| SooperKanoon Citation | sooperkanoon.com/1175778 |
| Court | Mumbai High Court |
| Decided On | Oct-14-2015 |
| Case Number | Confirmation Case No. 4 of 2014 in Sessions Case No. 407 of 2010 with Criminal Appeal No. 88 of 2015 |
| Judge | THE HONOURABLE ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE MRS. V.K. TAHILRAMANI & A.S. GADKARI |
| Appellant | State of Maharashtra and Another |
| Respondent | Prakash Nishad @ Kewat Zinak Nishad and Another |
Oral Judgment: (V.K. Tahilramani, A.C.J.)
1. The Confirmation Case No. 4 of 2014 arises out of the reference made by the learned 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Thane in Sessions Case No. 407 of 2010 for confirmation of death sentence awarded to the appellant / accused Prakash Nishad @ Kewat Zinak Nishad. The learned Additional Sessions Judge, by Judgment and Order dated 27.11.2014 in Sessions Case No. 407 of 2010, convicted the accused for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (for short 'IPC' ) and sentenced him to capital punishment of death. By the very same Judgment and Order, the accused was also convicted under Sections 376, 377 and 201 of IPC, as follows:-
(i) Section 376 IPC - Imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 1000/-, in default, R.I. for three months;
(ii) Section 377 IPC - Imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 1000/-, in default, R.I. for three months;
(iii) Section 201 IPC - R.I. for 7 Years and fine of Rs. 1000/-, in default, R.I. for three months.
2. As indicated above, in view of the sentence of death imposed on the accused, the learned Additional Sessions Judge made a reference to this Court for confirmation of death sentence. The accused being aggrieved by the said Judgment and Order, preferred Criminal Appeal No. 88 of 2015. As the Confirmation Case and the Appeal are directed against the same Judgment and Order, both were heard and are being decided together.
3. The facts in the present case disclose a sordid and despicable act of the accused of sexual assault followed by brutal and merciless murder by the accused. One of the most disgusting feature is that a young girl of tender age of 6 years fell prey to the lust of the accused and was thereafter murdered by him which sends shock waves to anyone having slightest sense of human values and human dignity.
4. The prosecution case briefly stated, is as under:
(a) PW 1 Mustakin was residing along with his wife PW 2 Rehanabano, their children including the victim girl and his brother PW 3 Faim at Bhayander. The accused was residing near the house of Mustakin. The victim girl was six years of age at the time of the incident.
(b) On 11.6.2010 at about 9.00 p.m., after taking dinner, Mustakin and his family members were sitting in the house. At that time his eldest daughter i.e victim girl who was about six years of age went outside. She did not return for quite sometime, hence, Mustakin and others searched for the victim girl but she could not be found. On the next day, the dead body of the victim girl was found in a gutter at some distance from the house. Mustakin informed this fact to the police. (c) A.D. No. 35 of 2010 came to be registered. PW 6 A.P.I. Chillawar received the papers of A.D. No. 35 of 2010 for inquiry. He then prepared inquest panchnama. He sent the dead body for postmortem. On receiving the postmortem report from the medical officer, A.P.I. Chillawar found that it was a case of ravishment and murder of the deceased girl, therefore, he lodged F.I.R. Exh. 44. Thereafter, investigation commenced. The accused was arrested on 13.6.2010. The accused was sent for medical examination. After completion of investigation, charge sheet came to be filed. In due course, the case was committed to the Court of Sessions.
5. Charge came to be framed against the accused under Sections 376, 377, 302 and 201 of IPC. The accused pleaded not guilty to the said charge and claimed to be tried. His defence was that of total denial and false implication. After going through the evidence adduced in this case, the learned Sessions Judge convicted and sentenced the accused as stated in paragraph 1 above.
6. We have heard the learned Advocate for the accused and the learned APP for the State. After giving our anxious consideration to the facts and circumstances of the case, arguments advanced by the learned Advocates for the parties, the judgment delivered by the learned Sessions Judge and the evidence on record, for the reasons stated below, we are of the opinion that the accused committed offence under Sections 376, 377, 302 and 201 of IPC.
7. It is the prosecution case that the accused committed murder of the victim girl. In such case, it would be necessary to see whether the death is homicidal in nature. The dead body of the victim girl was sent to PW 4 Dr. Anjali Pimple for postmortem. Dr. Pimple conducted the postmortem on the dead body of the victim girl on 12.6.2010. On external examination, Dr. Pimple found the following injuries:-
(1) Abrasion of 1 x 0.2 cm on upper side of right eyebrow, and 1 x 0.2 cm on lateral side of right eyebrow;
(2) Abrasion of 0.5 x 0.25 cm on right cheek;
(3) Abrasion of 0.5 cm on left side of nose;
(4) Abrasion of 1.5 x 0.1 cm on right side of neck, 0.5 x 0.25 cm on central part of the neck anteriorly;
(5) Multiple abrasions with bruising 0.2 cm, 0.15 cm, 0.2 cm on left side of neck (nape of neck) mostly due to nail scratches;
(6) Abrasion of 0.75 x 0.1 cm on right side of neck (nape of neck);
(7) Friction abrasion of 2 x 0.5 cm on left lateral wall of chest (axillary region);
(8) Abrasion of 0.1 cm on right side of chest (mammary region);
(9) Abrasion of 0.1 cm on right post side of palm;
(10) Bruising over right iliac region with abrasion of 0.2 cm;
(11) Contusion of 5 x 0.5 cm on right thigh anteriorly on upper 1/3rd portion;
(12) Friction abrasion of 1 cm on right buttock;
(13) Multiple circular 0.1 cm abrasion spots seen on chin 7.8 in number;
(14) Abrasion with contusion on inner side of lower lip of 1.5 cm on right side laterally;
(15) Friction abrasion of 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm on right foot great toe.
As far as the private part of the victim girl is concerned, Dr. Pimple noticed the following injuries:-
(1) Abrasion of 1 x 5 cm on left labia majora;
(2) Labia majora and labia minora are swollen;
(3) Presence of perineal tear 3 cm in length in lower direction;
(4) Prolapse rectum with rupture seen through perineal tear;
(5) Vaginal tear seen with bleeding, ++ on posterior side;
(6) Anal tear about 1.5 cm in upper direction and 1.5 cm in lower direction stool has passed.
In addition, Dr. Pimple noticed that on palpation, fracture of C3, C4, C5 and fracture with dislocation of right shoulder.
8. On internal examination, Dr. Pimple noticed the following injuries:-
(1) Multiple abrasions over chest area, contusion with internal hemorrhage lesion, measuring 4 x 1 cm over right of chest in between 1st and 2nd intercostal space suggestive of blunt trauma;
Larnyx, Trachea and Bronchi - contusion of 3 x 2 cm with depression, fracture over tracheal rings seen with multiple hemorrhagic lesion in tracheal musculature suggestive of violence. Neck muscle - platisma shows contusion injury with internal petechial hemorrhages measuring 3 x 3 cm;
Right lung - congested;
left lung - congested
Tongue caught in upper and lower jaw;
Prolapse of rectum with petechial hemorrhage through perineal tear.
In the opinion of Dr. Pimple, probable cause of death was throttling with evidence of vaginal tear. Dr. Pimple opined that considering the injuries mentioned especially anal and vaginal tear, it can be said that deceased was sexually assaulted. Considering the nature of injuries found and corresponding injuries, Dr. Pimple was of the view that it was unique rare case with very cruel intention and all these injuries are sufficient to cause death of a person.
