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2015 Supreme(Chh) 197

IN THE HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH
Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, J.
Ramsai - Appellants
Vs.
State of Madhya Pradesh - Respondent
Criminal Appeal No. 1140 of 1998
Decided On : 19-02-2015

Advocates Appeared:
For the Appellant : Indira Tripathi
For the Respondents: Sangharsh Pandey, Dy. Govt. Adv

Headnote:

Indian Penal Code - Section 307 – Criminal Procedure Code – Section 313 - Trial Court – Offence of Murder – Injury - Assailing correctness and validity of impugned judgment of conviction and sentence, learned counsel for the appellant argued that no case of commission of offence under Section 307, IPC is made out as the circumstances of the case, back ground in which incident happened, at the most, it could be a case of assault without any premeditation, in a sudden heat of passion, upon sudden quarrel. She submits that the appellant was the brother of the victim and both of them were sitting together in the veranda and consuming liquor which shows that there existed cordial relation between them and because of some words uttered, suddenly in a heat of passion injury was inflicted by the appellant – Held, Law regulates social interests, arbitrates conflicting claims and demands. Security of persons and property of the people is an essential function of the State. It could be achieved through instrumentality of criminal law. Undoubtedly, there is a cross-cultural conflict where living law must find answer to the new challenges and the courts are required to mould the sentencing system to meet the challenges. The contagion of lawlessness would undermine social order and lay it in ruins. Protection of society and stamping out criminal proclivity must be the object of law which must be achieved by imposing appropriate sentence. Therefore, law as a cornerstone of the edifice of order should meet the challenges confronting the society. Friedman in his Law in Changing Society stated that, "State of criminal law continues to be-as it should be-a decisive reflection of social consciousness of society." Therefore, in operating the sentencing system, law should adopt the corrective machinery or the deterrence based on factual matrix. By deft modulation of sentencing process be stern where it should be, and tempered with mercy where it warrants to be. The facts and given circumstances in each case, the nature of the crime, the manner in which it was planned and committed, the motive for commission of the crime, the conduct of the accused and all other attending circumstances are relevant facts which would enter into the area of consideration - We find no substance in the contention. The doctrine of benefit of doubt only would operate in proof of the commission of the offence. If there is any reasonable doubt, not the doubt of vacillating mind of a Judge, the accused is entitled to that benefit and be acquitted. The benefit of doubt again does not enter in the area of consideration of imposing sentence – Appeal allowed

JUDGMENT :

Manindra Mohan Shrivastava, J.

1. This appeal is directed against impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 29-4-98 passed in Sessions Trial No. 167/97 by the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Raigarh whereby the appellant has been held guilty of commission of offence as described below-

Conviction

Sentence

Under Section

7 Years R.I and fine of Rs. 1,000/- and default of fine, three months simple imprisonment.

Prosecution story, as unfolded from the records of the case is that on 8-6-97, the appellant and the victim-Ramnath (PW 1), who are brothers, were sitting in the veranda and consuming liquor. During that time, certain words were uttered by the victim. It is said that there were abuses hurled and then the appellant picked up axe and gave a blow on the neck of the victim resulting in incised wound. The incident was reported to the police. Victim-Ramnath (PW1) was sent for medical examination and treatment.

He was examined and treated by Dr. Basant Singh (PW 6), FIR was lodged in the police station by Umesh Singh (PW 2), son of the victim. On the next day, i.e. on 9-6-97, offence under Section 307, IPC was registered against the appellant. Upon completion of investigation, charge-sheet was filed. The appellant was charged of commission of offence under Section 307, IPC which he denied having committed. So, he was put to trial.

2. In order to prove its case, the prosecution examined in all, seven witnesses and thereafter, the appellant was examined under Section 313, Cr.P.C. in respect of the incriminating circumstances appearing against him in the evidence led by the prosecution. No defence witness was examined.

3. Learned trial Court, mainly relying upon the ocular testimony of victim-Ramnath (PW 1), nature of injury, weapon used for commission of offence held the appellant guilty of commission of offence under Section 307, IPC and sentenced as described above, which has given rise to this appeal.

4. Assailing correctness and validity of impugned judgment of conviction and sentence, learned counsel for the appellant argued that no case of commission of offence under Section 307, IPC is made out as the circumstances of the case, back ground in which incident happened, at the most, it could be a case of assault without any premeditation, in a sudden heat of passion, upon sudden quarrel. She submits that the appellant was the brother of the victim and both of them were sitting together in the veranda and consuming liquor which shows that there existed cordial relation between them and because of some words uttered, suddenly in a heat of passion injury was inflicted by the appellant. Though the injury was caused in the neck, injury was not likely to cause death in the absence of treatment even though it was grievous in nature. The victim (PW1) has stated that he was discharged from the hospital in two days. She further submits that the incident happened in the evening on 8-6-97 whereas the victim was taken for treatment to the doctor at 2.45 p.m. next day, which by itself shows that the injury was not serious. Therefore, opinion of the doctor is not reliable. It is next contended that the incident happened in the house between the two brothers, it being a 20 years old incident and the appellant, at present is aged about 3 years, the impugned judgment of conviction may be set aside or in the alternative, altered to the period already undergone as commission of offence under Section 304, IPC only. In support of his contention, learned counsel for the appellant relied upon Ramesh v. State of U.P., (1992) 1 SCC 318 : (AIR 1992 SC 664); Madan Sahu v. State of C.G., (2013) 1 CGLJ 9 and Thakur Ram v. State of M.P. (now C.G.), (2013) 4 CGLJ 299.

5. Per contra, learned counsel for the State supports the judgment of conviction and sentence and submitted that relevant attending circumstances of

























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