Lal (P.W.3) had presented a Missing Complaint (Exhibit-P/9) and thereafter, on 18.4.2004, at 12:30 PM, he presented another written report (Exhibit-P/10), on the basis of which, he had registered a formal FIR No. 40/2004 (Exhibit-P/11) for the offence under Section 302 IPC at Police Station Reni. During the course of investigation, Kishan @ Tension s/o Prabhu Dayal and Mukesh s/o Hareti, both resident of village Ukeri, were nominated as accused.

The trial court vide impugned judgment dated 13.9.2005, acquitted Mukesh. However, came to a conclusion that Kishan @ Tension is responsible for causing death of Santara @ Mukeshi and also for causing disappearance of the dead body. Consequently, having convicted the appellant Kishan @ Tension for the offence under Section 302 and 201 IPC vide a separate order of even date, the trial Judge sentenced the appellant, Kishan as under:-

U/s 302 IPC- to undergo life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/-, in default of payment of fine, to further undergo one year''s S.I.

U/s 201 IPC- to undergo seven years'' imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/-, in default of payment of fine, to further undergo six months'' S.I.

The appellant, Kishan @ Tension, aggrieved against his conviction and sentence, has preferred D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 871/2005. The State of Rajasthan equally aggrieved against the acquittal of Mukesh has preferred D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 461/2006. Since in both the appeals, same judgment has been impugned, we shall decide both the appeals by way of this common judgment.

Mishri Lal (P.W.3) on 17.4.2004, in the missing report (Exhibit-P/9) stated that Smt. Santara @ Mukeshi, wife of the present appellant, Kishan @ Tension, on 13.4.2004, at about 5:30 PM, had left his house at village Rampura, for going to her matrimonial home at village Ukeri. The complainant stated that her daughter had not reached at her matrimonial home and on 14.4.2004, a bag containing clothes was found at 6:00 AM in the morning, near railway crossing opposite to the field of one Dayal Meena. The bag was found by the son of his uncle Chhuttan s/o Gilaram. In the complaint it was further stated that while going at the spot, the complainant had identified the bag and clothes to be of her daughter Santara @ Mukeshi. The complainant further stated that he extensively searched for his daughter, Santara @ Mukeshi at various places, but she was not traceable.

On the next day of lodging of missing report, Mishri Lal (P.W.3) in written report (Exhibit-P/10) stated that 6/7 years ago, he married his daughter Santara @ Mukeshi aged 24 years with Kishan @ Tension, resident of village Ukeri. He further stated that on 12.4.2004, Santara @ Mukeshi had come to her parental house at village Rampura from the house of her in-laws. On the next day i.e. 13.4.2004, in the evening at about 5:30 PM, she alone left by foot for the village of her in-laws. She was carrying a bag containing clothes. On 14.4.2004, her bag and clothes were found near the field of Dayal Meena. On suspicion, the complainant had gone to the house of her daughter''s in-laws, where he was informed by Shrilal Meena, father-in-law of her daughter that she had not returned to her matrimonial home. The complainant further stated that they carried search for his daughter in various relations, but no whereabouts were known. He further stated that on 17.4.2004, he had lodged a missing report and a requested that his daughter be searched. The complainant further stated that today on 18.4.2004, while searching his daughter, at village Ukeri, he has received an information that on 14.4.2004, his daughter was seen along with Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh at village Mandawar (Dausa). A further suspicion was raised that both Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh after taking his daughter, Santara @ Mukeshi to some place had committed her murder. On the basis of suspicion, report was lodged. It was further stated that extensive search was carried but whereabouts of his daughter, Santara @ Mukeshi were not found.

As stated earlier, the above said FIR was investigated and both, Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh were found to be accused who had committed the murder, of Santara @ Mukeshi, daughter of the complainant Mishri Lal (P.W.3), hence, the investigating agency submitted the report of investigation in the court of concerned magistrate. The said report along with the accused was committed to the court Sessions and the trial was entrusted to the Additional Sessions Judge, Rajgarh, Alwar.

