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In the Court of II Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Kadapa
Present:-Smt. G.Deena, B.A.B.L.,
II Addl. Judl. Magistrate of first class, Kadapa
Dated, the 3rd day of October, 2016.
C.C.No. 03 of 2016
State: represented by Sub inspector of police,
Chinnachowk Police station, Kadapa …..Complainant
Versus
1. Udayagiri Rafi, 35 yrs, s/o Khasim, Auto driver, D.no. 7/1115-1, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city, Caste by Muslim.
2. Kandumuru Shabbir, s/o Rajasaheb,30 yrs, Dudekula caste, D.no. 7/875, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city.
3. Vadapalli Chinna Jamal @ Jamal, s/o Chinna Jamal, 22 yrs, Dudekula caste, H.No. 7/961, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city.
…….. Accused
This case coming on 28-9-2016 for final hearing before me in the presence of learned Assistant Public prosecutor for the State and of Sri G.V.Kalyana reddy, Advocate
for the accused and after hearing on both sides and upon perusing the record, this Court
delivered the following:-
J U D G M E N T
The Sub inspector of police, Chinnachowk police station, Kadapa has filed charge sheet against the accused in Cr.Nos. 229/2014 and 232/2014 for the offence punishable u/ss 457,380 of IPC .
The brief facts of the prosecution case as set out in the charge sheet are as
follows;-
That between 25-10-2014 to 27-10-2014 in D.no. 7/138-4 at Jayanagar colony,
Kadapa city where in some unknown offenders gained entrance into the house of Lw1 by break opened the lock of the main door and committed theft of gold jewels wg about 141- 130 gms worth Rs.2,80,000/- and decamped with booty. Basing on the complaint of Lw1, the present case was registered in Cr.no. 229/2014 u/ss 457,380 IPC.
Likewise in between 28-10-2014 to 31-10-2014 in D.no. 42/307-5-4 at Bhagyanagar colony, Kadapa city some unknown offenders gained enter into the house bearing Door.no.
42/307-5-4 belongs to Lw5 and committed theft of gold and silver articles wg about 13 tolas worth Rs.3,60,000/- and decamped with booty. Basing on the complaint of Lw5, the present case wa registered in Cr.no. 232/2014 u/ss 457,380 IPC.
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During the course of further investigation on 6-11-2015 at 12 Noon near Old by pass circle situated on Kadapa - Rajampet main road, Kadapa city, during the period of vehicle checking Lw13 identified the suspicious movements of A1 to A3 who were proceeding on their motor cycle and in an auto and arrested the accused A1 to A3 interrogated them , recorded their confession where in the accused confessed about the involvement in this case and also about other offences and seized the stolen property concerned in this crime along with other crimes under a cover of panchayathnama. After the completion of entire investigation the present charge sheet has been filed against the accused for the offence u/ss 382 IPC.
2. A perusal of material on record, cognizance was taken for the offences punishable under sections 457,380 of IPC on the accused.
3. On appearance of accused, copies of documents were furnished to them as contemplated under section 207 Cr.P.C. and they were examined under section 239 Cr.P.C.
for the offence punishable u/ss. 457,380 of IPC against the accused are framed, read over and explained to them in Telugu to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed the case to be tried by the court.
4. The prosecution in order to prove the guilt of the accused examined Pws 1 to 4 and marked Exs.P1 to P8 and Mos1 and 2 On behalf of the defence, Dw1 was examined and no documents are marked.
5. After closure of the prosecution evidence, the accused were examined under section 313 Cr.P.C. for the incriminating evidence appearing against them. They denied the same and reported no oral or documentary evidence on their behalf.
6. Heard arguments on both sides.
The point for determination is: 7.
Whether the prosecution has established its case against the accused for
the offence punishable u/ss 457,380 of IPC against accused beyond all
reasonable doubt?
8.POINT :-
The case of the prosecution is, between 25-10-2014 to 27-10-2014 in D.no.
7/138-4 at Jayanagar colony, Kadapa city where in some unknown offenders gained 3 entrance into the house of Pw1 by break opened the lock of the main door and committed theft of gold jewels wg about 141-130 gms worth Rs.2,80,000/- and decamped with booty. Basing on the complaint of Pw1, the present case was registered in Cr.no. 229/2014 u/ss 457,380 IPC.
Likewise in between 28-10-2014 to 31-10-2014 in D.no. 42/307-5-4 at Bhagyanagar colony, Kadapa city some unknown offenders gained enter into the house bearing Door.no.
