Dying declarations must be corroborated by reliable evidence; significant contradictions in witness testimonies undermine their credibility, impacting the validity of the conviction.

CAV JUDGMENT

(Per: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE DR. ANSHUMAN)

Date : 16-10-2025

Heard learned counsel Mr. Shakil Ahmad Khan, for the appellants assisted by Mr. Upendra Kumar Chaubey, learned Advocate and Mr. S. A. Ahmad, learned A.P.P. for the respondent-State.

2. The present appeal has been filed under Section 374 (2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred as ‘Code’) challenging the Judgment of conviction dated 2^nd of March, 2016 and the order of sentence dated 5^th March, 2016 passed by the learned 2^nd Additional Sessions Judge, West Champaran, Bettiah, in Sessions Trial No. 555 of 2014 arising out of Lauriya P.S. Case No. 05 of 2014 corresponding to G.R. Case No. 139 of 2004 holding the appellants guilty under Section 302 /34 of the Indian Penal Code and they were convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.10,000/- each under Section 302 /34 of the Indian Penal Code and in default of payment of fine, to undergo further simple imprisonment of six months.

3. The factual matrix of the present case is as under : - As per the written statement of the informant, Lalan Mahato, his sister, Samtola Devi alias Munni Devi, had been married to the son of Ramuna Mahato in Nanhkar Belwa village, located in the Lauriya police station area, approximately three years ago. It is stated that she was repeatedly subjected to physical abuse by her husband and in-laws, who blamed her for being unable to bear children. On the morning of January 12, 2014, at around 8:00 AM, Lalan received a call informing him that his sister had been set on fire and was severely burned by her husband, Manjan Mahato, along with Ramuna Mahato. At the time, Samtola Devi was being treated at Lauriya hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, the informant observed that his sister had sustained serious burns, and the attending doctor referred her to M.J.K. Hospital in Bettiah for further treatment. Lalan Mahto subsequently took his sister to Bettiah, but tragically, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away in the car on the way there.

4. Based on the informant's written report, Lauriya Police Station Case No. 5/2014 was registered under Sections 302 /34 of the Indian Penal Code . Upon completion of the investigation, chargesheet was filed under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused named in the FIR, namely Manjan Mahato and Samtola Devi. The investigation against the other accused, Ramuna Mahato, remained ongoing.

5. On 18.06.2014, the then Chief Judicial Magistrate took cognizance of the offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code against the accused and transferred the case to the Judicial Magistrate. Thereafter, by an order dated 05.08.2014, the Judicial Magistrate committed the case to the Court of Sessions. The case was received in the Court of the Sessions Judge on 19.08.2014, who passed an order transferring it to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge-VI.

6. On 19.08.2014, charges were framed against the aforementioned accused under Sections 302 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code . After the prosecution concluded its evidence on 10.12.2015, the statements of the accused were recorded under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. No defence evidence was presented by either party in the case. After conclusion of the trial, the learned Sessions Court passed the judgment of conviction and sentenced the appellants to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000/- each under Section 302 /34 of the Indian Penal Code , and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo simple imprisonment for a period of six months.

7. In this case, a total of 14 witnesses have