The appellant Kishan @ Tension was charged for the offence under Section 302/201 IPC and the respondent to the State appeal, Mukesh was also charged for same offences. They pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. The prosecution commenced its evidence.

Ghanshyam (P.W.1) while appearing in the court stated that in his presence Panchnama (Exhibit-P/1) of dead body was prepared. The police had also arrested Mukesh and Kishan @ Tension. On 18.4.2004, at 2:05 PM, this witness had attested the arrest memo (Exhibit-P/2 and Exhibit-P/3) qua Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh, respectively. This witness further stated that the Police vide memo Exhibit-P/4, had recovered clothes and chappal of the deceased, Santara @ Mukeshi. The said clothes and the chappal were taken into possession after the dead body was recovered.

In cross-examination this witness stated that the Police had not arrested Mukesh in his presence and the Police informed him that they have apprehended him at Ukeri.

Manna Lal (P.W.2) stated in the court that he had attested the site plan (Exhibit-P/5) and the spot from where the dead body was recovered. He had also attested the memo, whereby, the soil of the place where dead body was thrown, was recovered. He had also attested the Panchnama (Exhibit-P/1) and memo Exhibit-P/4 and Exhibit-P/8, whereby clothes and chappal of the deceased, Santara @ Mukeshi were taken into possession by the police. However, this witness, in his examination-in-chief stated that he is not aware as to when accused were arrested.

Mishri Lal appeared in the court as P.W.3. He stated that his daughter, Santara @ Mukeshi was married with Kishan @ Tension about 5-6 years ago. Her daughter had come to her parental house on 12.4.2004 to meet him and family members. She left the house on 13.4.2004 at about 5:30 PM for going to the village of her in-laws. On 14.4.2004, at about 6:00/7:00 AM, near the railway crossing beside the field of Dayal Meena a bag containing clothes of the deceased, Santara @ Mukeshi was found by Chhuttan son of his uncle. This witness along with Raghuveer (P.W.11) had gone to the spot and had identified bag and clothes as belonging to his daughter. This witness further stated that believing that his daughter may have gone to her maternal uncle, he carried a search, but she was not found at the house any relative. Finally, he had lodged a missing report (Exhibit-P/9) and the written report (Exhibit-P/10). This witness further stated that SHO, Police Station Reni enquired whether the witness had suspicion against any one and the witness informed the SHO that Rambharose and Ramhari had seen his daughter along with accused Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh near Mandawar hospital. This witness further stated that the Investigating Officer also shared his suspicion and informed that this may be some ploy on the part of the accused to divert the investigation. The witness along with many persons went to the house of the appellant Kishan @ Tension. Their Mukesh was also sitting. This witness had taken about 10/15 persons namely, Ghanshyam, Manna, Narendra @ Sampa, former Sarpanch Ramji Lal along with him. He further stated that about hundreds of people of the village had accompanied him. In their presence, the Investigating Officer told the accused to narrate the true facts, otherwise he will be given beating and then the accused agreed to disclose and informed that they had thrown the dead body of Santra @ Mukeshi in a well. Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh both told this fact. The Investigating Officer immediately arrested the accused and asked them to identify the place where the well is situated and where they had thrown the dead body. Then the accused took the Investigating Officer along with others at a distance of 3 kms from village Ukera, near Balahedi to the well of Ramdhan Khateek. Near the well, there is a temple of Lord Shanker. They pointed towards the well where they had thrown the dead body. The police with the help of motorcycle''s mirror saw the dead body inside the well. Jairam and Ramniwas both had gone inside the well and brought out the dead body with the help of rope. The Police made a site plan of the spot. The head, neck and hand of the body was broken and there were various injuries on the person of the deceased. The Police also took into possession wet stones and soil from the spot along with clothes and chappal of the deceased.

Narendra Kumar @ Sampu (P.W.4) stated in the court that he had attested the Panchnama (Exhibit-P/1), whereby the dead body was recovered and the inquest proceedings were carried. This witness had also attested the memos prepared at the spot regarding preparation of the site plan and handing over the dead body to the parents of the deceased.

