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2004 Supreme(Raj) 1309

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT AT JAIPUR BENCH
Shiv Kumar Sharma, Jitendra Ray Goyal, JJ.
Murlidhar and another - Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan - Respondent
D.B. Criminal Appeal No. 127 of 2001.
Decided On : 7-02-2004

Advocates:
For the Appellants:Suresh Sahni, Advocate.
For the State: Brahmanand Sandhu, Public Prosecutor.

Headnote:

Indian Penal Code, 1860 Section 302, 304 Part II - Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 Section 374(2) - Conviction altered to one under Section 304 part I, Indian Penal Code- as there was no intention and simple injury.

JUDGMENT

1. - This appeal impugns the judgment dated February 13, 2001 of the learned Special Judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Cases) Kota in Sessions Case No. 118/1999 whereby the appellants were convicted and sentenced as under:

Murlidhar:

U/s 302/34 IPC

To suffer Imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 2000/- in default to further suffer rigorous imprisonment for six months.

Hansraj

u/s 302 IPC

To suffer imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 2000/- in default to further suffer rigorous imprisonment for six months.


2. It is the prosecution case that on October 12, 1999 at 7.00 AM when Arjun Harijan (Pw. 3) and Radhey Shyam Bairwa took their female buffaloes for grazing near den, they on the way found that one buffalo was assaulting three persons, who cried for help. In order to provide them help when Arjun Harijan reached near a tractor, he saw two girls running away. After about three hours i.e. around 10 AM Murli and Hansraj (appellants) armed with lathi and sword came over there and enquired as to why their girls were asked to leave the place. When the conversation was going on Pappu (deceased) suddenly appeared. In the mean time Shanti Lal Dhobi, Rajendra Kumar Dhobi, Hemant Khati, Hemraj Meghwal, Pappu Mali, Chandu Mali alongwith ten-twelve persons having lathis and spades also came over there and started beating the informant and Pappu. Hansraj gave one blow with sword while Murli inflicted lathi blow on the person of Pappu, who died on the spot. Parcha bayan of Arjun was recorded and on the basis of said parcha bayan FIR under sections 147, 148, 149, 302 IPC was registered and investigation commenced. On completion of investigation charge sheet was filed. In due course the case came up for trial before the learned Special Judge SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities Cases) Kota. Charge under Sections 148, 302/149, 323/149 IPC and Section 3(2)(5) SC/ST (PA) Act were framed against the accused, who denied the charge and claimed trial. The prosecution in support of its case examined as many as 19 witnesses. In the explanation under Section 313 Cr.RC., the accused claimed innocence. In defence one witness was examined. Learned trial Judge on hearing the final submissions convicted and sentenced the appellants as indicated herein above.

3. The only submission of the learned counsel for the appellants is that the incident took place all of a sudden and there was no premeditation on the part of the appellant Hemraj. According to the autopsy surgeon the deceased could have been saved if proper treatment was given to him. In these circumstances the case does not travel beyond section 304 Part II IPC. So far as the allegations against appellants Murli is concerned, they are vague in nature and when on the same allegations nine other co-accused were acquitted there was no reason to convict appellant Murli. Per contra learned Public Prosecutor supported the impugned judgment and canvassed that the appellants had been rightly convicted and sentenced.

4. In order to appreciate the rival submissions we have closely gone through the record. Dr. Shambhu Dayal Sharma (Pw. 13), who performed the autopsy on the dead body, deposed that vide Post Mortem report (Ex.R21) the deceased sustained following ante mortem injuries :

"(i) Incised wound 10cm x 1/2cm X Bone deep above right ear.

(ii) Incised wound 7cm x 1/2cm X Bone deep right parietal Bone, fracture and broken of right parietal bone

(iii) Bruise 7" x 1/4" right palm.

(iv) Bruise 7" x 1" right middle ⅓ back.

(v) Br. 3 1/2" x 1 1/2" right side upper ⅓ back.

(vi) Br. 9" x 6" right upper ⅓ back.

(vii) Br. 6" x 1" Lower ⅓ back.
In the cross examination Dr. Shambhu Dayal Sharma (Pw. 13) however stated that if proper treatment would be available the deceased could have been saved.

5. A glance at the testimony of Arjun Harijan (Pw.1) and Anari Bai (Pw.2) goes to show that the occurrence took place suddenly and quarrel really arose from a trivial issue. As many a












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