AI Structured Summary
Not yet generated for this judgment
Judgment
Both these Criminal Appeals are being heard together and disposed of by this common judgment as both these appeals are arising out from the same
order of judgment and conviction.
Heard Mr. Shree Nivas Roy, learned counsel for the appellants as well as Ms. Amrita Kumari, learned A.P. P., appearing for the State (in Cr. Appeal
No.652/2006) and Ms. Laxmi Murmu, learned A.P.P., appearing for the State (in Cr. Appeal No.746/2006) and Mr. Arwind Kumar, learned counsel
for the informant.
These appeal are directed against the judgment of conviction dated 01.05.2006 and order of sentence dated 04.05.2006 passed by Sri Sajjan Kumar
Dubey, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court-IV, Giridih in S.T. Case No. 337/2002 whereby and whereunder the appellants,
namely, Sahdeo Singh, Dhirendra Singh @ Mukhiya, Pancha Nand Singh and Nakul Singh have been convicted under Sections 148, 324, 325 &
307/149 of the Indian Penal Code. Accused namely Bantu Singh has been convicted under sections 147,324,325 and 307/149 of the Indian Penal
Code. All accused were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years under sections 307/149 of the Indian Penal Code and a fine of
Rs. 2000/-, in default of payment of fine rigorous imprisonment for six months. Further all the accused were sentenced rigorous imprisonment for five
years under sections 325/149 of the Indian Penal Code and a fine of Rs 1000/-, in default thereof, rigorous imprisonment for three months and further
rigorous imprisonment for two years under section 324/149 of the Indian Penal Code has also been sentenced. Accused namely Sahdeo Singh,
Dhirendra Singh @ Mukhiya, Pancha Nand Singh and Nakul Singh were further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years under
section 148 of the Indian Penal Code. Accused namely Bantu Singh was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year under Section 147
of the Indian Penal Code. All the sentences were directed to be run concurrently.
Jamua P.S. Case No. 120/2001 has been registered on 07.08.2001 on written report submitted by the informant, namely, Vijay Singh (P.W.-6). As per
the F.I.R. at about 7 AM his father, namely, Jaleshwar Singh-P.W.-8 and brother, namely, Sanjay Singh, P.W.-9 were working in their field. In the
meantime, all the accused persons including one Vinay Singh after forming unlawful assembly armed with deadly weapons came there and have
assaulted Jaleshwar Singh and Sanjay Singh with sword, knife, bhala, tangi and lathi.
It has been stated that Sahdeo Singh has inflicted sword blow on the head of Sanjay Singh and Pancha Nand Singh inflicted knife blow on his leg.
Dhirendra Singh @ Mukhiya has given sword blow on the head of Jaleshwar Singh, Nakul Singh has given bhala blow on Jaleshwar Singh. Rest two
accused have also assaulted with lathi causing injuries.
On the basis of above F.I.R., police has started investigation. On completion of investigation, the appellants have been charge sheeted under Sections
147, 148, 149, 323, 324, 325, 326 and 307 of the IPC. Thereafter, cognizance has been taken. Case has been committed to the court of sessions and
ultimately, charge has been framed under Sections 307/149, 147, 148, 324, 325 & 326 of the IPC to which appellants pleaded not guilty and claimed to
be tried.
To substantiate the prosecution story altogether nine witnesses have been examined.
P.W.-1, Tilak Ravidas, P.W.-2, Bajo Rai and P.W.-3, Dumar Ravidas have claimed that they are labourers and were working in the field alongwith
Jaleshwar Singh and Sanjay Singh since 6 AM. Around 7 AM, the named accused persons came there armed with sword, bhala, lathi, tangi etc. and
have assaulted Jaleshwar Singh and Sanjay Singh. As per these three witnesses, nobody was present at the place of occurrence. In fact, nobody has
come at the place of occurrence. After the incident, these three persons have taken the injured to their house.
P.W.-4, Ayodhya Singh, (relative of both sides) has testified that he saw the informant (Vijay Singh) coming from the place of occurrence towards the
village and informed him that his father and brother have been assaulted by these appellants. Thereafter, he went to the place of occurrence and saw
the injured, namely, Jaleshwar Singh and Sanjay Singh and also saw these appellants armed with various weapons. Thereafter, the injured were
brought to the house. As per this witness, many villagers have assembled at the place of occurrence.
P.W.-6, Vijay Singh (informant) has supported the narration given in the F.I.R. He has testified that he was present at the place of occurrence at the
distance of 400 to 500 yards. He has seen the occurrence and after the occurrence, he got report prepared by Chandrabhushan Singh and has given to
the police at around 9 AM. He has further stated that the appellants were shouting that these injured witnesses have died and thereafter they have left
the place of occurrence.
P.W.-5, B.N. Das is the doctor and has claimed that he has examined the injury of P.W.-8 and P.W.-9.
As per injury report, following injuries have been found on the person of P.W.-8 and P.W.-9.
