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[Cites 25, Cited by 0]

Gujarat High Court

Mukeshbhai @ Tino Vadilal Mochi vs State Of ... on 29 April, 2014

Bench: Jayant Patel, Z.K.Saiyed

       R/CR.A/1611/2010                          JUDGMENT



          IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

                 CRIMINAL APPEAL  NO. 1611 of 2010
                                With 
                  CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1052 of 2010
 
FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE: 
  
HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE JAYANT PATEL
 
and
HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE Z.K.SAIYED
 
==============================================================

1  Whether Reporters of Local Papers may be allowed 
   to see the judgment ?

2  To be referred to the Reporter or not ?

3  Whether their Lordships wish to see the fair copy 
   of the judgment ?

4  Whether this case involves a substantial question 
   of law as to the interpretation of the 
   Constitution of India, 1950 or any order made 
   thereunder ?

5  Whether it is to be circulated to the civil 
   judge ?

==============================================================
     MUKESHBHAI @ TINO VADILAL MOCHI....Appellant(s)
                          Versus
      STATE OF GUJARAT....Opponent(s)/Respondent(s)
==============================================================
Appearance:
MR.MRUDUL M BAROT, ADVOCATE for the Appellant(s) No. 1
MR KL PANDYA, APP for the Opponent(s)/Respondent(s) No. 1
==============================================================

        CORAM: HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE JAYANT PATEL
               and
               HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE Z.K.SAIYED
 
                        Date : 29/04/2014, 
                           01/05/2014 & 05/05/2014
 
                       ORAL JUDGMENT

  (PER : HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE JAYANT PATEL) Page 1 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT

1. As   both   the   appeals   arise   from   the   common  judgment & order passed by the learned Sessions  Judge, they are being considered simultaneously.

2. As   per   the   prosecution   case,   on   28.03.2007,  initially complaint Exh.61 was filed by Vinubhai  Mohanbhai   Solanki,   serving   as   watchman   in   the  irrigation   department   stating   that   a   dead   body  was found in the canal and when the dead body was  taken out, it was found that about 20 blows were  given   on   the   backside   and   shoulder   of   the   said  dead body and the said complaint was filed with  Nadiad   Rural   Police   Station.   It   appears   that  thereafter Parshottambhai Gopalbhai Gadhvi, PW 1,  father of Dipesh (hereinafter referred to as the  "deceased")   filed   complaint   at   Exh.14   stating  that   his   son,   deceased,   had   gone   to   college   on  bicycle in the morning and thereafter, when the  complainant   was   at   the   factory,   at   about   11.34  hrs.,   on   his   mobile,   a   phone   call   was   received  inquiring   as   to   whether   the   father   of   the  deceased   was   on   phone   and   when   the   complainant  said yes, he was informed that the deceased was  kidnapped   and   if   he   wants   to   be   released,   the  arrangement of Rs.15 lakhs was to be made and it  was conveyed that again phone call would be made  at 4.00 O' clock and the address and place shall  be conveyed.   The complainant was conveyed that  information   should   not   be   given   to   the   police  otherwise   his   son   would   be   killed.     After   some  time, again, a phone call was received.   As the  Page 2 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT complainant   was   disturbed,   he   conveyed   to   his  brother   and   thereafter,   the   deceased   was   not  found.     When   further   inquiry   was   made,   it   was  found by the complainant that at about 9 to 9.30  in the morning, when deceased was waiting on the  bus stand, the lift was offered by driver of the  motorcycle of silver colour and the deceased had  gone with the said motorcyclist.   As the demand  of Rs.15 lakhs was made after taking the deceased  on motorcycle, the complaint was filed with Vatva  police   station.   The   said   complaint   was  investigated   by   the   police   and   ultimately,   the  charge­sheet   was   filed   against   Mukesh   @   Tino  Vadilal   Mochi   (hereinafter   referred   to   as   "A1")  and   against   Mohamadsalim   Jumratibhai   Sheikh  (hereinafter   referred   to   as   "A2")   and   as   the  third accused Asif was juvenile, the matter was  separately presented before the other appropriate  court/juvenile justice board.

