Bombay High Court
Sadanand Shivaji Kadam vs State Of Maharashtra on 4 September, 2012
Author: A.S. Oka
Bench: Abhay S. Oka, Sadhana S. Jadhav
ash 1 crapeal-611.12
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.611 OF 2012
Sadanand Shivaji Kadam )
Age about 86 years, )
Occupation : Agriculturist, )
R/at Flat No.12, Bharati Apartments, )
Shivajinagar, Pune 411 005. )
(at present in Yerawada Central Prison, )
Pune. ).. Appellant
Vs
State of Maharashtra, )
(Through Haveli Police Station. ).. Respondent
-
Shri V.R. Manohar, Senior Advocate with Shri M.S. Mohite, Shri S.V. Kotwal &
Shri Shrikant Shiwade i/by Shri Ashish Sawant and Shri A.R. Kapadnis for the
Appellant.
Shri S.M. Gorwadkar for the original Complainant.
Shri H.J. Dedhia, APP for the State.
-
CORAM : ABHAY S. OKA &
SMT. SADHANA S. JADHAV, JJ
DATE : 4TH SEPTEMBER, 2012
ORAL JUDGMENT : (PER A.S. OKA, J )
. By this Appeal, the Appellant has taken an exception to the Judgment and Order dated 30th May, 2012 passed by the learned VII Additional Sessions Judge, Pune. By the impugned Judgment and Order, the Appellant has been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 447 of the Indian Penal Code as well as for the offence ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 ::: ash 2 crapeal-611.12 punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as "the IPC"). For the offence punishable under Section 447, the Appellant has been convicted to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three months and to pay fine of Rs.500/-. In default of payment of fine, he has been sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 15 days. For the offence under Section 302 of the IPC, he has been sentenced to suffer life imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.2,000/-. In default of payment of fine, he has been sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for three months.
FACTS OF THE CASE :
2. The case of the prosecution is that the deceased Anand Baburao Danke was residing in House No.49 on Plot No.31 at Anand Nagar, Srinagar Road, Pune. He was residing in the said house along with his family including his son Vishwajit Danke (PW-1) who is the Complainant. The father of the deceased had purchased the said Plot No.31. The deceased, after his retirement from Mazgaonk Dock in Mumbai, was practicing as an Advocate at Pune. The adjacent Plot No.24 on the northern side of Plot No.31 was acquired by the Appellant/Accused. The Appellant/ Accused was earlier serving as a Police Inspector. He had constructed a bungalow on the said Plot No.24. There was a boundary dispute between the deceased and the Appellant. The said boundary dispute led to filing of civil as well as criminal proceedings. The Appellant Accused was possessing a ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 ::: ash 3 crapeal-611.12 revolver. In the month of February, 2004, the deceased ad his son PW-
1 started work of construction of compound wall along the northern side of their Plot No.31. On 9th February, 2004, at about 3.30 p.m., when the construction work was in progress, the Appellant came there and at the point of revolver, he threatened to kill the deceased and told him not to carry on construction work. A report was lodged about the said incident by the deceased.
3.
On 10th February, 2004, the workers employed by the deceased were carrying on construction work of the compound wall.
At about 9.30 a.m., the Appellant came there and he obstructed the work and told the workers not to continue the work. At that time, the deceased and PW-1 were in their house. After hearing the noise, they came out of the house. The deceased requested the Appellant not to cause obstruction in the construction work and if necessary, to take legal steps. It is alleged that at that time, the Appellant and his daughter Shobhana started pushing the deceased. As a result, both the deceased and the Appellant fell on the ground. Thereafter, the Appellant took out a revolver from his pocket and fired towards the deceased. The bullet hit below the chest of the deceased. The allegation is that even in such condition the deceased snatched the revolver from the hands of the Accused. Thereafter, the Appellant's daughter Shobhana snatched it from the hands of the deceased. PW-1 ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 ::: ash 4 crapeal-611.12 carried the deceased by autorickshaw to Madhukar Hospital, Anandnagar. The concerned Doctor advised PW-1 to carry him to another hospital. Accordingly, the deceased was taken to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital at Pune. While the deceased was under
treatment, he succumbed to the injuries around 10.40 a.m. It appears that after the incident, the Appellant proceeded to Haveli Police Station and lodged a complaint against the deceased as well as PW-1. On the basis of the complaint, a crime was registered vide C.R. No.34 of 2004 for the offence punishable under Section 307 read with Section 34 of IPC. The complaint of PW-1 was recorded by the police while he was in Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital. On the basis of the said complaint, FIR was registered vide C.R. No.35 of 2004 for the offence punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the IPC and for an offence under Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Arms Act.
4. Investigation was carried out and charge sheet was filed against the Appellant and his daughter Shobhana for the offences punishable under Section 302, 323, 447 read with Section 34 of IPC as well as Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Arms Act. The learned Judicial Magistrate, First Class, Pune, committed the case to the Court of Sessions. An application for discharge was made by Shobhana to the Sessions Court. The said application was rejected. However in the Revision Application preferred by the said Shobhana to this Court, an ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 ::: ash 5 crapeal-611.12 order of discharge was passed and accordingly the case proceeded only as against the present Appellant.
5. The prosecution examined 10 witnesses, the details of the witnesses are as under:-
PW-1 Vishwajeet Anand Danke, the Complainant. He is the son of the deceased and alleged eye witness.
PW-2 Abdul Bangi Sahib Nadaf. He is the alleged eye witness.
