Full Judgment Text
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1695 OF 2005
MANJEET SINGH … APPELLANT
VERSUS
STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH … RESPONDENT
J U D G M E N T
SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA, J.
th
The appellant has assailed the judgment dated 18 October, 2004
passed by the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla in Criminal Appeal
No.259 of 2002. By the impugned judgment the High Court dismissed the
appeal and affirmed the judgment passed by the Trial Court dated 27th
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March, 2002 in Sessions Trial No.17-S/7 of 2001 wherein the Trial Court
convicted the appellant and sentenced him to imprisonment for life and
also to pay fine of Rs.5,000/- for the offence under Section 302 IPC and in
default, further imprisonment for one year. The appellant was also
sentenced by the Trial Court for the offence under Section 324 IPC to
undergo imprisonment for six months and to pay fine of Rs.500/-, in
default, further simple imprisonment for one month. The appellant was
also sentenced for the offence under Section 27 of Arms Act to undergo
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imprisonment for three months and to pay fine of Rs.1000/-, in default,
further simple imprisonment for one month. The Trial Court ordered that
all the aforesaid sentences shall run concurrently.
2. The facts of the prosecution case as stated by Jai Pal (PW.5) are
st
that he was carrying business of taxi in Shimla. On 31 December, 2000 at
about 9 p.m. he had gone to Hotel Apsara at Cart Road, Shimla to inquire
from Budhi Singh (PW.8), Manager of the Hotel Apsara regarding the
booking of his taxi by some passenger staying in the Hotel. Budhi Singh
(PW.8) asked Jai Pal (PW.5) to come after some time. Both of them then
went together to Hotel Basant for celebrating New Year. They took wine
and dinner together and remained in the said Hotel till 12 o’clock.
Thereafter, Budhi Singh(PW.8) returned to Hotel Apsara while Jai Pal (PW.5)
came towards Cart Road where he met Romi Kapoor (PW.6), Pawan Kumar
(PW.7), Deep Chand and Rajnish alias Rintu who inquired about the
booking of a room in the Hotel as earlier agreed upon. Jai Pal (PW.5) went
to the Hotel Apsara where he did not find Budhi Singh (PW.8), Therefore,
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he went upstairs in the Hall of the Hotel where he found accused Manjeet
Singh along with Balraj and Surender Kumar were taking liquor. Jai Pal
(PW.5) inquired from the appellant-accused, Manjeet Singh about the
Manager of the Hotel to which the accused was alleged to have retorted
that he was not the Chowkidar of the Hotel so as to know and tell about the
Manager. Accused-Manjeet Singh was further alleged to have started
abusing Jai Pal (PW.5) by proclaiming that he was serving in Punjab Police.
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The accused was further alleged to have started beating Jai Pal (PW.5) by
giving him a fist blow on his mouth. Jai Pal (PW.5) ran outside. He met the
above-named Romi Kapoor (PW.6), Deep Chand, Pawan Kumar (PW.7) and
Rajnish. He narrated the incident to them. Romi Kapoor (PW.6), Rajnish
alias Rintu and Pawan Kumar (PW.7) went inside the Hall while Jai Pal
(PW.5) and one Roshan remained standing at the entrance of the Hotel.
Rajnish alias Rintu inquired from the accused-Manjeet Singh as to the
cause of his having given beatings to Jai Pal (PW.5). The accused was
alleged to have told his companions, Balraj and Surender Kumar to tell
Rajnish and his friends about the cause of the beatings to Jai Pal (PW.5).
Balraj and Surender Kumar were then alleged to have abetted and
instigated the accused by saying “ Carbine Ka Kamal Dekhao”. Whereupon
accused was alleged to have fired shots from his Carbine which hit Rajnish
alias Rintu, Romi Kapoor (PW.6), Jai Pal (PW.5) and Pawan Kumar (PW.7).
Rajnish alias Rintu sustained two shots on his chest and he fell down on the
ground. The accused and Balraj were alleged to have run away after the
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gun shots. Jai Pal (PW.5) lifted Rajnish alias Rintu and carried him to
I.G.M.C. Hospital, Shimla, where he was declared dead.
