IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
A.M. BADAR, CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA, JJ.
Chandan Yadav @ Chandan Kumar Yadav – Appellant
Versus
The State of Bihar – Respondent
Criminal Appeal (DB) No.781 of 2021
Decided on : 12-04-2023
I.P.C. - Conviction under Sections 341, 323, 504, 302/34 - Summary of Acts and Sections: Indian Penal Code, Sections 341, 323, 504, 302/34 - The court analyzed the evidence and found that the prosecution failed to establish the guilt of the appellant/convict beyond all reasonable doubts. The conviction was solely based on the oral deposition of the investigating officer and the doctor, which failed to convince the court. The eye witnesses turned hostile, and their statements did not support the prosecution's case. The judgment of conviction and order of sentence were set aside, and the appellant/convict was directed to be released.
Fact of the Case:
The case involved an appeal challenging the Judgment and Order of conviction for offences under Sections 341, 323, 504, and 302/34 of the Indian Penal Code. The prosecution's case was based on a written complaint alleging assault and throwing the deceased from a bridge, resulting in injuries and death. The eye witnesses turned hostile during the trial, and their statements did not support the prosecution's case. The court found that the prosecution failed to establish the guilt of the appellant/convict beyond all reasonable doubts.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against the appellant/convict beyond all reasonable doubts. The conviction was solely based on the oral deposition of the investigating officer and the doctor, which failed to convince the court. The eye witnesses turned hostile, and their statements did not support the prosecution's case.
Issues: The main issue was whether the prosecution had established the guilt of the appellant/convict beyond all reasonable doubts based on the evidence presented.
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that the prosecution must prove the charges against the accused beyond all reasonable doubts. The conviction based solely on the oral deposition of the investigating officer and the doctor, without support from the eye witnesses, was not sufficient to establish the guilt of the appellant/convict.
Final Decision: The criminal appeal was allowed, and the judgment of conviction and order of sentence were set aside. The appellant/convict was directed to be released.
JUDGMENT :
CHANDRA SHEKHAR JHA, J.
The present appeal is preferred challenging the Judgment and Order of conviction dated 28.09.2021 alongwith orders of sentence dated 04.10.2021 as passed in Sessions Trial No. 468 of 2018/C.I.S. No. 468 of 2018, arising out of Amdabad P.S. Case No. 39 of 2018 dated 07.03.2018, which was lodged for offence as alleged under Sections 341, 323, 504 and 307/34 of the Indian Penal Code ( in short I.P.C.), initially, where after the death of injured, Section 302/34 of the I.P.C. was added, as passed by Sri Vijay Kumar Pandey, learned Additional District and Sessions Judge-III, Katihar, whereby and whereunder the appellant/convict has been convicted under Sections 341, 323, 504 and 302 of the I.P.C. and has sentenced separately as to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 15 days with a fine of Rs. 500/-and in default of payment of fine for further simple imprisonment for 4 days for the offence under Section 341 of the I.P.C., rigorous imprisonment for 01 year with a fine of Rs. 500/-where in default of payment of fine further undergo to simple imprisonment for 08 days for the offence under Section 323 of the I.P.C., rigorous imprisonment for 01 year with a fine of Rs. 500/-wherein default of payment of fine ordered to undergo simple imprisonment for 07 days for the offence under Section 504 of the I.P.C. and finally rigorous imprisonment for life with a fine of Rs. 500/-where in default of payment of fine further ordered to undergo for a simple imprisonment of 02 months 15 days for the offence under Section 302 of the I.P.C. It is further ordered that all the above sentences shall run concurrently.
2. Brief case of prosecution as per written complaint of informant, namely, Batoran Choudhary (P.W.4) that on 02.03.2018, while his brother (deceased) was returning from the sister’s house of Sonu Kumar (P.W.1) located at Ghisu Tola Chama along with Sonu Kumar (P.W.1) and Dipak Mandal (P.W.2) at about 5:30 p.m. and as they arrived near to a bridge, after crossing the damaged bridge met with Chandan Yadav (appellant/convict) Age-35 years S/o Bharat Yadav R/o Chauck Chaura, P.S. Amdabad, Dist-Katihar and other unknown persons, who started to assault them without having any reason. It is stated that on protest to said abuse, Chandan Yadav (appellant/convict) started to assault brother of informant Kanahaiya Choudhary (since deceased), Sonu Kumar (P.W.1) and Dipak Mandal (P.W.2) by means of fight and fist and further thrown the brother of informant Kanahaiya Choudhary from RCC bridge, by saying that “today he will finished him”. Consequent of throwing from the bridge brother of informant received injury in his chest and head whereas in the said occurrence, injuries was also caused to Sonu Kumar (P.W.1) and Dipak Mandal (P.W.2), developing bodily pain. It is further stated thereof that all co-accused persons along with appellant/convict run-away thereafter from the place of occurrence, whereafter Sonu Kumar (P.W.1) and Dipak Mandal (P.W.2) brought the injured brother of informant, Kanahaiya Choudhary to Primary Health Centre (PHC) Amdabad, where after giving first aid, he was referred to Sadar Hospital, Katihar, then to Katihar Medical College and finally taken to Siliguri for better treatment, where he was under treatment, struggling for his life at the time of lodging FIR. It is also stated thereof that Dipak Mandal (P.W.2) complaining pain in his leg and unable to move. Cause for lodging delayed FIR was explained in FIR itself, as informant was busy with treatment of his injured brother.
3. On the basis of aforesaid written FIR/fardbeyan of informant, namely, Batoran Choudhary (P.W.4), a case was registered against accused persons including appellant/convict at Amdabad Police Station, which was initially registered as Amdabad P.S. Case No. 39 of 2018 dated 07.03.2018 under Section 341, 323, 504 and 307/34 of the I.P.C., where after investigation of this case, charge-sheet was submitted u/s, 341, 323, 504, 307 and 30
Bhagwan Singh v. State of Haryana as reported in AIR 1976 SC 202
Jadunath Singh and another v. State of U.P. as reported in AIR 1971 SC 363
Nagina Sharma and others v. State of Bihar as reported in 1991 Cr.L.J. 1195
Solanki Chimanbhai Ukabhai v. State of Gujrat as reported in AIR 1983 SC 484
The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, and reliance on related witnesses without corroboration is insufficient for conviction.
The prosecution must prove its case beyond reasonable doubt, and reliance on witness testimony requires corroboration, especially when witnesses are near relatives.
The judgment establishes that minor discrepancies in witness testimonies, which do not materially affect the case, cannot be the basis for doubting the prosecution's case.
The prosecution's burden is to establish guilt beyond reasonable doubt, with eyewitness testimony being critical, and discrepancies in procedural reports do not invalidate a solid case.
The prosecution must prove guilt beyond reasonable doubt, and failure to do so, due to contradictions and lack of corroboration, cannot sustain a conviction.
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