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1
IN THE COURT OF THE II ADDL.JUDL. JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF
FIRST CLASS AT MIRYALAGUDA
Present: Kum.B.S.N.Suma Bala, I Addl. Judicial Magistrate of First Class Miryalaguda FAC: II Addl.Judl.Magistrate of I Class, Miryalaguda.
(Dated: 27 th day of June, 2023)
C.C. No. 1289 OF 2014
Between:
The State through, Sub-Inspector of Police, Wadapally Police Station. …Complainant AND
1. Parangi Mahesh S/o.Salaiah, Age: 20 years, Occ: Coolie,
2. Parangi Narsamma W/o.Salaiah, Age: 37 years, Occ; Coolie.
Both are R/o.Kondrapole village, Damaracherla Mandal, Nalgonda District.
...Accused
This case is coming on this day before me for final hearing and disposal in the presence of learned Asst. Public Prosecutor for the State and Sri.K.Srinivas Reddy, Counsel for the Accused, and having heard both sides and upon perusal of material available on record, this court made the following:
:: J U D G M E N T ::
1) The Sub-Inspector of Police, Wadapally Police Station filed Charge Sheet in
Cr.No.131 of 2014 against the accused No.1 and 2 alleging that the accused have committed the offence punishable under section 324 R/w.34 IPC.
2) The brief facts of the prosecution case are that; On 04-09-2014 at 18-00 hours, the defacto-complainant/Parangi Paramesh came to the police station and lodged a report stating that 03-09-2014 night at about 11-30 hours, the complainant/Parangi Ramesh and PW-2 to PW-5 attended Ganesh procession and thereafter they proceeded towards their houses and on the way while they reached the house of Parangi Mahesh/A-1, A-1 observed them and abused them in filthy
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2 language due to old disputes, and then they questioned him about the abuse, immediately A-1 picked up a stick, bet on the head of PW-5 and as a result, PW-5 sustained blood injury on his the left side of his head and when the complainant/PW1 tried to stop A-1, A-1 bet him with stick on his head, due to which he received blood injury on the left side of head and on noticing the dispute, LW-2 to
LW-4 tried to stop the disputes, but A-1 and A-2 both bet them with stick and caused injuries, and requested to take legal action against the accused persons.
Basing on the same, LW-9 station registered a case in Cr.No.131 of 2014 for the offence under section 324 R/w.34 IPC and S.I. took up investigation.
It is further submitted that during the course of investigation, the
LW-9/Ch.Ramesh examined and recorded the statements of LWs.1 to 3, and referred the injured persons LWs.1 to 3 to Area Hospital, Miryalaguda with a requisition for treatment and medical certificates. It is further stated that on 05-09- 2014, at the early morning LW-9/Ch.Ramesh rushed to the scene of offence situated at Kondrapole village, conducted the scene of offence cum seizure panchanama in the presence of LW-6/D.Manya Naik and LW-7/Parangi Rabart and seized two sticks at the scene of offence and thereafter, LW-9 examined and recorded the statements of LW-4. It is further submitted that LW-10/S.I. of Police/ P.Veera
Raghavulu took up the further investigation and on 06-09-2014 LW-10/S.I. of Police/
P.Veera Raghavulu issued notices under Sec.41(A)(1) Cr.P.C., to the accused and on 16-09-2014 LW-10/S.I. of Police/ P.Veera Raghavulu visited Kondrapole village, examined and recorded the statement of LW-5/Parangi Suresh. It is further stated that LW-8/Dr.Vijay Pavan, Duty Medical Officer, Govt.Area Hospital, Miryalaguda who treated the injured LWs.1 to 3 and LW-5 issued medical certificates and as the injuries sustained by the LW-5 are grievous in nature, Sec.326 IPC was added. It is further stated that after completion of investigation, LW-10 filed the charge sheet
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3 for the offence under Section 324, 326, 504 and 506 R/w.34 IPC against the accused
No.1 and 2.
3)Basing on the contents of the charge sheet, this case was taken on file for the offences punishable under Section 324, 326, 504 and 506 R/w.34 IPC against the accused No.1 and 2.
