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2024 Supreme(Pat) 1010

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
SUNIL KUMAR PANWAR, J.
Lalan Chaudhary, son of Babu Lal Chaudhary and Ors. – Appellants
Versus
The State Of Bihar - Respondent
Criminal Appeal (SJ) No.17 Of 2006
Decided On : 12-07-2024

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellants : Mr. Vipul Sinha, Amicus Curiae
For the Respondent: Mrs. Anita Kumari Singh, APP

The prosecution failed to prove the charges of attempted murder and grievous hurt due to lack of evidence regarding intent and the nature of injuries.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code - Sections 147, 148, 323, 324, 325, 326, 307, 149 - Appeal against conviction - The appellants were convicted for various offences including attempted murder and grievous hurt, with sentences ranging from one month to seven years - The court found that essential ingredients for charges under Sections 307 and 326 were not proven, leading to a modification of the sentences - The court emphasized the need for clear evidence of intent and the nature of injuries sustained. (Paras 24, 35, 36)

(B) Criminal Procedure - Burden of proof - The prosecution must establish the charges beyond reasonable doubt, particularly for serious offences like attempted murder - The court noted that the absence of certain evidence, such as the Investigating Officer's testimony, does not necessarily invalidate the prosecution's case if corroborated by other evidence. (Paras 22, 35)

Facts of the case:
The appellants were accused of assaulting the informant over a dispute regarding sugar cane in his field, resulting in multiple injuries. The trial court convicted them based on witness testimonies and medical reports. (Paras 2, 3, 4)

Findings of Court:
The court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges under Sections 307 and 326 IPC, but upheld other convictions. The appellants were sentenced to the time already served. (Paras 36, 38)

Issues: The main issues included whether the prosecution proved the intent to kill and the nature of the injuries to support charges of grievous hurt. (Paras 24, 35)

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that the prosecution did not establish the necessary intent for attempted murder or grievous hurt, emphasizing the importance of clear evidence in criminal cases. (Paras 24, 35)

Result: The appeal is dismissed with modifications to the judgment of conviction and order of sentence.

JUDGMENT :

(Sunil Kumar Panwar, J.)

Heard Mr. Vipul Sinha, learned Amicus Curiae for the appellants and Mrs. Anita Kumari Singh, learned A.P.P for the State.

2. The present appeal has been filed against the judgment of conviction dated 28.12.2005 and order of sentence dated 29.12.2005 passed by learned Additional District Judge, Fast Track court no. III, Gopalganj in connection with Sessions Trial No. 280 of 1997, arising out of Mirganj P.S. Case No. 230 of 1994 registered under Sections 147/ 148/ 323/ 324/ 325/326/307/149/427 and 447 of the Indian Penal Code and while awarding the sentence, learned Trial Court directed all the appellants to undergo rigorous imprisonment for Seven years for the offence punishable under Sections 307/149 I.P.C and to pay a fine of Rs. 2000/-each and in default of payment of fine, they were directed to undergo simple imprisonment for six months. The learned Trial Court further sentenced all the appellants to undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months for committing the offence under Section 323 of the I.P.C. The accused appellants were further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year for committing the offence under Section 147 I.P.C. They were also sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one month for committing the offence under Section 447 of the I.P.C. The learned Trial Court further sentenced the appellants Lallan Chaudhary, Baban Chaudhary and Oversheer Chaudhary to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and six months for committing the offence under Section 148 I.P.C and further appellants Lalan Chaudhary, Baban Chaudhary and Oversheer Chaudhary were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year and six months for committing the offence under Section 324 I.P.C and further appellants Lalan Chaudhary, Baban Chaudhary and Oversheer Chaudhary were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and six months for committing the offence under Section 325 I.P.C and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/-and in default of payment of fine, they were sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for three months. The learned Trial Court further sentenced appellants Lalan Chaudhary, Baban Chaudhary and Oversheer Chaudhary to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years for committing the offence under Section 326 I.P.C and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/-each and in default of payment of fine, they were sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for six months. The appellants Baban Chaudhary, Oversheer Chaudhary and Ramjit Chaudhary were further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year for committing the offence under Section 427 of the I.P.C. All the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

3. The prosecution case in short, is that, on 30.10.1994 at about 3:00 P.M. in the noon, the informant Madan Mohan Singh (P.W-4) went to see his field in which sugar-cane was grown. It is alleged that all the accused persons were present in the said field of the informant (P.W. 4) armed with deadly weapons and out of them appellants Baban Chaudhary, Overseer Chaudhary and Ramjit Chaudhary were cutting sugar cane for feeding the cattle. It is further alleged that when the informant told the accused persons not to do so, upon which the appellants became angry and appellants Hira Lal Chaudhary and Babu Lal Chaudhary asked his companion to kill the informant. It is further alleged that thereafter, appellants Ramjit Chaudhary caught hold the informant and other accused persons/appellants namely, Lallan Chaudhary, Baban Chaudhary and Overseer Chaudhary assaulted the informant by means of Lathi,Farsa, and Daband due to which the informant suffered injuries on his head and both of his hands and feet. It is further alleged that when the informant raised alarm, the witnesses Narad Pandey (P.W.1) Ramashish Baitha (P.W. 2) and other witnesses who were working in their respective fields came there and carried the informant to the Government Hospital where he was given treatment.

4.

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