IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH

AT JABALPUR

BEFORE

HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE RAJENDRA KUMAR VANI

th

ON THE 5 OF JANUARY, 2026

CRIMINAL APPEAL No. 7184 of 2025

NANDLAL SAHU AND OTHERS

Versus

THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

Appearance:

Mr. Narendra Nikhare - Advocate for appellants.

Ms. Rashi Dua - Panel Lawyer for State.

JUDGMENT When the complainant objected and attempted to stop them, the appellants, who were armed with axe and sickle used abusive language, approached the complainant and threatened him by saying that they would kill him. Thereafter, they allegedly assaulted him causing injuries on his head, right shoulder, right hand and nose. On the basis of the said incident, an FIR was lodged by complainant Rama Sahu at Police Station Lakhanwada, District Seoni (M.P.). Pursuant thereto, the police registered an offence against the present appellants. After completion of the investigation, a charge-sheet was filed before the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Seoni and subsequently, the case was committed to the Court of Sessions. The learned trial Court framed charges under Sections 307, 325/34 and 506 (Part-II) against appellant No.1 Nandlal and under Sections 307/34, 325 and 506 (Part-II) of the IPC against appellant No.2 Satyaprakash @ Golu. The accused abjured their guilt and claimed to be tried. They took the plea that they have been falsely implicated in the matter. In defence, they have examined Satyaprakash Sahu (DW-1), Dr. P. Surya (DW-2) and Dr. Nancy Joseph Sane (DW-3).

This criminal appeal has been preferred under Section 374(2) of the

Code of Criminal Procedure/415(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 by the appellants being aggrieved by the judgment dated 28.06.2025 passed by the learned First Additional Sessions Judge, District Seoni in Sessions Trial No.29 of 2018 whereby the appellant No.1 has been convicted under Section 307 of the IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and fine of Rs.500/- with default stipulation and the the appellant No.2 has been convicted under Section 307/34 of the IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and

fine of Rs.500/- with default stipulation.

2. Relevant facts, briefly stated are that on 28.12.2027 at about 11:00 AM when complainant Rama Sahu along with his son namely Dilip Sahu was watering his agricultural field, the appellant No.2 passed through his field on a tractor, as a result of which the standing crops were allegedly damaged.

3. In order to bring home the charges, the prosecution examined as many as 08 witnesses namely Rama Sahu (PW-1), Prakash Sanodiya (PW-2), Ramkumar Sanodiya (PW-3), Sub Inspector Rajesh Sharma (PW-4), Sanjay Sahu (PW-5), Manbodh Yadav (PW-6), Inspector Devkaran Dehariya (PW- 7) and Dr. M.P. Shiwedi (PW-8) and placed Ex.P-1 to Ex.P-19A and Ex.D-1 to Ex.D-8.

4. The learned trial Court after appreciating and marshalling the evidence vide impugned judgment has acquitted the appellants under Section 506 (Part-II) of the IPC, but convicted the appellant No.1 for the commission of offence punishable under Section 307 of the IPC and appellant No.2 under Section 307/34 of the IPC and sentenced them as mentioned above.

5. The appellants being dissatisfied with the impugned judgment filed this instant appeal on various grounds.

6. Before this Court, both the parties have filed an application for compounding of the offence. Pursuance to order dated 27.10.2025 passed by this Court, Registrar (Judicial-II) of this Court recorded the statement of injured Rama Sahu on 30.10.2025 and verified the correctness and genuineness of the compromise. As per the report, parties have amicably settled their dispute and have arrived at compromise on their own free will and volition and without any threat, inducement or coercion to settle the dispute. Injured Rama Sahu has been duly identified by his counsel.

7. On the basis of the verification report dated 30.10.2025 furnished by Registrar (Judicial-II), this Court is satisfied th