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2025 Supreme(SC) 95
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha, Manoj Misra, JJ.
Vemula Satyanarayana – Appellant
Versus
The State Of Andhra Pradesh & Ors. – Respondents
Criminal Appeal Nos.794-795 of 2016
Decided On : 09-01-2025
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Mr. D. Ramakrishna Reddy, Adv., Mr. Nishant Sharma, Adv., Ms. Adviteeya, Adv., Mrs. D. Bharathi Reddy, AOR
For the Respondent: Ms. Prerna Singh, Adv., Mr. Guntur Pramod Kumar, AOR, Mr. Dhruv Yadav, Adv., Mr. Goli Rama Krishna, Adv., Mr. Sumanth Nookala, AOR
The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's acquittal of the accused, finding no grounds for interference with the acquittal despite prior convictions.
Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 148, 149, 302, and 307 - Criminal appeals arising from acquittal of accused in a murder case - The High Court acquitted all accused despite convictions by the Trial Court - The Supreme Court found no grounds for interference with the High Court's decision. (Paras 1-8)
(B) Criminal Procedure - Special Leave Petition - Dismissal of special leave petitions against acquittal of accused - Specific roles assigned to certain accused necessitated their appearance before the court. (Paras 4-5)
Facts of the case:
The appeals stem from a judgment where twenty-seven accused were tried for a violent incident, resulting in multiple convictions by the Trial Court, which were later overturned by the High Court.
Findings of Court:
The Supreme Court found no basis to interfere with the High Court's acquittal of the accused.
Issues: The main issue was whether the High Court's acquittal of the accused was justified based on the evidence presented.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the evidence did not warrant interference with the High Court's decision, emphasizing the importance of the roles assigned to specific accused in the prosecution's case.
Result: Criminal Appeals are dismissed.
ORDER :
1. These appeals arise out of the judgment of the High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in Criminal No. 1732 and 1740 of 2009 dated 11.03.2014.
2. With respect to the incident dated 02.10.2001, twenty seven accused were tried, three of whom died during the Trial and the Trial Court by its judgment dated 24.11.2009 convicted and sentenced the twenty four accused as under:
"1) A1 is sentenced for R.I. of 1 (one) year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for 5 (five) years and fine of Rs.2,000/-(two thousand only) IDSI for 6 months (six months) for the charge under Sec.307 r/w 149 IPC.
2) A2 is sentenced for R.I. of 1 (one) year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for 5 (five) years for the charge under Sec.307 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine Rs.2,000/-(Two thousand only) IDSI for six months.
3) A3 is sentenced for R.I. of one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- IDSI for 1 year.
4) A4 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and also pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year.
5) A5 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year and R.I. for six months for the charge under Sec.427 IPC.
6) A6 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year.
7) A7 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and R.I. for five years for the charge under Sec.307 r/w 149.IPC and pay a fine of Rs.2,000/-(two thousand only) IDSI for six months.
8) A8 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year and R.I. for six months for the charge under Sec.427 IPC.
9) A9 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year.
10) A10 is sentenced to R.I for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC and R.I. for 5 years for the charge under Sec.307 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- (three thousand only) IDSI for 6 months.
11) A12 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and R.I. for five years for the charge under Sec.307 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.2000/-(two thousand only) IDSI for six months and R.I. for six months for the charge under Sec.427 IPC.
12) A13 is sentenced for R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and six months for the charge under Sec.427 IPC.
13) A14 is sentenced for R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC, IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year, R.I. for six months under Sec.427 for the charge under Sec.427 IPC.
14) A15 is sentenced for R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and IMPRISONMENT FOR LIFE for the charge under Sec.302 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/- (three thousand only) IDSI for one year.
15) A16 is sentenced for R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 149 IPC and R.I. for 5 years (five) for the charge under Sec.307 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.2,000/-(two thousand only) IDSI for six months.
16) A17 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec.148 IPC and R.I. for LIFE IMPRISONMENT for the charge under Sec.302 r/w 149 IPC and pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-(three thousand only) IDSI for one year.
17) A18 is sentenced to R.I. for one year for the charge under Sec. 148 IPC.
18) A20 is sentenced for R.I for one year for
