IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR
MANOJ KUMAR GARG, J.
Asu S/o Goma Ji – Appellant
Versus
State of Rajasthan – Respondent
S.B. Criminal Revision Petition No. 633 of 2005
Decided on : 20-11-2024
(A) Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Sections 397 and 401 - Revision against acquittal - The petitioner challenged the acquittal of accused-respondents from offences under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC, asserting that the trial court ignored substantial evidence. The court found major contradictions in witness statements and upheld the acquittal, emphasizing the presumption of innocence. (Paras 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
(B) Acquittal - Standards for interference - The court reiterated that an order of acquittal should only be interfered with when compelling reasons exist, and the trial court's detailed reasoning did not warrant such interference. (Paras 10, 11, 12)
JUDGMENT :
1. Instant criminal revision petition under Section 397/401 Cr.P.C. has been filed by the petitioner/complainant against the judgment dated 18.02.2005, passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, (Fast Track), Jalore Camp Bhinmal in Sessions Case No.76/2004 (40/2004), whereby the learned trial court acquitted the accused-respondent Nos.2 to 4 from the offences under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC.
2. Brief facts of the case are that on 14.07.2004, the petitioner-complainant gave a written report at Police Station Bhinmal to the effect that last night, his cousin sister went for answering call of nature, but she did not return back. On inquiry, one Kheta told that the accused namely Heera and Akabar forcibly took his sister in a Jeep. Subsequently, it was also came to know that the accused-respondents took his sister for marriage and for establishment of illicit relation. On this report, Police registered the case against the accused-respondents and started investigation.
3. On completion of investigation, the police filed challan against accused-respondents for offence under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC. Thereafter, the trial court framed the charges against the accused-respondents. They denied the charges and claimed trial.
4. During the course of trial, the prosecution examined 17 witnesses and exhibited certain documents. Thereafter, statements of the accused were recorded under section 313 Cr.P.C. In defecne, two witnesses were examined.
5. Upon conclusion of the trial, the learned trial court vide impugned judgment dated 18.02.2005 acquitted the accused-respondents from offences under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC. Hence this criminal revision against the acquittal of accused-respondents.
6. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that there is ample evidence against the accused-respondents 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-respondents from offence under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC. The learned trial court has committed grave error in acquitting the accused-respondents. Thus, the impugned judgment deserves to be quashed and set aside and the accused-respondents ought to have been convicted and sentenced for offence under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC.
7. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner 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-respondents beyond all reasonable doubts and thus, the trial court has rightly acquitted the accused-respondents from offence under Sections 376, 366, 382 IPC.
9. In the light of aforesaid discussion, the petitioner 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-respondents from the offences. The order passed by the learned trial court is 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, : reported in 2011(9) SCC 479,' , the Hon'ble Supreme Court, after looking into many earlier judgments, has laid down parameters, in which interference can be made in a judgment of acquittal, by observing as under:
'Mrinal Das & others v. The State of Tripura
State of Rajasthan v. Shera Ram alias Vishnu Dutta, reported (2012) 1 SCC 602
The court upheld the acquittal of the accused, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and the need for compelling reasons to overturn such judgments.
Acquittals should not be overturned unless compelling reasons are shown; the presumption of innocence is reinforced by an acquittal.
Acquittal judgments require compelling reasons for interference; presumption of innocence is reinforced by acquittal.
An acquittal strengthens the presumption of innocence, and an appellate court can only overturn such a judgment if it finds that the trial court's conclusion was unreasonable or unsupported by eviden....
Interference in acquittal requires compelling reasons; the presumption of innocence is reinforced by acquittal.
The court upheld the acquittal of the accused due to lack of compelling evidence, emphasizing the presumption of innocence.
Acquittal judgments should not be interfered with unless compelling reasons exist, as the presumption of innocence is reinforced by acquittal.
An appellate court may only interfere with a judgment of acquittal when there are compelling reasons, and the presumption of innocence remains fortified by acquittal.
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 appellate court should not interfere with an acquittal unless there are compelling reasons, such as a clear misreading of evidence or ignoring material facts.
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