C.M. Totla, J.
1. Challenged is appellant's conviction and sentence (a) for the offence of Section 302 life imprisonment with fine Rs. 2,000/-, (b) Section 342 six months' simple imprisonment with fine Rs. 500/- recorded vide judgment dated 7.10.03 in Sessions Case No. 31/02 before the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Sri Ganganagar.
2. According to prosecution at 1.15 a.m. on 22.9.02, (i.e. intervening night of January 21st and 22nd), Laxman Das PW 1 with his sister's husband Mohan Lal PW 9, arriving at police station, Purani Abadi, Ganganagar, informed SHO PW 16 that at evening, he was at home and at about 10.30 - 11.00 p.m., a person, residing at Ravi Chowk ward No. 11, name not known to him, near where his (PW 18) maternal uncle Satyanarain also reside, came and informed PW 1 to take care of brother Jagdish, with whom maternal uncle is quarreling, so PW 1 and Mohan Lal, quickly went to house of Satyanarain and knocked the door closed from in side, but door not opened, so PW 1 and Mohan Lal, jumping wall, entered in, where observed that brother tied with rope, lay unconscious, bleeding of injuries - there was mother-in-law of Satyanarain to whom PW 1 asked and she replied as she, Satyanarain, Sohan Lal and Vimala, having finished him ('iska kaam tamam kar diya hain') - PW 1 with help of Mohan Lal, taking brother on shoulder and then in a tempo, brought to hospital, where doctor declared him dead and at hospital also came mother, mother's sister and other relatives. PW 1 also reported that brother Jagdish was having illicit relations with his maternal aunt Smt. Vimala (wife of Stayanarain) so, Satyanarain having enmity to Jagdish calling him at his home and with assistance of wife, brother-in-law Sohan Lal s/o. Kana Ram and Shanti Devi w/o. Kanaram, have killed him, inflicting injuries by lathis and sharp weapons. SHO PW 16, recording the information Ex.P1, and obtaining signatures of PW 1 and his mother Smt. Kamla PW 2, registered FIR Crime No. 356/02.
3. SHO PW 16 commencing investigation on 22.9.02 (i) inspecting place of occurrence, prepared site plan Ex.P6; (ii) examining dead body, in hospital mortuary, prepared memos Exs. P2 and P3 and directed for postmortem; (iii) photographs of body taken by PW 8 - positives Exs. P17 to 22 and negatives 17A to 22A; (iv) at place of occurrence, that is house of appellant, on floor, was spread blood, sample of which and scratches of floor collected and separately sealed - memos Ex.P8 and 9, packets marked as B and C; (v) when post-mortem conducted, taking pant and shirt over person of deceased sealed - memo Ex.P3 and packet marked as A; (vi) at place of occurrence, was a rope knittedly made of coconut shell threads collected making memo Ex.P7, and sealed marked D; (vii) appellant arrested on same day at 7.30 p.m. and per disclosure, recorded as Ex.P42 and at his instance, from a iron box, lying in his house, recovered a pant, having some blood like stains - prepared memo is Ex.P32 and sketch of place Ex.P31 and 31A - packet marked as F; (viii) per disclosure Ex.P43 of appellant, iron pipe of about 2' 7' length and one inch diameter, recovered from big box, lying in his house - memo prepared is Ex.P30 and sealed packet marked as G; (ix) Smt. Vimala and Shri Kana Ram also arrested same day and per disclosure of Smt. Vimala and at her instance, a iron pipe of 2 feet 7 inch, recovered and sealed - per information and at instance of Kana Ram, lathi recovered.
4. After usual investigation and intactly delivering packets of different articles at laboratory for examination, charge-sheet submitted.
5. Appellant Satyanarain and his wife Vimla, Smt. Shanti mother and Kana Ram father of Vimla all charged for the offence of Sections 302 read with Section 434 and 342 IPC.