4)On appearance of the accused No.1 and 2, copies of documents were furnished to them as contemplated under section 207 Cr.P.C, and examined under Section 239 Cr.P.C., and charges for the offences under section Section 324, 326, 504 and 506 R/w.34 IPC were framed, read over and explained to the accused No.1 and 2 in
Telugu, having understood the same, the accused No.1 and 2 pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
5)During the course of trial, the prosecution examined P.Ws.1 to 8 and got marked Ex.P-1 to P-6 and M.O.1 and M.O.2. PW-1 is the defacto-complainant, PW-2 is the injured, PW-3 is the eye witness, PW-4 is the eye witness, PW-5 is the injured, PW-6 is the panch for scene of offence cum seizure panchanama, PW-7 and
PW-8 are the investigating officers. Ex.P.1 is the original report, Ex.P.2 is the signature of PW-6 on scene of offence panchanama, Ex.P-3 is the signature of PW-6 on rough sketch, Ex.P-4 is the First Information Report, Ex.P.5 is the scene of offence panchanama, Ex.P.6 is the rough sketch. M.O. 1 is the stick. M.O.2 is the stick. Police filed report stating that the LW-7/Parangi Rabert is bed ridden, hence evidence of LW-7/Parangi Rabert is closed. Despite of giving sufficient time, the police failed to serve the summons on LW-8/Dr.Vijay Pavan, the evidence of
LW-8/Dr.Vijay Pavan, is closed. It is further made clear that in chief examination of
PW-1 C.C. number is written as C.C.1289 of 2016 instead of C.C.1289/2014. In the
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4 cross examination sheets of PW-1 and PW-2, it is written C.C.number as C.C.1289 of 2015 instead of C.C.1289 of 2014. It is further made clear that in chief examination of PW-2, C.C.number is written as C.C.1289 of 2015 instead of
C.C.1289 of 2014.
6) After closure of prosecution evidence, the accused No.1 and 2 were examined under section 313 Cr.P.C., with the incriminating material found in the evidence of prosecution witnesses, read over and explained to them, for which, they denied and reported no defence evidence on their behalf.
7) Heard the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor and the learned counsel for accused and perused the record.
8) Now the point germane for determination is :
“Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused
No.1and 2 for the offence punishable U/sec.324, 326, 504 and 506
R/w.34 of IPC beyond all reasonable doubt or not?
9) Point :
A) Sections 324, 326, of Indian Penal Code : The Accused A1 and A2 are charged with offenses punishable under Sections 324, 326 of Indian Penal
Code R/w.Sec.34 IPC. Hence let us have a look at the Section for application of the same to the present case facts.
i. For Section 324 of IPC to be applicable, the offence must have the following: 1.Voluntary hurt caused to another person by the accused, and 2.
Such hurt was caused: (i) By any instrument used for shooting, cutting or stabbing, or any other instrument likely to cause death, or (ii)By fire or other heated instruments, or (iii)By poison or other corrosive substance, or
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(iv)By any explosive substance, or (v) By a substance that is dangerous for the human body to swallow, inhale, or receive through blood, or (vi)By an animal.
ii. Section 326 of the Indian Penal Code criminalizes the act that involves voluntarily causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means. Using any instrument or weapon for shooting, stabbing, cutting or doing anything else which is likely to cause death will be considered as part of the section. Further, grievous hurt by fire or any heated substance, poison or corrosive substance or any explosive which the victim is made to inhale, swallow or is transferred directly into the victim’s blood or by any kind of animal also comes under this section.
iii. Anwarul Haq v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2005) 10 SCC 581-In this case, the Supreme Court observed that the expression “an instrument, which is used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death must be interpreted with the nature of the instrument referred and how the instrument is used. The prosecution must establish that the accused person has voluntarily caused hurt and that hurt was caused because of an instrument as stated under Section 324 of IPC.” iv. Prabhu Vs State of Madha Pradesh- (2008) 17 SCC 381The expression “any instrument which, used as a weapon of offence, is likely to cause death” has to be gauged taking note of the heading of the Section.
What would constitute a ‘dangerous weapon’ would depend upon the facts of each case and no generalization can be made.