Ramji Lal (P.W.5) in the court stated that he attested the Panchnama (Exhibit-P/1) and also the site plan of the spot (Exhibit-P/5) and memo Exhibit-P/6, whereby the blood stained stones from the soil were lifted and taken into possession by the police.

Meera (P.W.6) stated that Santara @ Mukeshi is sister of her husband. She was married about seven years ago with the accused Kishan @ Tension. She stated that on 12.4.2004, the deceased, Santara @ Mukeshi came to their house. She left their house on 13.4.2004 for going to the house of in-laws and on 14.4.2004, a bag containing clothes of the deceased was found, and she had identified the clothes. She further stated that Kishan @ Tension and his friend Mukesh had told the police that they had thrown the dead body in a well at Balaheda. Then all the villagers went to the well and brought out the dead body. This witness further stated that whether Kishan @ Tension used to give beating to his wife, is not in her knowledge. The Public Prosecutor sought the permission of the court to confront this witness with her previous statement under Section 161 Cr.P.C. The said permission was granted.

Apparently, the witness had resiled from her previous statement.

Ramoti (P.W.7) being mother of the deceased, had also stated as to what was stated by her daughter-in-law, Meera (P.W.6). This witness stated that her daughter, Santara @ Mukeshi was married with the accused. She came to their house on 12.4.2004 and left the house on 13.4.2004. Furthermore, bag and clothes of her daughter were found, which were identified to be of her daughter. She further stated that when residents of their village searched for Santara @ Mukeshi, they learnt that Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh had thrown her dead body in a well at village Balahedi. The Police and the residents of the village brought the dead body to the village. The permission of the court was also sought to confront this witness with her previous statement, which was granted.

Ramniwas Meena (P.W.8) in relation is brother of the deceased, Santara @ Mukeshi. He stated that on 14.4.2004, when bag and clothes were recovered, he had told the residents that he had seen both the accused along with Santara towards village Ukeri.

Bharat Lal Meena, brother of the accused Kishan @ Tension appeared in the witness box as P.W.9. He stated that from seven years no child was born out of the wedlock of accused Kishan @ Tension and the deceased Santara @ Mukeshi. But the witness stated that his brother never complained against his deceased wife. This witness was confronted with his previous statement. This witness was declared hostile.

Jairam (P.W.10) in the court stated that the police came to their village. About 200-250 persons of the village had gone to the village Balahedi. On the asking of Police, he and Ramniwas had gone inside the well and brought out the dead body from the well.

Raghuveer (P.W.11) in the court stated that he was called by Chhuttan, who had found the bag containing clothes of the deceased. Later he learnt that Santara @ Mukeshi was thrown into well. Then they had gone to village Balaheda and got the dead body recovered. He stated that at that time, the accused were already arrested.

Dr. Ram Dayal Meena (P.W.12), had conducted the autopsy on the dead body of Santara @ Mukeshi. Nothing hinges upon the examination of this witness, as it is admitted fact that the deceased had died due to sufferance of injuries and excessive bleeding.

Dr. Ramswaroop Meena (P.W.13) was also a member of Board, which had conducted the Post-Mortem on the dead body of Santara @ Mukeshi. This witness proved the PostMortem Report (Exhibit-P/16).

Ramanand (P.W.14) being Head Constable was In-charge of the Malkhana. This witness stated that on 18.4.2004 blood stained stones, blood stained soil, simple soil, one pair of chappal belonging to the deceased and her clothes were deposited with him. He had sent the samples to Forensic Science Laboratory. Furthermore, the motorcycle recovered on 10.5.2004 was also deposited in Malkhana.

Chhuttan Lal (P.W.15) stated that 13-14 months ago, on that day, at 7:00 AM in the morning, near the railway crossing, he had found a bag, which contained clothes of Santara @ Mukeshi. This witness stated that he had informed Raghuveer. Then, mother-in-law and the mother of the deceased were called. The mother-in-law identified the clothes to be of Santara @ Mukeshi.