6. Learned Sessions Judge held appellant guilty while other three acquitted.
7. Among the 16 prosecution witnesses examined, PW 1 first informer is brother and Mohan Lal PW 9 is sister's husband, and Smt. Kamla PW 2 is mother of deceased who also happen to be sister of appellant. PW 1 deposes as above narrated and PW 9 partially supports. Mother PW 2 also depose of incident as above, supports prosecution. Ganga Ram PW 10 said to be eye witness and also witnesses relating to circumstances, Jugal Kishore PW 3, Kalu Ram PW 4 and Parmeshwari PW 5, are declared hostile. PWs 11, 12 13 and 15 are motbirs, whereas PW 16 SHO investigated and Dr. Ved Prakash PW 6 conducted post-mortem.
8. Appellant explains that he falsely implicated, because Smt. Kamla is a home guard and witnesses are telling lie. Similar was the explanation of other three.
9. Heard learned Counsel for the appellant and learned Public Prosecutor.
10. On behalf of the appellant, argued is that (1) no so-called extrajudicial confession or statement of deceased ever was, (2) admittedly and almost provenly, improper relations between wife of appellant and deceased, (3) per medical evidence, stands established that deceased was drunk, (4) PW 9 who accompanied PW 1, does not support prosecution - neither he corroborates PW 1, rather contradicts distinctly PW 1 and also PW 2, therefore, statement of any PW 1 or PW 2 cannot be believed, (5) recovery is not proved, (6) on the same evidence and recoveries of same nature, other three are acquitted - one named person Sohan Lal who as named in FIR all proceeded against and strangely Kana Ram (8) so investigation also extremely biased, and deceased was drunkard and every probability that he in a drunken state, not having own control fell down several times, including on a chabutara and staircase and sustained injuries.
11. Learned Public Prosecutor contends that appellant is real maternal uncle and deceased found tied in his house in night succumbed soon after due to many injuries inflicted particularly at head, proves guilt of the appellant. If not very clear is as to who informed PW 1 still it not very adversely affect prosecution because PW 1 getting information from whomsoever proceeded and found his brother as above.
12. Thoughtfully considering arguments, we have carefully gone through the record, adduced evidence, judgment assailed and also memo of appeal.
13. Evidence of PW 1, mother Smt. Kamla PW 2, Mohan Lal PW 9 taken together, proves that late night September 21st, deceased was found at the house of appellant who taken in tempo to hospital and died. Further deceased Jagdish s/o. Jesa Ram had and died of following injuries as is deposed by the doctor PW 6 (i) Lacerated wound 5 cm x 1 cm - bone deep left fronto-parietal region with fracture. (ii) Contusions as many as 10 of varying size of area between 20 sq cm to 1 sq cm at above and around left eye, right eye, right shoulder, right of neck, right arm and elbow, left leg, abdomen, left of chest, behind right thigh.(iii) Abrasions 12-13 of varying sizes and area about between 0.5 sq. cm to 6 sq. cm at right leg knee and ankle, left knee, thigh, right hand wrist and back etc.(iv) Bruises 4-5 of varying sizes of area between 6 sq cm to 1 sq cm. (v) Lacerated wound 2.5 x 0.5 cm left brow.(vi) Lacerated wound 5 x 2.5 cm between right thumb and first finger.(vii) Lacerated wound 2.5 x 1.5 cm muscle deep - right leg lower one-third.(viii) Lacerated wound 0.75 x 0.5 cm muscle deep right merrolous. (ix) Lacerated wound 2.5 x 1.5 cm muscle deep left knee. (x)Lacerated wound 2.5 x 2.5 cm - bone looking at left wrist. Found fracture of and depressed fronto parietal bone, and of both bones little above left wrist. Post mortem conducted at 10.00 a.m. of September 21st report Ex.P13 and death within 12 hours due to above head injury.
14. Therefore, death homicidal and after 10.00 p.m. of September 21st and due to head injury. Significant injuries were of head and hand with above many abrasions and bruises etc. all over body.
15. For the unfortunate incident, it is worthwhile to mention the background which is emerging in definite term and in describing which neither mother, nor brother of deceased minced any word.
