1 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017
IN THE COURT OF I-ADDITIONAL JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE OF
FIRST CLASS, WARANGAL.
Dated, this the 13 th day of April, 2022.
PRESENT: Smt. P. Devi Manasa, I-Addl.Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Warangal.
CALENDER CASE No.91 of 2017
BETWEEN:
The State of Telangana through Sub-Inspector of Police, PS Inthezargunj … Complainant
AND
Bairi Suresh S/o. Rajamogili, Age: 48 years, Caste: Gouda, Occ: Cotton Seeds Broker, R/o. H.no.10-8-145/B, Girmajipet, Warangal.
… Accused
This case is coming up for hearing on this day before me in the presence of Smt B. Vanaja, Learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the State and Sri N.Kamalakar, Advocate for the accused,and upon perusing the material papers available on record and upon hearing the Counsel on both sides, and the matter having stood over for consideration, this Court delivered the following:-
-:: J U D G M E N T ::-
1. The accused is indicted for the offences U/Sec. 452, 354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 of IPC in Crime No.351/2016 of P.S. Inthezargunj. The case of the prosecutino in nutshell:
On 17.12.2016 at 1030 hours the defactocomplainant/victim came to Police Station Inthezargunj and lodged a report stating that accused who is friend of her husband/Lw2, tresspassed into her house, outraged her modesty and beat them. On 08.12.2016 at about 9.30 hours while
Lw1/victim was alone in her house, the accsued came, caught hold her hands with criminal force asking to fulfil his sexual desire. The
Lw1/victim admonished him and accused fled away from the place.
Again on 16.12.2016 at about 21.00 hours, accsued visited her house , 2 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 used criminal force with an intent to outrage of her modesty and beat her children who interfered during the incident. On hearing hues and cries LW5/Chitikesh Sathish and LW6/Bajjuri Ranganath came to incident place and on seeing them accused fled away. Based on the report,
LW12/Police official registered a case in Cr.No. 351/2016 for the offences U/Sec.452, 354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 of IPC and took up investigation. After completion of investigation, report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was filed by the police.
2. This court took cognizance for offences punishable
U/Sec.452, 354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 IPC and issued summons to the accused. On appearance of accused, copies was furnished to him
U/Sec.207Cr.P.C. He was examined U/Sec.239 of Cr.P.C. charges for the offence U/Sec.452, 354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 IPC were framed and read over and explained to the accused. Accused pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
3. To prove its case, prosecution examined Pws1 to Pw7 and got marked Exs.P1 to Ex.P4. The Pw1 is the victim/defacto complainant. PW2 is husband of PW1. PW3 is elder son of PW1. PW4 is the eye witness. PW5 is the W.ASI who recorded the statement of Lw1.
PW6 is the panch for CDF. PW7 is the investigating officer. The learned
APPO has given up the evidence of Lws.4 and LW10.
4.After prosecution reported its evidence as closed, the accused was examined U/Sec.313 Cr.P.C in respect of incriminating material and he reported no defence evidence.
5. Heard the learned Asst. Public Prosecutor and the learned counsel for accused.
6. Now point for determiantion is “ Whether the Prosecution is able
to prove the guilt of the accused for the offences U/Sec.452,
354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 of IPC on the standard of “beyond
reasonable doubt” principle ?” 3 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017
POINT:
7. unfolding evidence of prosecution victim cited as Lw1 is examined as Pw1. She deposed that LW2/Samala Shashider is her husband and accused is friend of her husband. She testified that on 8.12.2016 in the morning hours accused came to her house, at that time no one was present, accused caught hold her hand and demanded to fulfill his sexual desire. She raised hues as such the accused fled away from the place. Further, she deposed that after one week on December 16th accused again came to her house at 10.00 pm wherein LW3/Samala Sharwan and LW4/Samala Shivan are present in the house, again the accused caught hold her hand and demanded to fulfill the sexual desire, when her children interfered in the issue the accused beat her and her children, for which she made hues and cries.
LW5 and LW6 came to her house and the accused fled away from the house on seeing them. She deposed that she informed the incident to her husband, on the next day morning she lodged a report with the police. The prosecution got marked Ex.P1 which is the report.
