The central legal point established in the judgment is that the intention or knowledge of causing death or bodily injury is crucial for the applicability of Section 308 IPC.

S.P. Garg, J.

1. Instant revision petitions have been preferred by the petitioners to challenge the legality and correctness of an order dated 28.10.2014 by which they along with Sunder Bhati and Jitender Bhati were charged for committing offences under Sections 452/506/308/34 IPC. Status report and complainant’s response are on record.

2. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have examined the file. FIR in question was lodged by an order dated 25.03.09 of learned Metropolitan Magistrate under Section 156(3) Cr. P.C. In the complaint case, it was averred by the complainant that he was residing at House No. 152, Ground Floor, Hari Nagar Ashram, New Delhi as a tenant under one Jyotsna Das. On 22.02.1009 at about 9.45 p.m. the petitioners along with other assailants while armed with dandas, iron rods, sticks and revolver committed trespass. After breaking open the door of the house, they started abusing him and his family members. The petitioners who were armed with iron rods hit his son Pradeep on his head. They also hit him on his right arm as a result of which he suffered fracture. Sunder Bhati having a revolver hit him by a “danda”. When his daughter attempted to intervene, she was also mercilessly beaten by the assailants. All of them fled the spot after extending threats. Upon calling the Police at 100, PCR van arrived and took the injured to AIIMS. The police, however, did not take any action.

3. The investigating agency recorded statements of witnesses conversant with the facts. Upon completion of investigation, a charge-sheet was filed against the petitioners and two others for committing offences under Sections 451/506/324/34 IPC. By an order dated 16.10.2012, learned ACMM took cognizance of the offence against the petitioners and others for commission of the aforesaid offences. Being aggrieved, the complainant filed revision petition No. 202/12 which was disposed of by an order dated 29.04.2014 by the learned District and Sessions Judge and the petitioners and others were directed to be charged under Section 308 IPC instead of Section 324 IPC. The case was committed to the Court of Sessions. By the impugned order, the Trial Court charged the petitioners for committing offences among others also under Section 308 IPC.

4. To proceed under Section 308 IPC, it is not essential that the injury actually caused to the victim should be sufficient under ordinary circumstances to cause the death of the person assaulted. What the Court has to see is whether the act, irrespective of its result, was done with the intention or knowledge and under such circumstances that, if one by that act caused death, he would be guilty of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. If an accused does not intend to cause death or any bodily injury, which he knows to be likely to cause death or even to cause such bodily injury as is sufficient, in the ordinary course of nature to cause death, Section 308 IPC would not apply. It depends upon the facts and circumstances of each case whether the accused had the intention to cause death or knew in the circumstances that his act was going to cause death. The nature of weapon used, the intention expressed by the accused at the time of the act, the motive of commission of offence, the nature and size of the injuries, the parts of the body of the victim selected for causing injuries, severity of the blow or blows and the conduct of the accused are important factors which may be taken into consideration in coming to a finding whether in a particular case, the accused can be proceeded under Section 308 IPC.

5. In the instant case, the complainant was residing as a tenant in premises in question under one Jyotsna Das. It appears that subsequently the said premises were purchased by the petitioners. Apparently, there was no previous animosity or hostility between the parties before the incident. It is alleged that the petitioners” intention was to get the tenanted premises vacated forcibly.