3. The case was thereafter committed to the Sessions  Court   being   Sessions   Case   No.300/07.   The  prosecution   in   order   to   prove   the   guilt   of   the  accused,   examined   44   witnesses,   the   details   of  which are mentioned by the learned Sessions Judge  at para 4 of the judgment.  The prosecution also  produced   documentary   evidences   of   54   documents,  the details of which are mentioned by the learned  Sessions   Judge   at   para   5   of   the   impugned  judgment.     Thereafter,   the   statements   of   the  accused   were   recorded   under   section   313   of  Page 3 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT Cr.P.C. wherein they denied the evidence against  them.  However, in the further statement, accused  no.1   stated   that   he   has   been   wrongly   arrested  when   he   was   working     with   Ghodasar   Chamunda  Lining Works.     Its opening was made on 26th.  It  was stated that at about 12 O' clock in noon, he  had  gone  to  leave  his  wife  and  children  and  he  had   come   back   to   the   shop   and   the   goods   were  forwarded on 27th  to Vadaj.   On 1st, he has been  wrongly   arrested   and   the   police   case   was   filed  against him.  

4. On behalf of the accused, application was made to  examine   one   Narendrasinh   Jagdev   Zala   as   court  witness   contending   inter   alia   that   he   had  recorded the statement of various persons.   The  Court   had   permitted   and   thereafter,   he   was  examined at Exh.134 as Court witness.  On behalf  of the accused one Liladhar Maganbhai Koshti was  examined   as   defence   witness   at   Exh.136.     The  learned   Sessions   Judge   thereafter   heard   the  prosecution   and   the   defence   and   found   that   the  prosecution   has   been   able   to   prove   the   case  beyond reasonable doubt against both the accused  for the offences under sections 120­B, 364­A, 302  r/w section 34201 r/w section 114 of IPC. The  learned   Sessions   Judge   thereafter   heard   the  prosecution and defence for the sentence and then  imposed   sentence   separately   upon   A1   of   life  imprisonment   for   the   offences   under   sections  364A,  302  and  120­B  and  34  of  IPC  and  further,  Page 4 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT imposed   fine   of   Rs.5,000/­   for   each   offence,  total   Rs.15,000/­   and   1   year   SI   for   default   in  payment of fine, but the learned Sessions Judge  observed   that   the   accused   would   undergo   the  sentence   concurrently.     The   learned   Sessions  Judge   imposed   sentence   of   3   years   RI   with   the  fine   of   Rs.1,000/­   and   further   6   months   SI   for  default   in   payment   of   fine   upon   A1   for   the  offences under sections 201 and 114 of IPC.  The  learned   Sessions   Judge   imposed   sentence   of   life  imprisonment with the fine of Rs.5,000/­ for the  offence under sections 364A302120B and 34 of  IPC upon A2. The learned Sessions Judge further  imposed sentence of 3 years RI with the fine of  Rs.1,000/­   for   the   offences   under   sections   201  and   114   of   IPC   and   6   months   SI   for   default   in  payment   of   fine   upon   A2.     The   learned   Sessions  Judge further ordered for set off of the period  undergone   as   under   trial   prisoner   and   the  sentences   were   ordered   to   be   undergone  concurrently   and   the   sentence   for   default   in  payment of fine was to be undergone separately.  It   is   under   these   circumstances,   the   present  appeals before this Court.

5. We may record that Criminal Appeal No.1052/10 has  been   preferred   by   A2   and   Criminal   Appeal  No.1611/10 has been preferred by A1. Pending the  appeal, A2 was reported as expired on 29.09.2013.  The   learned   APP   has   also   tendered   the   relevant  papers   and   the   report   received   by   the   jail  Page 5 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT authority from Vatva Police Station.   Under the  circumstances,   the   appeal   preferred   against   A2  being   Criminal   Appeal   No.1052/10   shall   stand  abated.     Hence,   the   said   appeal   shall   stand  disposed of accordingly.