3. On the telephonic message of one Pradeep Kumar, Jagdish Ram
(PW.25), Station House Officer, Police Station Sadar reached the spot.
Surender Kumar, a companion of the accused, was apprehended from the
toilet of the Hotel. Since, the injured persons had already been taken to the
Hospital, Jagdish Ram (PW.25) went to the Hospital and recorded the
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statement of Jai Pal (PW.5), on the basis of which a case for the offences
under Section 302, 307 and 323 read with Section 34 IPC came to be
formally registered vide F.I.R. No.1/2001.
4. Post-mortem examination was conducted by Dr. V.K. Mishra
(PW.24) who found the following two ante-mortem bullet injuries on the
person of the deceased Rajnish alias Rintu:
“(i) A circular wound of entry one centimeter in diameter,
1.5 cm medial to right nipple, 18 cm below right
shoulder joint. Dry clotted blood was present around
the wound. There was no blackening, tattooing,
singeing, burning etc;
(ii) A circular wound of entry 1 cm x ½ cm between the
st nd
base of 1 and 2 metatarsal bone of left foot,
dorsum with dry clotted blood present around the
wound. No blackening, tattooing, singeing, burning
etc. noticed over the skin.”
In the opinion of Dr. V.K. Mishra (PW.24), the death was due to
haemorrhagic shock as a result of laceration of lung due to gun shot injury.
5. On Medical Examination of Romi Kappor (PW.6), Dr. M.P.
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Singh(PW.1) found the following injuries on the person of Romi Kapoor:
“ Local Examination
1. A CLW 1 cm X 0.5 cm X 1 cm in size placed horizontally
on little side of left upper arm on lower part of deltoid
muscle, red in colour with dark edges due to soot with
irregular margins which were depressed.
2. A. CLW 1 cm 0.5 cm 1 cm in size placed horizontally
approximately 2.5 cm lateral to first would on lateral
inside of left upper arm on lower part of deltoid muscle
with irregular margins elevated and margins
deliberated red in colour. Same marks were present
over sweater and shirt worn.”
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As per the opinion of the doctor, injuries Nos.1 & 2 were bullet
injuries and the same were dangerous to the life as per rule of gun shot
injuries. The Doctor has also issued MLC Ext. PW-2/B in respect of the said
injuries.
6. On the same day, Dr. M.P. Singh (PW.1) has also examined injured
Pawan Kumar and observed as under:
“ Local injuries:
A CLW over right foot approximately 5 cm about tip of right big toe
placed horizontally 1 cm 0.5 cm 1 cm in size with irregular margins
red in colour.
A bruise bluish in colour present 1 cm X 0.5 cm in size placed
obliquely over fifth metatars o-phalangel joint running lately on right
foot.
On the basis of x-ray report, the injury Nos.1 and 2
were declared dangerous to the life and were fresh in
duration and were caused by a blunt weapon. The
Doctor has issued MLC Ext.PW-1/C.”
On the same day, Dr. M.P. Singh (PW.1) has also examined injured
Jai Pal (PW.5) and found as under:
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“Local Injuries
1. A CLW 1.5 cm in size placed in the middle of inner side
of upper lip placed obliquely upwards and lately on left
side, reddish scabbing over lip present with clotted
blood.
2. A bruise present over upper lip in the centre reddish
blue in colour 1 cm X 0.5 cm in size placed vertically.
No other injury was present. Teeth were normal.
Injuries No.1and 2 were simple and the duration of
injuries was within 24 hours and were caused by blunt
weapon.”
After his examination Doctor has issued MLC Ext.PW-1/D.
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7. The accused-Manjeet Singh too was subjected to medical
st
examination, which was carried out by Dr. Dinesh Rana (PW.2) on 1
January, 2001 at about 5.55 p.m. The accused at the time of such medical
examination complained of pain in the fifth knuckle region of the left hand.