The heading of the Section provides some insight into the factors to be considered. The essential ingredients to attract Section 326 are : (1) voluntarily causing a hurt; (2) hurt caused must be a grievous hurt;
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6 and (3) the grievous hurt must have been caused by dangerous weapons or means. As was noted by this Court in State of U.P. v.
Indrajeet Alias Sukhatha (2000(7) SCC 249) there is no such thing as a regular or earmarked weapon for committing murder or for that matter a hurt. Whether a particular article can per se cause any serious wound or grievous hurt or injury has to be determined factually. At this juncture, it would be relevant to note that in some provisions e.g. Sections 324 and 326 expression “dangerous weapon” is used. In some other more serious offences the expression used is “deadly weapon” (e.g. Sections 397 and 398). The facts involved in a particular case, depending upon various factors like size, sharpness, would throw light on the question whether the weapon was a dangerous or deadly weapon or not. That would determine whether in the case Section 325 or Section 326 would be applicable.
In the present case, PW1 deposed in his chief that A1 bet him and
PW5 , on head with a stick and that A2 bet PW2 to PW4 with another stick. PW1 also identified the same Stick and it is marked as
MO-1. PW2 also deposed on similar lines with PW1 in which he specifically stated that A2 bet him on his left thigh and on his back.
He also identified the Stick with which A2 bet him and it is marked as MO-2.PW3 to PW5 deposed on similar lines with PW1, PW2 but with a variation that A2 bet only PW2 and PW3.
As far as injuries are concerned , PW1 deposed that he and PW5 received injuries on their head and PW2 to PW4 sustained simple injuries. PW2 deposed on similar lines with PW1. PW3 to PW5
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7 deposed similarly like PW1 ,PW2 but with a variation that A2 bet only PW2 and PW3 and that they sustained simple injuries. PW1 further stated that he received stitches on his head and that PW5’s situation was serious after receiving injuries and on the same he was refereed to Hyderabad. PW4, also added that PW1,PW5 received bleeding injury on their forehead and that PW5 after receiving injury fell unconscious and was taken to Area Hospital for treatment. PW5, deposed that he received bleeding injury on their forehead. It is here to note that the information as to head injuries received by PW1, PW5 is not brought on record as no wound certificate is marked on behalf of prosecution to determine whether the injuries are of Simple or Grievous in nature and that Prosecution through its chief examination of witnesses did not elicit explicitly as to the nature of injury sustained by PW1,PW5 . Head injury can be simple or grievous. The common fact deposed by PW1 to PW5 is that
A1 bet PW1,PW5 on their head and that there was bleeding.
Moreover, PW1, PW2 stated that A2 bet PW4 but PW4 himself did not state the same and so as PW3, PW5. Moreover, ExD1 is marked on behalf of Accused as to the difference in the statement of PW4 in his chief and cross. Considering the Evidence of PW3 to PW5 , it is commonly found in their evidence that A2 bet PW2, PW3 and that they sustained simple injuries.
B) In the present case accused were also charged under Sections 504 of IPC and Section 506 of IPC, R/w.Sec.34 of IPC.
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Section 504 of IPC :The ingredients of Section 504 of IPC are listed hereunder as: The accused has insulted the other person intentionally,
The intention of the person should be such that it is likely to provoke the person who has been insulted, The accused has the knowledge that such provocation would cause the person to break the public peace or under the influence of which, he can commit some other offence.
Section 506 of IPC :The first part of Section 506 of IPC states that when a person is guilty of the offence of criminal intimidation he/she shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with a fine, or with both fine and imprisonment for the offence. The second part of Section 506 is attracted if a person threatens to cause death or grievous injury or destruction of any property by fire, then the offence is punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to seven years or fine or with both.
PW1 deposed in chief examination that A1 abused PW5. But
PW2,PW3, stated in chief examination that A1 and A2 abused all of them. PW4 stated in chief examination that A1 abused PW5,PW1.
PW5 stated in the chief that A1 abused them. Here there is notable difference between the evidence of all of the witness. The differences are so explicit that this court can’t come to a conclusion as to the fact that pave way for the Court to believe that Accused A1 and A2 committed offenses under Section 504, 506 of IPC, R/w.Sec.34 of IPC.