8.In the cross examination she stated that she got acquaintance with accused since her husband and accused used to perform poojas for about 5 to 6 years. She stated that at the instance of her husband the accused used to wear Ayyappa mala. The distance between her house and the accused is of 10 houses and there are no money transactions between her husband and accused. She stated that her husband is working as accountant and he is running his office from the house. She admitted that on 8.12.2016 she did not go to police station. She did not inform about the incident that occurred on 8.12.2016 to her husband. She denied the suggestion that LW2, LW3 and LW4 are present at home on 08.12.2016. She stated that her husband was not present at home on 16.12.2016 in the night hours.
4 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017
She further stated that generally no one will watch the people coming into houses. She stated that on 17.12.2016 she along with her husband went to police station to lodge Ex.P1. She denied the suggestions that
Lw2 remains in the house all the time. She denied suggestion that due to previous grudges she filed a false complaint against the accused since there are disputes between her husband and accused. She further denied the suggestion that due to money transactions they filed a false case.
9.The husband of PW1 is examined as PW2. He deposed in the similar lines of PW1 in his chief examination. In the cross examination he stated that he and accused are friends and on 8.12.2016 PW1 did not inform him about the incident. He deposed that on 16.12.2016 ,PW1 told him that she has raised hues and cries, due to which LW5 and LW6 came to house. He deposed that generally he does his job from home.
He denied the suggestion that he was present on 16.12.2016. He states that he went out of house at 10.00 pm. He denied the suggestion that there are lakhs of rupees transactions between him and accused. He denied the suggestion that accused gave amount of Rs.1,00,000/- to him. He denied the suggestion that he was present at the time of alleged incident. He further denied the suggestion that due to previous grudges they filed a false complaint. He further denied all the formal suggestion put to him by the learned defence counsel.
10.The son of PW1 is examined as PW3. He deposed in the similar lines of PW1 and PW2. In the cross examination he admitted that he was not present on 08.12.2016 and that he did not know about the incident that occurred on 08.12.2016. He admitted that PW1 informed about incident to PW2. He admitted that accused came to his home and he was present and accused beat him. He admitted that Pw1 5 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 raised hues and cries, due to which LW5 and LW6 came to his house and immediately the accused fled away from the place.
11.The statement of circumstantial witness cited Lw7 is recorded in which he stated that on 16.12.2016 after finishing his work he went to house of PW2 to meet him. He further deposed that since
PW2 is not present at his house and there was a crowd, he enquired with the crowd and he came to know that accused tried to outrage the modesty of PW1.
In the cross examination, he stated that he had gold work shop at
Vishwakarmaveedhi and he closed his shop at 10.00 pm. PW1 told him about the incident that accused outraged her modesty and he came to know that accused and PW2 had acquaintance for about 4 to 5 years.
He denied the suggestion that there is no crowd, at the scene of offence. He is not an eye witness to the incident. He admitted that by the time he reached place, the incident completed. He stated that he reached the place between 10.30 and 11.00 pm. He denied the suggestion that there are no persons present at the scene of offence and he do not know about the incident and denied all the formal suggestions put to him by the learned defence counsel.
12.The eye witness is examined as PW4. He testified that he know Pw1 and PW2 as they are neighbours and he knew accused. That on 16.12.2016 since there was a galata going on he came out side and witnessed the accused coming out from the house of PW1 between 10.00 and 10.30 pm. He further deposed that PW1 raised hues and cries and later Pw1 informed him about the sexual harassment made by the accused. He further deposed that PW1 informed him that her sons interfered in the issue wherein the accused beat them.
In the cross examination he stated that on 16.12.2016 he was present at his house a 10.00 pm. Pw1 informed him about the galata 6 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 but he did not witness the galata took place in the house of PW1 and he came to know about the galata through PW1. He denied the suggestion that accused was not present at the scene of offence. He further stated that he had witnessed the accused leaving the house of PW1. He stated that he had acquaintance with accused and Pw1 informed him about the galata and he did not witness the galata that took place between accused and Pw1. He admitted that he enquired PW1 for which she stated about the galata and he do not know about prior galats between accused and PW1. He stated that he know Pw2 and accused are having acquaintance with each other for about 10 years and there are some transactions between PW2 and accused. He admitted that due to acquaintance the children of PW1 used to call the accused as father. He stated that PW2 and accused used to perform poojas and he used to attend the same. He further stated that accused used to visit PW1 house frequently. He further denied all the formal suggestions put to him by the learned defence counsel.