In the cross-examination, Dr. Pimple has flatly denied that the abrasions mentioned in postmortem report can be caused if a person come in contact with a rough surface. Dr. Pimple has also denied the suggestion that injuries found on vaginal tear of the deceased was caused due to sharp object. Dr. Pimple has denied the suggestion that death of the child was not caused due to ravishment. Dr. Pimple has also denied the suggestion that considering the nature of injuries mentioned in the postmortem report on the private part, a person committing such ravishment can also suffer such injuries on his penis.
9. In view of the aforesaid clear cut medical evidence which is not at all impeached, we are of the view that the prosecution has certainly established the fact that the death of the deceased minor girl was not natural. The multiple injuries coupled with fracture of C3, C4 and C5 and fracture with dislocation of right shoulder and also, fracture over tracheal rings with multiple hemorrhagic lesion in tracheal musculature suggestive of violence clearly indicate that the death of the girl was homicidal.
10. It may be stated that the accused has not disputed that the death is homicidal in nature. His contention is that someone else raped and murdered the victim girl. In order to evaluate whether the accused is responsible for the rape and murder of the victim girl, we would have to evaluate the evidence which is circumstantial in nature. They are as under:-
(i) When the house of the accused which was locked was searched on 13.6.2010, Article Nos. 1 to 6, 8 and 9 were found in his house. All these articles were stained with blood;
(ii) At the instance of the accused, his baniyan, Bermuda, his under pant and knicker of the deceased girl were recovered;
(iii) Recovery of shirt and pant of the accused at his instance;
(iv) Medical evidence;
(v) DNA profile of semen found in the vaginal smear of the victim girl tallied with the DNA of the accused (Exh. 85);
(vi) Motive;
(vii) No explanation by the accused in relation to incriminating circumstances against him.
11. The prosecution evidence can be grouped into four categories. The first category is relations of the victim girl i.e PW 1 Mustakin, PW 2 Rehanabano and PW 3 Faim. PW 1 Mustakin was the father of the victim girl. PW 2 Rehanabano was the mother of the victim girl and PW 3 Faim was the paternal uncle of the victim girl. The second category of witnesses is panch witnesses. They are PW 5 Bipin, PW 7 Suresh, PW 8 Vishal, PW 9 Vijay and PW 10 Ramlakhan. The third category of witnesses is the medical witnesses i.e PW 4 Dr. Anjali Pimpale and the last category of witnesses is the police witnesses i.e PW 6 API Chillawar, PW 11 Head Constable Sonar, PW 12 P.I. Kudalkar and PW 13 Dy. S.P. Devraj.
12. PW 1 Mustakin has deposed that on 11.6.2010 at about 9 p.m., he and his family members took dinner. After taking dinner, his daughter i.e victim girl who was about six years of age went outside the house. She did not return to the house, hence, he and his family members searched for her in the neighbourhood, but she could not be found. On the next day, her dead body was found in the gutter which was at some distance from his house, hence, he informed this fact to the police. The report lodged by him is at Exh. 19.
13. PW 2 Rehanabano is the mother of the victim girl. She has stated that on 11.6.2010 at about 9 p.m., they all had dinner. At that time, her husband, his brother Faim (PW 3) and her children were present in the house. She started washing utensils. At that time, her daughter i.e victim girl went outside to play. She did not return to the house, hence, they all searched for her. In the morning, when she was searching for her daughter, she was informed by one person that her daughter was found and she should go home immediately. When she reached home, she saw that her daughter was dead. The last witness in the first category is PW 3 Faim. He was the brother of PW 1 Mustakin and the paternal uncle of the victim girl. His evidence is on similar lines as that of PW 1 Mustakin and PW 2 Rehanabano. Thus, from the cumulative effect of the evidence of PW 1 Mustakin, PW 2 Rehanabano and PW 3 Faim, the fact that the victim girl aged about six years after taking dinner went outside the house and did not return and on the next day, she was found dead in a gutter with injuries on her person, is established.
14. The first circumstance against the accused is that when the house of the accused which was locked was searched on 13.6.2010, blood stained article Nos. 1 to 6, 8 and 9 were found in his house. They are as under:-
Article 1 - Square cardboard;
Article 2 - Blanket;
Article 3 - Floor tiles pieces;
Article 4 - Mat;
Article 5 - Towel;
Article 6 - Spanner;
Article 8 - Mat;
Article 9 - Pillow cover.
All these articles were stained with blood. The DNA report Exh. 85 shows the blood found on Article 1 square cardboard, Article 2 blanket, Articles 3 floor tiles pieces, Article No.5 towel, Article 9 piece of pillow cover matched with DNA sample of the victim girl.
15. The evidence of PW 12 P.I. Kudalkar shows that the father of the deceased girl expressed suspicion about involvement of the accused because the house of the accused was locked and he was found missing. Therefore, PW 12 P.I. Kudalkar called Chemical Analyzer from Mumbai and searched the house of the accused on 13.6.2010 in presence of panch witnesses one of which was PW 5 Bipin. Bipin has stated that the police called him in Shivsena lane at Bhayander (W). There were 7 to 8 policemen when he went to the spot. When they went to the spot, it was found that the room was locked. There was lock on the door. The lock of the door was broken. On entering the room, they found blood stains on the tiles, mattress, quilt, spanner, towel and knicker. Police seized all these articles and prepared panchnama Exh. 35. Bipin has stated that Article Nos. 2 to 9 were seized from the room on that day. Article Nos. 2 to 9 are as under:-
Article No. 2 - Blanket,
Article No. 3 - Floor tiles pieces,
Article No. 4 - Mat,
Article No. 5 - Towel,
Article No. 6 - Spanner,
Article No. 7 - Hair found on pillow,
Article No. 8 - Mat and
Article No. 9 - Pillow cover.
16. As far as the evidence of the panch witness PW 5 Bipin and panchnama Exh. 35 is concerned, Mr. Abhaykumar Apte, learned counsel for the accused submitted that no reliance can be placed on the same because this panch witness has not made any mention of the articles being sealed at the spot. No doubt, PW 5 Bipin has not stated that the articles were sealed at the spot, however, there is contemporaneous document i.e panchnama Exh. 35 which clearly mentions that all the articles were seized by the police and sealed at the spot. Thereafter, labels were put on these articles. These articles were sent for DNA analysis. The DNA report Exh. 85 shows that the DNA of the blood found on the cardboard box - Article 1, blanket - Article 2, pieces of tile - Article 3, towel - Article 5, pieces of cloth from pillow - Article 9 tallied with the DNA sample of the victim girl. Thus, finding of the blood stained articles in the house of the accused, the DNA profile of which blood stains tallied with DNA of the victim girl is a strong incriminating factor against the accused.
17. The second circumstance against the accused is that at his instance, his baniyan, Bermuda, his under pant and knicker of the deceased girl were recovered. Panch witness PW 7 Suresh has deposed on this aspect. Suresh has stated that on 16.6.2010, he was called at Bhayander Police Station. The accused was in police custody. The accused informed the Police in his presence that he had concealed the clothes in his house and he is ready to produce the same. Thereafter, the accused led the police and panchas to Ganesh Deval Nagar Zopadpatti. Thereafter, the accused went to his house. They all followed the accused. The room was in sealed condition. The police broke open the seal and opened the door. The accused entered in the house and they all followed him. The accused then took out the clothes which were concealed behind the wooden drawer. These clothes include one underwear of a girl - Article 10, underwear - Article 11, baniyan - Article 12 and Bermuda - Article 13 of the accused. The underwear of the girl was stained with blood. The baniyan and the underwear of the accused were also stained with blood. The C.A. report shows that the knicker, baniyan and the Bermuda were all stained with blood of "B" group. Thus, the finding of the knicker of the victim girl in the house of the accused is a strong incriminating circumstance against the accused.
