1
IN THE COURT OF II ADDL. ASSISTANT SESSIONS JUDGE,
GUNTUR.
PRESENT: Sri. P. Ramana Reddy,
II Addl. Assistant Sessions Judge, Guntur.
Friday, this the 1 stday of December, 2023.
Sessions Case No.405/2023
Between:
State: Inspector of Police, Kothapet Police Station, Guntur Urban District. . . . Complainant
And
1. Allu Subbaratnam, S/o. Nagaiah, aged 65 years, Kamma, R/o. 7th Lane, Sri Nagar, Guntur Town. Owner of Prasanthi Lodge, Old Club Road, Kothapet, Guntur Town.
2. Buraga Ravi, S/o. Tirupal, aged 30 years, Kamma, R/o. Chaowdepalle Village, Udayagiri Mandal, Nellore District, Room Boy at Prasanthi Lodge, Old Club Road, Kothapet, Guntur Town. … Accused.
This case has come up on30.11.2023 for arguments before me in the presence of Sri B. Sagar, Learned Additional Public Prosecutor for State and
Sri K. Sriramulu and Sri K. Harsha, Learned counsels for Accused No.1 and A2 and having stood over to this day for consideration, this court made the following:
J U D G M E N T
1.The Inspector of Police, Kothapet Police Station, filed charge sheet against accused No.1 and A2 for the offence punishable under Sections 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act in Cr.No.326/2021 of
Kothapet Police Station on the file of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Special
Mobile Court, Guntur and the same is committed to Hon’ble Principal District and Sessions Court in PRC No.56/2021. The same is taken on file by the
Hon’ble Principal District and Sessions Judge as SC No.405/2023 and made
over the same to this Court for trial as per law.
2.The contents of the charge sheet in brief are that:
The Station House Officer, Kothapet Police Station, Guntur Urban
District filed charge sheet in this case alleging that on credible information on 22.06.2021, P.W.5 secure the presence of other police staff and also mediators 2 and rushed to the scene of offence which was situated at Old Club Road,
Kothapet. The scene of offence is Prasanthi Lodge. After reaching the scene of offence, P.W.5 found two persons i.e., A1 and A2 in the said lodge. On seeing the police party, they tried to skulk away from that place. On suspicion, P.W.5 retained the said persons with the help of staff members and interrogated them in the presence of mediators. During the course of interrogation, the said two persons disclosed their identity as A1 and A2, A1 being the owner of the said
Prasanthi Lodge and A2 is the room boy. They also further confessed that they used to procure female persons in the nearby bus stand and conducting prostitution in the said lodge. Then, P.W.5 arrested the persons who came for do prostitution i.e., A3 and A4 along with A1 and A2 in the presence of mediators under a cover of mediator report under Ex.P5 and also seized M.O.1 to M.O.4 in their presence. Then, he arrested the said persons and brought them to the police station and registered Ex.P5 as a case in Cr.No.326/2021 under Sections 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act and investigated into. During the course of investigation, P.W.5 and P.W.6 examined all the charge sheet witnesses by visiting the scene of offence and also prepared the rough sketch of scene of offence. A1 was produced before the Court for judicial remand and A2 to A4 are released by serving Section 41-A of Cr.P.C notice. After completion of the further investigation, P.W.6 laid charge sheet against the accused No.1 and A2 for the offence under Sections 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act. P.W.6 also sent the victim girls for rescue home.
3.After receiving summons issued by this Court, the Accused No.1 and A2 appeared before this Court and engaged Sri K. Sriramulu and Sri K. Harsha,
Advocates. After hearing the Additional Public Prosecutor and the defence counsel, and having considered the material available on record, this Court framed charges under Section 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of
Immoral Traffic Act against the accused No.1 and A2, read over and explained 3 the same to them, for which, accused No.1 and A2 pleaded not guilty and claimed for trial.