6. However, appeal preferred by A1 is surviving and  today, we further proceed to consider the appeal  being Criminal Appeal No.1611/10 on merits.

7. Mr.Mrudul   Barot,   learned   counsel   appearing   for  the appellant and Mr.Pandya, learned APP for the  State    have  taken  us  to  the  entire   evidence  on  record.   We have heard Mr.Barot, learned counsel  appearing   for   the   appellant­accused   A1   and  Mr.Pandya,   learned   APP   for   the   State.     We   have  also   considered   the   judgment   and   the   reasons  recorded by the learned Sessions Judge.

8. As per the prosecution case, the evidence led by  the prosecution can be summarised as under:

9. Parshottam Gadhvi, PW 1, complainant, at Exh.13,  has   supported   the   case   of   the   prosecution   for  filing of the complaint and as per him after his  son   had   left   on   bicycle   for   college,   at   about  9.00   O'   clock,   his   practice   was   to   leave   the  bicycle near Narol circle at his friend's place  and from there he would go by bus.   As per him,  he   had   received   phone   call   at   about   11.34   O'  clock   on   his   mobile   from   Khambhat   and   he   was  conveyed   that   his   son   was   kidnapped   and   Rs.15  Page 6 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT lakhs was to be kept ready and he would be called  at   about   4.00   O'   clock   again   and   that   his   son  will be killed if anybody was informed about the  same.  Again, phone call was received after some  time and he was conveyed that he might verify as  to   whether   his   son   is   there   in   the   college   or  not.     He   was   disturbed   and   then   he   further  inquired with the friends of his son and he found  that one bearded person had given lift on silver  platinum   bike   aged   about   30­35   years.  Thereafter,   he   filed   complaint   Exh.14.     After  three   days,   he   learnt   that   his   son   Dipesh   was  killed.   He had identified the dead body of the  deceased.  As per the complainant, he was knowing  A1   since   he   was   doing   work   at   the   Furniture  Design/carpenter.     The   testimony   of   the   said  witness   as   per   the   prosecution   is   getting  corroboration by the testimony of Yagnesh @ Tino  Biharilal Brahmbhatt, PW 12, Exh.39, an employee,  working at STD PCO at Khambhat.  As per the said  witness,   one   person   aged   about   30­35   years   had  come on 26.03.2007 for making phone call and two  phone calls were made and the STD PCO was having  landline no. of 222505 and 227093.   As per him,  the   printout   was   given   to   the   police.   However,  the said printout is not coming on record.

10. The   prosecution   has   examined   Savan   Vishnubhai  Patel,   PW   5,   Exh.28,   Jay   Manubhai   Patel,   PW6,  Exh.29,   Sanjaysingh   Ranjitsingh   Bist,   PW   7,  Exh.30 and Brijesh Vinodbhai Vacheta, PW 7, Exh. 

Page 7 of 21

R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT 31   to   show   that   the   lift   was   given   to   the  deceased by one person aged about 30­35 years who  was having beard and he had put on cap and check  shirt   and   the   colour   of   the   motorbike   was  platinum sletiya (grey).