18. In relation to finding of knicker of the victim girl and other articles in the house of the accused is concerned, Mr. Apte pointed out that the police had thoroughly searched the house of the accused on 13.6.2010. Mr. Apte submitted that if these blood stained articles were in the house of the accused, then the police and the panchas would have come across the same in the house when the search was conducted on 13.6.2010. He submitted that the fact that these articles were not found in search of the house of the accused on 13.6.2010 shows that these articles were planted later on by the police in the house of the accused. As far as this aspect is concerned, the evidence of the panch witness PW 7 Suresh shows that the accused took out the clothes which were concealed behind the wooden drawer. The panchnama Exh. 47 also shows that the accused put his hand behind a wooden drawer and took out the clothes. Thus, these articles were well concealed by the accused behind the wooden drawer. On 13.6.2010, when the house of the accused was searched, the police would not have thought of looking behind the wooden drawer. They would not have thought of putting their hands behind the wooden drawer to see if some articles were kept behind it. The accused has specifically stated that he had hidden the clothes in his room and he would take them out and produce them before the police and panchas and he has done so. Thus, we find no merit in this submission.
19. Mr. Apte submitted that it cannot be believed that knicker of the victim girl was found in the house of the accused in view of the evidence of PW 10 Ramlakhan. Mr. Apte pointed out that Ramlakhan has stated that there were no clothes on the body of the victim girl when her body was found lying in the nala but thereafter, Ramlakhan has stated that she was wearing a knicker. The incident has taken place in June 2010 and the evidence of Ramlakhan was recorded on October 2013 i.e more than three and half years after the incident. In such case, there is possibility that Ramlakhan would have got confused about presence of knicker on the victim girl. In this context, we may point out that Ramlakhan is the panch witness to the spot panchnama where the dead body of the victim girl was found. This panchnama does not make any mention about the fact that there was a knicker on the dead body. The postmortem notes Exh. 28 also show that there were no clothes on the body of the victim girl. Ramlakhan had also stated that there were no clothes on the body of the victim girl, however, thereafter, he has stated that she was wearing a knicker. Thus, it appears that Ramlakhan was totally confused about the fact that whether the victim girl was wearing a knicker or not, in such case, not much reliance can be placed on his averment that there was a knicker on the dead body.
20. Mr. Apte submitted that in fact the underwear of the victim girl was found on the roof of the house of the accused. In support of this contention, he has placed reliance on the evidence of PW 1 Mustakin who has stated that the knicker of his daughter was found on the roof of the house of the accused. As far as this averment by PW 1 Mustakin in his examination-in-chief is concerned, it is seen that it is an improvement and this averment in his examination-in-chief in relation to knicker cannot be taken into consideration.
21. The underwear - Article 11, the baniyan â“ Article 12 and the Bermuda - Article 13 which were recovered at the instance of the accused were found stained with blood of "B" group. The knicker of the victim girl which was recovered at the instance of the appellant was also stained with blood of "B" group. DNA report (Exh. 85) of semen found on the underwear of the victim girl shows that it matched with the blood sample taken from the accused.
22. The third circumstance against the accused is recovery of his pant and shirt at his instance. PW 8 panch witness Vishal has deposed about this. Vishal has stated that on 17.6.2010, he was called to Bhayander Police Station. The accused person in his presence informed that he was ready to show the place where his clothes were kept. The accused led the police and panchas to Room No. 206 at Vasai. The police knocked on the door. One person opened the door. The accused entered into the room and they all followed the accused. The accused then took out the clothes from the loft. The clothes include one shirt - Article 14 and one pant-Article 15. In addition, the accused took out railway pass and muster card which belonged to him. These are at Article 16 colly. These clothes were sent to C.A. As per C.A. report (Exh. 82), the shirt was stained with two small blood stains on front side and the blood stains were of "B" group. This is the same group of blood which was found on the knicker of the deceased as per C.A. report Exh. 80. During rape, extensive injuries were caused to the victim girl due to which there was severe bleeding. This is seen from the fact that many articles in the house of the accused were stained with blood. That the blood was of deceased girl is clear from DNA report Exh. 85. The DNA of blood of the victim girl tallied with that found on her knicker (Exh. 85). The C.A. report Exh. 80 shows that the knicker of the victim girl was stained with blood of "B" group. This shows that the blood group of the victim girl was "B". Thus, finding of blood of "B" group on the shirt of the accused is a strong incriminating factor against the accused.
23. Mr. Apte submitted that it is the prosecution case that the shirt - Article 14 was worn by the accused when he went to work and he left the clothes with the supervisor of the company. Mr. Apte submitted that if there were blood stains on the clothes, it would have been noticed by the supervisor and his suspicion would have been aroused but that is not the case. As far as this contention is concerned, it is seen that the shirt was of red colour and it had print on it. The shirt was also dirty. In such case, it is not possible that a person would notice two small blood stains on the shirt which is predominantly of red colour.
24. Thereafter, Mr. Apte submitted that the person who opened the door of room No. 206 has not been examined, hence, this recovery which has been stated by PW 8 panch witness Vishal cannot be believed. As far as this contention is concerned, it is noticed that the main persons i.e panch witness PW 8 Vishal and the police officer i.e PW 13 D.C.P. Devraj have been examined and both of them have clearly deposed about this aspect, hence, non-examination of the person who was in room No. 206 would not affect the prosecution case.
25. The next circumstance against the accused is that after he was arrested, he was sent for medical examination on 14.6.2010 that is immediately on the next day of his arrest. This has been stated by PW 13 D.C.P. Devraj. D.C.P. Devraj made query to the Medical Officer whether the accused was capable of having sex. The medical report Exh. 79 dated 14.6.2010 shows that the accused was capable of having sex and four abrasions were found on his person. It is pertinent to note that the accused has not furnished any explanation for presence of injuries on his person as well as presence of blood stains on his clothes and the presence of knicker of the victim girl in his house.
26. One of the most important circumstance against the accused is that sample was taken from the vaginal fluid of the victim girl. The postmortem notes Exh. 28 clearly show this fact. It shows that in Bottle D, vaginal fluid swab was taken and in Bottle E vaginal fluid slide was taken. The evidence of PW 13 D.C.P. Devraj shows that the blood sample of the accused was taken on 20.6.2010 which was sent for DNA test. The C.A. report Exh. 85 shows that vaginal smear slide of the victim girl and DNA of the blood sample of the accused matched. In addition, Exh. 85 shows that DNA of the blood sample of the accused and DNA found on the knicker of the victim girl also matches.
27. It is the prosecution case that the appellant committed rape on the victim girl and thereafter, caused her death by strangulating her. This is borne out by the medical evidence as can be seen from the evidence of PW 4 Dr. Anjali Pimple which is reproduced in paragraph 7 above. Suffice to say that the medical evidence clearly shows that the victim girl was brutally raped and thereafter strangulated to death. The motive for the accused to commit the crime also becomes evident from the medical evidence. The motive was to satisfy the lust of the accused.
