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1997 Supreme(Raj) 1181

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
G.L Gupta, S.C.Mittal, JJ.
Chandra Pal Singh & Ors. - Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan - Respondent
D.B. Cri. Appeal Nos. 84 of 77, and four Ors. Nos. 365 of 77, 51 of 77, 152 of 77 and 116 of 77.
Decided On : 24-05-1997

Members of an unlawful assembly are liable for the acts of their companions even if a specific overt act of some of the accused is not proved.

Headnote:

CRIMINAL LAW - UNLAWFUL ASSEMBLY - COMMON OBJECT - LIABILITY OF MEMBERS - SECTION 149 IPC - MURDER - SECTION 302 IPC - ATTEMPT TO MURDER - SECTION 307 IPC - RIOTING - SECTION 147/148 IPC - ARMS ACT - SECTION 27 - EVIDENCE - DYING DECLARATION - MEDICAL EVIDENCE - IMPROVEMENTS IN TESTIMONY - INVESTIGATION - FAIRNESS - MOTIVE - CONVICTION - APPEAL.

Fact of the Case:

Eight accused were convicted for offenses under Sections 147, 148, 302, 306, 307, and 27 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Arms Act. The prosecution alleged that the accused formed an unlawful assembly and caused the death of Gamji and injuries to Bhenrulal. The accused appealed their convictions.

Finding of the Court:

1. The court found that Gamji and Bhenrulal sustained firearm injuries in the occurrence and Gamji died because of those injuries. 2. The court held that the eight accused had formed an unlawful assembly and were liable for the offense of rioting under Section 148 IPC. 3. The court convicted Shivdarshan Singh under Section 302 IPC for causing the death of Gamji and Yogendra Singh under Section 307 IPC for causing injuries to Bhenrulal. 4. The court acquitted the remaining six accused under Section 302 IPC but convicted them under Section 326 IPC for causing grievous hurt to Bhenrulal. 5. The court held that the six accused were liable for the act of Yogendra Singh under Section 307 IPC with the aid of Section 149 IPC.

Issues: 1. Whether the accused had formed an unlawful assembly. 2. Whether the accused were liable for the death of Gamji and the injuries to Bhenrulal. 3. Whether the accused were guilty of murder, attempt to murder, rioting, and causing grievous hurt. 4. Whether the evidence, including the dying declaration, medical evidence, and improvements in testimony, was reliable. 5. Whether the investigation was fair. 6. Whether the prosecution had established a motive for the crime. 7. Whether the convictions of the accused were justified.

Ratio Decidendi: 1. An assembly of five or more persons is designated an "unlawful assembly" if the common object of the persons composing that assembly is to commit an offense. 2. Members of an unlawful assembly are liable for the acts of their companions even if a specific overt act of some of the accused is not proved. 3. The common object of the assembly determines the liability of the members for the acts of each other. 4. The court must consider all the evidence, including the dying declaration, medical evidence, and improvements in testimony, to determine the guilt of the accused. 5. The investigation must be fair and impartial. 6. The prosecution must establish a motive for the crime. 7. The court must consider all the circumstances of the case before convicting the accused.

Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeals of the accused and upheld their convictions.

JUDGMENT

1. - The above mentioned five appeals have been preferred against the judgment and order dated 4th of Feb. 1977 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sirohi whereby the accused were convicted and sentenced as follows :

Shivdarshan Singh : (Now dead)


U/s. 148 IPC

One year R.I.

U/s. 302 IPC

Imprisonment for life

U/s. 306/149 IPC

7 years R.I.

U/s. 27 Indian Arms Act

3 years R.I.

Yogendra Singh : (Now dead)


U/s. 148 IPC

One year R.I.

U/s../149 IPC

Imprisonment for life

U/s. 307 IPC

10 years R.I.

U/s. 27 of Indian Arms Act

3 years R.I.

Chanderpal Singh :


U/s. 148 IPC

One year R.I.

U/s. 326/149 IPC

5 years R.I.

U/s. 27 of Indian Arms Act

3 years R.I.

Heera :


U/s. 148 IPC

One year R.I

U/s. 326/149 IPC

5 years R.I

Jethu Singh, Rama, Pukhiya & Chhagan :

U/s. 147 IPC

Six months R.l.

U/s. 326/149 IPC

5 years R.l.

All the sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

2. The state has filed appeal no. 365/77 challenging the acquittal of accused Chanderpal Singh, Heera, Rama, Chhagan, Jethu and Pukhiya under Section 302/149 IPC. The other four appeals have been filed by the accused persons questioning their conviction.

3. As all these five appeals arise out of one and the same judgment, so they have been heard together and are being disposed of by this common judgment.

4. On 31.12.1973 at 11.45 a.m. Tulsi Ram, PW. 3 lodged a report at Police out post Sanderao in which it was stated that at 10 a.m. his father Gamji, father s elder brother Somaji, brother Bhenrulal, Narayan, Mohan, Kantilal and Chunnilal etc. were sitting at ' Bera Podrava". At that time Jeep RJL 1103 came from the side of Sanderao crossing which was being driven by accused Pukhiya. Yogendra Singh, Shivdarshan Singh, Chanderpal Singh, Rama, Jetha. Chhagan and Heera alighted from the Jeep. Shivdarshan Singh, Yogendra Singh and Chanderpal Singh had guns, Heera had "Farsi", and Rama, Chhagan and Jetha had lathis in their hands. Shivdarshan Singh fired his gun which hit his father Gamji and Yogendra Singh fired his gun hitting his brother Bhenru. One bullet fired by the accused was lodged in the shutter of the gate. On this report Laxman Singh, H.C. rushed to the spot and took steps to shift the injured to the hospital. He sent the report to the S.H.O., RS. Takhatgarh through Kanaram Kalal. where a case under Sections 148. 149 and 307 IPC was registered. The investigation was started by Circle Officer Bali. Both the injured Gamji and Bhenru were shifted to Bangar Hospital, Pali. Dying declaration of Gamji was recorded by Kan Singh, Sub-Inspector, Pali. Dr. Hargovind (P.W. 17) examined the injuries of Bhenru and Gamji on the same day. He prepared the injury reports Ex. P/19 and P/23. The injuries were X-rayed and the reports were prepared. Gamji died in the hospital at 6.55 p.m. on 3.1.74. Dr. Hargovind held the autopsy on his body on 4.1.74 and prepared the post-mortem report Ex. P/28. On the death of Gamji the case was converted into Section 302 IPC. The police inspected the site, collected' blood stained soil, interrogated the witnesses and arrested the accused. Weapons were recovered at the instance of the accused. After the completion of the investigation a challan was filed against all the persons named in the F.I.R.

5. The learned Sessions Judge framed charges under Sections 148, 307/149 and 302 IPC and Section 27 of the Indian Arms Act against accused Shivdarshan Singh. Accused Chanderpal Singh was charged with the offence under Section 148, 302/149, 307/149 IPC and 27 of the Indian Arms Act. Yogendra Singh was charged with the offences under Sections 307, 148, 302/149 IPC and S. 27 of the Indian Arms Act. Accused Heera was charged with the offences under Sections 148, 302/149 and 307/149 IPC. The remai








































































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