11. One of the witnesses Savan Patel, PW 5, Exh.28,  in his cross­examination has admitted that in the  statement given before the police, he had stated  that the motorcycle was Bajaj Platinum and he had  not seen the bike brand but was of Slatiya (grey)  colour.     As   per   the   prosecution   case,   no  motorcycle   of   Bajaj   company   is   recovered   or  discovered   but   the   motorcycle   recovered   is   of  Yamaha make having red colour.   The said aspect  is   established   through   the   testimony   of  Harshadsinh Madhubha Sodha, PW 4, Exh.26 who was  panch   for   the   panchnama   for   recovery   of   the  mobile   from   the   pocket   of   A1   and   of   the   red  motorcycle   of   Yamaha   Company   with   black   helmet.  The   prosecution   has   produced   the   evidence   for  showing that A1 had produced Yamaha motorcycle of  red colour.  Further, as per the evidence led by  the prosecution, A1 had given lift from the bus  stand   to   the   deceased   and   thereafter,   he  proceeded further and A2 and A3 joined with A1 by  riding   the   very   motorcycle   and   they   reached  Khambhat from where the phone calls were made to  the   complainant,   father   of   the   deceased.     The  relevant   aspect   is   that,   as   per   all   the  witnesses, friends of the deceased, who had seen  Page 8 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT the offering of the lift to the deceased by A1,  the motorcycle, stated to have been used, was of  Bajaj and of sletiya colour, whereas, the vehicle  recovered   and   discovered   is   of   Yamaha   Company  having red colour.

12. It   has   come   in   the   evidence   of   IO   Sharadkumar  Balkrushna Trivedi, PW 44, Exh.113, in his cross­ examination that in the statement recorded of the  friends of the deceased before crime branch, the  motorcycle   was   described   of   Bajaj   Company   of  silver   platinum,   but   he   further   stated   that   if  the   motorcycle   is   seen   from   the   backside,   the  side portion is of red colour and the mudguard is  not of red colour, but on the backside, mudguard  is of silver colour. 

  

13. The   prosecution   has   attempted   to   prove   the  identity of A2 by TI parade at Exh.92, identified  by   Sanjaysingh   Bist,   PW   7,   Exh.30.   However,   in  the   testimony   of   Savan,   PW   5,   Exh.28,   in   the  cross­examination,   he   has   admitted   that   when   he  had   gone   to   crime   branch,   his   other   friends  Brijesh, Sanjay, Jay, Chintan were also there and  they   were   shown   the   person   sitting   on   the  motorcycle and they had identified.  As per him,  after  10  days,  he  was  called   by  one  person  for  identification.     As   per   him,   he   was   not   called  for   identification   before   the   Executive  Magistrate.   Another witness Sanjaybhai Kanubhai  Rana, PW 13, Exh.40 had identified A1, A2 and A3,  Page 9 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT but in his cross­examination, he had stated that  he was knowing Mukesh A1 and he had admitted that  when he went to Haveli Police Station, A1 to A3  were already there.   Certain questions were put  to   Sanjaybhai   Kanubhai   Rana,   PW   13,   Exh.40     at  whose   residence,   as   per   the   case   of   the  prosecution   all   the   accused   had   gone   with   the  deceased   for   some   time   and   they   had   stayed   for  about   45   minutes.     The   said   witness   has   stated  that the motorcycle was of red colour.  

14. There   is   other   evidence   led   by   the   prosecution  for   discovery   of   weapon   at   the   instance   of   A1  through the discovery panchnama at Exh.22 and in  support   of   the   said   discovery,   panch   witness  Manohar   Sesaiya   Aiyar   at   Exh.21   has   also   been  examined.   He   has   supported   the   case   of   the  prosecution   for   discovery   of   weapon  Trishul/trident   and   the   blood   was   found   on   the  weapon   as   well   as   on   the   clothes.     As   per   the  serological report, blood of "A" group was found.  However, the relevant aspect is that deceased had  the blood of "A" group as well as A1 and A2 had  the blood group of "A".   As per the prosecution  case, when the injury was caused to the deceased  by A2, the injury on finger was sustained by A2  and   treatment   was   also   given   by   PW   14,   Exh.41  and further, the travelling on the motorcycle was  together.   It   is   in   light   of   the   aforesaid  evidence, we may now further consider the matter. 

