2023 Supreme(Online)(KAR) 17111
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CRL.RP No. 976 of 2015
NC: 2023:KHC:31556
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 1ST DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2023
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE RAJENDRA BADAMIKAR
CRIMINAL REVISION PETITION NO. 976 OF 2015
BETWEEN:
MEHABUBUPASHA
@ MEHABUB PEER @
SADDAM @ BABU,
S/O. NAHEMULLA SAHEBA,
AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS,
BUS DRIVER,
R/O CHIKKATEKALAVATTI VILLAGE,
HOSADURGA TALUK,
CHITRADURGA DISTRICT - 577 530.
…PETITIONER
(BY SRI. M. T. JAGAN MOHAN, ADVOCATE AND,
SRI. B. BOPANNA, ADVOCATE (ABSENT)
AND:
STATE BY SRIRAMPURA POLICE,
SRIRAMPURA,
HOSADURGA TALUK,
CHITRADURGA DISTRICT,
REPRESENTED BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR,
HIGH COURT BUILDINGS,
BANGALORE - 560 001.
…RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. JAIRAM SIDDI, HCGP)
THIS CRL.RP IS FILED U/S.397 R/W 401 OF CR.P.C
PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER OF
CONVICTION OF THE COURT BELOW DATED 27.2.2013 PASSED
BY
THE
ADDL.
C.J.
AND
J.M.F.C.,
HOSADURGA
IN
C.C.NO.232/2011 AND THE JUDGMENT AND ORDER DATED
4.6.2015
PASSED
BY
THE
ADDL.
DIST.
AND
S.J.,
CHITRADURGA IN CRL.A.NO.40/2013 AND PASS AN ORDER OF
Digitally
signed by
RENUKAMBA
K G
Location:
High Court of
Karnataka
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CRL.RP No. 976 of 2015
NC: 2023:KHC:31556
ACQUITTAL ACQUITTING THE PETR. OF THE CHARGES
LEVELED AGAISNT HIM.
THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR HEARING, THIS DAY,
THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:
This revision petition is filed by the accused, challenging
the judgement of conviction and order of sentence passed by
the
Additional
Civil
Judge
and
JMFC,
Hosadurga
in
C.C.No.232/2011 dated 27.02.2013 and confirmed by the
Additional and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga in Crl.A.No.40/2013
dated 04.06.2015.
2.
For the sake of convenience, parties herein are
referred with the original ranks occupied by them before the
trial Court.
3.
The brief factual matrix leading to the case are as
under:
On 12.11.2010 at 11:00 am in Huliyar to Hosadurga main
road near Aralahalli gate, opposite to the garden land of
Gurusiddappa, the accused being the driver of the bus bearing
No.KA.17-B-88 (Vijiya Bus) drove it in a rash and negligent
manner with excess passengers in the bus. As a result, he lost
control over the bus and the bus toppled over the right side of
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the road, resulting in simple and grievous injuries to CWs.2 to
45 and CWs.74 to 77. It is also alleged that, the inmates of the
bus by name Kumari Pooja, Ambika, Ramesha and Chandrappa,
suffered fatal injuries and succumbed at the spot. In this
regard, the complainant has lodged a complaint and on the
basis of the complaint, the crime was registered in Shrirampura
Police station in Crime No.135/2010. After investigation, the
investigating officer submitted the charge sheet against the
accused for the offences punishable under Sections 279, 337,
338 and 304(A) of IPC and Section 177 of I.M.V. Act.
4.
The learned Magistrate on the basis of charge sheet
has taken cognizance of the offences and issued process
against the accused. Accused has appeared through his
counsel and was enlarged on bail. He was also provided with
prosecution papers as contemplated under section 207 of
Cr.P.C. The plea under Sections 279, 337, 338 and 304(A) of
IPC and Section 177 of I.M.V. Act, is read over and explained to
the accused. The accused has pleaded not guilty and claimed
to be tried. To prove the guilt of the accused, the prosecution
has examined in all 8 witnesses and also placed reliance on 15
documents marked at Ex.P.1 to Ex.P.15.
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5.
After conclusion of the evidence of the prosecution,
the statement of accused under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. is
recorded to enable him to explain the incriminating evidence
appearing against him in the case of the prosecution. The
case of accused is of total denial. However, he has not lead
any evidence in support of his defence.
6.
After hearing the arguments and after appreciating
the oral and documentary evidence, the learned Magistrate has
convicted the accused by imposing sentence of imprisonment
as well as fine. This order is being challenged by the accused
before the Additional and Sessions Judge, Chitradurga in
Crl.A.No.40/2013. The learned Sessions Judge after re-
appreciating the oral and documentary evidence, dismissed the
appeal by confirming the judgement of conviction and order of
sentence passed by the learned Magistrate. Against, these
concurrent findings, the accused/revision petitioner is before
this Court by way of the revision.
7.
Learned counsel for the revision petitioner did not
choose to appear before the Court to advance the arguments.
Since, this is a revision filed under Section 397 of Cr.P.C., and
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the matter is pending since 2015, this Court exercised the
powers under Section 403 of Cr.P.C. by perusing the records.
8.
Learned High Court Government Pleader would
support the judgment of conviction and order of sentence
asserting that, all the witnesses have supported the case of the
prosecution.
9.
It is the contention of the prosecution that, on
12.11.2010, at 11:00 am on Huliyur-Hosadurga main road,
near
Aralahalli
gate
opposite
to
the
garden
land
of
Gurusiddappa, accused being the driver of the private (Vijiya
bus) bearing registration No.KA.17-B-88 drove it in a rash and
negligent manner with excess passengers and in the process
lost control over the vehicle, which has resulted in toppling of
t