CC1293/2021 1
I.Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum- I Addl.J.F.C.
Magistrate, Kovvur,
Dt.17.04.2025.
IN THE COURT OF I ADDITIONALCIVIL JUDGE (JUNIOR DIVISION)-CUM-I
ADDL. JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS: KOVVUR
Present : Smt. Jonnapalli B.T.S.Devi, I Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division) -cum- I Additional Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Kovvur.
Thursday, the 17th day of April, 2025.
C.C.No.1293/2021
Between:
State, represented by the Sub Inspector of Police, Tallapudi Police Station.
...Complainant
And
Goda Sagar Babu, S/o. Sanjeeva Rao, Age 41 years, Parimpudi (V), H/o. Koyyalagudem village and mandal. …. Accused
This case having come before me on 15.04.2025 for final hearing in the presence of learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the State and of Sri V.Venkata Subba Rao, learned Advocate for the Accused; and the matter having stood over for consideration till this day, this Court delivered the following:
:: J U D G M E N T ::
1. The Sub Inspector of Police, Tallapudi Police Station filed charge sheet against the accused in Crime No.247 of 2021 for the offences punishable under Sections 448, 323 and 506 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short ‘IPC’).
2. Brief allegations mentioned in the charge sheet are as follows:
The marriage of LW.1/ Goda Nirmala Kumari was performed with the accused at Koyyalagudem. During their wedlock, they blessed with two children. After some time, disputes arose between LW.1/ Nirmala Kumari and
CC 1293/2021 2 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
the accused and they separated about nine months back and living separately at Annadevarapeta village.
On 08.09.2021 while LW.1/ Nirmala Kumari was present in her house, at that time, the accused criminally tresspassed into the house, caught hold her tuft of hair, slapped on her cheek, and threatened to kill her. Thereafter, LW.1/
Nirmala Kumari presented a report to Tallapudi police. Basing on the said report, LW.6/ G.Satish, Sub Inspector of Police, Tallapudi Police Station registered a case in Cr.No.247/2021 for the offences punishable under
Sections 448, 323 and 506 of I.P.C and investigated into.
During the course of investigation, LW.6/ G.Satish examined witnesses viz., LWs.1 to 5/ Nalla Ganesh, Nalla Sangamesh, Cherukuri Bangaraju and
Menni Sattibabu and recorded their statements, visited the scence of offence, examined the scene and prepared rough sketch. On 10.09.2021 LW.6/
G.Satish served a notice under Section 41-A(1) of Cr.PC on the accused. After completion of investigation LW.7/ K.Venkata Ramana, Sub Inspector of Police,
Tallapudi Police Station filed charge sheet against the accused.
3. This case was taken on file against the accused for the offences punishable under Sections 448, 323 and 506 of IPC.
4. On appearance of accused, copies of documents were furnished to him as contemplated under Section 207 of Cr.P.C.
5. The Accused was examined under Section 239 Cr.P.C. Charges under Sections 448, 323 and 506 (ii) of IPC were framed, read over and explained to him in Telugu. He denied the said charge and claimed to be tried.
6. In order to prove the case of prosecution, the prosecution has
CC 1293/2021 3 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
examined PWs.1 to 6 and exhibited documents Exs.P1 to P4 and Ex.D.1. The evidence of LW.7/ K.Venkata Ramana, Sub Inspector of Police, Tallapudi
Police Station was given up by the prosecution.
7. After closure of prosecution evidence, the accused was examined under Section 313 Cr.P.C. and he denied the incriminating material as deposed by the prosecution witnesses. The accused reported no defence evidence on his behalf. Hence, defence evidence was closed.
8. Heard both sides.
9. The learned Assistant Public Prosecutor argued that the evidence of
PWs.1 to 6 are cogent, consistent and corroborative with each other. Further argued that PWs.4 and 5 are independent witnesses, and their evidence clearly proves the guilt of the accused, hence the accused is liable to be convicted for the charged offences U/Sec.448, 323 and 506 of IPC.
10. The learned counsel for the accused argued that the ingredients of
Section 448 of IPC are not attracted to this case, as PW.1 is the wife of the accused. There are several inconsistencies in the evidence of PWs.1 to 5.
PW.4 who is the house owner of the PW.1 did not support the case of the prosecution. He further argued that PW.1 foisted several cases against the accused, and moreover, PW.1 deposed negatively. Further he argued that there are material omissions and contradictions in the case of prosecution.
Hence, the accused is liable to be acquitted for the charged offences.