13.The Women Assistant Sub Inspector of Police who recorded the statement is examined as PW5. She deposed that on 17.12.2016
PW1 came to police station and LW12 directed her to record statement.
As per the directions she recorded the statement of complainant.
In the cross examination she deposed that as per the instructions of the Sub Inspector of police she recorded the statement of Pw1. That on 08.12.2016 no report was lodged in the police station. She further stated that she recorded the incident as told by the Pw1. She admitted that as per the statement of Pw1 on 08.12.2016 in the morning hours at 9.30 am accused came to Pw1’s house and caught hold her hands to fulfill his sexual desire. She further deposed that as per the statement of Pw1, the accused left from the place when the complainant raised 7 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 hues and cries. She denied the suggestion that accused did not visit the house of complainant on 16.12.2016 as per the statement of Pw1.
14.The panch for Crime details form is examined as PW6. He testified that police called him, told about the incident and conducted scene of offense panchanama in his presence. He along with LW10 attested signatures on the panchanama. Ex.P2 is the crime details form.
In the cross examination, he admitted that while he was proceeding at scene of offence, police called him and condcuted crime details form. He denied the suggestion that he did not know about the case facts and he was not there on the date of incident.
15.The investigating officer is examined as PW7. He testified about the investigation process in his chief examination. In the cross examination he admitted that no report was received on 8.12.2016.
Ex.P1 is lodged on 17.12.2016 by PW1. He denied the suggestion that
PW4 and LW6 did not witness the accused and accused did not visit scene of offence since accused is working as a document writer in
Registrar Office and present till 10.00 pm. He admitted that as per the statement of PW2 he did not disclose that accused is his friend for 10 to 15 years. He did not know whether accused and Pw2 perform poojas together and he did not know the relationship of PW1 and accused and the monetary transactions between PW1 family and accused. He denied the suggestion that false charge sheet is filed against the accused and there are monetary disputes between PW1 and accused as such false report was filed against the accused. He denied all the formal suggestion put to him by the learned defence counsel.
16.With the evidence as referred to above, the primarily fact required to be proved is that accused trespassed into the house of Pw1 with an intention to commit crime. It is the categoric evidence of Pw1 that accused visited her house on 16-12-2016 at about 21.00 hours, 8 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 caught hold her hands and asked to fulfill his sexual lust. Pw1 resisted accused by raising hue and cry wherein her sons Pw3 and Lw4 present in the house, came and question accused. That accused beat Pw1, Pw3 and Lw4. Later, Pw4 and Lw6 came to the scene of offence hearing the loud noise and on seeing Pw4 and Lw6, accused fled away from the scene. The evidence of Pw1 is in conformity with her report under
Ex.P1 and her statement recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. There appears no material contradiction or omission in the evidence of Pw1 in so far as testifying the details of the incident and accused committing the crime.
17.The testimony of Pw1 is materially corroborated with the evidence of Pw3. The evidence of Pw4 establish the presence of accused at the scene of offence at the time of incident. There is cohesion among these witnesses in so far as deposing the case of prosecution. The circumstantial evidence of Pw2 who is husband of Pw1, support the testimonies of Pw1, Pw3 and Pw4. There appears consistency in the evidence of Pw1 to Pw4.
18.There is no material contradiction among the evidence of
Pw1 to Pw4 in so far as supporting the case of prosecution and deposing about the incident whereunder accused trespassed into the house of Pw1 with an intention to outrage the modesty of Pw1 and commit such act by caught holding the hand of Pw1 asking her to fulfill his sexual lust. The intention of Pw1 in caught holding the hand of Pw1 was to disrobe her and see her naked to fulfill his illegal sexual desire.
Accused stalked Pw1 by urging to fulfill his desire with attempt made earlier on 8-12-2016. When Pw1 and her two sons Pw3 and Lw4 resisted the accused, he beat them. The essential elements of Section 452, 354, 354-B 354-D and 323 IPC are clearly deposed in the evidence of Pw1 and Pw3. The evidence of Pw1 and Pw3 is corroborated with the 9 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 evidence of Pw4 stated to be eyewitness to the incident, and Pw2 who is husband of Pw1.