Page 10 of 21

R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT

15. The   evidence   led   by   the   prosecution   shows   that  the case is based on circumstantial evidence. The  legal position for considering the case based on  circumstantial   evidence   is   by   now   well   settled.  The prosecution has to show the link showing that  the chain is complete, and the evidence produced  by the prosecution for showing the link towards  the guilt of the accused should be a lawful and  reliable   evidence   and   not   based   on   conjunctures  or surmises. Useful reference may be made to the  decision of the Apex Court in the case of Jagroop  Singh v. State of Punjab reported at AIR 2012 SC  2600, wherein the Apex Court had an occasion to  consider   the   legal   position   for   considering   the  case   based   on   circumstantial   evidence.     In   the  said decision, the Apex Court at paras 13 to 19,  has observed as under:

"13. In Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of   Maharashtra1,   a   three­Judge   Bench   has   laid   down five golden principles which constitute   the "panchsheel" in respect of a case based   on circumstantial evidence. Referring to the   decision in Shivaji Sahebrao Bobade v. State   of Maharashtra2, it was opined that it is a  primary   principle   that   the   accused   must   be   and not merely may be guilty before a Court  can convict and the mental distance between   'may be' and 'must be' is long and divides   vague   conjectures   from   sure   conclusions.  Thereafter, the Bench proceeded to lay down   that   the   facts   so   established   should   be   consistent   only   with   the   hypothesis   of   the   guilt of the accused, that is to say, they   should   not   be   explainable   on   any   other  hypothesis   except   that   the   accused   is   guilty; that the circumstances should be of   Page 11 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT a conclusive nature and tendency; that they   should   exclude   every   possible   hypothesis  except the one to be proved; and that there  must be a chain of evidence so complete as   not to leave any  reasonable ground  for the   conclusion consistent with the innocence of   the accused and must show that in all human  probability the act must have been  done by   the accused.
14. In   Padala   Veera   Reddy   v.   State   of   Andhra Pradesh and others3, this Court held   that   when   a   case   rests   upon   circumstantial   evidence,   the   following   tests   must   be   satisfied: (SCC pp. 710­11, para 10) "(1)   the   circumstances   from   which   an   inference   of   guilt   is   sought   to   be   drawn,   must be cogently and firmly established;
(2) those circumstances should be of a  definite   tendency   unerringly   pointing   towards guilt of the accused;
(3)   the   circumstances,   taken  cumulatively,   should   form   a   chain   so   complete   that   there   is   no   escape   from   the   conclusion that within all human probability   the crime was committed by the accused and   none else; and (4)   the   circumstantial   evidence   in  order to sustain conviction must be complete   and   incapable   of   explanation   of   any   other   hypothesis   than   that   of   the   guilt   of   the  accused and such evidence should not only be   consistent with the guilt of the accused but   should be inconsistent with his innocence."

The   similar   view   has   been   reiterated   in   Ramreddy Rajesh Khanna Reddy and another v.   State of A.P.4.

15. In Balwinder Singh v. State of Punjab5,   it has been laid down that the circumstances   from which the conclusion of guilt is to be  Page 12 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT drawn   should   be   fully   proved   and   those   circumstances   must   be   conclusive   in   nature   to   connect   the   accused   with   the   crime.All   the   links   in   the   chain   of   events   must   be   established beyond reasonable doubt and the   established   circumstances   should   be  consistent   only   with   the   hypothesis   of   the   guilt   of   the   accused   and   totally   inconsistent   with   his   innocence.   In   a   case   based on circumstantial evidence, the Court   has to be on its guard to avoid the danger   of allowing suspicion to take the place of   legal proof and has to be watchful to avoid  the   danger   of   being   swayed   by   emotional   considerations, however strong they may be,   to take the place of proof.

