IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Subramonium Prasad, J.
Salman - Appellant
Versus
State - Respondent
Crl.Rev.P. 333 of 2018
Decided On : 12-03-2021
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. background of the case and charges framed. (Para 1 , 2 , 3) |
| 2. arguments regarding nature of injuries and appropriateness of charges. (Para 4 , 5) |
| 3. court's analysis on intent and knowledge in charge framing under ipc. (Para 6 , 11 , 12 , 13) |
| 4. clarification on legal standards for culpable homicide under ipc. (Para 8 , 9 , 10) |
| 5. conclusion and dismissal of the revision petition. (Para 14 , 15) |
JUDGMENT
Subramonium Prasad, J.
1. This revision petition filed under Section 397/401 Cr.P.C is directed against the order dated 07.03.2018, passed by the Additional Session Judge-06, (South-East), Saket Courts, New Delhi, in SC No. 130/2017, framing charges against the petitioner for offences under Sections 308 , 385, and 34 IPC. It is stated that on 10.10.2016, at about 3:25 A.M. an information was received that a man has been stabbed in front of Okhla Sabzi Mandi. The said message was entered vide DD No.6-PP at Police Post S.N. Puri.
2. In the hospital the complainant/respondent No.2 told the police that he conducts business of selling vegetables near Gate No. 2, Okhla Sabzi Mandi. It is alleged in the FIR that one Anwar/petitioner No.4 herein and his children Salman/petitioner No.1 herein, Shahrukh/petitioner No.2 herein and Imran/petitioner No.3 herein, who also do business of selling vegetables used to demand money from the complainant/respondent No.2 for conducting business there. It is stated that on 10.10.2016, the petitioners came to the complainant, Anwar was armed with a Danda, Imran and Shahrukh were armed with iron rods and Salman was armed with a knife. They demanded money from the complainant. It is stated that Shahrukh hit the complainant with the iron rod on his head. It is stated that all four of them started hitting the complainant. It is further stated that when the petitioner's brother, one Naazim, rescued him, Salman ran after him and that they also took away Rs.4,800/- of the petitioner. It is stated that the brother of the petitioner, Naazim, gave a call to the Police. The accused left after threatening the complainant of dire consequences. On the said statement, FIR No.609/2016 was registered on 10.10.2016, for offences under Sections 384 /308/34 IPC. After investigation charge-sheet has been filed. In the charge-sheet it is stated that from the investigation conducted and the statements of the witnesses there is sufficient evidence for filing charge-sheet against the petitioners under Sections 308 , 384, 34 IPC.
3. On 07.03.2018, by the order impugned herein, the learned Additional Session Judge-06, (South-East), Saket Courts, found that prima facie a case under Section 308 IPC is made out against the accused/petitioners herein and charges under Sections 308 , 384 and 34 IPC were accordingly framed. The petitioners pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. This order has been challenged in the present revision petition.
4. Mr. Ajayinder Sangwan, learned counsel for the petitioner states that there is a contradiction between DD entry and the version narrated by the victim in the FIR. He states that the DD entry shows that a person was stabbed while the case in the FIR is only for assault. Mr. Ajayinder Sangwan has taken this Court through the MLC report which states that the nature of injury is only simple. Mr. Sangwan also places emphasis on a medical opinion wherein it has been opined by Dr. Shashi Kant Yadav, Junior Resident, AIIMS, that the nature of injury is simple and the weapon used is blunt and that the injury mentioned in the MLC No. 588759/10OCT2016 is simple in nature and is possibly by blunt force/impact and is not sufficient to cause death in ordinary circumstances. Mr. Ajayinder Sagwan, learned counsel for the petitioner, argues that since the nature of injury is only simple and the doctor has opined that the injury is not sufficient to cause death in the ordinary circumstances charges under Section 308 IPC could not be framed. He places reliance on a judgement of this Court in Nar
Intent or knowledge of the accused is essential for framing charges under Section 308 IPC, irrespective of the injury's severity.
Point of law: Criminal Law - Culpable homicide – Framing of charges - act done by the accused with intention or knowledge that under such circumstances death could have been caused or not - Whether ....
Criminal Law – Offence of Attempt to commit culpable Homicide - Revision petition – Whether accused had intention or knowledge that injuries inflicted on the victim would cause death and as a result ....
The intention or knowledge of an accused under Section 308 IPC has to be ascertained only prima facie at the stage of charge, based on the injury caused to the victim.
The central legal point established in the judgment is the requirement of intention or knowledge to commit culpable homicide not amounting to murder in cases involving Section 308 IPC.
The court held that the mere presence of injuries does not negate intent; evidence of planning and the nature of injuries confirmed the charge of attempt to murder, illustrating the required intent a....
The court established that intent to commit culpable homicide must be clearly evidenced by the nature of injuries, which was not the case here.
Framing charges under Section 307 IPC requires clear evidence of intent or knowledge to kill, which was lacking, thereby limiting the charges to less serious offences.
Intent and knowledge regarding the commission of offences under Section 307 IPC can be inferred from actions and circumstances, regardless of the nature or extent of actual injuries inflicted.
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