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2015 Supreme(Online)(Cal) 19

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT
S. P. Talukdar, J
Sunil Kumar – Appellant
Versus
State – Respondent
Sessions Trial No. 22 of 2004 | Sessions Case No. 150 of 2004



Advocates:
For the Appellants: Mr. Apurba Krishna Das
For the Respondents: Mr. Pawan Kumar Gupta

The court established that culpable homicide not amounting to murder was committed due to a land dispute, substantiated by witness testimonies and circumstantial evidence.

Headnote:(A) Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Sections 302, 304, 325, and 34 - Appellants convicted for offences related to culpable homicide and grievous assault. The court found that motive stemmed from a land dispute causing altercation leading to bomb throwing resulting in death. Eyewitness testimonies and post-mortem corroborated the prosecution case. (Paras 1, 39, 38, 40, 42)

(B) Evidentiary Standards - The prosecution established a case by showing that the accused deliberately caused bodily harm that led to death, despite discrepancies noted in witness statements. (Paras 36, 38)

Facts of the case:
Appellant Sunil Kumar was convicted for throwing a bomb leading to the death of Kuilu Kumar amidst a land dispute characterized by violent confrontations. The incident occurred during the agricultural activities post heavy rainfall leading to conflicts over water drainage from lands. (Paras 1, 2, 29)

Findings of Court:
The Court concluded that Sunil Kumar’s act constituted culpable homicide not amounting to murder, affirming the charges against him and others in relation to grievous injury. (Paras 40, 42)

Issues: The primary issues included whether the accused acted with the intent to kill or caused injury likely to kill arising from a land dispute. (Paras 34, 38)

Ratio Decidendi: It was held that the testimonies of multiple eyewitnesses provided compelling evidence to support the prosecution's claims regarding the incident and motive, reinforcing the arguments presented in court. (Paras 36, 39)

Result: The appeals are partly allowed with conviction under relevant sections adjusted accordingly.

Table of Content
1. conviction based on violent altercation and bomb use. (Para 1 , 2 , 29)
2. eyewitness testimonies corroborate prosecution's narrative. (Para 33 , 34 , 35)
3. culpable homicide determined through intent and action. (Para 38 , 40)

1. The instant appeals are directed against the Judgment and Order of conviction passed in Sessions Trial No. 22 of 2004 and Sessions Case No. 150 of 2004 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, 1st Court, Purulia on 30th August, 2005 holding the appellants guilty of offence punishable under S.325/34 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/- each, in default to suffer further six months Rigorous Imprisonment more.
Convict Sunil Kumar was also sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/- only, in default to suffer six months more imprisonment for the offence punishable under S.302 of the Indian Penal Code .

2. Put in a short frame, the prosecution case runs as under: -
One Rohin Kumar lodged a complaint in 14.07.1999 at about 8.15 hours at Joypur P. S. stating, inter alia that on that day i.e. on the date of 'Ratha Jatra' he straight - way went to Joypur P. S. along with his injured father - Lalu Kumar and reported that in Ritudih Mouza they have their landed property and their uncle - Kuilu Kumar had also landed property. The land of Lalu is situated four feet higher than that of the land of Biswanath @ Bishu Kumar; for the last few days it was raining continuously for which in that land of Lalu water accumulated and it was needed to release the said water. Lalu released the same through a 'Nala' and the released water was filling the land of Biswanath Kumar; but on the day previous to the day of incident Biswanath Kumar and his son Sunil Kumar and Laxmiram Kumar blocked that Nala through which water was passing from the land of Lalu and on the day of incident in the morning hours Lalu Kumar after noticing that situation reported the matter to his family members. At about 7 a.m. on the day of incident Lalu Kumar and his son including one Birbal Kumar, Kuilu Kumar and Chamtu Kumar went to cultivate their respective lands. When the complainant and others reached near that place at that time Bishu Kumar and his five sons were found standing on the northern side of the land of Lalu. At that time Lalu removed mud from the portion of the Nala as a result the accumulated water began to fall on the land of Bishu Kumar and as a result Bishu Kumar and his five sons began to pelt stones and brick bats etc aiming at them and one brick bat hit Lalu in his head. They saw that the said accused persons were continuously throwing stones and suddenly Sunil Kumar threw a bomb which was in his hand and that bomb hit Kuilu on his back and Kuilu Kumar fell down with grievous injuries and they fled away and considering the condition of his father he took his father to local Hospital wherefrom he went to Joypur P. S. along with his injured father.
On the basis of the above written complaint Joypur P. S. Case No. 37 of 1999 dated 14.07.1999 was started and on investigation charge - sheet was submitted against the accused persons under S.302 and S.325/34 of the Indian Penal Code . Accordingly trial started and after completion of trial the learned Trial Judge convicted the appellants as aforesaid.


3. During course of trial prosecution has examined as many as 26 witnesses to prove its case.
PW 1, did not see the incident actually and was declared hostile by the prosecution.

4. PW 2, was a villager and signatory of the inquest report.

5. PW 3 was not a necessary witness. He knew nothing about the incident.

6. PW 4 was the seizure list witness who was subsequently declared hostile by the prosecution.

7. PW 5 was the seizure list witness and was declared hostile by the prosecution.

8. PW 6 was a villager and hearsay witness.

9. PW 7 , was the son of deceased Kuilu Kumar.

10. PW 8 was a villager who was declared hosti















































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