11. Now the point for determination are:
1.Whether the prosecution is able to establish the guilt of the
accused for the offence punishable under Section 448 of IPC?
2.Whether the prosecution is able to establish the guilt of the
CC 1293/2021 4 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
accused for the offence punishable under Section 323 of IPC?
3.Whether the prosecution is able to establish the guilt of the accused for the offence punishable under Section 506(ii) of IPC?
12. Before appreciating the evidence available on record, it is just and proper to reproduce the necessary ingredients to prove the charged offences under Sections 448, 323 and 506 (ii) of IPC.
Section 448 IPC:
In order to prove the offence under Section 448 of IPC, the prosecution has to establish that (1) that the accused committed criminal trespass. (2) that such criminal trespass was committed by entering into, or remaining in, a building, tent, or vessel. (3) that such building, tent, or vessel, was used as a human dwelling or as a place of worship, or as a place for the custody of property.
Section 323 IPC: (1) that the accused by his act caused bodily pain, disease or infirmity to the complainant. (2) that he did such act intentionally or with knowledge that it would cause the hurt, etc.
Section 506(ii) IPC:
(1) that the accused threatened some person. (2) that such threat consisted of some injury to his person, reputation or property; or to the person, reputation or property of some one in whom he was interested. (3) that he did so with intent to cause alarm to that person; or to cause that person to do any act which he was not legally bound to do, or omit to do any act which he was legally entitled to do as a means of avoiding the execution of such threat.
13. Point Nos.1 to 3:-
CC 1293/2021 5 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
i) Perused the evidence of PWs.1 to 6. PW1 is the defacto complainant in this case. She testifies that her marriage with the accused was performed in the year 2014 and both of them lived happily for about 2 or 4 months, later due to disputes between them, they have been living separately.
She further testifies that she got a job as a staff nurse on contract basis at
Annadevarapeta in the month of October, 2020 and she used to stay in a rental house at Annadevarapeta.
ii) PW1 further testifies that on 08.09.2021 at about 4.30 P.M., after completion of her duties, she went to her house, then the accused went to her house without her permission and made altercation with her and the accused caught hold tuft of her hair and beat her with hands, the accused demanded her to hand over the children to him, otherwise he would kill her. Further, she testifies that on the date of incident, the house owners were not present. Prior to the incident, there were similar disputes arose between her and her husband and in that connection she also gave report to Tanuku police and the police registered a case to that effect.
iii) PW.2 is the father of PW.1. He deposed that the accused is his son-in-law, he performed the marriage of his daughter (PW.1) with the accused on 12.05.2014. Further he testifies that prior to the marriage PW.1 was working as a staff nurse in Jangareddigudem Government hospital on outsourcing basis, after marriage PW.1 joined with accused at Koyyalagudem village; and that in the month of Septemeber 8th of the last year at 4.30 P.M.,
PW.1 informed to him by way of phone that the accused beat her while she was returning from her duty; at that time, PW.1 used to reside in a rental house; then himself and his son went to PW.1, later, all of them went to the police station and PW.1 gave report to the police.
CC 1293/2021 6 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
iv) P.W.3 is the brother of PW.1. He deposed on the same lines of
PW.2. He further testifies that on 08.09.2021 while PW.1 was returning from her duty, she made a call to him and informed that the accused and his paternal aunt went to PW.1 and beat her; PW.1 further informed him that after pushing them aside, she closed the door and made a call to him; she also informed that the house owners were not available; on his advise, PW.1 made a call to police, immediately, he went to Tallapudi police station, by that time,
PW.1 was also present there. He further testifies that he caused enquiries with
PW.1; earlier PW.1 gave report against the accused in Tanuku police station.
v) P.W.4 is the house owner of PW.1. He has not supported the version of the prosecution.
vi) PW.5 is a vegetable vendor. He deposed that about 3 years back, on one day in the evening hours, while he was present in the shop, he heard shouts from the house of PW.1, then he went to the house of PW.4, by that time, PW.1 was weeping. He further deposed that PW.1 had shown the accused to him and introduced and informed that he is her husband and he beat her, he notice and injury on the left ear of PW.1, at that time, PW.1 was also present. PW.1 informed that there are disputes between and her husband.
vii) PW.6 is an Investigating Officer. He deposed that on 08.09.2021 basing on the report of PW.1, he registered a case in Cr.No.247/2021 for the offence under Sections 448, 323 and 506 IPC, examined P.W.1 and recorded her statement. He further deposed that on 09.09.2021 he along with PW1 visited the scene of offence, observed the scene and prepared Ex.P.4 rough sketch, examined PWs.2 to 5 and recorded their statements. He further deposed that on 10.09.2021 the accused surrendered before him, then, on ascertaining particulars of the accused, he served a notice under section 41-A
CC 1293/2021 7 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
Cr.P.C and later on completion of investigation, his successor LW7/ K.Venkata
Ramana, Sub Inspector of Police filed charge sheet against the accused.
