IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
S. K. Verma, J.
ABDUL RAZZAQ - Appellant
Versus
STATE - Respondents
Criminal Appeal 825 Of 1959
Decided On : 02/15/1960
CRIMINAL LAW - CULPABLE HOMICIDE - RIGHT OF PRIVATE DEFENCE - EXCEPTION 4 TO SECTION 300 I. P. C. - APPLICABILITY - CONDITIONS - FREE FIGHT - MEANING AND SCOPE - ONUS OF PROOF.
Fact of the Case:
A fight broke out between two groups of villagers over the watering of buffaloes at a well. The appellant and his son were watering their buffaloes at the well, which made the ground muddy and slippery. Reayat Hussain, whose house was nearby, protested and was abused by the appellant's son. Reayat Hussain and his supporters then attacked the appellant and his son, who retaliated in self-defense. The appellant's son died as a result of the injuries he sustained.
Finding of the Court:
The trial court convicted the appellant under Sections 323 and 325, each read with Section 34 I. P. C., and sentenced him to one year's rigorous imprisonment for the former offense and two years' R. I. for the latter offense. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently. The High Court allowed the appeal, set aside the conviction and sentences of the appellant, and acquitted him.
Issues: 1. Whether the appellant had the right of private defense of person? 2. Whether the fight was a free fight? 3. Who started the fight and who was the aggressor?
Ratio Decidendi: 1. Exception 4 to Section 300 I. P. C. can be of help to an accused who has no right of private defense of person, he having committed the first assault, if the conditions of that exception are satisfied. 2. A free fight is one in which both parties start with an intention to hold a trial of strength by mutual combat. 3. The onus lies on the Court to arrive at a finding on the basis of probabilities as to who started the fight and who was the aggressor.
Final Decision: The appellant was acquitted.
( 1 ) ABDUL Razzak has filed this appeal against the judgment of the learned Sessions Judge of allahabad, convicting him under Sections 323 and 325, each read with Section 34 I. P. C. and sentencing him to one years rigorous imprisonment for the former offence and to two years R. I. for the latter offence. The sentences were ordered by the learned trial Judge to run concurrently.
( 2 ) THE following facts are not in dispute, Abdul Razzak and his son Naziruddin are residents of village Kasari Masari, police station Dhumanganj, district Allahabad. Reayat Hussain P. W. 1 is also a resident of that very village. On 22-4-1958, at 6 a. m. an incident, involving the use of violence, took place near a well situate at a short distance from Reayat Husains house. In this incident Reayat Husain, Abdul Majid and Ramizan Ali received injuries on the side of Reayat husain and Abdul Raz-zaq and bis son received injuries on the other side. Reayat Husain bad two traumatic swellings on his bands and an abrasion on one of his fingers. Abdul Majid had nine injuries consisting of two contused wounds, six contusions and an abrasion. Ramzan Ali had nine injuries consisting of contused wounds, a lacerated wound and abrasions. Ramzan AH and Reayat Husain had one grievous injury each. The remaining injuries were simple. Abdul razzaq appellant had the following injuries :
(1) Contused wound 3/4"x 1/4" x scalp deep on the back of head, right side, just above the occipital region. . (2) Abrasion 3-4" x 1/4" adjacent to injury No. 1 On its left side. (3) Traumatic swelling over the whole of the left thumb on its dorsal aspect 2"x 1 1/2". (4) Traumatic swelling 3" x 3 1/2" on the dorsurn of the left hand outer side.
( 3 ) X-RAY revealed that his thumb had been fractured. As regards the appellants son Nazirud-din, he died as a result of the injuries received by him. His post mortem examination was performed by Dr. R. P. Mathur D. W. 1 and the report of that examination shows that Naziruddin had the following injuries :
(1) Contused wound 1 1/2"x 1/2"x bone, vertical 3" above the root of the nose. (2) Contusion 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". anterio posterior, 2 1/2" above the left ear. (3) Abrasion 1/4" x 1/4" back of the left elbow. (4) Abrasion 1/2" x 1/4" vertical, middle of the front of the left leg. (5) Abrasion 1/4" x 1/4" front of the middle of the right leg.
( 4 ) IN the opinion of the doctor death was due to coma resulting from injuries to the head.
( 5 ) IT is also undisputed that the fight took place because of the watering of buffaloes by the appellant and his son Naziruddin at the well near Eeayat Husains house. The points upon which there was a dispute were as to how the fight originated, who were the aggressors and who were the participants in the occurrence. According to the prosecution case, the watering of the buffaloes at the well made theeround muddy and slippery as a result of which Reayat Husain slipped and fell. He protested against the manner in which the buffaloes were being watered whereupon he was taunted. A verbal altercation ensued and then arrived on the scene Iftikhar ahmad, Abdul Wahab, Kulla and Sirajuddin on the side of the appellant. Out of these persons iftikhar Ahmad had a spear and others were armed with lathis. On seeing these persons Reayat Husain retreated and mounted the platform of his house, Abdul wahab and Naziruddin launched an attack upon him. Ramzan Ali P. W. 9 and Abdul Majid P. W. 4 turned up. They remonstrated with the assailants of Reayat but they were also beaten. According to the prosecution version, thus, the appellant and Iftikhar Ahmad and others mentioned above were the aggressors. As regards the defence version Abdul Razzaq admits that he and his son Naziruddin were watering the buffaloes at the well. According to him, Reayat asked them not to do so. Naziruddin replied that he had every right to do so. He was abused and he also abused in return. Upon this Reayat Hussain, Kifayat Hussain, Baqridi, Nanh
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.