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2023 Supreme(AP) 1498

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATHI
VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA, J.
Syed Nagul Meera, S/o. Zakriya & Ors. - Petitioners
Versus
The State of A.P., Rep. by Public Prosecutor, High Court of A.P., Hyderabad - Respondent
Criminal Revision Case No. 1151 of 2009
Decided On : 03-07-2023

Advocates Appeared:
For the Petitioner: Thota Ramakoteswara Rao.
For the Respondents: Public Prosecutor.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 411 - Criminal procedure - Appeal against conviction - Concurrent judgments of conviction and sentence challenged - Convicted accused sentenced to six months' simple imprisonment for possession of stolen property - Prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt the knowledge of accused regarding theft - Court emphasized the necessity of independent corroboration for circumstantial evidence and benefit of doubt to be given to the accused. (Paras 1, 11, 17, 19)

Facts of the case:
The motor vehicle of the complainant was stolen and subsequently recovered from the possession of the accused, who failed to provide satisfactory explanation for their possession of the vehicle. (Paras 1-4)

Findings of Court:
The judgments affirming the conviction were flawed due to lack of direct evidence and uncertainty in ownership claim and possession specifics. The court partly allowed the revision by acquitting one accused. (Paras 19)

Issues: • Whether the prosecution met its burden of proof regarding the knowledge of the accused in possession of stolen property. • The sufficiency of circumstantial evidence in securing a conviction. (Paras 11, 16)

Ratio Decidendi: The court identified that the criminal conviction under Section 411 IPC requires solid evidence outlining possession, prior ownership, and knowledge of the stolen nature of property, thus emphasizing the principles of reasonable doubt in criminal cases. (Paras 12, 17)

Result: Criminal Revision Case partly allowed; accused No.2 acquitted, and judgment against accused No.1 confirmed.

Table of Content
1. details of the theft case and proceedings. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. outcomes of lower court judgments. (Para 5 , 6)
3. arguments regarding lack of evidence. (Para 7 , 9)
4. prosecution's stance on guilt. (Para 10)
5. jurisdiction and burden of proof in ipc 411. (Para 11 , 12 , 13)
6. analysis of evidentiary requirements. (Para 14 , 15 , 16)
7. court's assessment of recoveries and guilt. (Para 17 , 18)
8. final ruling on acquittal and conviction. (Para 19)

JUDGMENT :

Venkata Jyothirmai Pratapa, J.

1. This revision petition is moved against the concurrent judgments of the conviction and sentences passed against the accused Nos.1 & 2 in Criminal Appeal No.213 of 2008 dated 30.06.2009 by the learned Sessions Judge, Guntur, confirming the judgment passed by the learned VI Additional Junior Civil Judge, Guntur in C.C.NO.711 of 2007 for the offence punishable under Section 411 of the INDIAN PENAL CODE , wherein, the accused Nos.1 and 2 were sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six (06) months each.

2. The revisionists were the Accused Nos.1 & 2 and the respondents herein was the Sub-Inspector of Police represented by Public Prosecutor before the Trial Court. For the sake of convenience, the parties will be referred as they are arrayed before the Trial Court.

3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the Motor vehicle of P.W.1/(M.O.1) was stolen on 08.07.2007 at about 4.00 P.M. from the parking area of the RTC Bus stand of Guntur District. It was recovered from the possession of the accused on 11.07.2007 at about 6:00 A.M by P.W.3 near Mani Hotel Center, Guntur. The accused failed to offer satisfactory reason for the possession of the vehicle with them. On the other hand, the accused are not claiming the ownership of the vehicle and have not explained possession of the vehicle.

4. The accused pleaded innocence of the offence. To substantiate the case of the prosecution, the prosecution examined P.W.1 to 3as witnesses, Ex.P.1 to Ex.P.5 were the documents marked apart from the stolen motor bike (M.O.1). The accused denied the incriminating circumstances appearing against him in the evidence of P.W.1 to P.W.3.

5. After hearing both counsel and on appreciation of the evidence on record, the learned Trial Judge found the accused guilty for the offence punishable under Section 411 of INDIAN PENAL CODE and sentenced them to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six (06) months each.

6. Having been aggrieved by the impugned judgment of conviction and sentence of simple imprisonment passed against them, accused Nos.1 and 2filed Criminal Appeal No.213 of 2008before the file of the Learned Sessions Judge, Guntur. After hearing both the learned counsels and on appreciation of the material on record, the Learned Sessions Judge found the accused Nos.1 and 2 guilty for the offence punishable under Section 411 of INDIAN PENAL CODE and confirmed the Conviction and sentence passed by the Trial Court.

7. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the concurrent judgments of conviction and sentence passed against them, the accused Nos.1 and 2preferred this present revision petition on the grounds that the learned Judges failed to appreciate the evidence in their perspective, that there is no direct witness to the occurrence, that the accused are not habitual offenders and no ingredients are made out to attract the offence punishable under Section 411 of INDIAN PENAL CODE . Accordingly, he prays to allow the revision by setting aside the impugned judgments.

8. Heard Sri Thota Ramakoteswara Rao, learned counsel for the revision petitioner and the learned Public Prosecutor.

9. Learned counsel for the revision petitioner would submit that the vehicle of P.W.1 was stolen by unknown persons. The prosecution alleges that the said vehicle was found in the possession of the accused. The accused are two members. Nothing is alleged against the Accused Nos.1 and 2 in specific. P.W.2 is a stock mediator. No independent witness i

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