28. Thus, it is seen that the case in hand is not only based on the circumstantial evidence but also on clinching medical evidence and clinching DNA reports. The medical evidence and DNA test reports have definite tendency of pointing out towards the guilt of the accused, so the chain of the circumstances is complete and there is no escape from the conclusion that within all human probability, the accused has committed the crime and none else. It is established beyond reasonable doubt that the blood found on the various articles in the room of the accused is of the deceased girl and it is also established beyond all reasonable doubt that the semen of the accused was found in the vaginal smear of the victim girl. This is a very clinching piece of evidence regarding the ravishment of the minor girl by the accused.
29. Mr. Apte submitted that the act of killing the victim girl was not intentional or deliberate but it happened by accident. Mr. Apte submitted that the accused had no intention of killing the victim girl or causing the death of the victim girl but the death occurred in the course of ravishment of the victim girl. As far as this aspect is concerned, the cause of death is found to be throttling with evidence of vaginal tear, fracture over tracheal rings seen with multiple hemorrhagic lesion in tracheal musculature, neck muscle also shows contusion with petechial hemorrhage. As stated earlier, the main cause of death is throttling with evidence of vaginal tear because of much force being used. Even for throttling so much force has been used by the accused that the tracheal rings were fractured. Moreover, C3, C4 and C5 was also fractured. These injuries cannot be said to be caused accidentally. Thus, we find not find much substance in this submission. The accused was residing in the neighbourhood of the victim girl. After he committed rape on the victim girl, he saw that there was profuse bleeding due to which the various articles in his house were seen stained with blood. The accused must have thought that the victim girl will go and tell the parents that he had committed rape on her, hence, the appellant throttled the victim girl so that she would not be able to narrate what she suffered at the hands of the accused to anyone.
30. The medical evidence shows that not only the act of rape was committed on the victim girl but thereafter, the victim girl was subjected to unnatural assault of anal sex. Thereafter, the victim girl was done to death by throttling her and after that in order to cause the evidence of the crime to disappear, the dead body of the victim girl was thrown in a gutter. Thus, on careful scrutiny of the entire evidence on record, we are of the opinion that the offence under Sections 302, 376, 377 and 201 of IPC is made out against the accused. This leads us to the all important question i.e. whether the death sentence should be confirmed.
31. This matter was earlier heard on 9.10.2015. On that day, the hearing on the merits of the case was over and to enable the learned counsel to submit on the point of sentence, the matter was adjourned to today i.e 13.10.2015. It was also adjourned to today for hearing the accused on the point of sentence. The accused stated that he has nothing to say on the point of sentence, however, Mr. Apte, the learned counsel for the accused has made various submissions on the point of the sentence which we proceed to consider in detail.
31. A convict hovers between life and death when the question of gravity of the offence and award of adequate sentence comes up for consideration. Mankind has shifted from the state of nature towards a civilized society and it is no longer the physical opinion of the majority that takes away the liberty of a citizen by convicting him and making him suffer a sentence of imprisonment. Award of punishment following conviction at a trial in a system wedded to the rule of law is the outcome of cool deliberation in the court room after adequate hearing is afforded to the parties, accusations are brought against the accused, the prosecuted is given an opportunity of meeting the accusations by establishing his innocence. It is the outcome of cool deliberations and the screening of the material that leads to determination of the sentence.
32. The principle of proportion between crime and punishment is a principle of just desert that serves as the foundation of every criminal sentence that is justifiable. As a principle of criminal justice it is hardly less familiar or less important than the principle that only the guilty ought to be punished.
33. The criminal law adheres in general to the principle of proportionality in prescribing liability according to the culpability of each kind of criminal conduct. It ordinarily allows some significant discretion to the Judge in arriving at a sentence in each case, presumably to permit sentences that reflect more subtle considerations of culpability that are raised by the special facts of each case. Judges in essence affirm that punishment ought always to fit the crime; yet in practice sentence is determined largely by other considerations. Sometimes, a sentence is awarded so that a would be wrongdoer is deterred from committing a similar crime that is the deterrent theory is put into practice. Sometimes, the sentence is awarded looking to the desirability of keeping the accused out of circulation that is the preventive theory is put into practice. Sometimes, the reformative theory is employed and at other times, the retributive theory and where the damage can be measured in terms of money, the compensatory theory is also sometimes applied.
34. The learned A.P.P. submitted that looking to the facts of this case, it is a fit case to confirm the death sentence. She submitted that the fact that the accused had brutally raped and injured an innocent, helpless and defenceless girl of barely six years of age and thereafter murdered her, calls for the death penalty. She placed reliance on the decisions of the Supreme Court where in similar cases death sentence was confirmed. They are as under:
(1) Dhananjoy Chatterjee @ Dhanna Vs. State of West
Bengal (1994) 2 SCC 220);
(2) Laxman Naik Vs. State of Orissa (1994) 3 SCC 381);
(3) Kamta Tiwari Vs. State of M.P. (1996) 3 SCC 250);
(4) State of U.P. Vs. Satish (2005) 3 SCC 114);
(5) Shivaji @ Dadya Shankar Alhat Vs State of Mah. (AIR 2009 SC 56);
(6) Mohd. Mannan Vs. State of Bihar (2011) 5 SCC 317);
(7) Jumman Khan Vs. State of U.P. (1991) 1 SCC 752 : 1991 SCC (Cri) 283);
(8) Vasant Dupare Vs. State of Maharashtra (2015) 1 SCC 253);
(9) Purushottam Borade and Anr. Vs. State of Mah. (2015) 6 SCC 652).
In addition, the learned A.P.P. placed reliance on a decision of this Court in the case of The State of Maharashtra Vs. Dattatraya @ Datta Ambo Rokade (2014 ALL MR (Cri) 2078) and on a decision of this Court dated 9th and 10th July, 2014 in Confirmation Case No. 8 of 2013 (The State of Maharashtra Vs. Babasaheb Maruti Kamble).
35. On the point of death sentence, the learned APP placed reliance firstly on the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Dhananjay Chatterjee (supra). In the case of Dhananjay Chatterjee (supra), the accused had committed rape and murder of a girl in the society where he was working as a security guard. The Supreme Court observed that cold-blooded brutal murder after committing rape on a young girl by security guard calls for death sentence as it falls in rarest of rare category.
36. In the case of Laxman Naik (supra), the accused had committed rape on a seven years old girl and thereafter murdered her. While upholding the death sentence, the Supreme Court observed thus:-
"27. The hard facts of the present case are that the appellant Laxman is the uncle of the deceased and almost occupied the status and position that of guardian. Consequently the victim who was aged about 7 years must have reposed complete confidence in the appellant must have believed in his bona fide and it was on account of such a faith and belief that she acted upon the command of the appellant in accompanying him under the impression that she was being taken to her village unmindful of the pre-planned unholy designs of the appellant. The victim was totally a helpless child there being no one to protect her in the desert where she was taken by the appellant misusing her confidence to fulfill his lust. It appears that the appellant had preplanned to commit the crime by resorting to diabolical methods and it was with that object that he took the girl to a lonely place to execute his dastardly act.
"28. The evidence of Dr. Pushp Lata, PW 12, who conducted the postmortem over the dead body of the victim goes to show that she had several external and internal injuries on her person including a serious injury in her private parts showing the brutality with which she was subjected to while committing rape on her. The victim of the age of Nitma could not have ever resisted the act with which she was subjected to. The appellant seems to have acted in a beastly manner as after satisfying his lust he thought that the victim might expose him for the commission of the offence of forcible rape on her to the family members and others, the appellant with a view to screen the evidence of his crime also put an end to the life of innocent girl who had seen only seven summers. The evidence on record is indicative of the fact as to how diabolically the appellant had conceived of his plan and brutally executed it and such a calculated, cold blooded and brutal murder of a girl of a very tender age after committing rape on her would undoubtedly fall in the category of rarest of the rare case attracting no punishment other than the capital punishment and consequently we confirm the sentence of death imposed upon the appellant for the offence under Section 302 of the Penal Codeâ?.