X-ray was advised. However, local examination revealed the presence of a
red colour contusion and swelling on such knuckle region. The accused also
complained of breaking of upper incisor tooth. He was referred to Dental
Surgeon. On the basis of dental opinion, such injury was opined to be of a
simple nature having been caused within the probable duration of 24
hours.
8. Balraj, a companion of the accused, was also medically examined
by Dr. Dinesh Rana (PW.2). Following injuries were found on his person:
“ (i) 4 cm 1 cm abrasion over the dorsum of right fore-
arm;
(ii) 1.5 cm x 1.5 cm round abrasion red in colour, above
the writ joint;
(iii) 3.5 cm x 2 cm abrasion, read in colour with linear
scratch in the mid. 3 cm outer aspect of the left knee
joint;
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(iv) Multiple irregular abrasions on the entire lateral
aspect of the left lower leg. Red in colour, and
(v) Small irregular abrasion on the left side of the
forehead. Red in colour.”
All the injuries were opined to be of simple nature having been
caused with a blunt weapon within the probable duration of 24 hours.
9. The other companion of the accused, namely, Surender Kumar was
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st
medically examined by Dr. Rajneesh Sharma (PW.4) on 1 January, 2001 at
about 4.35 a.m. One injury, that is, laceration over the fore-head 1.5 cm x
1 cm x 0.5 cm was found. He was smelling of liquor and there was slurring
of speech. The injury was simple in nature having been caused with a blunt
weapon with the probable duration of 6 hours.
10. On having been produced by the accused, Carbine-Ex.P4 with
empty magazine vide memo Ex.PW5/C were taken into possession by
Gulam Mohammad(PW.26), Additional Station House Officer of Police
Station Sadar, who had partially investigated the case. Six live cartridges
Ex.P1 to P6 were also produced by the accused, which were taken into
possession vide memo Ex.PW5/D by Gulam Mohammad(PW.26). Six empty
cartridges were taken into possession from the spot by Gulam
Mohammad(PW.26) vide memo Ex.PW5/E. Service belt of the accused,
which was lying on the bed in the Hall of the Hotel was also taken into
possession vide memo Ex.PW5/F.
11. The Ballistic Expert to whom the carbine, live and empty cartridges
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were sent for examination, vide report Ex.PW25/E has opined that the
empty cartridges were fired from the carbine Ex.P4.
12. On completion of the investigation the accused along with his two
companions Balraj and Surinder Kumar were sent up for trial.
The accused was charged for the substantive offences under
Section 302 and 307 IPC, and under Section 27 of the Arms Act, 1959. His
two companions, Balraj and Surinder Kumar, were charged for the offence
under Section 114 read with Sections 302 and 307 IPC, for having abetted
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and instigated the commission of the offences under Section 302 and 307
IPC by the accused.
13. The accused and his two companions pleaded not guilty to the
charge and claimed trial. The prosecution in support of its case examined
as many as 26 witnesses.
14. The learned Additional Sessions Judge, on consideration of the
evidence coming on the record, by the impugned judgment, convicted and
sentenced the accused- Manjeet Singh as mentioned above.
15. The accused was acquitted of the offence under Section 307 IPC.
The two companions of the accused, Balraj and Surinder Kumar were
acquitted of all the charges framed against them.
16. By the impugned judgment the High Court noticed the submission
made on behalf of the appellant and on appreciation of the evidence on
record dismissed the appeal and affirmed the conviction and sentences
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imposed by the Trial Court.
17. Learned counsel for the accused has assailed the conviction and
sentence on the ground that the accused had acted in exercise of the right
of private defence. It was submitted that the genesis of the occurrence was
different from what the prosecution has suggested and highlighted. In fact,
the occurrence had taken place in the manner suggested by the accused in
his defence. The deceased and his companions had made a forcible entry
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into the Hall of the Hotel and started beating the accused and his two
friends and in such course they had tried to snatch the carbine, which got
fired during the scuffle.
18. From the record, we find that neither the accused nor his two
companions in the statements recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C., has
stated that the deceased and his companions were the aggressors and that
the accused was acting in exercise of the right of private defence. In fact,
their case is that of total denial. There is nothing on the record to suggest
that the accused or his companions received injuries at the hands of the
deceased or the deceased tried to snatch the carbine of the accused. No
evidence has been brought on record that the deceased and his
companions entered the Hall of the Hotel with arms.
