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IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
MUKTA GUPTA, J.
KARAN - Appellant
Versus
STATE (NCT OF DELHI) - Respondent
CRL.A. 1403/2014
Decided on : 27-5-2016
Karan - Criminal Law - Section 307 IPC, Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act - The judgment discusses the admissibility, relevancy, and reliability of a statement made by the deceased under Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act. It also highlights the interpretation of the dying declaration and the circumstances under which it can be used as evidence.
Fact of the Case:
Aakash suffered a stab injury and later died. The appellant, Karan, was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 307 IPC. The appeal challenges the conviction and the order on sentence.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the statement of the deceased Aakash, admissible under Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act, explained the circumstances resulting in his death. The deposition of Sameer PW-3 corroborated the dying declaration of the deceased. The conviction of Karan was altered to the offence punishable under Section 326 IPC, and his sentence was modified to the period already undergone.
Issues: The issues revolved around the admissibility and reliability of the statement made by the deceased Aakash, the identification of the assailant, and the intention behind the injury caused.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the interpretation of Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act and the relevance of the dying declaration. It also emphasized the need for corroboration of a witness's statement in examination-in-chief if not supported in cross-examination.
Final Decision: The conviction of Karan was altered to the offence punishable under Section 326 IPC, and his sentence was modified to the period already undergone. The appeal was disposed of, and the Superintendent Tihar Jail was directed to release the appellant forthwith if not required in any other case.
MUKTA GUPTA, J.
1. Aakash suffered a stab injury on July 11, 2010 in the presence of his friend Sameer PW-3 when both of them had gone to Gulshan Dhaba near Hanuman Mandir, G.T.Road, Shahdara, Delhi owned by the two brothers Raju PW-1 and Shalu PW-2. Statement of Aakash was recorded on July 12, 2010 after he underwent the surgery and was declared fit for statement. Aakash was later shifted to GTB Hospital where he died on December 27, 2010. A charge-sheet was filed against Karan, the appellant herein for offence punishable under Section 304 IPC, however while framing the charge the learned Trial Court besides framing charge under Section 304-I IPC framed an alternative charge for offence punishable under Section 302 IPC. As per the autopsy surgeon, out of 7 external injuries only injury at Sl.No.7 corresponded with the wound in the MLC and other injuries were bedsores etc., hence Karan was convicted for offence punishable under Section 307 IPC and acquitted of the charges for offences punishable under Sections 304 and 302 IPC. The present appeal challenges the said judgment dated August 14, 2014 convicting Karan for offence punishable under Section 307 IPC and the order on sentence dated September 15, 2014 directing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 5 years and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- in default whereof to undergo simple imprisonment for 3 months.
2. Learned counsel for the appellant challenging the conviction states that both Raju and Shalu PW-1 and PW-2, the public witnesses have not supported the prosecution case as both stated that they did not see who stabbed Aakash. As per PW-1 neither he witnessed the stabbing nor his brother PW-2 as he was not present at the shop. Even PW-2 reiterates that he did not see the person who stabbed. Sameer PW-3 who supported the case of the prosecution in examination-in-chief could not withstand the cross-examination and admitted that there were 4-5 persons and he did not know who stabbed Aakash. Sameer PW-3 is not an eye-witness which is apparent from the fact that he said that Aakash was stabbed twice whereas in the MLC only one stab injury was noted. Even as per the statement of Aakash, on the basis of which FIR was registered, the stab injury is not attributed to Karan. This version of Aakash is also fortified by the fact that for 5 months no action was taken by the Police. Only after the death of Aakash, Section 304 IPC was added to the investigation and Karan was arrested. PW-2 categorically stated that even after the incident Karan continued having regular meals at their hotel. The alleged weapon of offence has not been recovered. Hence Karan is entitled to be acquitted.
3. Learned APP for the State on the other hand contends that the aberration in the statement of Aakash on the basis of which FIR was registered, was for the reason that he was not in a fit state of mind as the same was taken immediately after he was operated. Sameer has identified Karan as the assailant who stabbed Aakash even in the cross-examination and thus testimony of Sameer is sufficient to uphold the conviction. Though PW-2 stated that Karan used to visit their hotel even after the incident, however PW-1 stated that Karan did not visit the hotel after the incident. PW-8 has deposed that injury No.7 was sufficient to cause death and thus Karan has been rightly convicted for offence punishable under Section 307 IPC.
4. FIR No.396/2010 was registered on the complaint of Aakash, the injured for offence punishable under Section 324/34 IPC at PS Shahdara on a rukka sent by SI Kapil Kumar PW-14. In his statement Aakash S/o Ram Gopal stated that he was residing with his family at M.S.Park, G.T.Road, Shahdara. On July 11, 2010 at around 9.00 PM he along with his friend Sameer was going to his uncle’s house at Circular Road, Ram Lila ground. On the way he and his friend Sameer stopped for taking dinner at Gulshan Dhaba. At around 10.00 PM while they were having dinner one boy misbehaved
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