The learned APP submitted that in the present case, the appellant was the neighbour of the victim girl as such he was like an uncle to her. Learned A.P.P. submitted that in the present case also the accused in a preplanned and calculated manner executed the offence, hence, the accused deserves to be given the death sentence.
37. In the case of Kamta Tiwari (supra), the accused kidnapped a young girl of 7 years, he committed rape on her and strangulated her to death. The Supreme Court observed as under:
"7. That brings us to the question whether the sentence of death imposed upon the appellant by the trial Court for his conviction under 302 IPC and confirmed by the High Court should be maintained or not.......
.......When an innocent hapless girl of 7 years was subjected to such barbaric treatment by a person who was in a position of her trust his culpability assumes the proportion of extreme depravity and arouses a sense of revulsion in the mind of the common man. In fine, the motivation of the perpetrator, the vulnerability of the victim, the enormity of the crime, the execution thereof persuade us to hold that this is a 'rarest of rare' cases where the sentence of death is eminently desirable not only to deter others from committing such atrocious crimes but also to give emphatic expression to society's abhorrence of such crime."
The learned APP submitted that the facts in the present case are also similar to Kamta Tiwari (supra), hence, sentence of death should be confirmed.
38. The learned APP further placed reliance on the decision in the case of Satish (supra). She pointed out that in the said case, the accused had committed rape on a minor girl of about six years of age and thereafter committed murder of the girl. While confirming the death sentence, the Supreme Court observed that the case falls in the rarest of rare category and death sentence awarded by the trial Court was appropriate.
39. The learned APP pointed out that in the case of Shivaji @ Dadya Alhat (supra), the accused had committed rape and murder of a young girl aged 9 years. The Supreme Court held that the case falls within rarest of rare category and awarded the death sentence.
40. In the decision in the case of Mohd. Mannan (supra), the accused had committed rape on a child aged 7 years. The Supreme Court confirmed the death penalty in view of the gruesome manner in which an innocent child was raped. The Supreme Court observed that such cruelty towards a young child was appalling and the accused had stooped so low as to unleash his monstrous self on the innocent, helpless and defenceless child. This act no doubt had invited extreme indignation of the community and shocked the collective conscience of the society. Observing thus, the death penalty was confirmed.
41. In the decision in the case of Jumman Khan (supra), the Supreme Court confirmed the death penalty on the basis of the brutality of the crime. In the said case, the accused had committed rape and murder of a child of 6 years.
42. Thereafter reliance was placed by the learned APP on a decision of a bench of three Judges of the Supreme Court in the case of Vasant Dupare (supra). In the said case, the victim was four years of age. In the said case while confirming the death sentence, the Supreme Court observed thus:-
"60. In the case at hand, as we find, not only the rape was committed in a brutal manner but murder was also committed in a barbaric manner. The rape of a minor girl child is nothing but a monstrous burial of her dignity in the darkness. It is a crime against the holy body of a girl child and the soul of the society and such a crime is aggravated by the manner in which it has been committed. The nature of the crime and the manner in which it has been committed speaks about its uncommonness. The crime speaks of depravity, degradation and uncommonality. It is diabolical and barbaric. The crime was committed in an inhuman manner. Indubitably, these go a long way to establish the aggravating circumstances.
61. ..........The appalling cruelty shown by him to the minor girl child is extremely shocking and it gets accentuated, when his age is taken into consideration. It was not committed under any mental stress or emotional disturbance and it is difficult to comprehend that he would not commit such acts and would be reformed or rehabilitated. As the circumstances would graphically depict, he would remain a menace to the society, for a defenseless child has become his prey. In our considered opinion, there are no mitigating circumstances.
43. Thereafter, reliance was placed by the learned APP on another decision of a bench of three Judges of the Supreme Court in the case of Purushottam Borade (supra).
In the said case, a young girl was raped and murdered by two accused persons. In the said case, it was observed thus:-
"27. It is an established position that law regulates social interests and arbitrates conflicting claims and demands. Security of persons is a fundamental function of the State which can be achieved through instrumentality of criminal law. The society today has been infected with a lawlessness that has gravely undermined social order. Protection of society and stamping out criminal proclivity must be the object of law which may be achieved by imposing appropriate sentence. Therefore, in this context, the vital function that this Court is required to discharge is to mould the sentencing system to meet this challenge. The facts and given circumstances in each case, the nature of the crime, the manner in which it was planned and committed, the motive for commission of the crime, the conduct of the accused and all other attending circumstances are relevant facts which would enter into the area of consideration. Based on the facts of the case, this Court is required to be stern where it should be and tempered with mercy where warranted.
30. .........If the courts do not protect the injured, the injured would then resort to private vengeance. It is, therefore, the duty of every court to award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was executed or committed etc.
44. In the case of Babasaheb Kamble (supra), the victim girl was seven years of age and the accused not only raped her but also committed her murder. In the said case, the death sentence was confirmed.
45. In the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Rajendra Wasnik Vs. State of Maharashtra (2012) 4 SCC 37), the accused aged 31 years committed rape on a three year old minor girl and thereafter committed her murder. In the said case, the death sentence was confirmed.
46. In the decision in the case of Rajendra Wasnik (supra), after considering the earlier decisions relating to the sentencing policy in cases of death sentence, it was observed that the Court then would draw a balance- sheet of aggravating and mitigating circumstances. Both aspects have to be given their respective weightage. The Court has to strike a balance between the two and see towards which side the scale/balance of justice tilts. It was also so observed in the landmark decision by the Constitution bench of the Supreme Court in the case of Bachan Singh Vs. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 684). In the case of Bachan Singh (supra), the Supreme Court observed that death sentence ought to be given in the rarest of rare case and only after drawing a balance sheet of aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
47. In reply, Mr. Apte submitted that this case cannot be said to be a case which would fall in rarest of rare category wherein the sentence of death can be awarded or confirmed. He placed reliance on five decisions of the Supreme Court wherein, according to him, in similar cases, the Supreme Court commuted death sentence to life imprisonment. The decisions are as under:
(1) Mohd. Chaman Vs. State (N.C.T. of Delhi) (2001) 2 SCC 28);
(2) Ramnaresh and Ors. Vs. State of Chattisgarh (2012) 4 SCC 257);
(3) Neel Kumar @ Anil Kumar Vs. The State of Haryana (2012) 5 SCC 766);
(4) Ram Deo Prasad Vs. State of Bihar (2013) 7 JT 428 : (2013) 7 SCC 725);
(5) Birju Vs. State of M.P. (2014) 3 SCC 421).
48. Mr. Apte pointed out in the first decision in the case of Mohd. Chaman (supra), the victim who was one and half year old was raped and thereafter murdered by the accused, yet the death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. Thereafter, reliance was placed by Mr. Apte on the decision in the case of Ramnaresh (supra) wherein the victim a married lady was raped and murdered. Mr. Apte pointed out that in the said case the death sentence was commuted to life.
49. The third decision on which Mr. Apte placed reliance is in the case of Neel Kumar (supra). Mr. Apte submitted that in the said case, a four year girl was raped and then murdered and in the said case, the Supreme Court commuted death sentence to 30 years imprisonment.