42/307-5-4 belongs to Pw2 and committed theft of gold and silver articles wg about 13 tolas worth Rs.3,60,000/- and decamped with booty. Basing on the complaint of Pw2, the present case was registered in Cr.no. 232/2014 u/ss 457,380 IPC.
9. The case of the accused is they did not commit any offence as alleged by the prosecution, no such confession was given by them and no recovery made by the police as alleged by them.
10. Pws 1 and 2 deposed about the theft of gold jewelery worth of Rs.2,00,000/- and theft of Mos1 and 2. there is no dispute regarding the owner ship of Pw2 over Mos 1 and 2.
11. The main allegation of the prosecution is the Mo1 and 2 of Pw2 was recovered from the possession of the accused on their confession. To prove the said contention of behalf of the prosecution witnesses Pws3 and 4 were examined, Ex.p1 to P6 and Mo1 and 2 are marked. Pw4 the inspector of police has deposed they caught hold accused A1 to A3, in the presence of Pw3 and Lw12 Sreenivasulu panchayatdars, they were interrogated, in which they voluntarily confessed regarding the commission of present offence, on that they recovered Mos 1 and 2 and other case properties from their possession.
12. As per the evidence of Pw4 the inspector of police, on 6-11-2015 he along with the staff for conducting vehicle checking at old by pass circle in kadapa, then they observed one auto and one person motorcycle coming towards them. on noticing the vehicle checking, the persons in that vehicles tried to turn their vehicles. Then their staff caught hold two persons in the auto and the rider of the motorcycle and produced before him. On verification of the auto they found one LED TV. When they were questioned about the TV, they gave suspicious answers. Then the Pw3 deputed PC.141 for securing mediators, then after some time the PC brought Pw2 and Lw12. As per the evidence of Pw3 and Pw2 one of the panchyatdar, after the accused A1 to A3 were caught hold by the police, initially they were 4 enquired by the police in the absence of independent mediators. After some time, i.e after 15 minutes the mediators were brought by the PC.
13. One of the contention is accused is though there was every possibility of securing mediators from the place of arrest area, the Pw4 did not follow the procedure envisaged U/S 100 Cr.P.C. Though there is a every possibility securing in habitants of that locality, without trying for the mediators from that place, in the record it was mentioned that they secured
Pw2 and Lw12 from the MRO office which is situated 2 ½ KM distance from the place of the arrest area. In the examination in chief it was mentioned that PC.141 brought the Pw2 and
Lw12, but in the cross examination the I.O deposed the police constable contacted the panchyatdars over telephone, on that Pw2 and Lw12 reached to that place. As per the evidence of Pw3, while they were present in there MRO office one chinna chowk PS constable came to them and asked him to act as mediators in the present case. As per the record the
Lw12 Sreenivasulu is a private person. Regarding the said contradiction of calling the Pw3 and Lw12 no explanation has been given by the prosecution. The said constable was not examined in the present case. Finally it was not explained by the prosecution how the said constable secured the presence of Pw3 and Lw12 either it was from the MRO office or by contacting them over telephone. And while they called the said witnesses alone from such distance was not stated by the investigation officer. Though it was stated by the investigation officer that he tried to secure the mediators from the place of arrest area, the said fact was not mentioned in the Ex.p4 and P3 panchanamas.
14. Another contention of the accused is as there was much time to induce or to threat the accused A1 to A3, the subsequent alleged confession which was said to have been given by the A1 to A3 are not a voluntarily and admissible confession. He further stated though on credible information they proceeded to the place of arrest area and had been conducting vehicle checking, they did not taken the mediators from the police station. The main contention of the accused is no such Ex.p4 and p3 panchanamas were held as deposed by the Pw4 and Pw3, the accused were detained in ill legal custody prior to the alleged proceeding, later Ex.p4 and p3 panchanamas were prepared in the PS and signatures of Pw3 and Lw12 were obtained in the PS without the said interrogation and the proceeding. As the
Pw3 and Lw12 are the police staff panchyatdars, with their help the said fake panchanamas 5 were prepared showing that the said property including the present case property were recovered from the possession of the accused.
15. Another contention of the accused is as there was sufficient time with the police to threat and to induce the accused prior to the said panchayatdars reached to that place, the said confession is not a voluntarily one and it could not be used against the accused.