14. So far as the offence under Section 448 IPC is concerned, the prosecution has to prove the criminal tresspass committed by the accused.
Except P.W.1, none of the prosecution witnesses deposed about the tresspass into the house of P.W.1 by the accused on the date of incident. As seen from
Sec.161 Cr.PC statement of P.Ws.1 to 5, all were recorded on 04.09.2021 and 05.09.2021 respectively i.e., prior to the registration of Ex.P.1. Apart from this,
PW.1 admitted in her cross examination that on hearing the cries, one
Cherukuri Subbayamma, Medina Satyanarayana and several neighbours about 10 in number gathered there. But none of them were cited as witnesses in the charge sheet, for the reasons best known to the Investigating Agency.
15. Upon careful perusal of the evidence of prosecution witnesses,
PW.1 gave Ex.P.1 report to P.W.6 alleging that the accused criminally tresspassed into her house and beat her, caught her tuft of hair, slapped on her cheek and also threatened to kill her. Now, it is better to look into the contents of Ex.P.1. It was mentioned in Ex.P.1 that “on 08.09.2021 at 4.30 p.m., while PW.1 was going to her house after completion of her duty then the accused criminally and unauthorisedly entered into her house”. In this connection, PW.1 deposed in her chief examination that prior to the incident, there were similar disputes between her and her husband (accused) and she also gave a report to Tanuku police. P.Ws 2 and 3, who are father and brother of PW.1 deposed in their evidence that on the information given by P.W.1 only, they came to know about the incident. But they were not physically present at the time of incident. Hence, they are not direct witnesses to the incident.
Moreover, P.Ws.2 and 3 are interested witnesses to the case of prosecution.
P.W.4 who is the house owner of PW.1 deposed that on the information given
CC 1293/2021 8 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
by some of his villager, he came to know the incident, then only he rushed to the scene of offence. P.W.5 who is a vegetable vendor deposed that on the date of incident, he heard shouts, then he went to the house of PW.4 and noticed that P.W.1 was weeping. All these witnesses deposed that on coming to know the incident only, they went to the scene of offence and noticed
P.W.1. Except that none of them were deposed about the highhanded act of the accused towards P.W.1 by entering into her house.
16. The learned counsel for accused argued that there are different dates appeared in the Section 161 Cr.P.C statements of PWs.1 to 5. Upon careful perusal of Section 161 Cr.P.C statements of P.Ws 1 to 5, all the statements were recorded by the investigating agency on different dates i.e., prior to the registration of report. When the said fact was put to PW.6/
Investigating Officer, he deposed in his cross examination that after giving report by PW.1, he recorded her Section 161 Cr.P.C. statement. When the learned counsel for accused posed a question regarding the examination of
P.W.1 prior to the registration of Ex.P1, he denied the same. Further, he admitted that as per Section 161 Cr.PC statement of PW.1, the date was mentioned as 04.09.2021. Further admitted by P.W.6 that he signed underneath Section 161 Cr.PC statement of P.W.1 by mentioning the date as 04.09.2021. He also admitted that he examined PWs.2 to 5 on 05.09.2021 and recorded their Section 161 Cr.PC statements. He also admitted in his cross examination that P.W.1 neither in her report nor in her 161 Cr.PC statement stated that the accused beat her and threatened her to hand over the children.
P.W.6 admitted that P.W.4 stated before him as in Ex.D.1 and he deposed that he did not go to the house of PW.1 on the date of alleged incident.
17. Admittedly, the accused and P.W.1 are husband and wife. P.W.1 used to work as a staff nurse at Annadevarapeta as such she used to reside in
CC 1293/2021 9 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
a rented house by residing at Annadevarpeta and the accused also resided along with her in a rented house. Moreover, from the evidence of P.W.1, it is clear that there are similar disputes like the dispute in the case on hand between P.W.1 and accused. Upon considering Ex.P1 and evidence of PW.1, there are two different versions spoken by PW.1. Apart from PW.1, PW.2 stated that on the date of incident, himself, PW.1 and his son went to police station and PW.1 gave report to police, while in his cross examination, on one hand, he stated that himself and his son gave report to the police, on the other hand, he deposed that himself, his son and PW.1 signed on the report. Further stated that PW.1 gave report on 08.9.2021. While, PW.3 stated that he went to the police station, by that time PW.1 was present in the police station, earlier also PW.1 gave report against the accused. In his cross examination, PW.3 deposed that PW.1 informed him that the accused and his paternal aunt came to PW.1 and beat her and PW.1 further informed that after pushing them aside, she closed the door and made a call to him and also informed that the house owners were also not available, then on his advise, PW.1 made a call to the police, later he went to Tallapudi Police Station and caused enquiries with
PW.1. So, there are several inconsistencies in the evidence of PWs.2 and 3.