50. Thereafter reliance was placed by Mr. Apte on the decision in the case of Ram Deo Prasad (supra) wherein a girl aged four years was raped. Thereafter the girl died. Reliance was placed by Mr. Apte on the fact that in the said case also, the death sentence was commuted to life.
51. Reliance was also placed by Mr. Apte on the decision in the case of Birju (supra) wherein the accused was convicted under Section 302 of IPC and sentence was commuted from death to life, despite the fact that the accused had antecedents. As far as this case is concerned, it is seen that it is not under Section 376(2)(f) but only under Section 302 of IPC and not under Section 376(2)(f) read with Section 302 of IPC, hence, it would not be applicable to the facts of the present case.
52. As far as the first decision i.e. in the case of Mohd. Chaman (supra) is concerned, it is seen that though a small child had been raped the injuries caused by the accused to the deceased were not extensive. The injuries as seen from paragraph 4 of the judgment are as under:
âExternal
1. Teeth bite marks in the form of two linear, semi-linear marks with intermittently placed abrasions. These marks are 3.5 cm. long, placed 2.5 cm. apart from their concavity facing each other over Rt. Cheek near Rt. Angle of mouth.
2. Abrasion 1.7 x 0.6 cms. over chin
3. One oval bruise having width of about 6 mm. with central pale area with dimensions 4.5 x 4 cm. and another same bruise of same width overlapping lower point of previous one having dimensions about 5 x 4 cm. Both are present over Rt. side of abdomen at upper part.
4. Oval bruise about 6.5 mm. Diameter a central pale area c dimensions 5.5 cm x 4.5 cm. c two small abrasion marks at periphery each about 3 mm. Size at 4 and 5 O'clock position.
5. Small abrasions with bruising in the vaginal wall at 4, 5 and 6 O'clock positions. Hymen is partially torn admitting two fingers, small tear present over posterior fornix. Small blood clots present over injured parts in the vagina.â?
In addition to the above injuries there was laceration to liver. These were the only injuries sustained by the victim in the case of Mohd. Chaman (supra) whereas injuries sustained by the victim girl in the present case are as under:-
(1) Abrasion of 1 x 0.2 cm on upper side of right eyebrow, and 1 x 0.2 cm on lateral side of right eyebrow;
(2) Abrasion of 0.5 x 0.25 cm on right cheek;
(3) Abrasion of 0.5 cm on left side of nose;
(4) Abrasion of 1.5 x 0.1 cm on right side of neck, 0.5 x 0.25 cm on central part of the neck anteriorly;
(5) Multiple abrasions with bruising 0.2 cm, 0.15 cm, 0.2 cm on left side of neck (nape of neck) mostly due to nail scratches;
(6) Abrasion of 0.75 x 0.1 cm on right side of neck (nape of neck);
(7) Friction abrasion of 2 x 0.5 cm on left lateral wall of chest (axillary region);
(8) Abrasion of 0.1 cm on right side of chest (mammary region);
(9) Abrasion of 0.1 cm on right post side of palm;
(10) Bruising over right iliac region with abrasion of 0.2 cm;
(11) Contusion of 5 x 0.5 cm on right thigh anteriorly on upper 1/3rd portion;
(12) Friction abrasion of 1 cm on right buttock;
(13) Multiple circular of 0.1 cm abrasion spots seen on chin 7.8 in number;
(14) Abrasion with contusion on inner side of lower lip of 1.5 cm on right side laterally;
(15) Friction abrasion of 0.5 cm x 0.5 cm on right foot great toe.
As far as the private part of the victim girl is concerned, the following injuries were noticed:-
(1) Abrasion of 1 x 5 cm on left labia majora;
(2) Labia majora and labia minora, those are swollen;
(3) Presence of perineal tear 3 cm in length in lower direction;
(4) Prolapse rectum with rupture seen through perineal tear;
(5) Vaginal tear seen with bleeding, ++ on posterior side;
(6) Anal tear about 1.5 cm in upper direction and 1.5 cm in lower direction stool has passed.
In addition, the Doctor noticed that on palpation, fracture of C3, C4, C5 and fracture with dislocation of right shoulder.
On internal examination, following injuries were noticed:-
(1) Multiple abrasions over chest area, contusion with internal hemorrhage lesion, measuring 4 x 1 cm over right of chest in between 1st and 2nd intercostal space suggestive of blunt trauma;
Larnyx, Trachea and Bronchi - contusion of 3 x 2 cm with depression, fracture over tracheal rings seen with multiple hemorrhagic lesion in tracheal musculature suggestive of violence. Neck muscle - platisma shows contusion injury with internal petechial hemorrhages measuring 3 x 3 cm;
Right lung - congested;
left lung - congested
Tongue caught in upper and lower jaw;
Prolapse of rectum with petechial hemorrhage through perineal tear.
Looking to the injuries mentioned above, it can be seen that these injuries are all over the body. The accused had also caused serious injuries to the victim girl on the anal region while having unnatural sex and thereafter caused her death by throttling her neck. Injuries to the victim girl in the present case compared with the injuries in the case of Mohd. Chaman (supra), are much more in number. In the case of Mohd. Chaman (supra) the sentence was commuted based on the facts of the case. The facts in the present case are much more gruesome. The brutality to which the present victim was subjected is much more.
53. In the second case on which reliance was placed by Mr. Apte i.e. Ramnaresh (supra), it is seen that the victim was married lady and not a young girl of tender age like the one in the present case. Moreover, the Supreme Court was impressed by the fact that the accused therein could not be termed as a social menace which is seen from paragraph 39 of the judgment. In the case in hand, we have observed he demeanour of the accused in the Court and we find that it does not exhibit any remorse.
54. The third decision on which reliance was placed by Mr. Apte was in the case of Neel Kumar (supra). It was submitted that the victim was 4 years old girl and rape was committed on her, yet the Supreme Court set aside the death sentence and instead gave 30 years of imprisonment. On perusal of the injuries to the victim in the case of Neel Kumar (supra), we find that the injuries are reflected in paragraph 6. In paragraph 6 it is reflected as under:
âThe post-mortem report suggested the following injuries on her body:
Lacerated wound present in vagina extending from anus to urethral opening admitting four fingers of size 6 x 4 cms. Underlying muscles and ligaments were exposed and anus was also torned and on dissection uterus was perforated in the abdomen.â?
However, in the present case there are 21 injuries on the body of the deceased. There is serious injury on the neck, vagina and anal region. Injuries to the victim in the present case are far more in number than the injuries to the victim in the case of Neel Kumar (supra).
55. The next decision on which Mr. Apte placed reliance is in the case of Ram Deo Prasad (supra). It was pointed out that in the said case, the victim who was raped was four years old. However, in the said case, the accused did not actually murder the victim as has been done in the present case by throttling the victim girl. In the case of Ram Deo Prasad, the accused had only raped a minor girl and thereafter he was carrying the victim girl, however, when he saw the villagers coming after him, he threw the child in the wheat field and ran away. Thereafter the child was taken to the hospital and the child died on the next day which is seen
from paragraph 29 of the judgment wherein it is reflected that âthey brought the child to the Sadar Hospital, Siwan, where she passed away the following morning.â? Thus, it is seen that the accused in the case of Ram Deo Prasad did not actually immediately cause the death of the child by strangulating her or banging her head against some hard object or in any other manner but the child died next day due to the injuries caused to the child. Thus, in the case of Ram Deo Prasad (supra) there was no immediate overt act on the part of the accused which caused the death of the victim girl in the said case. Therefore, it cannot be said that the facts in the case of Ram Deo Prasad (supra) are similar to the facts in the present case.