He was a labourer employed by the deceased for carrying on construction of compound wall.
PW-3 Prakash Nagesh Mehendale. He was a resident of Plot No.1 on Plot No.30 which was very close to the Plot No.31 of the deceased. He is an eye witness to the incident of 9 th February, 2004. The witness claimed that on the date of the incident, he heard firing sound while he was in the house.
After he came out, he saw that PW-1 was carrying his father on his shoulder and blood was coming out of the chest of the deceased.::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 :::
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PW-4 Prakash Murlidhar Kudale. A panch witness to the
panchanama recorded when PW-1 produced red coloured auspicious cloth on the person of the deceased.
PW-5 Ramchandra Vishnu Paranjape. He is a panch witness to the seizure panchanama of the revolver and four live cartridges and one empty cartridge which were produced by the Appellant before the Police Station.
PW-6 Dr. Shrikant Suresh Chandekar. - He is the Medical Officer, who performed post mortem on the body of the deceased.
PW-7 Shrirang Eknath Aaher. -He is a panch witness to the panchanama of spot of incident.
PW-8 Kiran Shivajirao Kakade - He is a panch witness to the panchanama of spot of incident.
PW-9 Gulab Maruti Takale. - He is a panch witness to the arrest panchanama of the Appellant.
PW-10 Arun Dattatraya Walture. - He is the Investigating Officer.::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 :::
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6. Apart from the oral testimony of the aforesaid witnesses and the panchanamas referred to above, the prosecution has relied upon various reports of the Chemical Analyzer. In addition to the statement of the Appellant recorded under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 ( hereinafter referred to as "the said Code"), the Appellant filed written statement. The defence of the Appellant as set out in the said written statement is that on 10 th February, 2004, the deceased brought two workers and by carrying on encroachment on his plot, the deceased started construction of a compound wall. When the Appellant requested them not to carry on construction, the deceased and the PW-1 got angry and assaulted the Appellant. As a result, he fell down. Thereafter, the deceased assaulted the Appellant by a stone on his head. When the Appellant started shouting for help, his daughter Dr. Shobhana rushed to the spot. PW-1 assaulted her by a stone. At that time, the Appellant was lying down and the deceased was sitting on his chest and there was a scuffle going on between them. The PW-1 picked up the stone for assaulting the Appellant. For saving his life, the Appellant took out his revolver from the pocket with a view to fire in the air. At that time, the deceased by his left hand tried to snatch the revolver though the Appellant was telling him that the same was loaded. The case of the Appellant is that in the scuffle, a bullet was accidentally fired from the revolver and the deceased sustained injuries.
The Appellant claimed that he was also seriously wounded.
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7. Considering the fact that the present age of the Appellant is 86 years, while rejecting the Application for bail by an order dated 20 th July, 2012, this Court passed an order for fixing the peremptory date of hearing of the Appeal on 30th August, 2012. On that day, Shri V.R. Manohar, Senior Counsel made submissions on behalf of the Appellant.
On his request, we allowed Shri M.S. Mohite, learned counsel appearing for the Appellant to continue further submissions on 31 st August, 2012, 3rd and 4th September, 2012. We have heard Shri H.J. Dedhia, the learned APP. Shri S.M. Gorwadkar, the learned counsel appearing for the PW-1 ( Complainant) assisted the learned APP.
SUBMISSIONS :
8. The learned Senior Counsel appearing for the Appellant has taken us through the testimony of PW-1 and PW-2 and certain other documents on record along with the relevant findings recorded by the learned Trial Judge. His submission is that the evidence of PW-2 Nadaf has been completely misread by the learned Trial Judge. He pointed out that in the cross-examination, the witness admitted that PW-1 assaulted the Appellant on his head and that the Appellant was shouting. The learned Senior Counsel pointed out that the witness was confronted with the portions marked "A" and "B" of his police statement. The witness admitted that what is recorded in the portions marked at "A" and "B" was stated by him before the police. The said ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:33 ::: ash 9 crapeal-611.12 statement is that the deceased sat on the chest of the Appellant and the deceased was holding a stone in his hands. He submitted that thus the version of PW-2 is that initially PW-1 assaulted the deceased on his head and at the time of actual firing, the Appellant was lying on the ground and the deceased was sitting on his chest with a stone in his hand. He submitted that thus there was an imminent danger to the life of the Appellant and just to save his life, he took out revolver from his pocket and while the deceased attempted to snatch the loaded revolver, the bullet was accidentally fired as a result of which the deceased sustained injury. He urged that the evidence of PW-2 itself establishes the right of private defence was available to the Appellant which in the facts of the case extended to causing death of the aggressor. He invited the attention of the Court to the evidence of PW-1. He pointed out that the version of PW-1 is that at the time of firing, both the deceased and the Appellant were sitting on the ground and that the distance between them was about 3 to 4 feet. He pointed out that PW-1 stated that both of them had fallen on the ground for a period of about 2 minutes. He pointed out that the said version is completely contrary to the version of PW-2. He submitted that looking to the injuries on the person of the deceased, the bullet could not have been fired from the distance of 4 feet. He urged that PW-2 is an independent witness who was employed by the deceased himself and his version appears to be more probable than the version of PW-1 and in fact the evidence of PW-1 as ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 10 crapeal-611.12 regards the main incident will have to be rejected. He stated that the Appellant was admitting the incident of 9 th February, 2004 as per the case of the prosecution. He submitted that PW-1 himself stated that in the examination-in-chief that the Appellant was always carrying revolver possessed by him by way of self defence. He pointed out that PW-1 admitted that on 12th February, 2004, the Authorities