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2005 Supreme(Bom) 44

IN THE HIGH COURT OF BOMBAY
GANGADHAR FAKKAD SALUNKE
Versus
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
Decided on 18/1/2005

Headnote:Evidence Act, 1872 - Section 3 - Murder - Vide difference in evidence of witnesses - Recovery of blood stained knife. - Held, evidence of discovery of knife at instance of accused No. 1 does not inspire full confidence as PW 8 admitted that accused had actually made a statement that was to be made by the accused and as such no importance can be attached to disclosure and consequent recovery of knife. Prosecution failed to prove offence against accused beyond reasonable doubt. Mere recovery of blood stained knife from house of accused by itself cannot be sufficient. Appellants are entitled to benefit of doubt.

       [Indian] Penal Code, 1860 - Section 302 - Murder - Discrepancy in evidence - Recovery of blood stained knife. - Held, evidence of discovery at instance of accused not inspire confidence. Prosecution failed to prove offence against accused beyond reasonable doubt. Merely recovery of blood stained knife from house of accused is not sufficient. Appellants are entitled to benefit of doubt.

       [Indian] Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 302 and 34 - Conviction under Section 302/34, IPC. - Where alleged offence was not proved by prosecution against accused beyond all reasonable doubt therefore conviction under Section 302, IPC not sustainable.

Judgment

P. V. HARDAS, J.

( 1 ) THE appellants in both these appeals, who on being convicted by the Additional Sessions Judge, Sangamner, by judgment dated 30-4-2003, in Sessions Case No. 1 of 2002, and sentenced to imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- each, in default to undergo simple imprisonment for three months for an offence punishable under section 302 read with section 34 of Indian Penal Code by these appeals challenge their conviction and sentence.

( 2 ) SUCH of the facts as are necessary for the decision of these appeals can briefly be stated as under :- p. W. 9 P. S. I. Vijay Shinde, who was attached to Sangamner Police Station recorded the complaint of P. W. 1 Chandrabhaga at Exh. 18 on 25-10-2001. On the basis of the said complaint an offence vide Crime No. I. 168 of 2001 came to be registered and information in respect of the offence was sent to P. W. 11 P. I. Bhagat and to the Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent of Police. P. W. 10 a. S. I. Argade was handed over the investigation of the crime and he immediately proceeded to the place of the incident and drew the scene of the offence panchanama at Exh. 20 in the presence of P. W. 2 Gautam. The scene of the offence was shown by P. W. 1 Chandrabhaga. The place of the incident was by the side of a stream towards its western side. Blood stained sample of soil mixed with blood came to be drawn. Two pairs of Chappal, one of red colour and the other of black colour, came to be seized. The investigation thereafter was handed over to P. W. 11 P. I. Bhagat. P. I. Bhagat (P. W. 11) on being handed over the investigation on 25-10-2001, arrested accused No. 1 at about 9. 30 p. m. The clothes of the accused comprising of pant and shirt came to be seized vide arrest panchanama and seizure memo at Exh. 29 in the presence of panch witness P. W. 6 Vijay. Since there was injury on the left palm of the accused No. 1 and towards the right ear, he was referred for medical examination along with the requisition at Exh. 43. Though the accused was medically examined, the medical certificate of the accused was not placed in the charge sheet. Accused No. 1 is alleged to have made a disclosure memorandum at Exh. 35 in the presence of P. W. 8 kadushah, expressing his willingness to point out the place where he had hidden a knife. The accused had accordingly taken the police and the panch in a police jeep to his house. A knife which was hidden in the rafters of the roof was taken out by the accused which came to be seized vide panchanama at Exh. 36. The said knife is article-I. A police constable had produced the clothes of the deceased Ramji which came to be seized at seizure memo Exh. 25 in the presence of P. W. 3 Bhausaheb. The blood sample was requested to be drawn vide requisition at Exh. 44. vide Exh. 45 the sealed blood sample of the accused was received. The seized property was referred to the Chemical Analyser by a requisition at Exh. 46. Accused No. 2 came to be arrested on 29-10-2001. The reports of the Chemical Analyser are at Exh. 47, 48 and 49. Dead body of deceased Ramji was referred for post mortem examination and the post-mortem was carried out by P. W. 12 Dr. Dere. P. W. 12 Dr. Dere noticed the following external injuries on the person of deceased Ramji. 1. Incised wound of 1. 05 x 0. 3 cms. over lower lip on left side. 2. Stab wound of 4 x 2 x 14 cms, elliptic at 9 O'clock position from left nipple, 3 cm. lateral to left nipple wound is directed medially, downwards and oblique purcing plural and myocardium. 3. Stab of 4 x 1 cm. with tailing on left side in the mid clavicle line 7 cms. below the left nipple. 4. Stab elliptical of 3 x 1 x 4 cm. over left mid auxiliary line just below the place of injury No. 3 wound directed medially downwards and oblique rupturing the left dome of diaphragm. 5. Stab of 2 x 1 x 2 cms. elliptical just 1 cm. lateral to espigastrium on right side. 6. Stab of 4 x 1 x 6 cms. over right iliac fossa 1 cm. above the anterior su













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