Dr. Vinod Kumar Jain (P.W.16) was also a member of the Medical Board, which had conducted the autopsy on the dead body of Santara @ Mukeshi. He also proved the PostMortem Report (Exhibit-P/16).

Satish Kumar Sharma (P.W.17) being Photographer had taken photographs of the spot.

Rakesh Kumar (P.W.18) had carried sealed packets to the FSL at Jaipur.

Harchand (P.W.19) being Investigating Officer, proved various facets of the investigation.

We have noted the entire evidence led by the prosecution and from the same, following two incriminating circumstances have emerged against the accused:-

Firstly, the accused Kishan @ Tension on 18.4.2004, at about 2:15 PM, had suffered a disclosure statement (Exhibit-P/20), wherein he stated that the dead body of the deceased was thrown in a well and he can point out the well, where the dead body was thrown. On the same day, at 2:25 PM, another disclosure statement (Exhibit-P/21) of accused Mukesh to the same effect was also recorded. Furthermore, it has come in evidence that in pursuance of disclosure statements (Exhibit-P/20 and Exhibit-P/21), the accused vide recovery memo Exhibit-P/7 got recovered the dead body from the well.

Secondly, Ramniwas (P.W.8) had stated that he had seen the deceased going along with Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh towards the village Ukeri.

So far the evidence of last seen is concerned, in written report (Exhibit-P/10), Mishri Lal (P.W.3) had stated that he was informed by Rambharose and Ramhari that they had seen the deceased along with Kishan @ Tension at Mandawar. This fact was not specified in earlier missing complaint (Exhibit-P/9). Therefore, it has been rightly urged before us that after Mishri Lal (P.W.3) lodged the report (Exhibit-P/9), he got an information that Rambharose and Ramhari had seen the deceased at Mandawar. Both the witnesses to the last seen, Rambharose and Ramhari have not been examined by the prosecution.

So far evidence of Ramniwas Meena (P.W.8) is concerned, he stated that on 14.4.2004, he heard that bag containing clothes of the deceased has been found in a field and at that time, he had told that he had seen the deceased along with the accused going towards the village Ukera. Therefore, the evidence regarding last seen before 14.4.2004 cannot be determined as last seen, as the prosecution witnesses have themselves stated that later the deceased was seen along with the accused at Mandawar. Though, the witnesses to this effect have not been examined. Even if we assume that Ramniwas Meena (P.W.8) has seen the accused going with the deceased before 14.4.2004, he had not narrated this fact to the complainant and to others, who were extensively searching for the deceased.

Regarding the information relayed by Ramniwas Meena (P.W.8), missing report dated 17.4.2004 (Exhibit-P/9) and the written report (Exhibit-P/10) recorded on 18.4.2004 are completely silent. Therefore, regarding last seen, no reliance can be placed upon the testimony of Ramniwas Meena (P.W.8) and we shall exclude his evidence from the consideration.

Now, we are left with the recovery of dead body vide memo Exhibit-P/7 at the instance of the accused in pursuance of the disclosure statements (Exhibit-P/20 and Exhibit-P/21) made by both the accused Kishan @ Tension and Mukesh, respectively. It has come in the evidence that Mishri Lal (P.W.3) suspecting some ploy on the part of the accused, had gone to the house of the accused and at that time, hundreds of people had gathered there. The Investigating Officer told the accused to disclose the place, otherwise, they will be thrashed. It is stated that in view of the threat given by the Investigating Officer, the accused had stated that they had thrown the dead body into the well. The disclosure statements made by the accused under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence Act, cannot be termed as voluntary disclosures, made without any coercion or duress. What is to be noted by us that both the Exhibit-P/20 and Exhibit-P/21 are not witnessed by any witness.

