IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN
DEEPAK MAHESHWARI, J.
KELIYA @ KAILASH — Appellant
Vs.
STATE OF RAJASTHAN, THROUGH P.P. — Respondent
Criminal Appeal No. 117 of 1995
Decided on : 29-08-2017
CRIMINAL APPEAL - SECTION 324, 323, 323/34 IPC - CONVERSION OF CONVICTION - REDUCTION OF SENTENCE - AGE OF ACCUSED - DELAY IN TRIAL - FAMILY DISPUTE - SECTION 360, 361 CR.P.C. - PROBATION - INTEREST OF JUSTICE - PARTLY ALLOWED APPEAL:
Fact of the Case:
Accused-appellants Keliya @ Kailash and Shambhu were convicted and sentenced for causing grievous hurt (Section 325 IPC) and simple hurt (Section 323 IPC) to the complainant Bhagu. The incident occurred on 15.9.1993 due to a dispute over the mortgage of an agricultural field.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the prosecution evidence was not consistent and there was a material anomaly regarding the weapon of offence and the exact place of injury. The court also noted that the accused-appellants were young at the time of the incident and had already undergone a significant period of custody.
Issues: 1. Whether the conviction for grievous hurt (Section 325 IPC) was sustainable given the inconsistencies in the prosecution evidence? 2. Whether the accused-appellants were entitled to the benefit of probation under Sections 360 and 361 Cr.P.C.? 3. Whether the sentence awarded to the accused-appellants was excessive considering the facts and circumstances of the case?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. The court held that the conviction for grievous hurt (Section 325 IPC) was not sustainable as the prosecution evidence was not consistent and there was a material anomaly regarding the weapon of offence and the exact place of injury. 2. The court held that the accused-appellants were not entitled to the benefit of probation under Sections 360 and 361 Cr.P.C. as the offence was serious and had caused grievous hurt to the complainant. 3. The court held that the sentence awarded to the accused-appellants was excessive considering the facts and circumstances of the case, including their young age at the time of the incident and the delay in trial.
Final Decision: The court partly allowed the appeal. The conviction for grievous hurt (Section 325 IPC) was converted to causing hurt (Section 324 IPC) and the sentence was reduced to the period of custody already undergone by the accused-appellants.
Deepak Maheshwari, J.
Accused-appellants Keliya @ Kailash and Shambhu have preferred this appeal to challenge the judgment impugned dated 17.1.1995 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Beawar, District Ajmer in Sessions Case No. 44/94, whereby the accused-appellants have been convicted and sentenced for the offences mentioned below :-
Keliya @ Kailash :
1
Section 325 IPC
For Three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 500/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo one month's imprisonment.
2
Section 323/34 IPC
For One month rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 100/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo seven days' imprisonment.
Shambhu :
| 1 | Section 325/34 IPC | For Three years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 500/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo one month's imprisonment. |
| 2 | Section 323 IPC | For One month rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs. 100/- and in default of payment of fine further to undergo seven days' imprisonment. |
2. Heard learned counsel for the accused-appellants as also learned Public Prosecutor. Perused the judgment impugned and material available on record.
3. Learned counsel for the appellants has argued that there is material anomaly in the prosecution evidence. The complainant-injured Bhagu, who has been examined as PW-13 does not completely corroborate the facts mentioned in the FIR Ex.-P/13. He has not stated that by which weapon of offence Kailash caused injury on his head. The specific place has also not been mentioned by him where the injury was caused on his head. Wife of the complainant PW-2 Smt. Ansi has also not stated about the weapon of offence and the exact place where the injury was caused on the head of her husband. Learned counsel has further averred that no grievous injury has been found on the body of injured Bhagu as per the MLR Ex.-P/11. Thus, the conviction recorded by the learned trial court for the offence under Section 325 IPC is not sustainable. He has further submitted that the learned trial court has not taken into consideration the provisions of Sections 360 & 361 Cr.P.C. while awarding the sentence to the accused-persons. As per the arrest memo Ex.-P/1 & Ex.-P/2, they were of the age of 18 & 19 years respectively. No specific reason has been assigned by the learned trial court for not extending the benefit of probation to the accused-persons. His further argument is that the occurrence had taken place on 15.9.1993 i.e. almost 24 years ago. Both the parties are close family members being first cousins. The occurrence has taken place on account of mortgage of the agricultural field with the complainant, which the accused persons wanted to redeem. In view of these facts, learned counsel for the accused-appellants submits that the judgment impugned convicting the accused-appellants deserves to be quashed and set-aside. His alternative argument is that if the accused-persons are found guilty of the offence under Section 324 IPC, they are liable to be extended the benefit of probation under Sections 360 & 361 Cr.P.C.
4. Learned Public Prosecutor has vehemently opposed the prayer and has stated that the judgment impugned is perfectly in consonance with the evidence available on record, hence the appeal is liable to be rejected.
5. I have scanned the judgment impugned in light of the arguments advanced and the material available on record.
6. In FIR Ex.P/13 injured Bhagu has stated that Kailash caused injury by 'axe' on his head, but he has not stated in his statement that what was the weapon of offence by which the injury was caused by Kailash. His wife PW-2 Ansi has also not stated about the weapon of offence. But PW-2 Sharda, daughter of injured has stated that injury was caused by 'axe' on the occipital part of head of his father.
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