The principle of parity with acquitted co-accused can be applied when the evidence of the eyewitness is found to be highly unreliable.

JUDGMENT :

Shiva Kirti Singh, J.

Both the appeals arise out of same judgment and order dated 3.1.2006 passed by a Division Bench of High Court of Rajasthan at Jaipur Bench in Criminal Appeal No. 779 of 2001. By the impugned judgment the High Court has maintained the conviction of appellants namely Ram Laxman and Sanjay alias Sanju for offences under Section 302/149 and Section 148 IPC. The sentence imposed on the appellants is life imprisonment and fine of Rs.5,000/- with default clause under Section 302/149 IPC and RI for one year under Section 148 IPC. Both the substantive sentences are to run concurrently. Vide the same judgment the High Court has allowed the appeal of co-accused Ram Bharos, Sher Singh, Chaturbhuj, Ram Prasad and Mangi Lal and acquitted them for the same very offences.

2. Learned counsel for the appellants has taken us through the entire relevant materials on record and particularly through the judgment and order under appeal with a view to support his simple submission that the case and evidence against the appellants is same as that against the other co-accused who have been acquitted by the High Court. In other words the appellants simply claim parity with the acquitted co-accused.

3. The prosecution case has been set in motion by the informant Ganesh (PW-10), brother of deceased Hanuman, by filing a written report (Ex. P-21) to Rafiq Ahmed, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Station Kaithoon (PW-9). The case, in brief is that around 7.30 a.m. on the said day the informant was taking bath at the bank of the river and his younger brother Hanuman proceeded towards bushes to attend the call of nature. After bath, while coming back the informant saw Sanju and Ram Laxman, the appellants, armed with Gupti and Sword respectively near the river bank. Both the appellants proceeded towards the bushes where Hanuman had gone and were followed by the informant who saw the other accused persons including one Ram Kalyan (all acquitted) inflicting blows on the person of Hanuman with Sword, Spear, Gandasi and Gupti. The other assailants were joined by the appellants Sanju and Ram Laxman who also caused injuries to Hanuman. Ram Kalyan (tried separately and acquitted), Chaturbhuj and Sheru inflicted sword blows on the head of Hanuman. Ram Prasad caused injury with spear. After Hanuman had fallen Ram Laxman inflicted sword blow on the left side of neck and shoulder of Hanuman while Sanju caused a Gupti blow on the abdomen. Ram Bharos and Mangi Lal inflicted gandasi blows on the right palm. The informant shouted for help from a distance on which PW-2 Chhitar and PW-11 Suresh came rushing. On seeing them the assailants fled away. Hanuman had died on the spot. With the help of aforesaid witnesses the informant brought the dead body to hospital and lodged a written report which led to investigation of case under Sections 147, 148,149 and 302 of the IPC. Charge sheet against the accused led to their trial in which twelve witnesses were examined on behalf of the prosecution. The accused persons claimed to be innocent and one witness was examined on behalf of defence. The appellants and five other were tried together and were convicted as noted earlier. Co-accused Ram Kalyan who had allegedly given a sword blow on the head was tried later vide Trial No. 42/2000 and was acquitted vide judgment dated 16.8.2002, mainly because the informant PW-10 Ganesh turned hostile and denied the presence of Ram Kalyan at the time of occurrence.

4. As per medical evidence of the Doctor (PW-7) the deceased Hanuman had sustained eleven injuries including injury no. 9, an incised wound 6" x 5" x 2" on right frontal and parietal region, breaking bone and badly cutting brain matter that came out. In the opinion of Doctor cause of death was coma as a result of the head injury.

5. The High Court has noticed that in total there were three alleged eye witnesses namely, Ganesh (PW-10), Chhitar Lal (PW-2) and Suresh Kumar (PW-11). PW-2 and PW-11 did not support the