56. Another major reason why the death sentence was commuted in the case of Ram Deo Prasad is that there were deficiencies in investigation and serious lapses in conducting the trial especially at the stage of recording the statement of the accused under Section 313 Cr.P.C. These facts can be seen from paras 40 and 41 of the decision in the case of Ram Deo Prasad.
57. Lastly the decision on which reliance was placed by Mr. Apte is in the case of Birju (supra). It is seen that the said case is only under Section 302 of IPC whereas the present case is under Section 302 along with Sections 376 and 377 of IPC. Moreover, it is seen that in the case of Birju (supra) the accused went to Babulal and demanded Rs.100/- for consuming liquor. Babulal did not give money, whereupon the accused abused Babulal and took out a pistol and fired shot which hit right temporal area of the infant that Babulal was carrying. Thus, the facts in this decision would not apply to the facts in the present case.
58. We would like to refer to the decision of this Court in the case of Dattatraya @ Dattu Ambo Rokade (supra). In the said case, the victim was an innocent child of five years of age and the accused was a middle aged married man. The crime was committed in an extremely brutal, inhuman, grotesque, diabolical, revolting and dastardly manner and was such as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the society. The accused had acted in a totally cruel and beastly manner, therefore, this Court confirmed the death sentence passed against the said accused. The decision in the case of Dattatraya Rokade, would certainly apply to the facts in the present case.
59. In Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 684 : 1980 SCC (Cri) 580)and Machhi Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab (1983) 3 SCC 470 : 1983 SCC (Cri) 681), the guidelines which are to be kept in view when considering the question whether the case belongs to the rarest of the rare category for awarding death sentence were indicated.
In Machhi Singh's case (supra) it was observed:
"The following questions may be asked and answered as a test to determine the 'rarest of the rare' case in which death sentence can be inflicted:
(a) Is there something uncommon about the crime which renders sentence of imprisonment for life inadequate and calls for a death sentence?
(b) Are the circumstances of the crime such that there is no alternative but to impose death sentence even after according maximum weightage to the mitigating circumstances which speak in favour of the offender?
The following guidelines which emerge from Bachan Singh case (supra) will have to be applied to the facts of each individual case where the question of imposition of death sentence arises: (SCC p. 489, para 38):
(i) The extreme penalty of death need not be inflicted except in gravest cases of extreme culpability.
(ii) Before opting for the death penalty the circumstances of the `offender' also require to be taken into consideration along with the circumstances of the `crime'.
(iii) Life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is an exception. Death sentence must be imposed only when life imprisonment appears to be an altogether inadequate punishment having regard to the relevant circumstances of the crime, and provided, and only provided, the option to impose sentence of imprisonment for life cannot be conscientiously exercised having regard to the nature and circumstances of the crime and all the relevant circumstances.
(iv) A balance sheet of aggravating and mitigating circumstances has to be drawn up and in doing so the mitigating circumstances have to be accorded full weightage and a just balance has to be struck between the aggravating and the mitigating circumstances before the option is exercised.
In rarest of rare cases when collective conscience of the community is so shocked that it will expect the holders of the judicial power center to inflict death penalty irrespective of their personal opinion as regards desirability or otherwise of retaining death penalty, death sentence can be awarded. The community may entertain such sentiment in the following circumstances:
(1) When the murder is committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical, revolting or dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the community.
(2) When the murder is committed for a motive which evinces total depravity and meanness; e.g. murder by hired assassin for money or reward or a cold-blooded murder for gains of a person vis--vis whom the murderer is in a dominating position or in a position of trust, or murder is committed in the course of betrayal of the motherland.
(3) When murder of a member of a Scheduled Caste or minority community etc., is committed not for personal reasons but in circumstances which arouse social wrath, or in cases of 'bride burning' or `dowry deaths' or when murder is committed in order to remarry for the sake of extracting dowry once again or to marry another woman on account of infatuation.
(4) When the crime is enormous in proportion. For instance when multiple murders, say of all or almost all the members of a family or a large number of persons of a particular caste, community, or locality, are committed.
(5) When the victim of murder is an innocent child, or a helpless woman or old or infirm person or a person vis--vis whom the murderer is in a dominating position or a public figure generally loved and respected by the community.
If upon taking an overall global view of all the circumstances in the light of the aforesaid propositions and taking into account the answers to the questions posed by way of the test for the rarest of rare cases, the circumstances of the case are such that death sentence is warranted, the court would proceed to do soâ?.
60. It is seen that the present case certainly falls in a category no. (1) i.e. when the murder is committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical, revolting or dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the society. It is seen that the accused was neigbhbour of the victim girl. This is clear from the evidence of PW 1 Mustakin, who is the father of the victim girl and PW 3 Faim. Mustakin has stated that the accused was residing in their chawl. The evidence of Faim also shows that the accused was residing in their chawl. In such case, he was almost like a family member to the victim girl. Yet, instead of protecting her, he has ravished her in a brutal manner. The present case also falls under the category no. (5) i.e. âwhen the victim of murder is an innocent child.â?
61. In the case of Rajendra Wasnik (supra), the accused a married person aged 31 years committed rape on three years old minor girl and thereafter committed her murder. The Supreme Court after considering its earlier decisions relating to death sentence, stated inter alia four aggravating circumstances which are as under:
â(1) When the victim is innocent, helpless or a person relies upon the trust of relationship and social norms, like a child, helpless woman, a daughter or a niece staying with a father/uncle and is inflicted with the crime by such a trusted person.
(2) When murder is committed for a motive which evidences total depravity and meanness.
(3) When there is a cold blooded murder without provocation.
(4) The crime is committed so brutally that it pricks or shocks not only the judicial conscience but even the conscience of the society.â?
The present case in hand falls in all the four categories above, in such case, we are of the opinion that it is a fit case to confirm the death sentence.
62. Looking to the age of the victim girl in the present case, the extensive injuries sustained by her, it can be said that the crime committed is undoubtedly serious and heinous and the conduct of the accused is reprehensible. It reveals a dirty and perverted mind of a human being who has no control over his carnal desires. This raises the question whether the case can be classified as of a "rarest of rare case" category justifying the severe punishment of death.
63. In our opinion, the measure of punishment in a given case must depend upon the atrocity of the crime; the conduct of the criminal and the defenceless and unprotected state of the victim. Imposition of appropriate punishment is the manner in which the courts respond to the society's cry for justice against the criminals. Justice demands that courts should impose punishment fitting to the crime so that the courts reflect public abhorrence of the crime. The courts must not only keep in view the rights of the criminal but also the rights of the victim of crime and the society at large while considering imposition of appropriate punishment. Showing undue sympathy and imposing inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system and undermine the public confidence in the efficacy of law and society would not long endure under such serious threats. If the courts did not protect the injured, the injured would then resort to private vengeance. It is, therefore, the duty of every court to award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was executed or committed and the circumstances of the offender.
64. The object of sentencing should be to see that the crime does not go unpunished and the victim of crime as also the society have the satisfaction that justice has been done to it. In imposing sentences, in the absence of specific legislation, Judges must consider variety of factors and after considering all those factors and taking an over-all view of the situation, impose sentence which they consider to be an appropriate one. Aggravating factors cannot be ignored and similarly mitigating circumstances have also to be taken into consideration.