4.The prosecution examined L.W.1 K. Kumari, Women Assistant Sub-
Inspector of Police, Kothapet Police Station as P.W.1, L.W.5 Tadigiri Anasuya as P.W.2, L.W.8 Kotra Sivanadakumar as P.W.3, L.W.7 Mallemudi Satish
Kumar as P.W.4, L.W.1 S. Srinivasa Rao, Sub-Inspector of Police, Kothapet
Police Station as P.W.5 and L.W.9 S. Srinivasa Reddy, Inspector of Police,
Kothapet Police Station as P.W.6 and Ex.P1 to Ex.P7 and M.O.1 to M.O.4 are marked on behalf of the prosecution.
5.The Learned Additional Public Prosecutor has given up the evidence of
L.W.3 S. Naga Poornma, Women Police Constable, Kothapet Police Station,
L.W.4 V. Suneel Kumar, Police Constable, Kothapet Police Station and L.W.6
Kumbha Lavanya.
6.The accused No.1 and A2 were examined under Section 313 of Cr.P.C, with regard to the incriminating evidence available on record against them, for which they denied and reported no defence evidence on their behalf.
7.Heard both sides.
8.The Learned APP argued that all the police officials categorically deposed with regard to the things happened at the scene of offence on the date of offence in this case. The accused managed the mediators and made them to turned hostile. Though the mediators turned hostile, the prosecution able to establish the offence committed by the accused by placing cogent and convincing evidence before the Court. Hence, the accused are liable for punishment for the offences leveled against them. Per contra the counsel for accused argued that, the accused are purposefully impleaded in this case without committing any offence by them. Except, the evidence of police officials there is no other evidence on record, to corroborate the same, to prove the allegations leveled against the accused. For statistical purpose only, the police 4 filed this case against the accused. Hence, the accused are entitled for benefit of doubt.
10.Now the point for determination is:
“Whether the prosecution has proved the guilt of the accused No.1 and
A2 for the charges leveled against them under Sections 370(3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act beyond all reasonable doubt”?
POINT:
11.Prosecution examined P.W.1 to P.W.6 and marked Ex.P1 to Ex.P7 and
M.O.1 to M.O.4.
12.In this case, the victims and the mediators turned hostile and did not support the case of prosecution. Only the evidence available before the Court is pertaining to the police officials. The very allegation of prosecution is that, on credible information P.W.5 being the Sub-Inspector of Police secured the presence of mediators and rushed to the scene of offence along with his office staff. When they reached the scene of offence two persons who were already present there tried to skulk away from that place. Then, he retained the said persons and interrogated them in the presence of mediators. To that effect, he also prepared Ex.P5 mediator report by incorporating all the events happened in his presence. He also seized M.Os.1 to 4 under the cover of Ex.P5 mediators report. As such, the prosecution has to establish the seizure of M.Os.1 to 4 from the possession of accused in the presence of mediators. But, the mediators who alleged to have present at the time of preparation of Ex.P5 did not support the version of prosecution. During the course of evidence, they turned hostile and did not support the preparation of Ex.P5 mediator report and seizure of
M.Os.1 to 4. As such, it is quite essential to establish the seizure of M.Os.1 to 4 from the possession of accused through the police officials. Generally, the mediator reports used to scribe by the mediators who were present at the time of seizure of M.Os.1 to 4. But in this case, the situation is entirely different. As per the evidence of P.W.5, Ex.P5 mediator report was prepared by P.W.5 on 5 his own laptop. But the said mediator report is silent with regard to the bringing of the said laptop to the scene of offence. Moreover, P.W.5 is not competent to prepare the said mediator report. At the same time, the scene of offence was situated in a busy locality. The said aspect was admitted by all the prosecution witnesses during the course of evidence. When the scene of offence was situated in a busy locality what made P.W.5 to bring the mediators from the police station itself. The above said aspect creates a doubt in the mind of Court with regard to the preparation of Ex.P5 mediators report at the scene of offence as contended by the prosecution witnesses. As per the evidence of P.W.5, the other staff members in the police station were also accompanied him to the scene of offence. But the signature of any of the staff members was not obtained on Ex.P5. The said aspect is contra to the evidence of P.W.1 who is a
Women Assistant Sub-Inspector. If really, P.W.1 accompanied the Sub-
Inspector of Police, there is every possibility for him to obtain her signature on
Ex.P5 to establish her visit. The above referred circumstances, clearly goes to show that Ex.P5 mediator report was prepared in the police station itself as argued by the counsel for the accused.