16. Pw4 further deposed in the presence of Pw3 and Lw12 he interrogated the accused separately in which they confessed regarding the commission of offences in
Cr.No.229/2014, Cr.No.232/2014, Cr.No.23/2015, Cr.No.26/2015 on their confession the sony
LED T.V belongs to the Cr.No.232/2014, one gold chain belongs to the Cr.No.23/2015 one pulser motorcycle belongs to the Cr.No.26/2015 and the said auto was seized from the possession of the accused and arrested them under the cover of Ex.p3 panchanama. Though it was deposed by the investigation officer that so and so property is concerned to the particular time but he did not state how the identified the property as the property of that particular crime. How the property was identified them was not stated by the investigation officer. He further deposed about the seizure of two other motorcycles from the house of the
Rafi and the seizure of one iron rod and screw driver which were used for the commission of theft offences. But the said iron rod, screw driver were not marked through the investigation officer.
17. Regarding the arrest of accused seizure of property, the Pw3 deposed by the time they went to the place of arrest area the accused and the police were present at that place, the Pw4 interrogated the accused in their presence, in which they confessed regarding the commission of present offence, some other offences and produced one Sony color T.V, one
I.Phone, one gold chain, the auto and the pulsar bike on which they were proceeding. Both
Pw4 did not identify the Mos 1 and 2 are the property which was recovered from the possession of the accused on their confession. However they both deposed the above said property which was seized from the accused is a stolen property. Though they were deposed about the confession of accused and seizure of stolen property, in view of above said material points, it can not conclude that the evidence of Pw4 and Pw3 is trust worthy.
18. One of the contention of the accused is, the pw3 panchyatdar who is working as
VRO, is a stock panchyatdar to the police, without attending any proceedings he signs as 6 witness in the panchanamas. Even then he was collected as panchyatdars and shown the alleged arrest and seizure were held in his presence. Another lacuna in the prosecution version is, they failed to collect the local persons as panchyatdars to the said panchanma proceeding, which is a fatal to the prosecution case. In this aspects this court relied on a decision reported in 2010 1 ALT criminal 32 in between the parties S.Babu Saheb @
Babu Vs. State of A.P. In the said case it is the contention of the accused that pw1 who was working at Srikalahasti is a stock witness of the prosecution and that the Excise inspector did not follow the prescribed procedure U/S 100 (4) of Cr.P.C. His contention is by making such the local mediators ought to have been taken. In the 16 to 20th paragraphs their lordship held Admittedly Pw1 accompanied the excise officials from Srikalahasti. The excise officials were proceeding on information. When they were proceeding on information, they were right in taking mediators along with them. if in a given case the excise or police officials have to search a vehicle in a forest area or at a place where there is no possibility of securing any local mediators, then probably they will be justified in conducting seizure proceedings in the presence of mediators brought by them from a different place. But when they are conducting the search in a colony or at a place wherein there is possibility of securing the presence of independent mediators, the excise officials or prohibition officers are bound to take the local respectable independent inhabitants. They must make sincere efforts to secure local respectable mediators. That is the mandate of section 100 (4) of Cr.P.C. As referred to in the above provisions, the excise officials are also authorized to issue an order in writing asking them to act as mediators under subsection (4) of Section 100 Cr.P.C. The object of section 100 Cr.P.C. Is to ensure confidence in the neighbors and in the public in general that a genuine search has been made and incriminating material has been really found and not planted. The presence of independent respectable mediators at a search is always desirable and the presence of mediators of any other locality would not only weaken, but sometimes destroy the prosecution case.
19. Of course it can not be said that the evidence of a witness, who accompanied the police, cannot be always believed nor it can be discarded only on the ground that he accompanied the excise or police officials. But where, in a case, the excise officials, having an opportunity to take respectable mediators, did not make any efforts to take such 7 mediators certainly it casts a doubt about the prosecution version. In this case, admittedly no efforts were made to secure the presence of ht local mediators.
JUSTICE not only to be done, but also appears to have been done. Investigation must be fair an in accordance with the prescribed procedure. If respectable local mediators are taken the same would inspire confidence.
IN STATE v. ARUN, AIR 2003 SC 801, the Supreme Court held that:
“ where there is no independent witness from the locality, the prosecution must offer reasonable explanation where it transfers that not only there were many residences in that locality but also large number of people assembled at the time of recovery, the selection of an outsider as a seizure witness necessarily castes doubts.
And in the 21st and 22nd paragraphs it was stated there are “thus, from the evidence on record, it is clear that the Excise Officials picked up panch witnesses at the police station and took along with them to the scene of offence situated at a distance of three kilometers.