16. In Harishchandra Ladaku Thange v. State   of   Maharashtra6,   while   dealing   with   the   validity   of   inferences   to   be   drawn   from   circumstantial   evidence,   it   has   been   emphasised that where a case rests squarely   on circumstantial evidence, the inference of   guilt   can   be   justified   only   when   all   the  incriminating   facts   and   circumstances   are   found to be incompatible with the innocence   of   the   accused   or   the   guilt   of   any   other   person   and   further   the   circumstances   from  which   an   inference   as   to   the   guilt   of   the   accused   is   drawn   have   to   be   proved   beyond   reasonable doubt and have to be shown to be  closely   connected   with   the   principal   fact   sought   to   be   inferred   from   those   circumstances.

17. In   State   of   U.P.   v.   Ashok   Kumar  Srivastava,   emphasis   has   been   laid   that   it   is the duty of the Court to take care while   evaluating   circumstantial   evidence.   If   the   evidence   adduced   by   the   prosecution   is  reasonably   capable   of   two   inferences,   the  one   in   favour   of   the   accused   must   be   accepted.   That   apart,   the   circumstances   relied   upon   must   be   established   and   the   cumulative   effect   of   the   established   facts   must lead to a singular hypothesis that the   Page 13 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT accused is guilty.

18. In Ram Singh v. Sonia and Ors.8, while  referring to the settled proof pertaining to   circumstantial   evidence,   this   Court  reiterated the principles about the caution   to   be   kept   in   mind   by   Court.   It   has   been   stated   therein   that   in   a   case   depending   largely   upon   circumstantial   evidence,   there  is   always   a   danger   that   conjecture   or   suspicion may take the place of legal proof.   The   Court   must   satisfy   itself   that   various   circumstances   in   the   chain   of   events   have   been established clearly and such completed   chain of events must be such as to rule out   a reasonable likelihood of the innocence of   the accused. It has also been indicated that   when the important link goes, the chain of   circumstances   gets   snapped   and   the   other   circumstances   cannot   in   any   manner,   establish   the   guilt   of   the   accused   beyond   all reasonable doubts.

19. In   Ujagar   Singh   v.   State   of   Punjab,   after referring to the aforesaid principles   pertaining   to   the   evaluation   of   circumstantial   evidence,   this   Court   stated   that it must nonetheless be emphasised that   whether   a   chain   is   complete   or   not   would  depend on the facts  of each case emanating   from the evidence and no universal yardstick   should ever be attempted."

16. The   aforesaid   shows   that   the   chain   must   be  complete   and   the   facts   and   circumstances   should  be   of   a   definite   tendency   unerringly   pointing  towards   guilt   of   the   accused.     But   while  considering the circumstances, cumulatively, the  chain   should   be   so   complete   that   there   is   no  escape from the conclusion that within all human  probabilities   the   crime   was   committed   by   the  accused and none else.

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17. If the facts of the present case are examined in  light of the aforesaid legal position, it appears  that in a case for the offence under section 364  of IPC r/w section 302 of IPC, the first aspect  required to be proved by the prosecution would be  the   conspiracy   of   extortion   of   money.     In  furtherance to the said conspiracy, there should  be   positive   action   of   kidnapping   and   demand   of  money   by   way   of   extortion.     The   next   would   be  whether   the   object   was   fulfilled   of   receiving  money and if not, whether the death was caused on  account   of   the   non­receipt   of   the   money.     The  Court   while   examining   the   aspect   of   causing  death, may further examine as to who has played  role   and   further   action   by   the   accused   who   was  conspirator.

18. The prosecution has made an attempt to prove the  conspiracy   by   the   confessional   statement   of   A2  under section 164 of Cr.P.C.   As A2 has expired  pending the appeal and the said appeal is abated  qua A2, matter may not be required to be further  examined.  However, for the conviction of A1, the  said confessional statement under section 164 of  Cr.P.C.   would   assume   value   as   that   of   a  confession   made   by   the   co­accused.     As   per  section   10   of   the   Evidence   Act,   such   would   be  relevant   to   expose   the   conspiracy,   but   the  conviction   cannot   be   based   on   mere   confessional  statement   of   the   co­accused.     It   is   for   the  Page 15 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT prosecution to establish by independent evidence  that a particular accused was not only a party to  the   conspiracy   but   has   played   active   role   in  furtherance to the conspiracy by way of a common  object   and   such   evidence   if   proved   beyond  reasonable doubt, the confessional statement may  be considered.

