IMPORTANT POINTS
1. If the genesis of the occurrence is proved, the ocular testimony of the witnesses could not be discarded only by the reason of the absence of motive, if otherwise the evidence is worthy of reliance.
2. Mechanical rejection of the evidence on the sole ground that it is interested would invariably lead to the failure of justice.

JUDGMENT

K. S. Radhakrishnan, J.:-The appellants herein were charge-sheeted for the offences punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The accused Habib was charge- sheeted under Section 302 IPC and the remaining two accused persons including Manuwa were charge-sheeted under Section 302 read with 34 IPC, however, Manuwa was also charge-sheeted under Section 307 IPC as well.

2. The trial court after appreciating the oral as well as documentary evidence acquitted all the accused persons vide its judgment dated 3.10.2008. Aggrieved by the said order the State preferred G.A. No.114 of 1982 before the High Court of judicature at Allahabad. The High Court, vide its judgment dated 23.3.2007 confirmed the acquittal of the accused Bhappa but acquittal of Habib and Manuwa was set aside. Habib was found guilty and convicted for the offences punishable under Section 302 IPC and accused Manuwa was convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC. Aggrieved by the said order Habib has filed Criminal Appeal No.911 of 2007 and Manuwa has filed Criminal Appeal No.915 of 2007.

3. The prosecution story is that Sammo, daughter of deceased Fakira and sister of Hamid (PW 1) - complainant was married to Habib, one of the accused. Sammo left the matrimonial home due to demand of dowry. Later PW 1 settled her marriage with another person but the nikah was not performed since no divorce was obtained from her husband–accused Habib. The prosecution version is that on 13.1.1981 at about 6.30 PM PW 1 Hamid accompanied by his father Fakira (deceased), his brother Rafique, servant Ashraf and other person namely Kailash Chandra were proceeding to a place Goverdhan along with cattle through a canal road. The accused Manuwa, his son Habib, appellants herein, and his brother Bhappa met PW 1 and others on the way and enquired about their destination. PW 1 informed that they are going to Goverdhan for cattle business. On seeing them, accused Manuwa instigated his sons Habib and Bhappa to challenge PW 1 and others. Manuwa himself opened fire with a view to kill Fakira, but it did not hit Fakira, Habib also opened fire and shot Fakira at his neck and he fell down and died on the spot. PW1 Hamid lodged a report to the police station Goverdhan, Mathura on 13.1.1981 at about 8.45 PM. Thereafter a case Crime No.13 under Section 302 IPC was registered. The case was tried by the Sessions Judge, Mathura. Prosecution, in order to bring home the charge, examined PW 1 Hamid, the informant, PW 2 Rafique, brother of the deceased, PW 3 Kailash Chandra, eye-witness to the murder, PW 4 Radhey Shayam, head constable, PW 5 Ram Kheladi, constable, PW 6 Dr. K.K. Khanna, CMO of Mathura to prove the post-mortem report, prepared by Dr. K.K. Seth. PW 7 Brijpal Singh – Investigating Officer and PW 8 Bankey Lal, constable. On the side of the defence, accused examined Abdul as DW1 and Rajendra Prasad Pandey as DW2.

4. Sessions Court after appreciating the oral and documentary evidence acquitted all the accused persons and on appeal preferred by the State, the High Court reversed the judgment of the trial court and, as already stated, convicted the accused persons and sentenced them to undergo imprisonment for life.

5. Mr. M.Z. Chaudhary, learned counsel appearing for the appellants submitted that the High Court has committed a serious error in reversing the order acquittal which was passed by the trial court after appreciating the oral and documentary evidence adduced by the prosecution as well as by the defence. He submitted that eHeHevarious circumstances pointed out by the trial court in disbelieving the evidence of the prosecution witnesses should not have been disturbed by the High court and no reason exist to do so. Learned counsel also pointed out that the eye-witnesses are closely related and there are possibilities of false implication due to some grudge entertained by the deceased and the complainant against the accused persons since PW 1’s sister was married to Ha