Neither the testimony of pw1 nor that of pw3 discloses that they tried to secure tried to secure independent respectable inhabitants of the locality where the offence was allegedly committed, to act as mediators. Ex.p1 panchanama, also does not disclose that any effort was made by excise Officials to secure independent respectable inhabitants of the locality.
Therefore, in the absence of specific evidence in that regard, I am bound to come to the conclusion that the provisions of section 100 (4) Cr.P.C are not followed by the Excise Officials while seizing the plastic can containing I.D. Liquor. Therefore, the seizure made in this case is illegal.
20. Their are other reasons for disbelieving the testimony of Pws.1 and 2 Admittedly, there was another mediator by name B.Janakiramaiah and three other excise officials who accompanied pw2. Neither the other mediator nor the excise officials were examined in this case. The prosecution has not assigned specific reasons for not examining those witnesses.
For the reason of not making efforts to take independent respectable local mediator, the evidence of pw1 loses it's credibility. If we exclude the evidence of pw1, there remains the evidence of pw2 only.
21. And also relied on another judgment reported in 2006 (1) ALT criminal 54 A.P in between the parties Jarapala Deepala @ Babu Rao and others state of A.P. In in 8 36th paragraph Ex,p6 panchanama runs into six pages which was written by Pw15.
Admittedly, this witness is not a resident of Dubacherla junction where the accused were said to have been arrested and the properties seized. On the other hand, pw15 is resident of
Kurellagudem village and he is working as village Administrative Officer of Amberpeta. He further admitted that Dubacherla junction is located within the limits of Nallajerla village and there are village administrative officers and sarpanches in Dubachesla village and Nallagerla village.
22. He further stated that Dubaherla junction is on N.H.5 road and it is a busy locality and there are hotels on either side of the road and there are residential houses as well as shops on either side of the junction and Dubacherla junction extends to a distance of two furlongs to the residential houses, shops and hotels and that the traffic will be heavy round the clock and the hotels will be kept opened round the clock on account of heavy vehicular traffic on N.H.5. But, curiously enough pw20 the investigating officer stated that he could not secure any mediators of the locality to act as mediators.
23. As per Section 100 Code of Criminal Procedure, whenever a search is made, the persons of the locality have to be taken as mediators. It is not as if in the instant case the arrest and seizure took place outside of any residential locality. On the other hand, the accused were there is no material to show that pw20 served any summons on any of the witnesses of the locality to act as mediators and those persons refused to act as mediators.
In the absence of such evidence the explanation of pw20 for non-compliance of section 100 of Code of Criminal Procedure can not be given credence. Obviously, pw15 appears to be a stock witness for the police and therefore the police got the panchanama scribed by such a witness and also wanted him to act as mediator. According to the other mediator pw11 his signature was taken in Dubacherla police station. Therefore, the evidence of pw15 and pw20 that Ex.p6 was prepared at Bheemadole junction near the coffee hotel of pw15 in connection with the arrest of the accused and the seizure of properties M.Os.1 to 10 cannot be believed.
I am unable to believe the testimony of pw15 and pw20 in respect of the alleged recovery of
M.Os 1 to 10 from A1 to A6. In my considered view, the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Mos.1 to 10 were recovered from the possession of any of the accused.
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24.In the present case also the prosecution failed to secure the mediators from the place of offence area though there was every possibility of securing the mediators and the prosecution failed to state the reason why the selected Pw3 who is a VRO from the far away place. Hence it can conclude that the prosecution failed to follow the procedure U/S 100 Cr.P.C. Further as the said panchyatdars were secured after lapse of more than 15 minutes after the police caught holding the accused, the said confession of the accused can not be taken as voluntary confession.
the main contentions of the accused are -
1. Having possibility to follow the procedure under 100 Cr.P.C, the investigation officer pw3 did not follow the same while conducting search of the culprits and seizure of alleged stolen property. Crucial witnesses admitted that the place of arrest and seizure areas surrounded by showrooms, auto stands.
2. Though the pw2 is a VRO after caught holding the culprits, the police collected pw2 and
Lw6 from such long distance, though number of persons and officials were available in the area of their PS and at the place of arrest area.
3. To constitute an offence U/S 411 or 382 IPC, it has to be established beyond reasonable doubt that the specific stolen property of the complainants were recovered from possession of the accused. The non conducting of test identification parade of property is fatal to the case of the prosecution.
4. The crucial aspects of identification of property proceedings were not conducted properly.
The Pw2 VRO and the Pw1 denied the Ex.p6 test identification proceedings said to have been conducted.