were to carry out measurements of both the plots for fixing boundary between the two plots and therefore, there was no reason for the deceased to commence the construction of the compound wall even before the fixation of the boundary between the two plots. He pointed out that after the incident, the Appellant himself went to Haveli Police Station and at his instance, First Information Report was registered at 10.45 a.m. for the offence punishable under Sections 307, 323 read with 34 of the IPC was registered against the deceased and the PW-1. He stated that though the Appellant had disputed the correctness of what is recorded in the First Information Report, even therein the Appellant stated that he had fallen on the ground and while the deceased was sitting on his chest, in the self defence, he fired a shot. He pointed out that PW-10 Investigating Officer himself admitted that from 10 th February, 2004 to 23rd February, 2004, the Appellant was admitted in Sassoon Hospital at Pune. He invited our attention to the Application dated 14th March, 2011 made by the Appellant under Section 294 of the said Code. In the said Application, it was pointed out that the Medico ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 11 crapeal-611.12 Legal Case Papers of the Appellant in original were on record and the prosecution was called upon to admit or deny the genuineness of the said documents. He pointed out that though the learned Public Prosecutor was aware that the originals were on record, he did not admit the documents. He pointed out that the learned Trial Judge passed an order on the Application directing the Appellant to mention specific dates of the documents. He pointed out the injury certificate at Exhibit -130 which shows that the Appellant suffered head injury. He submitted that the prosecution suppressed the case papers of the Appellant. He pointed out that an Application under Section 391 of the said Code being Criminal Application No.1302 of 2012 has been made by the Applicant along with which the case papers of the Appellant of Sassoon General Hospital as well as discharge card have been produced. He submitted that the prosecution has suppressed the genesis of the case and therefore, the prosecution did not admit the said documents. He pointed out that the evidence of PW-2 clearly proves that the Appellant suffered head injury and admittedly he was hospitalized for 13 days. He pointed out that the spot panchanama at Exhibit -103 shows that in the scuffle, the Appellant lost his spectacles and his spectacles were found near the spot of the incident. He pointed out that the findings of the Civil Court could not have been read in evidence, but the Trial Court has read the same. The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant who took over the case from the learned ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 12 crapeal-611.12 Senior Counsel submitted that though the PW-1 claims to be standing at a distance of 4 feet from the Appellant, he did not make any attempt to get hold of the revolver taken out by the Appellant. He pointed out that the evidence of PW-2 is probable which supports the Appellant's case that the deceased was sitting on the chest of the Appellant with a stone in his hand. He pointed out that the version of the PW-1 that the Appellant and his daughter entered in Plot No.31 is a proved omission.
He stated that his version that the Appellant fired a shot when he was in a sitting position is also an omission. He pointed out that in fact the deceased was the aggressor who tried to forcibly construct a compound wall though the survey and measurement was around the corner and it was the PW-1 who assaulted the Appellant as well as his daughter Shobhana. He pointed out that the version of PW-3 about the incident of 9th February, 2004 is also doubtful inasmuch as he admitted that before recording of his evidence, he read the police statement. He submitted that the FIR at the instance of the Appellant was registered at 10.45 a.m. He stated that though the PW-1 claims that his statement was recorded in the hospital at 12 noon, the remand report on record shows that the Appellant was produced before the learned Magistrate at 4.30 p.m. In the order on the said report, it is recorded that the case diary was not produced as the recording of FIR was in progress. He submitted that the remand report records the C.R. number. He submitted that this shows that the FIR produced before the Court is a ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 13 crapeal-611.12 fabricated document. He submitted that at the time of incident, the age of the appellant was 79 years and he promptly went to the police station immediately after the incident, surrendered his revolver and lodged a report against the deceased and the PW-1 on the basis of which, an offence was registered under Section 307 read with Section 34 of the IPC. He submitted that the prosecution has not proved the spot where the alleged incident took place and it is not established that the Appellant and/or his daughter entered the Plot No.31 of the deceased. He submitted that though the PW-10 Investigating Officer claims that he had drawn a sketch, the same was not proved and only sketch on record is in the form of city survey map at Exhibit-86. He, therefore, urged that the offence punishable under Section 447 of the IPC is not proved.
9. The learned counsel for the Appellant further urged that admittedly the Appellants suffered head injury and the deceased was aggressor and, therefore, existence of right of self-defence was established by the Appellant. He submitted that as the evidence of PW-1 was required to be disbelieved, it is not necessary to go into the defence of the Appellant and the prosecution must fail as the evidence of PW-1 and PW-2 is inconsistent. He submitted that in any case, the evidence of PW-1 will have to be discarded. He submitted that from the prosecution case it is revealed that the possibility of accidental firing ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 14 crapeal-611.12 during the scuffle was not ruled out. He submitted that the charge sheet shows that apart from PW-2, the statement of one Mohiddin Shaikh who was also employed by the deceased as a labourer was recorded, but the prosecution has not chosen to examine the said witness. He placed reliance on the decisions of the Apex Court in the case of Habeeb Mohammad, Condemned Prisoner, confined in District Jail, Secunderabad v. State of Hyderabad (AIR 1954 SC 51), Govindaraju Alias Govinda v. State by Sriramapuram Police Station & Another [(2012)4 SCC 722] and Khatri Hemraj Amulakh v. The State of Gujarat [(1972)3 SCC 671], in support of the submission regarding failure to examine material witnesses.
