IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN
Sandeep Mehta,Manoj Kumar Garg, JJ.
Murari Lal - Appellant
Versus
State Of Rajasthan - Respondent
Criminal Misc Suspension Of Sentence Application (Appeal) No. 261 of 2021
Decided on : 04-08-2021
Suspension of Sentences - Bail - Section 323/34 I.P.C., Section 302/34 I.P.C. - [Section 323/34 I.P.C., Section 302/34 I.P.C.] - The court allowed the application for suspension of sentence and ordered the release of the appellant on bail during the pendency of the appeal.
Fact of the Case:
The appellant sought suspension of sentences awarded for offences under Section 323/34 I.P.C. and Section 302/34 I.P.C. by the trial court. The appellant claimed that the entire prosecution case was false and fabricated, and that the incident was a result of a sudden fight. The prosecution alleged that the appellant and the co-accused had a premeditated plan to murder, while the appellant argued that he did not fire any shots and deserved bail during the appeal.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the appellant had valid grounds to challenge the judgment and that the hearing of the appeal was likely to consume time. Therefore, the court allowed the application for suspension of sentence and ordered the release of the appellant on bail during the pendency of the appeal.
Issues: Validity of the prosecution case, premeditated plan to murder, grounds for suspension of sentence, and release on bail during appeal.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the grounds presented by the appellant, the likelihood of the appeal consuming time, and the availability of valid and substantial grounds for assailing the impugned judgment.
Final Decision: The application for suspension of sentence was allowed, and the sentences awarded to the appellant were suspended till the final disposal of the appeal. The appellant was ordered to be released on bail upon executing a personal bond and providing sureties.
JUDGMENT
1. The instant application for suspension of sentences has been preferred by the appellant applicant Murari Lal seeking suspension of sentences awarded to him by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bhadra, District Hanumangarh vide judgment dated 19.1.2021 in Sessions Case No.13/2018 whereby the appellant was convicted and sentenced as below:
| For offence under Section 323/34 I.P.C. | 1 years R.I. and fine of Rs. 500/- in default of payment of fine, 1 months S.I. |
| For offence under Section 302/34 I.P.C. | Imprisonment for Life and fine of Rs. 5000/- in default of payment of fine, 2 years S.I. |
| Both the sentences were ordered to run concurrently. | |
2. We have heard and considered the submissions advanced by Shri J.S. Choudhary, learned Sr.Counsel assisted by Shri Pradeep Choudhary, learned Public Prosecutor and Shri Vikas Bijarnia learned counsel representing the complainant and have gone through the impugned judgment and the record.
3. Shri J.S.Choudhary, learned Sr.Counsel assistned by Shri Pradeep Choudhary representing the accused appellant vehemently and fervently urges that the entire prosecution case is false and fabricated. The incident took place in the early night of 17.4.2018. Subhash who was an intervenor in the incident received the gun shot injury which took place after a sudden fight and expired whereafter, the Police was informed. The Police Officers were present at the spot during the entire night but the members of the complainant party intentionally did not lodge the F.I.R. to the Police Authorities. He pointed out that the injured witnesses Rajbala was got admitted in the hospital at about 12.30 in the night but even then, her relatives did not lodge the F.I.R. to the Police Officers, who had taken the injured to hospital. He further urges that as per the prosecution case, Rakesh Kaswa was married to the sister of the appellant Murari Lal and the coaccused Subhash. There was a dispute between Rakesh and his wife and thus, the parties were not on good terms. As per the prosecution witnesses, the appellant and the co-accused went to the house of Rakesh and were indulging in quarrel with him. Surendra who lives in the neighborhood came around and tried to intervene and to quell the fight and during this altercation, Subhash fired a gun shot which hit Surendra killing him instantly. Shri Choudhary submits that though the prosecution witnesses alleged that the appellant herein was armed with a pistol but admittedly no shot was fired by the appellant. He also pointed out that the trial court acquitted the appellant from the charge under Section 3/25 and 27 of the Arms Act. He thus urges that the appellant who is in custody for the last more than three years, deserves indulgence of bail during pendency of the appeal:
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