16. FIR Ex.P1 expressly mentions that Jagidsh had illicit relations with Smt. Vimala so Satayanarain, having enmity, calling Jagdish at home, killed him. Complainant PW 1 in his deposition, during examination in chief says that due to above enmity ('ranjish') of illicit relations between wife (of appellant) and Jagdish, appellant, did so. In cross-examination, PW 1 further says that Jagdish and Smt. Vimala had such relations for 7-8 years and appellant used to ask deceased to not to visit his home and that he (this witness PW1) and also the mother repeatedly advised deceased not to go to wife of Satyanarain or to his house. PW 1 qualifies this statement with that deceased acceding did not go to the house of appellant since about a year but also say that Jagdish has deserted wife since two years. Mother of deceased Smt. Kamla Devi PW 2 who also is sister of appellant, says that her son Jagdish had illicit relations with wife of appellant and she tried to prevent it and advised son to refrain of it. PW 1 categorically say that Jagdish used to take liquor and was facing several excise (liquor-wine) cases. Medical Officer PW 6 who conducted postmortem, very clearly says and so is also described in post-mortem report Ex.P13 that in liver of deceased, was half digested food, giving smell of wine. As such sufficient base is to reasonable believe that deceased at that time was under influence of liquor. PW 3 though declared hostile, also says of such relationship.
17. Therefore, very clear is that deceased Jagdish, 28 years, had physical immoral relations with wife of appellant for last7-8 years which not only not liked by appellant but also by deceased's brother and mother who continuously used to ask and advise deceased to not to do so.
18. The same cannot be treated as after thought because specifically so also is mentioned in FIR.
19. Further the deceased was drunk who also facing several criminal cases and occurrence late in night at residence of appellant.
20. Smt. Vimla is wife of appelant who charged of the offence stands acquitted.
21. PW 1 states that he, Mohan Lal and mother at their home - at about 10.15 were informed by Smt. Parmeshwari and other that brother Jagdish is being beaten by Satyanarain at his house so he and Mohan Lal immediately going to house of Satyanarain at about a distance of 1-1/2 km, found that door is closed which not opened to their knocking, so looking in through holes of the door, he observed that brother lay tied by a rope, therefore he (PW 1) and Mohan Lal, jumping wall went inside, where Jagdish lay tied by rope and bleeding, was cryingly telling of let (him) go. PW 1 deposing that Smt. Shanti, mother-in-law of appellant, on asking, uttered of having removed the obstacle and then he and Mohan Lal untieing rope, picking up Jagdish, carried him in a tempo to hospital, in course of which and in tempo brother, consciously, told him of Stayanarain, Smt. Vimala, Sohan Lal and Smt. Shanti Devi, having beaten him - at hospital, also arrived mother and some neighbours and Jagdish died there after he with mother going to police station, lodged report.
22. Smt. Parmeshwari PW 5 and other witnesses state of ignorance of any such incident. In FIR Ex.P1, not is that not named is the person who informed at the house of PW 1, but specifically is stated that PW 1 does not know the name of that person . Given this, transpires that PW 5 perhaps not informed PW 1 but whatever it be, this does not make any difference, because distance of house of appellant from that of PW 1, is little above 1 km and getting information through any one PW 1 and is his mother going to appellant's house found so.
23. Regarding speaking of deceased for the incident, so is not mentioned in the FIR and not appears even in statement of PW 1 in course of investigation and neither is supported by PW 9 so the same cannot be worth substance.
24. Smt. Kamla PW 2 depose that she after her duty as home guard upto 10.00, arrived home, where already were her son and son-in-law Mohan Lal and after a little Parmeshwari Devi coming informed that at house of brother Satyanarain he, Vimala Devi, Sohan Lal and Kana Ram are beating Jagidsh, so Laxmnan and Mohan went to house of Satyanarain and after a little she also went to house of Satyanarain, where some gathered persons informed that Jagdish is taken to hospital, so she went to hospital, where Jagdish in bleeding state, was declared dead, then she and PW 1 went to police station and lodged report.
25. Mohan Lal PW 9 depose that he was at house of brother-in-law Laxman Das and at about 10-10.30, a person coming, told of some quarrel, therefore, he and Laxman going there saw that in house, Jagdish was and bleeding. PW 9 deposed that in response to knock and calling of Laxman, some spoke of no one being in, therefore, they jumping wall, went inside and Jagdish was there and also was old lady and 2-3 children - Jagdish taken to hospital in tempo, was uttering words like Sohan do not beat.