C)It is also pertinent here to note few principles :
i. While appreciating the evidence of a witness claiming to have seen the incident, the court should consider and look for the following factors
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9 appearing in the entire testimony of the witness : (i) Whether the witness was present on the spot (ii) Whether the witness had seen the incident (iii)
Credibility of the witness ii.Where the witnesses give consistent version of the incident, it has been held by the Supreme Court that the consistent testimony of the witnesses should be held credible.
iii. One statement by one of witnesses may not be taken out of context to abjure guilt on the part of all accused persons. When the case of the prosecution is based on evidence of eye witnesses, some embellishments in prosecution case caused by evidence of any prosecution witness although not declared hostile, cannot by itself be ground to discard entire prosecution case. On the basis of mere statement of one P.W. on a particular fact, the other P.W. cannot be disbelieved.
iv. In a criminal trial involving offences against body (like offences u/s 323, 324, 326, 307, 302, 304 IPC etc.), findings of fact on following points, after appreciation of evidence, oral and documentary, should be recorded : (i)
Name, place of residence and age of the prosecution witness claiming to be present on the place of occurrence and having seen the incident (ii) Date and time of occurrence (iii) Place of occurrence (iv) Presence of the witness on the spot together with the distance where he was present with reference to his previous statements. (v) Whether the witness could have and had seen the occurrence and the assailants and the victim from the place he was standing on. (vi) Weapons of assault (vii) Cause of death or source of injuries by appreciating the post mortem report/ injury report/oral evidence of Doctor and the eye witnesses and the inquest report. (viii)
Contradictions, exaggerations, embellishments etc. having appeared on the
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10 above mentioned points in the oral evidence of the witness together with a finding whether such contradictions, exaggerations, embellishments etc. are minor or major. (ix) Overall credibility of the witness. (x) Now the oral evidence of the second eye witness of the prosecution should be appreciated and finding of fact be recorded in the manner as stated here in above. (xi)
Final/conclusive finding of fact whether the charge/guilt could be proved by the prosecution witness beyond all reasonable doubts. (xii) Any other fact peculiar to the case. (xiii) If the witness is to be disbelieved on any particular fact, then whether that fact is material for recording a finding of guilt or innocence of the accused. If such fact is found to be material but goes unproved by the witness, what other evidence, oral or documentary, is there on record as led by the prosecution. Such other available oral evidence of other witness on the said unproved fact should now be appreciated and, keeping in view the above parameters, finding of fact should be recorded thereon.
v. The testimony of a witness in a criminal trial cannot be discarded merely because the witness is a relative or family member of the victim of the offence. In such a case, court has to adopt a careful approach in analyzing the evidence of such witness and if the testimony of the related witness is otherwise found credible accused can be convicted on the basis of testimony of such related witness. Enmity of the witnesses with the accused is not a ground to reject their testimony and if on proper scrutiny, the testimony of such witnesses is found reliable, the accused can be convicted. However, the possibility of falsely involving some persons in the crime or exaggerating the role of some of the accused by such witnesses should be kept in mind and ascertained on the facts of each case
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11 vi. Deposition of an injured witness should be relied upon unless there are strong grounds for rejection of his evidence on the basis of major contradictions and discrepancies for the reason that his presence on the scene stands established in the case and it is proved that he suffered the injuries during the said incident.
vii.If there are minor inconsistencies in the statements of witnesses and
FIR in regard to number of blows inflicted and failure to state who injured whom, would by itself not make the testimony of the witnesses unreliable.
This, on the contrary, shows that the witnesses were not tutored and they gave no parrot like stereotyped evidence
D) In the Present case,in the cross examination of PW1, he stated that initially PW2 to PW4 lodged a report in with the police against A1 and A2 and that he cant remember the case number. He further stated that apart from the report filed by the PW2 to PW4 , he filed the present case. He further stated that as the report of PW2 to PW4 doesn't disclose clearly the offence of
Accused , he himself presented the current case to the Police. Police also did not mention anything about the 2nd report of PW2 to PW4.Prosecution also did not clarify to court that the report of PW2 to PW4 are on different facts. This creates a doubt in the mind of the court.