Relying upon the judgment of Hon''ble Apex Court in the case of Harjit Singh and Others Vs. State of Punjab, , a Division Bench of this Court of which one of us (Kanwaljit Singh Ahluwalia, J.) was a Member in Rameshwar and Dinesh @ Pillu Vs. State of Rajasthan, D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 158/2010, decided on 10.11.2014, has observed as under:-

"Having appreciated the evidence of the witness, it is to be noted that disclosure statement Ex-P/22 as made by Munesh is not attested by any witness what to say of any independent witness. Ex.P/22 is recorded on 31st July, 2006 at 11 P.M. It is only signed by SHO Police Station, Bhusawar Distt. Bharatpur. It was held in Harjit Singh and Others Vs. State of Punjab, that disclosure statement should be signed by independent person and Investigating officer should not associate any eye witness with the recovery memos. In the present case, no witness was associated at the time when disclosure statement was made. It is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the disclosure statement was made voluntary without any duress or coercion. To justify voluntary character of disclosure statement, it ought to be recorded in the presence of witnesses, it is to be noted that Section 27 of Indian Evidence Act is an exception to Section 25 of the Indian Evidence Act which says that nothing stated to police is admissible in evidence. Since Section 27 carve out an exception, it is necessary that prosecution must show some material to the Court to be satisfied that same was not fabricated, therefore, it is necessary that it should have been made in presence of some witnesses." 38. In the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, to us the sufferance of disclosure statement ought to have been witnessed by some independent witnesses and it was incumbent for the investigating officer to associate some witnesses to the recording of disclosure statement (Exhibit-P/20) made by the appellant, Kishan @ Tension. If the statement made by Mishri Lal (P.W.3), Meera (P.W.6), bhabhi of the deceased, and Ramoti (P.W.7) mother of the deceased, is read between lines, by us the possibility that the villagers came to know that the dead body has been found in village Balaheda cannot be ruled out. The possibility that the dead body was found and later disclosure statement was manipulated cannot be ruled out. Be that as it may, it has been held by the Hon''ble Apex Court in Bakhshish Singh Vs. State of Punjab, , that recovery of dead body by police upon information given by the accused on being questioned is not a conclusive circumstance, but it merely raises a strong suspicion against him.

Taking alone the circumstance that that the accused in pursuance of disclosure statement got recovery of dead body effected, for us, is not sufficient to come at the conclusion that the chain of circumstances is complete to arrive at the conclusion that the offence is committed by the accused and nobody else. Number of hypothetical situations cannot be ruled out.

The learned counsel for the appellant has very rightly stated that since marriage was seven years old, and the deceased had not given birth to any child, it is equally possible that she had committed suicide and had suffered injuries due to fall in the well. We will not comment upon the hypothetical arguments raised before this Court.

We are of the considered opinion that only circumstance that the accused in pursuance of disclosure statement got recovered the dead body is not sufficient to arrive at the conclusion that only the accused and nobody else had committed the offence.

It has come in the evidence that Kishan @ Tension had suffered disclosure statement first in time, and immediately thereafter, another disclosure statement was suffered by Mukesh. Therefore, the disclosure statement Exhibit-P/21 suffered by Mukesh, after the sufferance of disclosure statement Exhibit-P/20 by the accused Kishan @ Tension, cannot be termed as disclosure statement, as it is re-disclosure. The Indian Evidence Act nowhere recognize re-disclosure. Once the police knew about the whereabouts of the dead body, recording of subsequent disclosure was meaningless. It is only a devise of the police to involve Mukesh as accused. If subsequent disclosure (Exhibit-P/21) is left out of consideration, there is no evidence against Mukesh. Therefore, he has been rightly acquitted by the trial court.

As a result of above discussion, we accept D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 871/2005 preferred by the appellant, Kishan @ Tension and dismiss the D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 461/2006 preferred by the State to challenge the acquittal of the co-accused Mukesh.

Due to acceptance of D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 871/2005 preferred by the appellant, Kishan @ Tension, we set aside his conviction pronounced and sentence awarded by the trial court and he is acquitted of all the charges. With the dismissal of the state appeal, we affirm the finding of acquittal returned by the trial court qua Mukesh.