10. The learned Counsel appearing for the Appellant relying upon the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Lakshmi Singh and Others etc. v. State of Bihar (AIR 1976 SC 2263). He submitted that the only inference which can be drawn on account of non-explanation by the prosecution of the head injury sustained by the Appellant is that the prosecution has suppressed the genesis and origin of the occurrence of the incident and the true version is not brought before the Court.
He submitted that the prosecution is relying upon the evidence of only the interested witnesses. He submitted that in the present case, the injury sustained by the Appellant was serious which required hospitalization for 13 days. In support of this submissions, he also ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 15 crapeal-611.12 relied upon a decisions of the Apex Court in the case of Buta Singh v.
State of Punjab [(1991)2 SCC 612], Subramani and Others v. State of Tamil Nadu [(2002)7 SCCC 210], Raj Pal & Another v. State of Haryana [(2007)13 SCC 554 ], Babu Ram & Others v. State of Punjab [ AIR 2008 SC 1260 ] and State of Uttar Pradesh v. Gajey Singh & Another [(2009)11 SCC 414 ].
11. The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant submitted that in the present case, right of private defence extended to causing death as there was a reasonable apprehension that the death will otherwise be the consequence of assault by the deceased and his son.
In any case, there was a reasonable apprehension that a grievous hurt will be otherwise the consequence of the assault. He submitted that when the deceased was sitting on the chest of the Appellant and was trying to attack the Appellant and when the Appellant had already suffered a head injury, it cannot be said that by firing a single gun shot, the Appellant exceeded the right of his private defence. He submitted that the argument that the Appellant could have fired a shot in the air is not available to prove that the Appellant has acted in excess of his right. Relying upon the decision of the Apex Court in Subramani's case (supra), he pointed out that when there was imminent danger to his life and limb, the Appellant was not expected to weigh in golden scales the precise retaliation needed to repel the danger. He submitted that ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 16 crapeal-611.12 he was not expected to behave with precision by a calm and unruffled mind. He, therefore, submitted that even assuming that this Court comes to the conclusion that the prosecution has proved its case, the Appellant has established that in exercise of right of private defence, that he fired to save his life and therefore, the case will be governed by Section 96 read with Section 100 of the IPC.
12. The learned APP submitted that the evidence of PW-1 and PW-2 is not inconsistent and the same is trustworthy. He submitted that on the earlier date i.e. 9th February, 2004, the appellant admittedly threatened the deceased by pointing a revolver at him. He urged that there was no reason for the Appellant to carry his revolver while he came out of his house for warning the workers not to carry out the work. He pointed out that the bullet injury was received on the right portion of the stomach. He submitted that the Appellant, who is a retired Police Officer, was the aggressor and he can never claim a right of private defence. He urged that though the Appellant suffered simple injury, his daughter being a Doctor ensured that the Appellant remains hospitalized for 13 days. Lastly he stated that the prosecution was admitting the documents annexed to the Application made by the for leading additional evidence. He submitted that the suit for injunction filed by the Appellant was admittedly dismissed and, therefore, the deceased started construction of compound wall and the Appellant was ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 17 crapeal-611.12 trying to obstruct the work by threatening the workers employed by the deceased. He submitted that at the time of incident, the Appellant and his daughter forced their entry on the plot of the deceased and the Appellant was carrying revolver. He urged that the prosecution has duly proved the commission of offence under Section 302 of IPC. He urged that no interference is called for.
CONSIDERATION OF EVIDENCE OF PROSECUTION:
13. We have carefully considered the submissions. We have perused the records. We have also perused the depositions and documentary evidence. We may note here that the fact that a bullet fired out of the revolver held in the hands of the Appellant caused injuries to the deceased which resulted into his death is not disputed by the Appellant. In Paragraph 3 of his deposition, Dr. Shrikant Chandekar (PW-6) recorded the following injuries:-
(i) Injection marks over right lower neck with subcutaneous extravasetion of blood and left precordium, 7 in number;
(ii) Direct Current shock marks over left mid antero lateal chest (Injury No.1 and 2 were therapeutic);
(iii) Grased abrasion, red, over left knee lower mid anterior, 2 x 3 cms. Vertical;
(iv) Right arm anterior upper third-multiple abrasions, 0.2 x 0.2 cms each four in number;
(v) Skin deep laceration over left thumb distal phalanx proximal to nail mid region, 0.2 x 0.6 ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 18 crapeal-611.12 cms. - transverse with blackening around 2 x 2 cms. (X-ray picture showed radio opaque foreign body corresponding). It was a glancing Firearm injury;
(vi) linear abrasion, lateral to Injury No.5, 0.1 x 1 cm. Red.
(vii) Wound of entry of a bullet over right epigastric region, 3 cm below costal margin and 1.8 cm right lateral to mid ventral line - transverse elliptical - 1.8 cm along long axis, 0.5 laterally and 0.3 cm medially in breadth. Abrasion collar present laterally. Small black particles embeded around would in skin - Probably tattooing."
In Paragraph 6 of his deposition, Dr. Shrikant Chandekar (PW-6) stated that the bullet was found embeded in contused lacerated left lumber para-spinal back muscles, 4 cm from lower Thorasic twelve vertebral body. It will be necessary to note here that the cause of death as stated by Dr. Shrikant Chandekar (PW-6) is haemorrhagic and traumatic shock due to fire arm injuries through abdomen perforating mesentric vessels and intestine. There is no serious dispute about the injuries noticed by the PW-6 Dr. Chandekar and the cause of death reported by him. Thus, it is undisputed that the death is homicidal.
