BIHARILAL SONI vs. STATE OF M P

http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 1 of 3 PETITIONER: BIHARILAL SONI & OTHERS Vs. RESPONDENT: STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH DATE OF JUDGMENT: 06/08/1998 BENCH: G.T. NANAVATI, S.P. KURDUKAR ACT: HEADNOTE: JUDGMENT: J U D G M E N T Nanavati, J. The three appellants were convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC, in Sessions Case No. 320/89 by the Court of Sessions Judge, Bhopal. Appellant Murarilal was also convicted under Section 201 IPC. The High Court confirmed their conviction. Therefore, they have filed this appeal. It was alleged by the prosecution that all the three appellants were treating Sarita cruelly and that they caused her death on 25.11.1988 by causing burn injuries to her on 16.11.198. In order to prove that she was treated cruelly by the three appellants, the prosecution examined PW.1 Bhagwandas, PW-6 Purshotamdas and PW.7 V.K. Sharma. The prosecution also led evidence to prove that Sarita had received burn injuries some time on 16.11.1988 and that she had died as a result of those burn injuries on 25.11.1988. The medical evidence led by the prosecution remained almost unchallenged. The defence of the appellants was that Sarita was suffering from mental illness and schizophrenia and that she had received burn injuries either while lighting a lamp or by bursting crackers. In order to prove that she was suffering from the disease of schizophrenia, the appellants had examined Dr. Malvia, Dr. Handa, Dr. Sharma and Dr. Tandon as defence witnesses. The trial court after appreciating their evidence held that even if it was accepted that Sarita was suffering from some mental disease, the defence raised by the appellants was not believable. The trial court also came to the conclusion that it was not a case of accidental or suicidal death. The possibility of her having received burn injuries while bursting crackers was completely ruled out by the medical evidence. The trial court observed that if Sarita had caught fire accidentally, she should have raised cries for help, the appellants would have taken her to a hospital. But nothing was done by the appellants. The trial court after considering the evidence of the three neighbours held that it was established that Sarita was treated in a cruel manner by her in-laws. The trial http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 2 of 3 court also took into consideration subsequent conduct of the appellants in not getting her treated medically, in not informing her parents about her having received burn injuries till she died after nine days and the false explanation given by appellant Murarilal as regards the cause of her receiving burn injuries for holding that the prosecution had established its case beyond reasonable doubt. It, therefore, convicted all the three appellants as stated above. The High Court on reappreciation of the evidence agreed with the findings recorded by the trial court and confirmed the conviction of the appellants and dismissed their appeals. The learned counsel for the appellants submitted that in view of the evidence of the four doctors examined in defence, the High Court ought to have held that Sarita was suffering from schizophrenia and, therefore, the defence of the appellants was probable. He also submitted that the evidence regarding cruelty ought not to h ave been believed as witness Bhagwandas was not on good terms with the appellants. As regards PW Bhagwandas, he submitted that there was a litigation between t he father f Bhagwandas and the father f appellants Biharilal and Murarilal in respect f a piece of land adjoining the house of the appellants and therefore he was an interested witness. With respect to the two other witnesses Purshotamdas and Sharma he submitted that their evidence is vague and nor worthy f acceptance. After scrutinising the evidence f Bhagwandas, we find that there is nothing on record to show that Bhagwandas was not on good terms with the appellants. He admitted that there was a civil litigation between his father and father f appellants Murarilal and Biharilal, but that suit was disposed f 30 years back and thereafter he had n dispute with the appellants. Bhagwandas was admittedly doing his business f selling tea opposite the house f appellants and therefore, he could have seen the ill-treatment that was given by the in-laws to Sarita. The other two witnesses, though not specific have also deposed about the ill- treatment and complaints made to authorities in that behalf. They had no reason t falsely depose against the appellants. The courts below were, therefore, right in accepting their evidence. We find no infirmity in appreciation f their evidence. In our opinion, the court below have rightly held that the deceased was ill-treated by her in-laws. However, we find that the witnesses Purshotamdas and Sharma have not specifically stated that Biharilala was also treating Sarita cruelly. There was not reason for him to do so. He being a government servant and a married man would not have taken part in treating Sarita cruelly and causing her death without any reason. There is no other evidence against him. He, therefore, deserves to be acquitted. We agree with the findings recorded by the High Curt and hold that Murarilal and Leelabai appellant nos.2 and 3 have been rightly convicted under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC. Conviction of Murarilal under Section 201 is also proper and legal. However, the conviction of Biharilal under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC will have to be set aside. We, therefore, partly allow this appeal. The appeal of appellant nos.2 and 3, Murarilal and Leelabai, is dismissed. Appeal of appellant Biharilal is allowed and his conviction and sentence under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC are set aside. Bail of appellant No. 3 is cancelled and she is directed to surrender to custody to serve out the remaining http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA Page 3 of 3 sentence.