“Injuries of Jaleshwar Singh (P.W.-8)
i. Incised wound 3â€x 1/2†x bone deep, red in colour, anteriorly over middle portion of skull.
ii. Lacerated wound 2â€x1/4â€x muscle deep, red in colour over the lower portion of the ulnar side of left forearm, X-ray shows fracture of
left ulnar bone.
iii. Acute tenderness with swelling over right side of upper portion of chest X-ray shows fracture of right clavicle.
iv. Acute tenderness and swelling over the left side upper portion of back over scapular region, X-ray shows fracture of left scapular bone.
v. Incised wound ½†x ½†x muscle deep, red in colour on left side of forehead above eye-brow.
vi. Incised wound 2 ½â€x ¼â€x muscle deep, red in colour on the outer and lower portion of left arm.
vii. Acute tenderness over left knee.
Injuries of Sanjay Singh (P.W.-9)
i. Lacerated wound 1â€x 1/4†x bone deep, red in colour medially on right leg, 6†below right knee X-ray shows fracture of upper end of
right tibia.
ii. Incised wound 2â€x1/4â€x bone deep, red in colour over middle portion of posterior part of scalp.
iii. Incised wound 1 ½†x ¼†x muscle deep, red in colour, medially over lower portion of left leg.
iv. Incised would 2 ½†x ¼†bone deep, red in colour, anteriorily over left leg 6†below left knee.
v. Abrasion with tenderness over right foot.
vi. Tenderness with swelling on left arm and forearm.â€
In his cross-examination at para-7 and 8, this witness has admitted that he has examined the victims of its own as he was neither referred by the
police nor by the I.O. nor by the any other police station.
P.W.-7, Mangal Baraik, A.S.I. has testified that he has received written information from P.W.-6 at 7 AM and has proceeded to investigate the
matter. Subsequently, on the next date on 08.08.2001, he has been authorized by the Officer-in-Charge to investigate the case. Before that, he has
started the investigation and has visited the place of occurrence and has referred the injured witness i.e. P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 to Jamua Primary Health
Center. He has testified that he has not taken the statement of P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 under Section 161 of the Cr.P.C. He has admitted that he has
neither seized any weapon nor blood stained soil and the cloth of the victim. Further he has testified that when he visited the house of injured they
were unconscious but at the same time he also admitted that he has not taken their statement during investigation.
In his cross-examination, he has admitted that he has taken the statement of other witnesses and the informant before formal registration of the F.I.R.
The I.O. in his cross has testified that the P.W.-1, P.W.-2, P.W.-3 and P.W.-4 have not stated regarding the presence of other witness.
P.W.-8, Jaleshwar Singh is the injured witness and father of the informant. He has testified in his main examination that he has been assaulted by
these appellants while he was working with Sanjay Singh. He has not stated regarding presence of other witness. Further he has testified in his cross
examination that his statement was never taken by the Investigating Officer.
P.W.-9, Sanjay Singh, brother of the informant and is a injured witness. He has stated the same version as P.W.-8.
Learned counsel for the appellants has assailed the judgment of conviction on the ground that P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 are not charge sheeted witnesses
and they have never been examined by the Investigating Officer and suddenly they have given their statement in court as a court witness after four
years of the incident and as such their evidence cannot be relied upon.
For this purpose, learned counsel for the appellants has relied upon the judgment reported in 1992 East Cr. C. 263 (Pat) in the case of Brij Nandan Rai
and Ors. Vrs. State of Bihar (Pat). On the strength of above judgment, it has been argued that if the witness has neither examined by the police nor
presented as a prosecution witness and had given their evidence after a year, although in the present case, it has been given after four years, then the
testimony of such witness cannot be accepted and the same cannot be a basis for conviction.
It has been further argued that P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 were workers and they have claimed to be an eye witness, has clearly stated that they
were present at the place of occurrence and has seen the occurrence and other witness were not present. P.W-4 and P.W.-6 have improved their
version. P.W.-6, has tried to be eye witness although in the F.I.R. he has not disclosed such fact. Further even in his testimony, he has not stated
anything about the helping or saving his father or brother or even helping them to bring to the house.
P.W.-5-doctor, has given opinion regarding the grievous injury and simple injury. The gravity of injury of P.W.-9 has been given on the basis of X-ray
report, which has been not placed on record.
P.W.-7, I.O. of the case, has clearly admitted that he has not examined the injured witness i.e. P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 and further the injury report is not
at the instance of police officials rather it has been prepared at the instance of the informant and as such no reliance can be placed upon that.
It has further been argued that the informant and the appellants are Gotias and there is a land dispute between them. Further various litigations are
going on between the parties, which has been admitted by P.W.-6 and P.W.-4. Earlier a criminal case has been lodged by the appellants, which has
been marked as Ext.A. Thus, due to enmity, the present appellants have been falsely implicated in the present case on the strength of forged and
manipulated injury report.