Therefore, the evidence of P.Ws 1 to 5 are not trustworthy, as such their evidence is inconsistent and not corroborative with each other with regard to the offence under Section 448 of IPC.
18. So far as the offence under Section 323 of IPC is concerned,
P.W.1 mentioned in Ex.P.1 report that the accused beat her. Except that she did not mention in Ex.P.1 about the injuries sustained by her so also in her chief examination before this court. There is a developed version in the evidence of PW.1 in her cross examination that she sustained a bleeding injury on her left ear because of the act of accused, but she did not take any
CC 1293/2021 10 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
treatment from any hospital. P.W.1 also deposed that she obtained a photograph for her injury and handed over to the police. But in this case, PW.6 nowhere deposed about sending of PW.1 to any hospital immediately after registration of Ex.P.1. So also, P.W.6 deposed in his cross examination that he visited the scene of offence on 09.09.2021 and he has not found any visible injuries on P.W.1. P.W.6 also deposed that P.W.1 did not hand over any photograph to him. P.W.5 who is the vegetable vendor deposed in his evidence that on the date of incident, on hearing shouts from the house of
P.W.4, he went there and noticed that P.W.1 was weeping and informed that the accused is her husband and he beat her. He also deposed that he noticed an injury on the left ear of P.W.1. It is quite surprising to note that if really the victim/ P.W.1 sustained a bleeding injury as deposed by PW.1 and PW.5, then what prevented PW.1 to get treatment in the hospital and moreover P.W.6 did not send P.W.1 to any hospital for treatment. Moreover, P.W.6 did not file any photograph showing the injuries on PW.1 before this court for the reasons best known to him. Therefore, there are material latches on the part of the
Investigating Officer in conducting the investigation on proper lines. Upon careful perusal of the evidence of PW.1 and P.W.6, there is an inconsistent version deposed by them which gives rise to a doubt in the mind of the Court in connecting the accused to the offence under Section 323 of IPC. Hence, the accused is entitled for benefit of doubt for the said offence.
19. So far as the offence under Section 506(ii) of IPC is concerned, the prosecution shall establish that the accused threatened PW.1, such threat consisted of some injury to her person, reputation or property; or to the person, reputation or property of some one in whom he was interested. Moreover, he did so with intent to cause alarm to PW.1; or to cause PW.1 to do any act
CC 1293/2021 11 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
which he was not legally bound to do, or omit to do any act which he was legally entitled to do as a means of avoiding the execution of such threat.
Though PW.1 stated in her evidence that the accused demanded her to hand over the children to him, otherwise, he would kill her, but on perusal of Ex.P1,
PW.1 gave report that as there is an apprehension of danger to her and her children in the hands of the accused. Nowhere in Ex.P1 report, PW.1 stated that the accused demanded her to hand over the children to him, otherwise, he would kill her. So, there is a developed version in the evidence of PW.1, which gives rise to a doubt in the mind of the court to connect the accused.
20. Apart from this, PW.1 also deposed that on the date of incident, the house owners were not present. In this regard, this court has to look in to the evidence of P.W.4 who is the house owner of P.W.1, which is very crucial to the case of prosecution. Unfortunately, P.W.4 did not support the case of the prosecution. In his cross examination, P.W.4 deposed that he does not know the dispute between P.W.1 and her husband (accused). P.W.5 also admitted in his cross examination that whatever he stated about the incident in his chief examination, was not stated before the police. Therefore, the evidence of PW.5 cannot be believed. P.W.5 deposed that he came to know the dispute between PW.1 and her husband through PW.1 and came to know about the incident through P.W.1 only. Though PWs.4 and 5 deposed that they do not have personal knowledge about the disputes between P.W.1 and her husband (accused), but they came to know the same through PW.1 only.