19. If the independent evidence is considered, as led  by   the   prosecution   against   A1,   as   per   the  prosecution   case,   A1   was   the   pioneer   of   the  conspiracy.     The   common   object   was   to   extort  money.     The  demand  is  stated   to  have  been  made  through   the   phone   call   on   the   mobile   of   the  complainant, father of the deceased. However, no  evidence   is   produced   by   the   prosecution   by  showing   mobile   data   of   the   complainant   for  receipt of a phone call or two phone calls from  STD  PCO   of  Khambhat.    The   mobile  number  of  the  complainant has come on record as well as the STD  PCO   telephone   number   has   also   come   on   record.  But   no   evidence   is   produced   by   the   prosecution  with the help of technical or scientific data for  proving   that   the   telephone   of   STD   PCO   was   used  for   calling   on   the   mobile   of   the   complainant.  Such   could   be   proved   by   the   prosecution   either  through   the   printout   of   STD   PCO   or   from   mobile  data of the complainant.  Neither is produced in  the present case.  Not only that, but as per the  witness   Yagnesh,   PW   12,   Exh.39,   police   had  collected   the   printout   from   the   STD   PCO   but   no  Page 16 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT such   evidence   is   produced   by   the   prosecution.  Further, as per the prosecution case, A1 had two  mobiles   bearing   numbers   (1)   9328132447   and   (2)  9328132448.  The prosecution has produced data of  both   the   said   mobiles   at   Exh.78.     However,   in  none   of   the   call   details   produced   by   the  prosecution,   there   is   calling   through   the   said  mobile on the mobile of the complainant.  Had the  prosecution brought on record the mobile data of  the complainant, the use of STD PCO of Khambhat  by  the  accused  could  have  been  proved.    But  no  such data is produced.

20. Therefore, we find that the telephonic talk with  the complainant is not proved by the prosecution  beyond   reasonable   doubt   and   if   the   telephonic  talk   is   not   proved   with   the   complainant   by   the  accused   beyond   reasonable   doubt,   consequently,  the demand of Rs.15 lakhs could also not be said  as proved beyond reasonable doubt.  In absence of  proof   of   telephonic   talk,   there   was   no   other  means   described   by   the   witnesses   for   demand   of  the   money   and   the   case   of   the   prosecution   was  that   the   demand   was   made   on   mobile   of   the  complainant.

21. On   the   aspect   of   use   of   the   motorcycle   for  proving the story of last seen together, in our  view, there is basic contradiction in the case of  the prosecution for the motorcycle used which is  stated   to   have   been   owned   by   A1   and   the   said  Page 17 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT vehicle   is   stated   to   have   been   used   for   giving  lift and kidnapping subsequently.

22. As per the evidence referred to by us hereinabove  of   the   witnesses   who   were   friends   of   deceased,  the motorcycle was of Bajaj company and of grey  colour,   whereas   the   motorcycle   recovered   is   of  Yamaha   company   of   red   colour.   As   per   the  prosecution   case   and   even   if   the   confessional  statement   under   section   164   of   Cr.P.C.   is  considered,   after   the   lift   was   given   to   the  deceased by A1, A2 and A3 had joined by riding on  the   same   motorcycle   and   they   had   gone   to  Khambhat.  As per the prosecution case, there was  no   other   motorcycle   which   was   used   for   giving  lift.  The attempt is made by IO to cover up that  the   back   mudguard   is   of   silver   colour,   but   the  same   in   our   view   would   not   frustrate   the   basic  evidence   led   by   the   eye­witness   who   were   just  near   to   the   deceased   when   the   lift   was   offered  and   as   per   them,   the   motorcycle   was   of   grey  colour and that too of Bajaj Company.  It may be  that   brand   of   the   motorcycle   may   not   be   easily  identifiable   or   apparent   but   there   is   clear  difference   in   the   colour   being   red   and   being  silver or grey.  Hence, it appears to us that the  prosecution has not been able to prove the case  beyond reasonable doubt for the lift given by A1  to   the   deceased   on   motorcycle   of   red   colour  Yamaha, which as per the prosecution is stated to  have been used for giving lift and kidnapping.