19. Under Section 96, IPC, “Nothing is an offence which is done in the
exercise of the right of private defence”. Right of private defence of the
body and of property has been enumerated under Section 97, IPC, subject
to the restrictions contained in Section 99, IPC. As per the said section
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every person has a right to defend-
“First. - His own body, and the body of any other
person, against any offence affecting the
human body;
Secondly-The property, whether movable or
immovable, of himself or of any other
person, against any act which is an offence
falling under the definition of theft, robbery,
mischief or criminal trespass, or which is an
attempt to commit theft, robbery, mischief
or criminal trespass.”
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Section 102, IPC, deals with commencement and continuance of
the right of private defence of the body as follows:
“ Section 102. Commencement and continuance
of the right of private defence of the body.- The
right of private defence of the body commences as
soon as a reasonable apprehension of danger to the
body arises from an attempt or threat to commit the
offence though the offence may not have been
committed; and it continues as long as such
apprehension of danger to the body continues.”
The extent and limitations of the right of private defence is
prescribed under Section 96 to 106, IPC. Such a right can be exercised only
to defend the unlawful action and not to retaliate.
20. This Court in George Dominic Varkey v. The State of Kerala,
(1971) 3 SCC 275 , has held:
“6…… Broadly stated, the right of private defence
rests on three ideas: first, that there must be no
more harm inflicted than is necessary for the purpose
of defence; secondly, that there must be reasonable
apprehension of danger to the body from the attempt
or threat to commit some offence; and, thirdly, the
right does not commence until there is a reasonable
apprehension. It is entirely a question of fact in the
circumstances of a case as to whether there has
been excess of private defence within the meaning of
the 4th clause of Section 99 of the Indian Penal Code,
namely, that no more harm is inflicted than is
necessary for the purpose of defence. No one can be
expected to find any pattern of conduct to meet a
particular case. Circumstances must show that the
court can find that there was apprehension to life or
property or of grievous hurt. If it is found that there
was apprehension to life or property or of grievous
hurt the right of private defence is in operation. The
person exercising right of private defence is entitled
to stay and overcome the threat.”
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21. In Moti Singh v. State of Maharashtra, (2002) 9 SCC 494,
this Court held that dimension of the injuries may not be serious, it is the
situs of the injuries that would indicate whether the accused could
reasonably entertain the apprehension that at least grievous injuries/hurt
would be caused to him by the assaulters unless aggression is thwarted.
22. In the present case during the course of cross-examination of the
prosecution witnesses, especially Jai Pal(PW.5), Romi Kapoor (PW.6), Pawan
Kumar (PW.7), Satish Kumar (PW.9) and Charanjeet Singh (PW.12) an
attempt has been made on behalf of the accused to set up the case of
private defence.
23. In Rajender Singh and others v. State of Bihar, (2000) 4
SCC 298, dealing with the similar proposition this Court held as follows:
“Non-explanation of the injuries on the person of the
accused, ipso facto, cannot be held to be fatal to the
prosecution case. Ordinarily, the prosecution is not
obliged to explain each and every injury on the
person of the deceased even though such injuries
might have been caused during the course of the
occurrence and they are minor in nature. But where
the injuries are grievous, non-explanation of such
injuries would attract the Court to look at the
prosecution case with little suspicion on the ground
that the prosecution has suppressed the true version
of the incident.”
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24. Evidence of eye-witnesses, especially of the injured, namely, Jai Pal
(PW.5), Romi Kapoor (PW.6) and Pawan Kumar (PW.7), which are
trustworthy, when read together, we find that non-explanation of the
injuries on the person of the accused and his two companions cannot be
held to be fatal to the prosecution case.
