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CRL.A No. 1014 of 2014
IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
DATED THIS THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2023
BEFORE
THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE P.N.DESAI
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1014 OF 2014
BETWEEN:
STATE OF KARNATAKA BY
THE INSPECTOR OF POLICE,
SURATHKAL POLICE STATION,
MANGALORE-575014.
…APPELLANT
(BY SRI. RAHUL RAI. K., HCGP)
AND:
RAMA POOJARY
AGED ABOUT 69 YEARS,
S/O. AITHA POOJARY,
R/O.DEVI KRIPA HOUSE,
NEAR SUNNI CENTRE SCHOOL,
MOOTUR VILLAGE,
UCHILA POST,
UDUPI TALUK AND DISTRICT,
UDUPI-576101.
…RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. PRITHVIRAJ SHASTRY G, ADV. FOR
SRI. G.BALAKRISHNA SHASTRY., ADVOCATE)
THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL IS FILED U/S.378(1) AND (3)
CR.P.C PRAYING TO SET ASIDE THE COMMON JUDGMENT AND
ORDER DATED 2.12.2013 PASSED IN C.C.NO.1819 OF 2012 BY
THE COURT OF JMFC (II COURT), MANGALORE; ACQUITTING THE
RESPONDENTS FOR THE OFFECES P/U/S 279 AND 304(A) OF IPC
AND 134(a) AND (b) R/W 187 OF IMV ACT; AND (c) CONVICT
AND SENTENCE THE RESPONDENT/ACCUSED FOR THE OFFENCES
Digitally signed by
NAGARATHNA M
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
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CRL.A No. 1014 of 2014
P/U/S 279 AND 304(A) OF IPC AND 134(a) AND (b) R/W 187 OF
IMV ACT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW.
THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR FINAL HEARING, THIS DAY,
THE COURT DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:
This appeal arises out of the judgment of acquittal
passed by learned JMFC (II Court), Mangalore, in CC
No.1819/2012,
dated
02.12.2013,
whereby
the
respondent/accused was acquitted for offences punishable
under section 279, 338 & 304(A) of Indian Penal Code (for
short hereinafter referred to as IPC) and R/W 134(a)(b) and
Section 187 of Indian Motor Vehicles Act (for short
hereinafter referred to as IMV).
2.
Brief case of the prosecution is that, on
25.04.2012, at about 7.00 p.m., the respondent/accused
being driver of the Ambassador car bearing No.KA-30-6906
was driving the same from Mangalore to Udupi side on NH-
66 in a rash and negligent manner endangering human life.
When he came in front of Mayya Electronics in Surathkal
junction in Idya village of Mangalore, he dashed against Smt.
Chandravathi, who was standing along with the husband on
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the mud road. As a result, she sustained injuries and then
on 30.04.2012, she succumbed to the injuries at A.J.
Hospital. The complaint came to be filed by the husband of
deceased on 26.04.2012 at 12.00 noon. The Investigating
Officer after investigating the matter filed charge sheet
against the accused for the offences punishable under
Sections 279, 304(A), 338 IPC and also Section 134(a) & (b)
read with 187 of IMV Act.
3.
The prosecution in order to prove its case
examined eight witnesses as PWs.1 to 8, got marked 13
documents as per Exs.P.1 to P.13. After hearing the
arguments, learned JMFC acquitted the accused. Hence, this
appeal.
4.
Heard learned High Court Government Pleader
for the State and Sri Prithviraj Shastry G, learned counsel for
the accused.
5.
Learned High Court Government Pleader argued
that the impugned judgment of acquittal is contrary to the
facts and evidence on record. The Trial Court failed to
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appreciate the evidence of PWs.1 to 4 and there is
corroboration of evidence and the prosecution evidence is
consistent to charge to prove the rash and negligent driving
by the accused. The Trial Court's reasoning in discarding the
evidence of five witnesses is not justifiable. The Trial Court
overlooked the materials and circumstances which are
consistent to prove the guilt of the accused. The minor
discrepancies are highlighted as major discrepancies. The
accused has not disputed the accident. The accused
identification is not disputed. Therefore, learned High Court
Government Pleader prayed to allow the appeal and set
aside the judgment of acquittal.
6.
Against this, learned counsel for the respondent
argued that there are discrepancies in the evidence of
prosecution witnesses and the prosecution has not been able
to prove the offences alleged against the accused. He stated
that the judgment of Trial Court needs no interference as
accused is rightly acquitted and prays to dismiss the appeal.
7.
I have perused the judgment of acquittal and the
evidence on record.
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8.
Ex.P.1-complaint came to be lodged on the next
day of the incident. Though according to the prosecution,
the incident occurred on 25.04.2012 at 7.00 p.m., the
complaint was lodged on 26.04.2012 at 12.00 noon. The
injured died on 30.04.2012.
9.
PW.1-Balakrishna Bekal is the complainant and
husband of deceased. He has stated that when his wife was
moving on a katcha road, the vehicle came from hind side
and dashed to his wife, then his wife was taken to hospital
and she died. He has also admitted that CW.2 is his friend
and CW.3 is his son's friend. It is stated that he was not
present. He came to the hospital only at night. He has also
admitted that the place of accident is a National Highway
and a busy place. He has stated in the cross-examination
that, he has not given any statement or complaint that when
himself and his wife were on the side of the road this
accident occurred. On the other hand, he states that his
wife was walking in front of him and there was 8 to 9 feet
distance and the vehicle came from hind side and dashed to
her. This creates a doubt
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