IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR
Manoj Kumar Garg, J.
Kumbha Ram S/o Mota Ram - Petitioner
Versus
State of Rajasthan and ors. – Respondents
S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No. 781/2003
Decided On : 01-05-2024
CRIMINAL REVISION - ACQUITTAL UNDER SC/ST ACT - Sections 323, 341, 325 IPC; Section 3(1)(x) SC/ST Act - The court discussed the provisions of Sections 323, 341, 325 of the IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of the SC/ST Act, emphasizing the need for the prosecution to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. The court highlighted the importance of the trial court's detailed reasoning and the presence of contradictions in witness statements, which led to the conclusion that the acquittal was justified and warranted no interference.
Fact of the Case:
The complainant alleged that the accused-respondent's son entered his brother's field and used casteist slurs. Subsequently, the accused-respondent physically assaulted the complainant's brother. An FIR was filed, leading to charges under various sections of the IPC and the SC/ST Act. The trial court acquitted the accused-respondent, prompting the complainant to file a revision petition.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the trial court had thoroughly considered the evidence and identified significant contradictions and omissions in witness testimonies. The prosecution failed to establish the case beyond reasonable doubt, justifying the acquittal.
Issues: Whether the trial court erred in acquitting the accused-respondent despite the evidence presented by the prosecution.
Ratio Decidendi: The court reiterated that an order of acquittal should only be interfered with if there are compelling reasons, such as a clear misreading of evidence or a judgment contrary to the evidence presented. The presumption of innocence is reinforced by acquittal, and the appellate court must respect the trial court's reasonable conclusions.
Final Decision: The criminal revision petition was dismissed, and the trial court's acquittal of the accused-respondent was upheld.
JUDGMENT :
Manoj Kumar Garg, J.
1. Instant criminal revision petition under Section 397/401 Cr.P.C. has been filed by the petitioner against the judgment dated 12.06.2003, passed by learned Special Judge, SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Cases, Bikaner, in Sessions Case No.61/2001, whereby the learned trial court acquitted the accused-respondent No.2 from the offence under Sections 323, 341, 325 IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act.
2. Brief facts of the case are that on 19.07.2001, complainant Kumbharam submitted a written report at Police Station, Bikaner to the effect that on 13.07.2001, the son of accused-respondent No.2 unauthorizedly entered into the field of his brother Devaram and abused him using caste oriented words. Thereafter, again on 18.07.2001 at about 8:30 AM, accused-respondent No.2 Kalu Singh came armed with lathi and inflicted injuries on the hand and mouth of the brother of the complainant. Upon the aforesaid report, an FIR was registered and after usual investigation, charge-sheet came to be submitted against the accused-respondent No.2 in the Court concerned.
3. The learned Special Court, SC/ST Act framed charge against the accused-respondent No.2 for offences under Sections 323, 325, 341 IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act and upon denial of guilt by the accused-respondent No.2, commenced the trial. During the course of trial, as many as five witnesses were examined. Thereafter, statement of the accused-respondent No.2 was recorded under section 313 Cr.P.C.
4. Upon conclusion of the trial, learned trial court vide impugned judgment dated 12.06.2003 acquitted the accused-respondent No.2 from the offence as mentioned earlier. Hence, this revision petition.
5. Learned counsel for the petitioner-complainant has submitted that there is ample evidence against the accused-respondent No.2 regarding commission of offence but the learned trial court has not considered the evidence and other aspects of the matter in its right perspective and acquitted the accused-respondent No.2 for offence under Sections 323, 341, 325 IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act. The learned trial court has committed grave error in acquitting the accused-respondent No.2. Thus, the impugned judgment deserves to be quashed and set aside and the accused-respondent No.2 ought to have been convicted and sentenced for offence under Sections 323, 341, 325 IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act.
6. Per contra, counsel for the accused-respondent No.2 submits that the learned trial court has passed a detailed and reasoned order of acquittal, which requires no interference from this Court.
7. Heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the impugned judgment as well as considered the material available on record.
8. On perusal of the impugned judgment, it appears that the learned trial court while passing the impugned judgment has considered each and every aspect of the matter and also considered the evidence produced before it in its right perspective. There are major contradictions, omissions & improvements in the statements of the witnesses. The prosecution has failed to prove its case against the accused-respondent No.2 beyond all reasonable doubts and thus, the trial court has rightly acquitted the accused-respondent No.2 from offence under Sections 323, 341, 325 IPC and Section 3(1)(x) of SC/ST Act.
9. In the light of aforesaid discussion, the petitioner-complainant has failed to show any error of law or on facts on the basis of which interference can be made by this Court in the judgment under challenge. The learned trial court has rightly acquitted the accused-respondent No.2 from the offence. The order passed by the learned trial court is a detailed and reasoned order and the same does not warrant any interference from this Court.
10. In the case of 'Mrinal Das & others v. The State of Tripura, : 2011(9) SCC 479,' decided on September 5, 2011, the Hon'ble Supreme Court, after looking into many earlier judgments, has laid down parameters, in which
State of Rajasthan v. Shera Ram alias Vishnu Dutta
'Mrinal Das & others v. The State of Tripura, : 2011(9) SCC 479, dated September 5
The principle that an acquittal should not be disturbed unless there are compelling reasons, and the presumption of innocence is reinforced by such acquittal.
The court upheld the acquittal of the accused due to lack of compelling evidence, emphasizing the presumption of innocence.
Interference in acquittal requires compelling reasons; the presumption of innocence is reinforced by acquittal.
The court upheld the acquittal due to insufficient evidence, emphasizing the need for compelling reasons to overturn such judgments.
The presumption of innocence is fortified by an acquittal, and appellate courts should only interfere with acquittals in cases of compelling and substantial reasons.
The court emphasized that acquittal judgments should not be interfered with unless they are palpably erroneous or contrary to evidence, reinforcing the presumption of innocence.
The prosecution failed to prove the charges under the SC/ST Act, justifying the acquittal, while the trial court's decision to grant probation for IPC convictions was upheld.
Courts will only interfere with a judgment of acquittal in compelling circumstances, ensuring the presumption of innocence is maintained.
The court emphasized the high threshold for interfering with acquittal judgments, requiring compelling reasons to overturn a lower court's decision.
Acquittals should not be overturned unless compelling reasons are shown; the presumption of innocence is reinforced by an acquittal.
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.