Hence, they are not considered to be direct witnesses to the incident, as such their evidence need not be taken into consideration. P.Ws 4 and 5 though were cited as independent witnesses in the charge sheet, but their evidence did not reveal anything about the motive and intention of the accused in
CC 1293/2021 12 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
threatening the P.W.1 in case of not handing over the children by P.W.1 to him. There are several material omissions and contradictions in the evidence of all the prosecution witnesses. Hence, the accused is entitled for benefit of doubt for the offence under Section 506 (ii) of IPC.
21. Therefore, in view of the above detailed discussion, the evidence of PWs.1 to 6 do not insipre any confidence on the Court to prove the offences against the accused leveled against him. Hence, the prosecution has miserably failed to establish the guilt of the accused for the offences punishable under Sections 448, 323 and 506 (ii) of IPC and as such the accused is entitled for benefit of doubt.
22. In the result, the accused is found not guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 448, 323 and 506 (ii) of IPC and accordingly he is acquitted under Section 248 (1) Cr.P.C and he is acquitted under Section 248(1) of Cr.P.C. The bail bonds of the accused shall remain in force for a period of six months as per section 437(A) of Cr.P.C. The unmarked property if any shall be destroyed after expiry of appeal time.
Directly typed to my dictation by the Stenographer on computer, corrected, signed and pronounced by me in the open Court, on this the 17th day of April, 2025.
Sd/- Smt. Jonnapalli B.T.S.Devi,
I Addl. Civil Judge (Junior Division)- cum-I Addl. Judl. Magistrate of I Class, Kovvur.
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
Witnesses examined.
For Prosecution:
PW.1 : Goda Nirmala Kumari PW.2: Nalla Ganesh PW.3: Nalla Samgamesh P.W.4: Cherukuri Bagarraju
CC 1293/2021 13 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
P.W.5: Menni Sattibabu P.W.6: G.Satish, Sub Inspector of Police.
For Defence: -None-
DOCUMENTS MARKED
For Prosecution:-
Ex.P1 Self scribed report of PW.1 containing the signature of PW.1 Ex.P2 161 Cr.PC. statement of PW4 Ex.P3 Original F.I.R. Ex.P4 Original Rough Sketch
Ex.D.1 Relevant underlined portion of 161 Cr.PC statement of P.W.4:
For Defence: Nil.
MATERIAL OBJECTS MARKED
--Nil--
Sd/- Smt. Jonnapalli B.T.S.Devi,
I Addl. Civil Judge (Junior Division)- cum-I Addl. Judl. Magistrate of I Class, Kovvur.
CC 1293/2021 14 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
CALENDAR AND JUDGMENT
Calendar cases tried by the I Additional Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum- I Additional Judicial Magistrate of I Class, Kovvur.
Calendar Case No.1293 of 2021 (Cr.No.247/2021 of Tallapudi Police Station)
Date Offence :08-09-2021
Report or Complaint :08-09-2021
Apprehension of Accused :08-09-2021
Release on Bail Accused :--
Commencement of Trial :22-08-2022
Closure of Trial :11-04-2025
Sentence of Order :17-04-2025
Explanation of delay and remarks : After taking cognizance, copies were furnished to the accused under Section 207 Cr.P.C. Pws.1 to 6 are examined and Exs.P1 to P4 and Ex.D1 marked on prosecution side. After completion of prosecution side evidence, the matter was posted for Section 313 Cr.P.C and after having heard arguments on both sides, judgment pronounced.
Name of the Complainant:State, represented by the Sub Inspector of Police, Tallapudi Police Station.
Name of the Accused Goda Sagar Babu, S/o.Sanjeeva Rao, :Age 41 years, Parimpudi village, H/o. Koyyalagudem village and mandal. Nature of Offence:Under Section 448, 323 and 506 (ii) IPC.
Plea of the Accused: Not guilty.
Finding of the Court:Not guilty
SENTENCE OR ORDER :
CC 1293/2021 15 I Addl.Civil Judge (Junior Division)
-cum-I Addl.J.F.C.Magistrate, Kovvur, Dt.17.04.2025.
In the result, Accused is found not guilty for the offences under Sections 448, 323 and 506(ii) of IPC, and accordingly, he is acquitted under Section 248(1) of Cr.P.C. The bail bonds of the accused shall remain in force for a period of six months as per section 437 (A) of Cr.P.C. The unmarked property if any shall be destroyed after expiry of appeal time.
Sd/- Smt. Jonnapalli B.T.S.Devi,
I Addl. Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum- I Addl. Judl. Magistrate of I Class, Kovvur.
Copy submitted to
The Hon'ble I Additional District & Sessions Judge, West Godavari, Eluru.