19.The accused took the defence of alibi and such defence is seen in the cross examination of investigating officer Pw7. The suggestion that accused being a document writer by profession was at his office till 21.00 hours on the date of incident and as such accused could not be present at the scene of offence, was denied by Pw7. The defence of alibi is projected for the first time to Pw7 and such defence is not suggested to Pw1 to Pw4. There appears no defence evidence to show that accused was present elsewhere but not at scene of offence on the date and time of offence. There is only bald and vague suggestion that stand to the defence of accused to state the plea of alibi. Thus, the defence of ailibi as taken by the accused for the first time in the cross examination of Pw7, does not have any basis much less supported with formidable evidence.
20.The other substantial defence of accused stand on the basis that accused and Pw2 had monetary transactions, as such accused has been falsely implicated in the present case. This defence appear in the form of suggestion to Pw1, Pw2, Pw3 and Pw4 and same is denied by these witnesses. There appears no specific assertion as to the monetary transaction between accused and Pw2, it was suggested that there are monetary transaction and as such accused has been falsely implicated.
The defence is vague in nature for absence of giving details of monetary transactions and Pw2 being in debt of certain specific amount to accused through execution of any monetary instrument. Therefore, the defence of accused that he was falsely implicated for the monetary transaction between accused and Pw2, could not be made out by the accused. Even if it is assumed that there was some monetary transaction between accused and Pw2, it appears not logical or 10 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 reasonable for Pw1 to have put her respect and dignity at stake by alleging the her modesty was outraged by the accused. Thus, the defence of accused that he was falsely implicated in the present case could not be made out by the accused.
21.Finally, the learned counsel for the accused contended that there is delay of more than 12 hours in lodging the report as in Ex.P1 with the police. He contended that with such delay, there is scope for manipulation of facts and false implication of accused. The argument of accused could have been appreciated had such defence been put to the prosecution witnesses. In such case, there would have been explanation coming from the mouth of Pw1 and Pw7. However, such is not the case.
Even, there appears no delay in lodging the report under Ex.P1 considering the fact that offence relate to respect and dignity of women. It is natural that family members will give thought before approaching police and lodging report. Therefore, it is but natural to occurs certain delay in lodging report in cases relating to sexual offences.
22.With the appreciation of evidence as taken up above, it need to be held that prosecution is able to prove the incidence that occurred on 16-12-2016 at about 21.00 hrs in the house of Pw1. The prosecution is able to prove that accused was present at scene of offence at the time of commission of offence and it was accused who committed such offences.
23.As noted earlier, the essential element of Section 452 IPC is house trespass with preparation to cause hurt or assault to any person.
In present case, accused entered the house of Pw1 with preparation to cause hurt to Pw1 holding guilty intention of outraging her modesty and as per evidence of Pw1 and Pw3 accused beat both of them along with
Lw4 when they resisted the acts of accused.
11 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017
24.The essential element of Section 354 IPC are assault or use of criminal force to any women with an intention to outrage her modesty. In the present case, the evidence of Pw1 in categoric voice assert that accused caught hold her hand and asked to fulfill his sexual lust. This piece of Pw1’s evidence could be not rebutted by the accused in cross examination or bring forth any logical and cogent circumstance to suggest that evidence of Pw1 is false on any probable reason.
25.The essential element of Section 354-B IPC are accused holding intention of disrobing or compelling women to be naked. In present case, the testimony of Pw1 show that accused caught hold her hand and asked to fulfill his sexual desire. The intention of accused in caught holding the hand of Pw1 was only to disrobe her or compel her to be naked to fulfill her sexual desire. Thus, Section 354-B IPC would be attracted to the facts and evidence in the present case.
26.The essential element of Section 354-D IPC are accused following and contacting a women to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such women. In the present case, as per prosecution allegations accused made attempt to outrage modesty of Pw1 on 8-12-2016 and despite disinterest shown by Pw1, accused again followed and contacted Pw1 on 16-12-2016 with an intention to fulfill his sexual desire. The acts of accused on 8-12- 2016 and 16-12-2016 show that accused intended to foster personal interaction with Pw1 repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by Pw1.