13.The other important aspect to be considered in this case is, as per
Ex.P5, P.W.5 arrested A1 to A4 at the scene of offence and also seized M.Os.1 to 4. Subsequently, the case against A3 and A4 was quashed by the Hon’ble
High Court of AP. But, during the course of evidence, P.Ws.1, 5 and 6 did not speak anything about the presence of A3 and A4 and their alleged arrest by
P.W.5. It clearly shows that P.W.5 was not visited the scene of offence along with the mediators and staff as stated before the Court. There is no convincing evidence before the Court, to establish the arrest and seizure by the police to punish the accused for the offences leveled against them. As per the case of prosecution, the alleged offence in this case took place on 22.06.2021.
Whereas, as seen from the search proceedings marked under Ex.P4, that the said proceedings were issued on 20.06.2021. There is no proper explanation 6 from the side of prosecution with regard to the obtaining of search proceedings prior to alleged offence in this case. There is every possibility for the police, to obtain the said proceedings as per their wishes. At the same time, the said proceedings were not served on A1. As such, this is also one of lacuna on the part of prosecution.
14.As per the version of prosecution, A1 is the owner of the said lodge and
A2 is room boy. Except the oral testimony there is no piece of document before the Court to establish the same. During the course of cross examination P.W.5 and P.W.6 categorically admitted with regard to the non seizure of any document to establish the identity of A1 and A2. In the absence of any such evidence, it cannot be said that A1 is the owner of the said lodge and A2 was working under him. During the course of cross examination P.W.5 and P.W.6 categorically admitted the said lodge was situated in a busy locality and some other rooms are also situated in the said lodge. But, P.W.5 or P.W.6 did not examine any of the neighbouring people in that vicinity or the co-occupants in the lodge to establish their visit and arrest of all the accused. At the same time,
M.O.s1 to 4 are easily available in the open market. There is every possibility for the police to file this case against the accused by using Mos.1 to 4. In the absence of any independent corroborative evidence this Court is not inclined to believe the evidence of P.Ws.1, 5 and 6. As such, the prosecution measurably, failed to bring home the guilt of accused beyond all reasonable doubt. Hence, the benefit of doubt certainly goes in favour of them. Accordingly, point is answered.
15.In the result, Accused is found not guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act and accused is acquitted for the same under Section 235(1) Cr.P.C. The bail bonds of accused shall be in force for a period of 6 months as per Section 437-
A Cr.P.C.
7
M.O.1 is ordered to be destroyed. M.Os.2 to 4 shall be confiscated to the
State after the appeal time is over.
Typed to my dictation by the Stenographer Grade-III, corrected and
pronounced by me in open court on this the 1 st day of December, 2023.
Sd/- P. Ramana Reddy,
II Addl. Assistant Sessions Judge, Guntur.
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESSES EXAMINED
For Prosecution : For Defence: NONE
P.W.1 : K. Kumari.
P.W.2 : Tadigiri Anasuya.
P.W.3 : Kotra Sivanadakumar.
P.W.4 : Mallemudi Satish Kumar.
P.W.5 : S. Srinivasa Rao.
P.W.6 : S. Srinivasa Reddy.
DOCUMENTS MARKED
For Prosecution :
Ex.P1 is the Section 161 Cr.P.C statement of P.W.2.
Ex.P2 is the signature of P.W.2 on mediatiornama, dt.22.06.2021.
Ex.P3 is the Signature of P.W.3 on mediatornama, dt.22.06.2021.