14. It is true that the findings recorded by the Civil Court in the Civil Suit filed by the Appellant cannot be relevant in the criminal prosecution. However, the admitted fact is that the Appellant filed a suit for injunction against the deceased restraining him from entering ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 19 crapeal-611.12 his property and the said suit was dismissed. The construction of compound wall was commenced by the deceased only after the suit was dismissed. Another important aspect is that the incident of 9 th February, 2004 is not disputed by the Appellant. The incident is that in the afternoon, at about 3.30 p.m, the Appellant came out and objected to the commencement of construction of a compound wall by the deceased. After raising an objection, the Appellant went back to his house and came out with his revolver. The Appellant threatened the deceased by pointing the revolver at him and threatened to kill him.
The deceased lodged a report about the said incident with the police on the same day at 17.05 hrs. This is the undisputed incident of the day earlier to the alleged offence. It is also not in dispute that the deceased was the owner of Plot No.31 and the Appellant is the owner of adjacent Plot No.24. In the light of the aforesaid undisputed position, now we proceed to consider the evidence of the PW-1 and PW-2. During the course of hearing, we noticed that the English version of the depositions was at variance with the original Marathi depositions. The law is well settled. In case of such variance, the original deposition recorded in Marathi prevails. Accordingly, we have referred to the depositions recorded in Marathi. During the course of arguments of learned counsel for the Appellant, true photo copies of the Marathi depositions have been supplied to him by the Registry as the same do not form part of the private paper book supplied by him.
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15. PW-1 Vishwajeet Danke is the first informant and is the son of the deceased. He has disclosed relevant plot numbers held by the parties. He stated that there was a boundary dispute which lead to the Appellant filing Regular Civil Suit No.1665 of 1996 against the deceased which was dismissed by a Civil Court in the year 2003. He stated that the deceased started construction of compound wall along the boundary between the two plots after dismissal of the suit. PW-1 Vishwajeet stated that there were two private complaints filed by the Appellant against the deceased which resulted in acquittal. On this aspect, there is no cross-examination. He deposed regarding the incident of 9th February, 2004 to which we have already made a reference. The incident of 9th February, 2004 is admitted.
16. As regards the main incident, he stated that at about 9.30 a.m on 10th February, 2004, two workers had come to the property of the deceased for construction work of compound wall. He stated that his father was performing pooja and was wearing a particular attire (a sacred dhoti) which was required to be worn for performing pooja. He stated that at that time, the Appellant and his daughter entered Plot No.31 and started threatening the workers not to carry on work. After hearing the noise, the PW-1 along with the deceased came out of the house. The deceased informed the Appellant that whatever he wants ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 21 crapeal-611.12 to do he may do it in lawful manner. The Appellant and his daughter Shobhana indulged in a scuffle with the deceased as a result, the deceased fell down. Immediately thereafter, the Appellant took out revolver from his pocket and fired the bullet at the deceased which bullet hit at his chest. Notwithstanding the said injury, the deceased snatched revolver from the hands of the Appellant and the Appellant's daughter again snatched revolver from the hands of the deceased. He stated that his father was shouting "Melo Melo". He, therefore, lifted the father on his shoulder and kept him near the house of one Shri Apte. He ran out and brought an autorickshaw and by autorickshaw, he took the deceased to a nearby hospital where the Doctor present had advised him to take the deceased to Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital.
Accordingly, he took the deceased in Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital and admitted him in ICU. Thereafter, he went to a public phone booth and called up Pune Rural Police. When he came back, he was informed that at about 10.50 a.m, his father expired. Around 12 noon, the Police attached to Haveli Police Station reached the hospital and reduced his complaint into writing and obtained his signature. Thereafter, he was told that the Appellant has registered an offence bearing C.R. No.34 of 2004 against him. He identified the Appellant in the Court. He stated that in the supplementary statement recorded by the police, he pointed out that the Appellant and his daughter Shobhana entered inside the boundary of his plot. He also identified the revolver used by the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 22 crapeal-611.12 Appellant which was shown to him in the Court. In the cross-
examination, he admitted that the Civil Court while dismissing the Civil Suit No.1665 of 1996 filed by the Appellant observed that both the parties should get the boundary fixed by the Revenue Department. He admitted that an Application was made by the Appellant to the City Survey Office for survey and a notice of survey was served on the deceased in which it was stated that the survey will be carried out on 12th February, 2004. There is a cross-examination made as regards the area of the plot held by him. He stated that as per the Sale deed, the area of the Plot was 3000 sq. feet but in the 7/12 extract, the area was shown as 3120 sq. feet. He stated that even subsequently the measurement was not carried out. When he was shown the City Survey Map at Exhibit-86, he stated that he had objected to it. In the cross-examination, he was shown the photographs of his bungalow. He stated that when the incident occurred, there was a bungalow and an out house but compound wall and gate seen in the photographs were not there. He stated that the wall seen in the photographs was constructed subsequently. He stated that on the date of the incident, the work of construction of the compound wall was going on. He admitted that the construction of the compound wall was completed when the Appellant was in custody.