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25. Satish Kumar (PW.9), an independent witness, who was also
staying and sleeping in the Hall where the occurrence had taken place,
though he was declared hostile, has admitted the correctness of the
prosecution story in the following terms:
“It is correct that when I woke up on hearing the
noise, I saw a boy coming in the hall and inquiring
about the Manager from the accused Manjit. It is
correct that one of the associates of accused Manjit,
i.e., one driver stated that we are not Chowkidar, so
you tell the Manager. It is correct that upon this
accused persons started beating that boy and
thereafter other associates of that boy also came in
the hall of that hotel after about 5-7 minutes.”
In answer to Court question, PW.9 has staed:
“The driver who was with accused Manjit was heavily
drunk and was also abusing the other party and
Manjit accused tried to prevail upon him and
thereafter said driver attempted to assault those 4-5
persons present in the hall and thereafter free
fighting between the parties.”
The above statement of Satish Kumar (PW.9) lends support to the
prosecution story to show that it was the accused who was the aggressor
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and that the accused had not acted in private defence.
26. The question now requires to determine is as to what is the nature
of offence that the accused has committed. The evidence produced against
the accused does not show that the accused had any motive to cause
death of the deceased or have intended to cause such bodily injuries which
were sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause the death of the
deceased. Evidence on record also does not establish that the injuries
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caused on the body of the deceased must in all probability cause his death
or likely to cause his death. On the spur of the moment, during the heat of
exchange of words accused caused injuries on the body of the deceased
which caused his death. Therefore, the ingredients of the murder as
defined in Section 300, IPC, have not been established against the
accused. In our opinion, the accused was guilty of culpable homicide not
amounting to murder under Section 304, IPC, and considering the fact that
the accused had no intention to either cause the death of the deceased or
cause such bodily injury as is likely to cause death of the deceased, it
would be sufficient to impose on accused a sentence of seven years
rigorous imprisonment and to impose on him a fine of Rs.5,000/- and in
default of payment of fine, a further imprisonment of six months.
27. We, accordingly, set aside the conviction of the accused under
Section 302, IPC but hold him guilty of the offence under Section 304, IPC
and sentence him to seven years rigorous imprisonment and fine of
Rs.5,000/-, in default of payment of fine a further imprisonment of six
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months. The conviction and sentences for the offence under Section 324,
IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act passed by the Trial Court are affirmed.
All the sentences shall run concurrently. If the accused-Manjeet Singh has
not yet undergone the sentence imposed and affirmed by us, and is not in
custody, he be taken into custody to serve the remainder.
28. The appeal stands disposed of with the above observations and
directions.
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…………………………………………………… J.
(A.K. PATNAIK)
…….……….…………………………………… J.
NEW DELHI, (SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA)
APRIL 25, 2014.
JUDGMENT
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ITEM NO.1B COURT NO.10 SECTION IIB
(For Judgment)
S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A
RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO(s). 1695 OF 2005
MANJEET SINGH Appellant (s)
VERSUS
STATE OF H.P. Respondent(s)
Date: 25/04/2014 This Appeal was called on for pronouncement of
judgment today.
CORAM :
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUDHANSU JYOTI MUKHOPADHAYA
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.K. AGRAWAL
For Appellant(s) Mr. Prashant Chaudhary,Adv.
For Respondent(s) Ms. Pragati Neekhra,Adv.
Hon'ble Mr. Justice Sudhansu Jyoti Mukhopadhaya
pronounced the reportable judgment of the Bench comprising
Hon'ble Mr. Justice A.K. Patnaik and His Lordship.
The conviction of the accused under Section 302,
IPC is set aside but he is held guilty of the offence under
Section 304, IPC and is sentenced to undergo seven years
rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs.5,000/-, in default of
payment of fine a further imprisonment of six months. The
conviction and sentences for the offence under Section 324,
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IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act passed by the Trial Court
are affirmed. All the sentences shall run concurrently. If
the accused-Manjeet Singh has not yet undergone the sentence
imposed and affirmed and is not in custody, he be taken into
custody to serve the remainder.
The appeal stands disposed of in terms of the
signed reportable judgment.
[RAJNI MUKHI] [USHA SHARMA]
SR. P.A. COURT MASTER
(Signed reportable judgment is placed on the file)
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JUDGMENT
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