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23. Apart   from   the   above,   as   per   the   prosecution  case,   the   phone   call   was   made   from   the   PCO   of  Khambhat to the complainant and in support of the  same,   prosecution   has   examined   Yagnesh,   PW   12,  Exh.39.  As per his testimony, he has stated the  age of the person of about 30­35 years and in the  identification   parade,   he   identified   Asif   Rana,  Juvenile, and not A1 who is stated to be of the  age of 30­35 years.  As the case against juvenile  is yet to be conducted by Juvenile Justice Board,  we   may   not   make   any   further   observation   on   the  said aspect, but it does show that the phone call  is not made by A1 if the testimony of Yagnesh, PW  12   is   to   be   believed.   Whereas,   the   prosecution  case   is   that   the   phone   call   was   made   from  Khambhat by A1 to the complainant.

24. It   is   true   that   the   discovery   of   the   weapon  trident   is   made   at   the   instance   of   A1   and   the  blood is found, but as per the prosecution case  and if considered with the confessional statement  of   co­accused,   while   causing   injury   to   the  deceased, the injury was also sustained by one of  the co­accused Salim and the blood group of Salim  and   the   blood   group   of   the   deceased   is   same,  i.e., "A" group.

25. Under   these   circumstances,   a   doubt   could   have  been   created   as   to   whether   blood   on   the   weapon  was of A2 or deceased.  It is by now well settled  that if two views are possible, the one which may  Page 19 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT lean in favour of the accused is to be opted or  is   to   be   considered   before   conviction   is   made.  Hence,   we   find   that   the   evidence   of   the   blood  found on the weapon could not be said as proving  the link of A1 for the offence which is on a mere  discovery and in any case, the blood found from  the   weapon   could   not   be   said   to   be   fully  supporting the case of the prosecution. It is by  now well settled that discovery even if is to be  believed,   the   conviction   cannot   be   based   on   a  mere   discovery   when   the   case   is   based   on  circumstantial   evidence.     It   will   also   be  required   for   the   prosecution   to   show   the   other  linking   evidence   and   corroboration   in   this  regard.

26. In   view   of   the   above,   we   find   that   the  prosecution   has   not   been   able   to   prove   the  complete   chain   of   the   evidence   by   showing   the  link   towards   guilt   of   A1   and   the   chain   is   not  complete.   Under the circumstances, we find that  A1 would be entitled to the benefit of doubt and  the conviction made by the learned Sessions Judge  deserves to be quashed and set aside.

27. In   view   of   the   aforesaid   observations   and  discussions, the judgment and order passed by the  learned   Sessions   Judge   for   conviction   and   for  sentence upon A1 Mukesh  @ Tino Vadilal Mochi  is  hereby quashed and set aside. A1 shall be put to  liberty forthwith unless his presence is required  Page 20 of 21 R/CR.A/1611/2010 JUDGMENT for   any   other   lawful   purpose.   Criminal   Appeal  No.1611/10   shall   stand   allowed   to   the   aforesaid  extent.

28. In the another appeal preferred by A2 Mohd. Salim  Jumratibhai Shaikh, as he has expired pending the  appeal,   the   said   appeal   would   stand   abated.  Criminal   Appeal   No.1052/10   shall   stand   disposed  of accordingly.

(JAYANT PATEL, J.)  (Z.K.SAIYED, J.)  bjoy Page 21 of 21