17. As regards the main incident, he stated in the cross-
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 :::ash 23 crapeal-611.12 examination that after hearing the voice of the Appellant and his daughter, he came out. He stated that when he came to the spot, the Appellant's daughter was talking to the workers telling them that the work should not be carried out. He stated that the workers were not telling anything to the Appellant's daughter. He stated that there was a time gap of 15 minutes from the time he heard the voice of the appellant and the time at which the bullet was fired. He stated that firing was made only once. He stated that after hearing the voice of the Appellant and his daughter, he reached the spot within 2 to 3 minutes. He stated that he did not have any discussion with the Appellant, but for couple of minutes, the Appellant and the deceased spoke to each other. However, they did not abuse each other. He stated that the distance between the Appellant and his deceased father was about 4 feet. He stated that both the Appellant and the deceased fell down for about 2 minutes. The Appellant had fallen down on the right side and the deceased had fallen down on the left side. He stated that due to fall, the Appellant must have sustained the head injuries.
He pleaded ignorance as to whether any injury was suffered by the daughter of the Appellant. He stated that when the shot was fired, the deceased and the Appellants were sitting and the distance between the them was 3 to 4 feet. He stated that the deceased was sitting by stretching his legs. He stated that though he saw the Appellant carrying revolver, he did not try to hold his hands. He volunteered that there ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 24 crapeal-611.12 was no sufficient time to do that. He denied the correctness of the suggestion that the deceased tried to snatch the revolver. Thereafter, the following question was asked to the witness:
"Whether your father snatched the revolver from the hands of the Appellant ?
His specific answer was that after the bullet was fired, his father snatched the revolver. He admitted that at the time of incident, the age of the Appellant was 79 years. He stated that he was not aware in which hand, the Appellant was holding the revolver. He noticed a spark when firing was made. He stated that when the shot was fired, his father was in a sitting position. He stated that his father had fallen down only once on his side but it was before the firing. In the further cross-examination, he stated that the Appellant was holding a revolver in both the hands. He stated that the Appellant's daughter was at a distance of 4 feet and even after the firing, the Appellant was sitting.
18. The omissions were brought on record as regards the following statements made by him : -
(a) The Appellant was trying to encroach upon his plot;::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 :::
ash 25 crapeal-611.12
(b) When the Appellant and his daughter came to the
spot, he was studying and his father was wearing a dress which is normally worn at the time of performing pooja;
(c ) The Appellant and his daughter Shobhana came in his plot and gave threats;
(d) igThe shot was fired by the Appellant while sitting.
19. He denied the correctness of various suggestions such as his father assaulted the Appellant by stone and only after the Appellant shouted, his daughter came out. He denied the correctness of the suggestion that even the Appellant's daughter was assaulted and for fending himself, a shot was fired by the Appellant in the air. He also denied the correctness of the suggestion that the Appellant was lying down on the ground and his father was having a scuffle with the Appellant.
20. Now we turn to the evidence of PW-2 Abdul Nadaf. The PW-2 Nadaf is an important witness inasmuch as even the Appellant has relied upon the version of the said witness in support of a plea of private defence. The witness stated that he along with his parents ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 26 crapeal-611.12 were residing in the room of his maternal uncle. His maternal uncle gave him the work as a worker in the bungalow of Danke. He stated that for two days, he worked and earned the remuneration of Rs.120/-
per day. He stated that one Burhan Shaikh was working along with him. He stated that he did not know PW-1 Anand and the Appellant.
He stated that the first day of work was uneventful. On the second day, one uncle came and informed him not to carry out the work. He stated that another uncle came from the place where he was working. He stated that the uncle came while he was performing pooja. He stated that there was a scuffle between both of them and one of them fell into ditch. He stated that he ran away from the spot. He stated that the Accused by revolver killed the person who came out. He identified the Appellant in the Court as the Accused. In the cross-examination, he stated that he was doing the work of construction of compound wall.
He stated that the person who entrusted the work to him had shown the place of work. He stated that he was not aware as to who was the owner of the said place. He stated that the work of digging was completed on the first day and stones were brought on the site. He stated that the uncle who came there stated that it was his land and, therefore, the work should not be carried out. He stated that his co-
worker told him that as the objection has been raised by the Accused, the work should not be done. He stated that thereafter, the person who gave the work came there. He stated that as a result of scuffle, one ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 27 crapeal-611.12 person fell down. He stated that out of the two persons, the person other than the Accused had given him the work. He admitted the correctness of the suggestion that the person who gave him the work stated that it was his land and therefore, the work should be continued.
He stated that the quarrel was going on for 5 to 6 minutes. He admitted that the person who fell down had fallen on his back. He stated that after he fell down, still scuffle was going on. He denied the correctness of the suggestion that while scuffle was going on, sound of bullet was heard. He stated that he was personally not aware as to who fired the bullet. His attention was invited to a marked portion of his statement dated 10th February, 2004. He admitted that the said marked portion was correct and was written as per his version.
21. It must be noted here that from the original record, it appears that there are two portions of the statement dated 10 th February, 2004 marked as "A" and "B". The Marathi deposition records that the attention of the witness was invited to the marked portion and there is no specific reference to the portions marked as "A" and "B".
However, in the English version of the deposition, it is noted that the witness was confronted with the portions marked "A" and "B". Before this Court it is not disputed that both the portions marked "A" and "B"
were shown to the witness. The English translation of the portion marked "A" reads thus:-
::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 :::ash 28 crapeal-611.12 "Anand Danke sat on the chest of Kadam. Danke's son hit a stone on the head of Kadam and therefore, he started shouting."