26. SHO PW 16 depose that he, inspecting place of occurrence, found blood on floor, sample from which and also of plain surface scratches, collected and separately sealed, preparing memos Exs. P6, 8 and 9. PW 16 also say that at the place of occurrence, was lying a blood stained rope, which too was seized. PW 16 state that in course of investigation, appellant Satyanarain informed him that pant is kept in box which information taken in writing as Ex.P42 and Satyanarain also disclosed that iron pipe is in big iron box which taken in writing as Ex.P42 and then appellant, per his disclosures, picking up key from a wall of his house opening kotha (room), took out a pant having some blood stains from iron box and from big box, a iron pipe which taken and sealed preparing memos Exs. P30 and 31 and sketch of that place Exs. P31A and Ex.P32. Witnesses of this motbir PWs 11 and 12 do not tell of such recovery before them, but admits of their signatures on memos. Proved from the evidence adduced is that all packets were delivered at FSL.
27. Looking at FSL report Ex.P47,is proved that on pant recovered as above and also on T-shirt and pant of deceased, was human blood group A-B. Appearance of blood on pant, found a day after in house of appellant, is a strong piece of evidence against him.
28. Blood smeared soil collected from house of appellant and on rope, was also found human blood, though group could not be ascertained. Therefore, firmly established is that deceased was there at the house of the appellant in a bleeding state in late hours of night who picked up from there in injured state and succumbed to his injuries after a little time. Incident occurred at the house of the appellant, where deceased was kept tied by a rope made of hard threads of coconut shell ('naariyal-ki-rassi'). Appellant did reside there with his wife.
29. Advanced argument that other accused, i.e. wife and other two are acquitted and that Kana Ram was not even named, in FIR and named Sohan Lal is not prosecuted, bear no relevance in relation to and as far as appellant is concerned.
30. As involvement of appellant is proved, immaterial is whether or not any other was involved in the incident.
31. Incident (a) happened at the house of appellant, (b) deceased there in a drunken state and not only in drunken state but (c) even when he was repeatedly advised by his mother and others to not to go there and (d) to refrain from keeping any relations with appellant's wife, (e) at late hours of night. Given this situation, very clearly appellant was annoyed with deceased and he cannot be faulted for it as not only of appellant's but also mother and brother separately asking and advising to refrain from going there and keep off relations, deceased went there. Deceased being there in the above background and above circumstances and time, then deceased's aim and object and also impressions and feelings of appellant is only to be gathered. In such a given facts and situation, appellant also acquired some rights of defence of person and/or property and if without premeditation, in the heat of passion or and happening of something apparently objectionable, if some overtly violent and aggressive act is done by appellant, then definitely all the intentions cannot be fastened to him. With this also, the fact is that deceased was tied by the rope so either injuries first inflicted at head then tied or first tied and then injuries at head inflicted - in both situations, appellant exceeded right available and inflicted injuries more than warranted, but without premeditation and intention. Here, it is to be noted that because of tieing by rope of above nature (mooz of coconut) and act committed in above circumstances, significance of number of bruises, contusions etc. is substantially lessened. Given the facts and proved situation, in our opinion, the act of the appellant does not come within Section 302 but only under Section 304 Part II IPC.
32. Therefore and for the above reasons, appellant is to be held guilty of Section 304 Part II IPC and not of Section 302 IPC. The appellant seems to be imprisoned since September, 02. Taking all the circumstances together, in our opinion, sentence of seven years' rigorous imprisonment and fine Rs. 1000/-, in default one month simple imprisonment shall be just and appropriate.
33. The appeal is partly accepted as above. Altering and setting aside the conviction of the appellant for the offence of Section 302 IPC, he (Satya Narain) is held guilty of offence punishable under Section 304 Part II IPC. Conviction for the offence of Section 342 IPC is upheld. For the offence of Section 304 Part II IPC, the appellant is sentenced to seven years' rigorous imprisonment with fine Rs. 1000/-, in default one month simple imprisonment. For the offence of Section 342 IPC, appellant is sentenced to one month simple imprisonment, but both substantive sentences to run concurrently.
34. Decided as above.