Sheobans Singh and Others vs Emperor

P. C. Banerji, J.—The applicants along with several others were convicted by a Magistrate under Sections 147 and 325 of the Indian Penal Code. On appeal the learned Sessions Judge set aside the conviction u/s 147 and in the case, of the applicants confirmed the conviction u/s 325. The learned Judge in the coarse of his judgment says, "there is no evidence worthy of credit on either side." Further down he repeats that "there is no reliable evidence that there was a riot." He thus discards the whole of the evidence adduced on behalf of the, prosecution and yet he holds the applicants to ha guilty of having caused grievous hurt to Ajudhi. No, doubt Ajudhi received serious injuries and so did the applicants, but from the fact of there, being injuries on the person of Ajudhi it did sot follow that those injurious were indicted by the three applicants. As the learned Judge disbelieves the whole of the evidence for the prosecution and he does not say that he believes any portion of it, the appellants could not be, convicted in the absence of any evidence. It is probable that they attacked Ajudhi and inflicted wounds on him, but the Hocused could not be convicted: merely because there is strong suspicion that they did inflict those injuries. It would be unsafe to convict them on evidence which, according to the learned Judge himself, is wholly unworthy of credit. I, therefore, allow the application and setting aside the conviction of the applicants and the sentence passed on them, acquit them of the offence of which they have been convicted. The bail furnished by them is discharged.