English translation of the portion marked "B" reads thus:-
"Danke was also having stone in his hands."
The portions "A" and "B" are one after the other. The witness admitted that the blood was oozing out of the head of the Appellant. He stated that the person who suffered bullet injury was carried by his son to the hospital. He admitted that one woman came running out from the house of the Appellant. However, he pleaded ignorance as regards the suggestion that the woman was trying to stop the scuffle.
22. Perusal of the evidence of PW-2 Abdul Nadaf along with the marked portion of his statement shows that as per his version when he along with Burhan Shaikh were carrying on the work of construction of compound wall, the Appellant came there and informed them not to carry out the work. In the examination-in-chief, he stated that another uncle came from the house where he was working. He stated that the said uncle came while performing pooja. We may note here that the PW-1 has stated in the examination-in-chief that his deceased father ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 29 crapeal-611.12 was in the Attire which was normally used for pooja. At this stage, it is also necessary to note that PW-4 Prakash Kudale who is the panch witness to the seizure of the clothes on the person of the deceased has described the same as auspicious cloth. There is no cross-examination of the said witness on the description of the cloth stated in the examination-in-chief. That is the reason why PW-2 Nadaf stated that another uncle came from the place where he was working who was performing pooja. He stated that there was a scuffle between the first person who came there and the second person who came subsequently.
He identified the Appellant as the Accused who fired the bullet and injured the other person. From the cross-examination and from the admission of the correctness of the marked portions on the statement, it appears that at the time when the shot was fired, the Appellant was lying down and the deceased was sitting on his chest. As per the version of the witness, PW-1 had hit a stone on the head of the Appellant and even the deceased was carrying a stone in his hand.
PW-2 Nadaf is a worker engaged by the deceased himself who is an independent witness who did not personally know both the Appellant and the deceased. The version of PW-1 about the main incident is totally different. According to him, the Appellant fired bullet when both the Appellant and the deceased were in a sitting position at a distance of about 4 feet with each other. The said part of the version of PW-1 will have to be discarded as the PW-2 Nadaf who is an ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 30 crapeal-611.12 independent witness has given his independent version as regards the said incident. The PW-2 is a rustic witness who admitted the marked portions in his police statements as correct. Therefore, as far as the position of the deceased and the Appellant at the time of firing of shot from the revolver of the Appellant is concerned, the version of the PW-2 Nadaf being natural version of an independent witness examined by the prosecution will have to be believed and to that extent, the version of the PW-1 Vishwajeet about the main incident will have to be discarded.
We must note here that the PW-1 has deposed about the incident of 9 th February, 2004. We have already noted that the learned Senior Counsel appearing for the Appellant stated that the Appellant is admitting the said incident. Many parts of his testimony regarding filing of the suit by the Appellant, dismissal of the suit and the fact that the deceased had started construction of compound wall appear to be truthful. Therefore, the testimony of PW-1 cannot be discarded in its entirety and it will have to be discarded only to the extent indicated as above.
CONSIDERATION OF DEFENCE TAKEN IN THE STATEMENT UNDER SECTION 313:
23. Now, we may refer to the defence of the Appellant in his written statement filed under Section 313 of the said Code. The defence ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 31 crapeal-611.12 as reflected from the written statement of the Appellant under Section 313 of the said Code is that in the scuffle, the shot was fired accidentally. His version in the said statement is that in the self defence, he pulled out the revolver with a view to fire a shot in the air.
At that time, the deceased tried to snatch the revolver though the Appellant was telling him that the same was loaded and in the scuffle, accidentally a bullet was fired from the revolver. Though in this Appeal, the Appellant is mainly relying upon the exercise of right of private defence, the said defence in the statement under Section 313 of the said Code will have to be considered. We may note here that as far as the PW-2 Nadaf is concerned, there is no suggestion given to him that after the Appellant pulled out revolver, before a shot could be fired, the deceased tried to snatch the revolver. Such suggestion was given to PW-1 Vishwajeet who denied the correctness thereof. On the contrary, in the cross-examination, he reiterated that his father (deceased) snatched the revolver after the shot was fired. The Appellant failed to give suggestion to the PW-2 Nadaf that before the shot was fired, the deceased tried to snatch revolver from the hands of the Appellant.
Therefore, the testimony of PW-1 Vishwajeet to the extent that the revolver was snatched by the deceased after the shot was fired appears to be reliable. As regards the defence pleaded in the statement under Section 313 of the said Code, we must make a reference to Paragraph 47 of the impugned judgment. In paragraph 47, the learned Trial ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 32 crapeal-611.12 Judge recorded a finding after inspection of the revolver. In Paragraph 47, the learned Judge observed thus:-
"47. For firing from the said revolver, the person has to hold its butt by putting the index finger on the trigger and so the another person who attempts to snatch it, can hold only the barrel of the revolver and in such circumstances, he can not have such strong grip so that he can easily snatch the revolver from the person holding it as the person holding it, has more grip. So in such circumstances, there is no possibility of automatic fire. The pressure is also required to pull the trigger of the hammer. Moreover, the fact can not be disputed that the said revolver was having safety latch. If the accused had no intention to use the said revolver and simply was intending to show it to the deceased, he would not come with preparation by removing the safety latch of the revolver. By pressing one button on right side, latch can be removed for using revolver."
