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1978 Supreme(Raj) 144

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
Kanta Bhatnagar, J.
Shobha Ram - Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan - Respondent
S.B. Cr. Revision No. 67/1974.
Decided On : 5-01-1978

Advocates:
For the Petitioner:S.D. Kalla, Advocate.
For the Respondent: H.N. Kalla, Public Prosecutor.

The court's decision was influenced by the doubt raised regarding the nature of the injury and the prosecution's failure to prove the specific weapon used, leading to the revision of the conviction under the Indian Penal Code.

Headnote:

Revision Petition - Criminal Law - The court revised the conviction of the accused from Section 326 to Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code based on the doubt raised by the doctor's opinion regarding the nature of the injury, leading to a reduction in the sentence.

Fact of the Case:

The court maintained the conviction of the accused but reduced the substantive sentence and fine based on the doubt raised by the doctor's opinion regarding the nature of the injury.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the prosecution could not prove beyond doubt that the accused caused the grievous injury using a sharp object, leading to the revision of the conviction from Section 326 to Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code.

Issues: The main issue was the nature of the injury caused by the accused and whether it could be conclusively attributed to a sharp object, leading to the determination of the appropriate section of the Indian Penal Code for the conviction.

Ratio Decidendi: The doubt raised by the doctor's opinion regarding the nature of the injury led the court to revise the conviction from Section 326 to Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code.

Final Decision: The court partly allowed the revision petition, setting aside the conviction under Section 326 and converting it to Section 324 of the Indian Penal Code, and reducing the sentence and fine accordingly.

JUDGMENT

1. - This revision petition is directed against the judgment of the learned Sessions Judge, Merta dated January 31, 1974 by which he while maintaining the conviction of the accused-appellant by the learned Mwisiff Magistrate, Merta reduced the substantive sentence of two years' rigorous imprisonment to one and a half years' rigorous imprisonment, and maintain the sentence of fine of Rs. 300/-.

2. The learned Counsel for the petitioner advanced his arguments to assail the findings of the two courts below on the ground that there is specific evidence of Dr. Sohanlal (CW. 1) that the fracture of Shanker could not have been caussd by the same object by which the external injury has been caused. According to the learned Counsel it is evident and held by the learned Judge deciding the appeal that the sword alleged to be recovered from the accused Shabharam, would be held to be responsible for the injury of Shanker-injured. According to the learned Counsel it is the specific case of the prosecution that only one weapon was used by Shobharam and only orca injury was caused by him hence in view of Dr Sohan Lal's statement that is the external injury by sharp edged weapan and the corresponding fracture could not have been caused by the same object makes the case of the accused-petitioner suspicious and therefore his conviction under Section 326 Indian Penal Code, the Court could not consider the same and that may be taken in to consideration now, & a liberal view of the matter may be taken. The learned Public Prosecutor contended that though Dr. Surendra Kumar (PW 8) has stated that the injury of Shanker could have been caused by sword though of course not by the sword exhibited in the Court. The contention of radiologist Or Sohan lal is different, but he having not initially examined the injury he should not be believed in preference to Dr. Surendra Kumar.

3. I heard 'he rival contentions & carefully examined the testimony of these two doctors, Dr. Surendra Kumar examined the injured initially but not being of any specific opinion about the nature of fracture he referred the case to radiologist and Dr. Sohanlal, X Rayed the injury and issued a certificate, and formed an opinion that there was a fracture of febula. It so appears that the opinion of Dr Surendra Kumar not being specific the trial Court thought it proper to get the matter clarified by examining the radiologist concerned. The radiologist has of course stated that the clean cut marginal surface injury could have been caused by some sharp object, but at the same time he was not specific on the point and stated that there is greater possibility of its being caused by blunt object even. He further stated the possibility of its being sharp edged weapon Then he further stated that the possibility of that injury being by sharp edged weapon could also be there. There is one sentence appearing in the statement of Dr. Sohanlal which makes the case of the accused under Section 326, Indian Penal Code doubtful. It is the opinion of the doctor that the fracture could not have been caused by the same object by which the clean cut marginal external injury might have been caused. This creates a doubt whether any sharp edged weapon alleged to have been used by the accused could be responsible for any fracture. It is not the case of the prosecution even that any blunt object or more than one sharp edged object was used by the accused. Under these circumstances while the guilt of the accused for causing some injury to Shanker is well established, I am of the opinion that the prosecution could not prove it beyond doubt that the grievous injury, that is, the facture was caused by Shobha Ram by any sharp object. If the prosecution case would have been about Shobharam using a blunt object, he could have been convicted under Section 325, Indian Penal Code. With a specific plea of Shobharam using sharp object his casein view of the peculiar statement of Dr Sohanlal does not travel beyond the




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