High Court Of Delhi
MOHAMMAD IBRAHIM - Appellant
Versus
STATE OF DELHI - Respondent
CRIMINAL APPEAL 85D of 1962
Decided On : 08/14/1968
CRIMINAL LAW - COUNTERFEITING - POSSESSION OF DIES AND COUNTERFEIT COINS - OFFENCES UNDER SECTIONS 235 AND 243, INDIAN PENAL CODE - PROOF REQUIRED - CONVICTION SET ASIDE IN ABSENCE OF DIES AND INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE.
Fact of the Case:
Prem Chand was found in possession of 85 counterfeit 25 np. coins, while Ibrahim was found in possession of dies and a punching machine capable of being used for counterfeiting coins. Both were convicted under Sections 235 and 243 of the Indian Penal Code, respectively.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the dies were not available for examination, and that the evidence against Ibrahim was insufficient to prove that he intended to use them for counterfeiting coins. The court also found that the evidence against Prem Chand was insufficient to prove that he knew the coins were counterfeit or that he intended to use them fraudulently.
Issues: 1. Whether the dies were incriminating and capable of being used for counterfeiting coins? 2. Whether Ibrahim had the necessary intention, knowledge, or belief to be convicted under Section 235 of the Indian Penal Code? 3. Whether Prem Chand fraudulently or with intent that fraud may be committed, came into possession of counterfeit coins?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the dies were not available for examination, and that the evidence against Ibrahim was insufficient to prove that he intended to use them for counterfeiting coins. 2. The court held that the evidence against Prem Chand was insufficient to prove that he knew the coins were counterfeit or that he intended to use them fraudulently.
Final Decision: The court allowed both appeals and acquitted the accused persons.
( 2 ) FOUR persons were initially proceeded against by the police under Sections 235, 240 and 243, Indian Penal Code. The learned Sub-Divisional Magistrate by his order dated 24-8-1961 discharged Sewa Singh and Lachhman Pershad for want of evidence, but committed Prem Chand, aged 32 years a tea-vendor of Jumna Bazar, Delhi and Ibrahim, aged 50 years, a mistri of Farash Khanna, Delhi, to stand their trial in the Court of the Sessions Judge. Prem Chand was tried on two charges:
(1) That on 25-12-1959, in Naya Bans, Delhi, he with intent that fraud may be committed was in possession of 85, four anna pieces of counterfeit Indian coins, knowing at the time he came Into their possession that they were counterfeit and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 243. Indian Penal Code, and
(2) that on the same date at the same place he fraudulently attempted to deliver those counterfeit coins to Mohan Lal and Des (illegible) thus committed an offence punishable under S. 240, Indian Penal Code. The charge against Ibrahim accused was that on 29-12-1959 at Lal Kuan Bazaar, Delhi, he was found in possession of five dies and a ring and also a punching machine fitted on a wooden plank and also had three wrenches tor the purpose of using these instruments for counterfeiting Indian coins and knowing that these instruments were intended to be so used and thereby committed an offence under Section 235. Indian Penal Code.
( 3 ) ACCORDING to the prosecution story, on 25-12-1959 at about 6 P. M. , Bakshi Isher Dass, who was at that time attached to the Police Station, Lahori Gate as Sub-Inspector was, while on patrol duty in Khari Baoli, area, informed Charan Dass. A. S. I. . that someone was trying to deliver false four anna pieces in Naya Bans. A raiding party was immediately organised which included Harish Chander P. W. 1 and Puran Chand P. W. 10. Partap Singh and Chuni Lal, Assistant Sub-Inspectors, also joined this party. They reached Naya Bans and at the pointing out of the informant, Sub-Inspector Isher Dass apprehended Prem Chand accused with a bicycle in his hand. Some bidi bundles were tied on the carrier of the bicycle and a bag was haging on the bicycle s handle. On the search of the person of Prem Chand 85 pieces of counterfeit 25 np. coins of 1957 were recovered from a pocket of his shirt. These were formed into a sealed packet and taken into possession. From the other pocket of his shirt, some currency notes and Lose change were recovered. These articles were also seized by the police. On interrogation, Prem Chand disclosed the name of Sewa Singh, whose workshop in Krishan Nagar, Delhi-Shahdara was searched but nothing incriminating was found there. Sewa Singh, after being taken into custody, revealed the names of Lachhman Pershad and Ibrahim. On 29-12-1959, at about 2 P. M. , Sub-Inspector Isher Dass organised a raiding party with Chum Lal A. S. I. , Ramji Dass and Kanwal Nain as members thereof and they stood in front of Khanna restaurant in Lal Kuan Bazaar. When Ibrahim arrived there he was stopped. He was holding the bag Exhibit P. 1 and from this bag, underneath the vegetables, an oil cloth bag Exhibit P. 3 was found which contained five dies (Exhibits P. 5 to P. 9) and an iron ring. A pair of dies, according to the order of the Court below, was meant for manufacture of 8 anna coins and another pair for 4 anna coins of 1955, whereas the fifth die was meant for preparing the obverse side of 25np. . coins. The articles were taken into possession and put into a sealed parcel. \ Ibrahim s shop in Galli Qasim Jan was searched and from there the police recovered a punching machine Exhibit P. 14 fitted on a wooden plank Exhibit P. 15 and also the wrenches (P. 16 to P. 18 ). According to the opini
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