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2013 Supreme(Gau) 112

IN THE HIGH COURT OF GAUHATI
Iqbal Ahmed Ansari and P.K. Musahary, JJ.
Rina Garh
Vs.
State of Assam
Crl. Appeal No. 38 (J) of 2012
Decided On: 22.02.2013

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For Appellant/Petitioner/Plaintiff: Mr. B. Prasad, Amicus Curiae
For Respondents/Defendant: Mr. D. Das, Addl. PP

Headnote:

Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 302, 34, 100, 97, 99, 300 and 304 - Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 313, 164 and 161 - Murder Case - Sexual Harassment - Grievous Physical Injuries - At closure of prosecution evidence statements of accused persons were recorded putting before them all incriminating evidence against them - Accused denied his involvement in commission of murder of his brother but present accused appellant confessed her guilt for committing murder of her brother-in-law by dealing blows on his person with an iron pipe as he attempted to outrage her modesty on night of occurrence while she was in bath room for taking bath - Learned trial Court on consideration of material and evidence on record and upon hearing parties acquitted accused and convicted present appellant and sentenced her to suffer imprisonment for life and payment of fine with default stipulation vide judgment which is under challenge in this appeal - As per his evidence he did not notice any administration of medicine to deceased before his death - He noticed that all injuries were in left side of body and injuries might have been caused by sharp cutting weapon -Held, As per law a person who seeks right of private defence cannot exceed limit - Normally limit in taking action under law of private defence may be applicable universally in respect of physical fight between two persons or groups but such limit may not be applicable to a crime against woman of present nature - No limit could be imposed on action of persons under attack from perpetrator who has a design to outrage modesty of a woman in order to protect herself from sexual onslaught in all probability is supposed to lose control over her action or mind and she is not supposed to know her limit - She may exceed her limit and cause grievous physical injuries or death to perpetrator - It might have happened so in present case - We cannot rule out these probabilities and reject plea of private defence of appellant inasmuch as we cannot completely ignore or disregard explanation offered by appellant while she was put to incriminating evidence of prosecution during her examination - It needs no elaboration that provocation is one of such situations which sometimes deprives a person of power of self-control of his/her mind act and action - Appellant out of extreme anguish annoyance and resentment over unethical immoral and illegal act of appellant resorted to private defence to save herself no matter she might be condemned for exceeding limit and convicted for same - Appeal stands partly allowed.

JUDGMENT

P.K. Musahary, J.

1. A sentence serving woman is before us in appeal. An order of conviction under Section 302 IPC and sentence of imprisonment for life and payment of fine of Rs. 5000/- with default stipulation has been handed down upon her vide judgment and order dated 27.2.2012 rendered by the learned Sessions Judge, Sibsagar in Sessions Case No. 188(S-S) of 2010. As per prosecution story a quarrel took place between accused Sunu Garh and his brother Satnarayan Garh in their house. The appellant, wife of accused Sunu Garh, who was present at home at that time, dealt blows with an iron rod on the person of Satnarayan Garh causing death to him. An Ejahar was lodged by one M. Mallick, brother-in-law of deceased Satnarayan Garh. The police registered a case, being Amguri P.S. Case No. 82/10 under Sections 302/34 IPC and started the investigation. Inquest on the dead body of the deceased was conducted by an Executive Magistrate. The IO visited the place of occurrence, prepared the sketch map and sent the dead body of the deceased to Sibsagar Civil Hospital for holding the post mortem examination. He also seized the crime weapon, namely a piece of iron pipe, which was produced by the accused appellant Smti Rina Garh. Both the accused persons were arrested and produced before the Court. On completion of investigation, the IO submitted the charge-sheet against the accused persons under Section 302/34 IPC. On committal of the case, and on the basis of materials found, learned Sessions Judge framed charge under Section 302/34 IPC. The aforesaid charges being read over and explained, both accused persons, including the present appellant, pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried. They accordingly stood the trial.

2. The prosecution examined as many as 13 witnesses while the defence examined none. At the closure of the prosecution evidence, the statements of the accused persons were recorded under Section 313 Cr.PC putting before them all the incriminating evidence against them. Accused Sunu Garh denied his involvement in the commission of murder of his brother Satnarayan Garh but the present accused appellant, Smti Rina Garh, confessed her guilt for committing murder of her brother-in-law Satnarayan Garh by dealing blows on his person with an iron pipe as he attempted to outrage her modesty on the night of occurrence at about 9 PM while she was in the bath room for taking bath. The learned trial Court, on consideration of the material and evidence on record and upon hearing the parties, acquitted the accused Sunu Garh and convicted the present appellant and sentenced her to suffer imprisonment for life and payment of fine with default stipulation vide the judgment which is under challenge in this appeal.

3. We have heard Mr. B. Prasad, learned Amicus Curiae, appearing for the appellant and Mr. D. Das, learned Addl. Public Prosecutor, Assam, for the State.

4. We have been taken through the evidence of prosecution witnesses. PW-1 is the informant and brother-in-law of the deceased. He is a reported witness. He filed the FIR as reported by others. He proved the FIR, Ext.1, PW-2 is Dr. Amrit Saikia, who testified that he was working as senior Medical and Health Officer in Sibsagar Civil Hospital and he performed the post mortem examination on the dead body of the Satnarayan Garh on police requisition. He also testified that he prepared the post mortem report and proved the said post mortem report and his signature thereon as Ext.2 and Ext.2(2) respectively. As per the said post mortem report he found the followings:

External Appearance:

Average built, not emaciated, body decomposed, rigor-mortis- present-

Injuries:

i) Cut mark of sizes 3 1/2 " X 1/2' X 1" over the forehead horizontally-

ii) Cut mark of sizes 2 1/2" X 1/2" X 1" below the left eye ball;

iii) Cut-mark of sizes 2 " X 1/2" X 1" over the left cheek &

iv) Cut-mark of the sizes 1 1/2" X 1/2" X 1 "over the left cheek, below the eye. No mark of bruise or ligature is found.

Cranium and







































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