Ex.P4 is the Search Warrant from SDPO, Guntur vide 19/spdo-east/2021, dt.22.06.2021.
Ex.P5 is the Mediatornama.
Ex.P6 is the First Information Report.
Ex.P7 is the Rough Sketch.
Material Objects
For Complainant: For Defence: NIL
M.O.1 : Kamasuthra Condome Packet.
M.O.2 : Cash of Rs.500/- seized from Shaik Subhani.
M.O.3 : Cash of Rs.500/- seized from Janardhan.
M.O.4 : Cash of Rs.2,000/- from A1 is deposited in the bank and the FDR.
Sd/- P. Ramana Reddy,
II Addl. Assistant Sessions Judge, Guntur.
8
IN THE COURT OF II ADDL. ASSISTANT SESSIONS JUDGE,
GUNTUR.
PRESENT: Sri. P. Ramana Reddy,
II Addl. Assistant Sessions Judge, Guntur.
Friday, this the 1 stday of December, 2023.
Sessions Case No.405/2023
(PRC No.56/2021 on the file of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Special Mobile Court, Guntur relating to Crime No.326/2021 of Kothapet Police Station) 1.Name of the CaseSessions Case No.405/2023
2. Name of the committing Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Special Mobile Court, Guntur
Magistrate
3. Name of the complainant State: Inspector of Police, Kothapet Police Station, Guntur Urban District.
4. Names of the Accused 1. Allu Subbaratnam, S/o. Nagaiah, aged 65 years, Kamma, R/o. 7th Lane, Sri Nagar, Guntur Town. Owner of Prasanthi Lodge, Old Club Road, Kothapet, Guntur Town.
2. Buraga Ravi, S/o. Tirupal, aged 30 years, Kamma, R/o. Chaowdepalle Village, Udayagiri Mandal, Nellore District, Room Boy at Prasanthi Lodge, Old Club Road, Kothapet, Guntur Town. 5.Date of
i) Offence 22.06.2021 ii)Committal22.06.2023 iii)Appearance of Accused07.08.2023 iv)Commencement of trial 14.11.2023
v)Closure of trial30.11.2023 vi)Pronouncement of 01.12.2023 Judgment 6.Nature of Offence370(3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act. 7.Plea of Accused Not Guilty 8.Finding of the CourtNot Guilty
EXPLANATION FOR THE DELAY: This case was received from the Hon'ble Sessions Court, Guntur on 17.07.2023. On 03.10.2023, accused No.1 and A2 were examined U/Sec.228(2)
Cr.P.C and charges under 370(3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral
Traffic Act were framed against them. To substantiate its case, the prosecution 9 examined P.W.1 to P.W.6 and got marked Ex.P1 to Ex.P7 and M.O.1 to M.O.4 on its behalf. On 30.11.2023, Section 313 Cr.PC examination was held and heard both side arguments and on 01.12.2023, Judgment pronounced. Hence, there is no avoidable delay in this case.
RESULT:
In the result, Accused is found not guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 370 (3) of IPC and Sections 3, 4, 5 and 7 of Immoral Traffic Act and accused is acquitted for the same under Section 235(1) Cr.P.C. The bail bonds of accused shall be in force for a period of 6 months as per Section 437-
A Cr.P.C.
M.O.1 is ordered to be destroyed. M.Os.2 to 4 shall be confiscated to the
State after the appeal time is over.
Sd/- P. Ramana Reddy,
II Addl. Assistant Sessions Judge, Guntur.
Copies submitted to: 1.The Hon’ble Registrar (Vigilance) High Court of A.P. Amaravathi, through The Hon’ble District & Sessions Judge, Guntur.
2. The Hon'ble District & Sessions Judge, Guntur.
Copy to:
3. The Director of Prosecution, Vijayawada,
4. The Superintendent of Police, Guntur Urban,
5. The Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Special Mobile Court, Guntur.
6. The Addl. Public Prosecutor, II Addl. Assistant Sessions Court, (FTC), Guntur.