E)The fact that PW1 to PW5 are relatives is not fatal to the case of Prosecution but PW1, PW3 deposed in their cross examination that there are previous family disputes of PW5 with Accused. PW2 in the chief examination deposed that A1 bet PW5 because PW5 obstructed the child marriage of one Laxmaiah.
In spite of knowing the same why independent witness is not examined by the
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Police. Moreover, the seizure of MO1 and MO2 is not proved by Prosecution as
PW6 turned hostile by deposing nothing in their favor except identifying his signatures. PW1, PW4,PW5, PW7 deposed in their cross examination that MO1 and MO2 are available everywhere of the village. Here one question that strikes the mind of the judge is : How could then, PW1, PW2 easily identified the MO1 and MO2 when shown to them by Prosecution? This throws doubt on the credibility of the witnesses that they are well tutored.
F)It is here to note that the information as to head injuries received by PW1,
PW5 is not brought on record as no wound certificate is marked on behalf of prosecution to determine whether the injuries are of Simple or Grievous in nature and that Prosecution through its chief examination of witnesses did not elicit explicitly as to the nature of injury sustained by PW1,PW5 . Head injury can be simple or grievous. The common fact deposed by PW1 to PW5 is that A1 bet PW1,PW5 on their head and that there was bleeding. PW1 also identified the same Stick and it is marked as MO-1.PW2 also deposed on similar lines with PW1 in which he specifically stated that A2 bet him on his left thigh and on his back. He also identified the Stick with which A2 bet him and it is marked as MO-2.PW3 to PW5 deposed on similar lines with PW1, PW2 but with a variation that A2 bet only PW2 and PW3. PW1 in his chief deposed for the first time that he received head injury but not in his Section 161 Cr.P.C statement which is crucial for hurt and Grievous hurt cases. This creates an impression in the mind of the court that the Prosecution Witness are well tutored as they deposed in such a way, that a natural witness might not be able to depose. The PW.1 to PW-5s’ evidence deposed homogeneously with each other without diverse variations, even after lapse of 5 years from the date of
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13 alleged crime of their chief examination. This is suspicious. How could 5 people of different ages, remember something/same fact without forgetting.
G) Hence this court is of the considered opinion that charges on A1 and A2 under the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused No.1and 2 for the offence punishable U/sec.324, 326, 504 and 506 R/w.34 of IPC beyond all reasonable doubt. The point is answered in favor of Accused A1 and A2.
10)In the result, the accused no.1 and 2 found not guilty for the offence punishable under section 324, 326, 504 and 506 R/w 34 of IPC and accordingly they are acquitted under section 248(1) of Criminal procedure code. The bail bonds and surety bonds of the accused no.1 and 2 shall stand canceled after expiry of appeal time. M.O.1 and M.O.2 shall be destroyed after expiry of appeal time.
Dictated to stenographer on computer, corrected and pronounced by me in the
open court, on this the 27 th day of June, 2023.
FAC: II ADDL. JUDL.MAGISTRATE OF I CLASS,
MIRYALAGUDA
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE.
WITNESSES EXAMINED
FOR PROSECUTION :
PW-1: P.Paramesh, Defacto Complainant. PW-2: P.Renuka, Eye witness & injured. PW-3: P.Parvathamma, Eye witness. PW-4: K.Nagaraju, Eye witness. PW-5: P.Suresh, Eye witness. PW-6: D.Manya Naik, Panch for scene cum seizure. PW-7: Ch.Ramesh, Investigating Officer. PW-8: P.Veera Raghavulu, Investigating Officer.
ON BEHALF OF THE DEFENCE:-- NONE --
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EXHIBITS MARKED
FOR PROSECUTION:
Ex.P-1: is the Original complaint given by PW-1. Ex.P-2: is the Signature of PW6 on scene of offence panchanama and rough sketch. Ex.P-3: is the Signature of PW6 on scene of offence panchanama and rough sketch. Ex.P-4: is the First Information Report. Ex.P-5: is the scene of offence panchanama. Ex.P-6: is the Rough sketch.
FOR DEFENCE: NIL
MATERIAL OBJECTS:
M.O.1: Stick. M.O.2: Stick.
FAC: II ADDL. JUDL.MAGISTRATE OF I CLASS,
MIRYALAGUDA