25. The investigation officer pw4 deposed about the registration of the cases and further investigation done in the cases
26. As stated above regarding the seizure pw3 and pw4 did not give positive evidence corroborating with the recitals of Ex.p4 and p3 panchanama.
27. The above discussion rises suspicion on the police showing the pw3 as the panchayatdars and also regarding the seizure of mos 1 and 2 from the possession of the accused. As stated above with the aid of evidence on record beyond all reasonable doubts it was not established by the prosecution that the alleged recovered property mos 1 and 2 were 10 recovered from the accused.
28. In view of above this court of conclusion that, the accused is entitled to the benefit of doubt. With the aid of evidence of pws 1 to 4, Ex.p1 to p6 and mos 1 and 2 the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt.
29. In view of above, this court is of the conclusion that the prosecution with the aid of evidence of pws 1 to 4 and Exs.p1 to p6 and mos 1 and 2 failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused committed the alleged offences.
Accordingly the point is answered in favour of the prosecution and against the accused.
30. In the result, accused A1 to A3 are found not guilty for the offence U/Sec.
457, 380 IPC. and accordingly, they are acquittal u/s 248 (1) Cr.pc. The bail bonds of the accused stands canceled after lapse of six months. Mos1 and 2 which were given to the pw1 and Pw2 for interim custody shall holds good the appeal time is over.The accused shall furnish a bond U/S 437 (a) Cr.P.C if they receives summons from the appellant court within six months from this date.
Directly typed on my dictation, corrected and pronounced by me in the open Court this, the 3rd day of October, 2016.
Sd/- G. Deena.,
II Additional Judicial Magistrate of 1st class, Kadapa.
Appendix of evidence
Witnesses examined for prosecution
PW-1:- Sri R.Radhakrishna PW-2:- Sri K.Bayapu reddy PW-3: Sri T.Bhavani sankar PW4: Sri B.Yugandhar babu
Exhibits marked on behalf of prosecution
Ex.P1: Complaint Ex.P2: Complaint Ex.p3: Panchanama Ex.P4: Panchanama Ex.P5: FIR Ex.P6: Rough sketch Ex.P7: FIR Ex.P8: Rough sketch
For Defence:-
Dw1: Sri S.Durga rao
Witness examined and exhibits marked on behalf of the accused –nil--
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Material objects marked: - n i l -
Mo1:- Sony company TV Mo2: Apple company mobile phone
Sd/- G. Deena.,
II Additional Judicial Magistrate of 1st class, Kadapa.
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CALENDAR AND JUDGMENT
Calendar and judgment tried by the II Additional Judicial Magistrate of I
class, Kadapa
Date of offence: 38-10-2014 Date of report: 31-10-2014 Date of apprehension of accused: 27-10-2014 Date of release of accused: 3-12-2015 Date of commencement of trial: 3-2-2016 Date of close of trial:28-9-2016 Date of judgment: 3-10-2016
Calendar and judgment in C.C.No. 03 of 2016 on the file of II Additional Judicial
Magistrate of I class, Kadapa.
Complainant:- State: Rep. By Inspector of Police, Chinnachowk police station, Kadapa.
Name of the accused with Age calling Religion Residence Father’s name
1. Udayagiri Rafi, 35 yrs, s/o Khasim, Auto driver, D.no. 7/1115-1, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city, Caste by Muslim.
2. Kandumuru Shabbir, s/o Rajasaheb,30 yrs, Dudekula caste, D.no. 7/875, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city.
3. Vadapalli Chinna Jamal @ Jamal, s/o Chinna Jamal, 22 yrs, Dudekula caste, H.No. 7/961, M.J.Kunta, Kadapa city.
Offence:- u/ss. 457,380 of IPC .
Finding:- A1 to A3 are foud not guilty.
Sentence:In the result, accused A1 to A3 are found not guilty for the offence U/Sec. 457, 380 IPC. and accordingly, they are acquittal u/s 248 (1) Cr.pc. The bail bonds of the accused stands canceled after lapse of six months. Mos1 and 2 which were given to the pw1 and Pw2 for interim custody shall holds good the appeal time is over.The accused shall furnish a bond U/S 437 (a) Cr.P.C if they receives summons from the appellant court within six months from this date. . .
Sd/- G. Deena.,
II Additional Judicial Magistrate of 1st class, Kadapa. .
Copy submitted to the Hon’ble I Addl. District Judge, Kadapa Dis.No……………………Dt. …………..