Alternatively, learned counsel for the appellants has submitted that the incident is of the year 2001 and the trial has been concluded in the year 2006
and the appeal is being heard in the year 2020, long litigation itself is a punishment and due to which appellants have suffered mental agony and more
so also since the appellants in Cr. Appeal No. 652 of 2006 have remained in custody for more than 45 days and the appellants in Cr. Appeal No.746
of 2006 for more than two months pre and post trial and already deposited the fine amount, the sentence awarded to the appellants may be reduced.
Per contra, learned APP assisted by Mr. Arwind Kumar has supported the judgment of conviction and argued that P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 are
the independent eye witnesses, who were labourers and have no enmity or relation with one or other parties. They have clearly stated that while they
were working with P.W.-8 and P.W.-9, these appellants have come there armed with deadly weapons and have assaulted the victims. When they left
the place of occurrence then P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 have taken the injured persons to the house and thereafter they informed the police. Thus,
the testimony of P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 are reliable and sufficient to prove the story of the prosecution. Further P.W.-8 and P.W.-9, who are the
injured witnesses, have clearly stated that they have been assaulted by the present appellants. The discrepancy in the evidence of P.W.-4 and P.W.-6
and further the deposition of P.W.-5 i.e. doctor and P.W.-7 i.e I.O. will not make any difference as the eye witnesses have proved the case beyond
all the reasonable doubt. It has further been argued that D.W.-1 i.e. Sahdeo Singh, who is appellant no. 1 in Cr. Appeal (SJ) No. 746 of 2006, has
been examined on behalf of the appellants, has testified before the court as defence witness that Vijay Singh and Jaleshwar Singh were present in the
field and they were destroying the earlier crops, which has been objected by this D. W.1 and being furious, he has been chased by Jaleshwar Singh
and Sanjay Singh with sword and bhala. In defense, he has thrown small wood log, which has hit Jaleshwar Singh and thereafter he pick up the sword
and flashing in his defense and has fled away from the place of occurrence. The testimony of this witness at least corroborates the fact that Vijay
Singh, Jaleshwar Singh and Sanjay Singh were present at the place of occurrence. Thus the occurrence has been sufficiently evidenced and further
the nature of injury and weapons used justify the conviction under Sections 307/149, 324, 325 of the Indian Penal Code and other charged sections.
Heard learned counsel for the parties.
From perusal of materials available on record and after hearing the parties, it appears that on 07.08.2001, the scuffle has taken place between the
parties and this fact has been testified by the defense witness as well as by the prosecution witnesses and further by the labourer present at the site.
P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 the laborers present at the site have clearly testified regarding consorted assault made by the appellants upon P.W.-8 and
P.W.-9. The plea of these appellants that P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 have been called after four years of incident and they have not been examined by the
I.O. will not make any difference as they have been given sufficient opportunity to cross-examine the injured witness. In fact, the entire prosecution
story is nothing but assault to P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 by these appellants. In such scenario, making them as charged witness or not by the I.O. will not
make any difference. They were only the competent witness and omission on the part of I.O. will not make any difference. Further the appellants
have been given sufficient opportunity to cross examine them and as such they cannot make any complaint regarding the same.
It is trite that flaw in investigation is not always fatal for the prosecution, in such cases, the evidence available on record has to be examined with great
caution. In the present case, P.W.-1, P.W.-2 and P.W.-3 are not relative, rather they are independent witness. They are labourers, who used to work
for different persons and were working in the disputed field. D.W.-1 has also testified that P.W.-8, P.W.-9 and P.W.-6 were present in the field and
were doing the agricultural work.
It is settled law that Section 307 of the IPC is nothing but failed murder. It means that the accused have taken all steps for killing but failed due to
circumstances beyond their control.
In the present case, five persons were present and nobody was there to save the victims. Further, injury report itself is doubtful and so-called injuries
and the circumstance with which the weapon used clearly suggest that there was no intention to kill the victims. Further the nature of injuries is not
sufficient to cause death in ordinary course of nature. Thus, neither intention is present nor the injuries suggest that the ingredient of Section 307 of the
IPC is attracted and as such, conviction of the appellants under Sections 307/149 of the Indian Penal Code is not made out and they are discharged
from the charges under Sections 307/149 of the Indian Penal Code. As, injury itself has not been proved beyond reasonable doubt, conviction of
appellant u/s 324, 325/149 is set aside.
However, P. Ws. 8 and 9 has been assaulted, the conviction of these appellants is sustained under Sections 147 & 148 of the Indian Penal Code and
the sentence to these appellants is reduced to the period already undergone. The fine amount is enhanced to Rs.10,000/- and the appellants are
directed to deposit the fine amount of Rs. 10,000/- in the court below within two months from today which shall be disbursed to P.W.-8 and P.W.-9 or
their legal heirs.
In view of the material available on record and the discussion made herein above, the judgment of conviction dated 01.05.2006 and order of sentence
dated 04.05.2006 passed by Sri Sajjan Kumar Dubey, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court-IV, Giridih in S.T. Case No. 337/2002 is
modified to the extent indicated hereinabove. Accordingly, the appeal stands disposed of.
Since the appellants are already on bail, they are discharged from the liability of their bail bonds.