27.Finally, the essential element of Section 323 IPC are found in
Section 317 IPC which state that whoever causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person is said to cause hurt and if such hurt is caused, punishment is prescribed under Section 323 IPC. In the present accused, it is evidence of Pw1 and Pw3 that they were beat by the accused for 12 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 resisting his acts. This piece of evidence of Pw1 and Pw3 could not be rebutted by the accused by eliciting any circumstance bringing any reasonable doubt to disbelieve their evidence.
28.In sum and substance, it need to be held that prosecution with its oral and documentary evidence is able to establish the guilt of the accused on the standard of “beyond reasonable doubt” principle for the offence under Section 452, 354, 354-B, 354-D and 323IPC.
29.In the result, Accused is found guilty for the offence U/s 452, 354, 354-B, 354-D, 323 of IPC and accordingly he is convicted for the same U/s 248(2) Cr.P.C.
(Typed to my dictation, corrected and pronounced by me, in the open Court on this the 13th day of April, 2022)
I-ADDL. JUDL. MAGISTRATE OF FIRSTCLASS,
WARANGAL.
30. Heard the accused on the quantum of sentence to be awarded against the accused. He submitted that he did not commit any offence. Therefore, there are no mitigating circumstances submitted by the accused to take lenient view.
31. The learned counsel for the accused is present and there are no special circumstances made out for invoking PO Act. However, considering the nature of the offence committed against the women, this
Court is not inclined to take moderate view in sentencing the accused.
32.In the result, accused is sentenced to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment(RI) for a period of three (03) years and also directed to pay a fine of Rs.2000/- for the offence under Section 452 IPC, in default of payment of fine amount he shall undergo simple imprisonment for period of thee (03) month.
33.Further accused is sentenced to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment(RI) for a period of three (03) years and also directed to 13 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017 pay a fine of Rs.2000/- for the offence under Section 354 IPC, in default of payment of fine amount he shall undergo simple imprisonment for period of thee (03) month. .
34.Further accused is sentenced to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment(RI) for a period of three (03) years and also directed to pay a fine of Rs.2000/- for the offence under Section 354-B IPC, in default of payment of fine amount he shall undergo simple imprisonment for period of thee (03) month. .
35.Further accused is sentenced to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment(RI) for a period of three (03) years and also directed to pay a fine of Rs.2000/- for the offence under Section 354-D IPC, in default of payment of fine amount he shall undergo simple imprisonment for period of thee (03) month. .
36.Further accused is sentenced to undergo Rigorous
Imprisonment(RI) for a period of one (01) years and also directed to pay a fine of Rs.1000/- for the offence under Section 323 IPC, in default of payment of fine amount he shall undergo simple imprisonment for period of two (02) month. Total fine amount is Rs.9000/-.
37.Accused is in judicial custody from 21.12.2016 to 23.12.2016 and the said period is given set of under Section 428 Cr.P.C.
38.Accused has been informed about the right of appeal and he submitted that he has got sufficient means to engage counsel to prefer an appeal.
39.The accused is furnished with copy of judgment.
40. All the sentences shall run concurrently.
(Typed to my dictation by Stenographer, corrected and pronounced by me, in the open Court on this the 13th day of April, 2022)
Sd/-(P.Devi Manasa)
I-ADDL. JUDL. MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS,
WARANGAL.
14 of 14 CC No.91 of 2017
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESSES EXAMINED
FOR PROSECUTION : FOR DEFENCE: PW1 : Samala Sharvani - NONE – PW2 : Samala Shashider PW3 : Samala Sharwan Statement of Lw7/Ragi Nagaraju recorded U/sec.309(2) CrPC. PW4 : Chitikeshi Sathish PW5 : Ch. Padma PW6 : Mateti Sudharshan PW7 : T.Ramesh Kumar
EXHIBITS MARKED
FOR PROSECUTION: Ex.P1 : is the Report Ex.P2 : is the Crime Details Form(CDF) Ex.P3 : is the First Information Report (FIR) Ex.P4 : is the S.164 Cr.P.C staetment of victim
FOR DEFENCE: NIl
MATERIAL OBJECTS
nil
Sd/-(P.Devi Manasa)
I-ADDL. JUDL. MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS,
WARANGAL.