65. In the present case, the aggravating circumstances are as under:-
(1) The victim girl was a helpless, innocent child of about six years when the accused brutally and inhumanly raped her and had unnatural sex with her and caused her death in a violent manner;
(2) The act was committed outrageously and involving inhuman treatment and untold torture and agony to the victim;
(3) The murder is for a motive which evidences total depravity and meanness;
(4) There was no enmity with the family of the victim girl;
(5) No provocation was given by the victim;
(6) The crime is committed so brutally that it pricks and shocks not only the judicial conscience but even the conscience of the society.
As far as mitigating circumstances are concerned, though we have searched minutely, we did not find any mitigating circumstance. The accused is neither too young nor too old. It is also to be kept in mind that the Supreme Court in many decisions has stated that the age of the accused by itself cannot be the only factor which can be taken into consideration while considering the overall facts of the case. The Bench of three Judges of the Supreme Court in the case of Purushottam Borade (supra) has observed as under:-
"In our considered view, in the facts of the present case, age alone cannot be a paramount consideration as a mitigating circumstance. Similarly, family background of the accused also could not be said to be a mitigating circumstance. Insofar as Accused No.1 is concerned, it has been contended that he was happily married and his wife was pregnant at the relevant time. However, Accused No.1 did not take into consideration the condition of his wife or his mother while committing the said offence and, as a result, his wife deserted him and his widowed mother is being looked after by his nephew and niece. Insofar as Accused No.2 is concerned, he has two sisters who are looking after his widowed mother. Lack of criminal antecedents also cannot be considered as mitigating circumstance, particularly taking into consideration, the nature of heinous offence and cold and calculated manner in which it was committed by the accused persons.
Thus considering the aggravating circumstances and mitigating circumstances, we find that there are only aggravating circumstances and no mitigating circumstances.
66. In recent years, the rising crime rate particularly violent crimes against women and girls of tender age has made the criminal sentencing by the courts a subject of concern. The case of Nirbhaya in Delhi and cases of rape on minors which we read every day in the newspapers is a glaring example of how violent crimes against women and minor girls are increasing day by day. Would the society not expect the accused who has committed rape on a tender girl of 6 years in an extremely brutal, barbaric and inhuman manner and caused her death for no fault of hers, to be hanged? Would the society not expect, the holders of the judicial powers to award proportionate sentence to the accused who had no respect for human values and treated a young girl of 6 years in most brutal, cruel and inhuman manner? He not only committed rape on a young minor girl but also caused serious injuries to her anus by having unnatural sex with her and thereafter throttled her. Would the society not expect such depraved act to be dealt with in a stern manner? We also cannot ignore the recent amendments in the Indian Penal Code on account of huge public hue and cry that arose on account of dastardly act in the heinous and gruesome rape and murder of Nirbhaya. The amendment as a matter of fact echo's the sentiments of the society at large. The sentiment of the society is glaringly explicit, that such heinous crime on helpless women are required to be dealt with an iron hand.
67. The Supreme Court in the case of State of Punjab Vs. Ramdev Singh (AIR 2004 SC 1290)has observed thus:
"The Courts are, therefore, expected to deal with cases of sexual crime against women with utmost sensitivity. Such cases need to be dealt with sternly and severely.â?
68. Justice is Supreme and justice ought to be beneficial for the society so that the society is placed in a better-off situation. Law courts exist for the society and ought to rise up to the occasion to do the needful in the matter, and as such ought to act in a manner so as to subserve the basic requirement of the society. It is a requirement of the society and the law must respond by being adaptable, it must change from time to time so that it answers the cry of the people, the need of the hour and the order of the day. In the present day society, such crime is now considered a social problem and by reason therefore a tremendous change even conceptually is being seen in the legal horizon so far as the punishment is concerned. Looking to the new enactments like POCSO Act i.e. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act and amendment to Indian Penal Code in relation to rape which have taken place keeping in mind the rising graph of sexual offences and especially of sexual offences against children and public outcry in relation to the same, the sentencing policy also now needs to be shaped keeping all these aspects in mind. We are of the view that confirming the death penalty in the present case takes into consideration all the four theories of punishment which can come into play in such cases. It satisfies the deterrent theory of punishment as it would deter would be wrong doers from committing similar crimes. It satisfies the preventive theory as it would physically prevent the present accused from harassing women and girl children in future and committing similar crimes in future. It satisfies the retributive theory as the accused is sufficiently punished for his crimes as well as society feels that justice is done. As far as the last theory is concerned that is reformative theory, the unrepenting attitude exhibited by the accused is such that he cannot be given benefit of this theory. As stated earlier, the remorseless demeanour which the accused exhibited in the Court also shows that there is no possibility of reformation.
69. Not only is the victim an innocent child who had just seen six summers and the accused a middle aged married man of about 29 years of age but the crime is committed in an extremely brutal, inhuman, grotesque, diabolical, revolting and dastardly manner and is such as to arouse intense and extreme indignation of the society. The accused has acted in a totally beastly manner. It can hardly be even imagined what torture and suffering the minor child must have faced during the course of commission of this crime. Her vagina and anal region were torn and badly injured. It shows the extent of brutal sexual urge of the accused which targeted a minor child, who still had to see the world. The pain and agony the accused must have caused to the deceased minor girl is beyond imagination and is the limit of viciousness. The accused has acted in a beastly manner and after satisfying his lust, he thought that the victim girl might expose him before others, hence, he throttled her and threw her body in a gutter. The modus operandi of the accused clearly shows that he would be a menace to the society and there is no possibility of the accused being reformed. We have, therefore, no hesitation to hold that the case would surely fall in the ârarest of rareâ? category wherein the death sentence is required to be confirmed. The motivation of the accused, the vulnerability of the victim girl, the barbaric and inhuman nature of the crime and the execution thereof persuade us to hold that this is a ârarest of rareâ? case where the sentence of death is eminently desirable not only to deter others from committing such atrocious crimes and to prevent the accused from committing such acts for all times to come but also to give emphatic expression to society's abhorrence of such crime. Examining the case on the touchstone of the above decisions and balancing the aggravating and mitigating circumstances, we are of the opinion that the case can be appropriately called one of the rarest of rare cases deserving the death penalty. We are satisfied that the circumstances of the crime are such that there is no alternative but to impose death sentence even after according maximum weightage to the mitigating circumstances. There can be no doubt that the offence committed by the accused deserves severe condemnation and is a heinous crime and on looking to the cumulative facts and circumstances of the case, we are of the opinion that the case falls in rarest of rare category, hence, we confirm the sentence of death.
70. Before we part with the judgment, we must place on record our appreciation for the valuable assistance rendered by Mr. Abhaykumar Apte. We appreciate sincere and dedicated efforts by Mr. Apte who was appointed by the High Court Legal Services Committee to appear on behalf of the accused. Fees to be paid to Mr. Abhaykumar Apte in this matter by the High Court Legal Services Committee is quantified at Rs. 15,000/-.
71. In the result, having regard to the totality of the circumstances, we pass the following order:-
ORDER
i. The conviction and sentence of death imposed under Section 302 of IPC on the accused Prakash Nishad @ Kewat Zinak Nishad is confirmed.
ii. The conviction and sentence under Sections 376, 377 and 201 of IPC is maintained.
iii. Thus, the reference is answered accordingly.
iv. Appeal is dismissed.
v. Office to furnish copy of this judgment and order free of cost to the accused who is in Yerawada Central Prison, Pune through the concerned Prison authorities.