(Emphasis added) Though extensive submissions were made before this Court, the finding recorded as aforesaid by the learned Trial Judge after examination of the revolver has not been assailed before us. As far as the defence of accidental fire is concerned, the evidence of Medical Officer (PW-6) Dr. Chandekar has some relevance. We have noted that the Injury No.5 is skin deep laceration over left thumb distal phalanax proximal to nail mid region which was a fire arm injury. In the examination-in-chief, the witness stated that the said injury is possible by brushing of bullet. In the cross-examination, an opinion has been ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 33 crapeal-611.12 expressed by the witness that if the person holding revolver is lying on the ground and by sitting on his body, the victim is trying to snatch the revolver and if the revolver is fired accidentally, the Injury No.5 is not possible. Therefore, for all the aforesaid reasons, the possibility of bullet getting accidentally fired will have to be ruled out.
CONCLUSIONS AFTER CONSIDERATION OF THE PROSECUTION EVIDENCE:
24. Thus, the prosecution has successfully established the following facts :-
(i) Suit for injunction filed by the Appellant was dismissed by the Civil Court;
(ii) After dismissal of the suit, the deceased started construction of compound wall;
(iii) On 9th February, 2004, at about 3.30 in the afternoon, the Appellant came at the spot where construction was going on. He objected to the work. When the deceased pointed out that the suit has been dismissed ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 34 crapeal-611.12 and, therefore, he has a right to carry on construction, the Appellant got angry. He went inside his house and came out with his revolver. He pointed the revolver at the deceased and threatened to kill him;
(iv) On 10th February, 2004, in the morning at about 9.30 am., the Appellant came to the place where the work was going on and told the PW-2 and other worker to stop the work.
After hearing the voice, the deceased and the PW-1 came out. The Appellant was carrying his revolver with him. The deceased came to the spot while he was wearing the attire which is normally worn at the time of performing pooja. There was a scuffle between the deceased and the Appellant.
The PW-1 hit a stone on the head of the Appellant and the Appellant suffered bleeding injury. The Appellant fell down and the deceased was sitting on his chest with a stone in his hand. Thereafter, the Appellant fired a bullet at the deceased. The bullet ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 35 crapeal-611.12 entered from the right epigastric region, 3 cm below costal margin and 1.8 cm right lateral to mid ventral line. Thus, the bullet entered the body through the right hand side below the chest which ultimately led to death of the deceased.
CONSIDERATION OF SUBMISSION REGARDING FAILURE TO EXPLAIN INJURY TO APPELLANT :
25. The submissions were made as regards the failure of the prosecution to explain injuries sustained by the Appellant. We may note her that PW-2 Nadaf himself has stated that the PW-1 Vishwajeet had assaulted the Appellant by a stone on his head. Learned APP has admitted the documents annexed to the Criminal application No.1202 of 2012 which contain the discharge card of the Appellant issued by the Sassoon General Hospital, Pune and the case papers of the Appellant.
Even the Investigating Officer has admitted that from 10 th February, 2004 to 23rd February, 2004, the Appellant was hospitalized as an indoor patient. Diagnosis recorded in the discharge card is head injury (sub arachnoid bleeding). The manner in which the Appellant suffered injuries has come in the evidence of PW-2 Nadaf. It is true that the prosecution should have produced the record of Sassoon Hospital such ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 36 crapeal-611.12 as the discharge card of the Appellant and the case papers. Now the prosecution has admitted the same.
26. Even assuming that there is a failure to explain injuries, the question is whether it is sufficient to vitiate the case of the prosecution. In the case of Kashiram & Others v. State of M.P. [(2002)1 SCC 71, the Apex Court considered the law on this aspect. The Apex Court has quoted with approval its two earlier decisions in the case of State of U.P v. Mukunde Singh [(1994)2 SCC 191] and Takhaji Hiraji v.
Thakore Kubersing Chamansing [(2001)6 SCC 145]. In paragraph 20 of the judgment, the Apex Court held thus:
"20. At the hearing the learned counsel for the accused-appellants submitted that the factum of accused Prabhu having sustained serious injuries including those on vital parts of the body was well established and the trial court as also the High Court have not doubted such injuries having been received by the accused Prabhu in the same incident in which those on the side of the prosecution suffered the injuries and such injuries of Prabhu having not been explained by the prosecution witnesses, the prosecution story should have been discarded and all the accused persons should have been acquitted. In our opinion such a submission is too tall a submission and hence cannot be accepted.In State of U.P. v. Mukunde Singh1 it has been held that merely on the ground that the prosecution witnesses have not explained the injuries on the accused, the evidence of the prosecution witnesses ought not to be rejected outrightly; if the court finds it probable that the accused might have acted in exercise of right of self-defence, the court ought to proceed to consider whether they have exceeded the same.::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 :::
ash 37 crapeal-611.12 In Takhaji Hiraji v. Thakore Kubersing Chamansing2 this Court has held that the court ought to make an effort at searching out the truth on the material available on record with a view to find out how much of the prosecution case was proved beyond reasonable doubt and was worthy of being accepted as truthful and the approach of rejecting the prosecution case in its entirety for non-explanation of the injuries sustained by the accused persons is erroneous. This Court further held: (SCC p. 154, para 17) "[I] It cannot be held as a matter of law or invariably a rule that whenever the accused sustained an injury in the same occurrence, the prosecution is obliged to explain the injury and on the failure of the prosecution to do so the prosecution case should be disbelieved. Before non-explanation of the injuries on the persons of the accused persons by the prosecution witnesses may affect the prosecution case, the court has to be satisfied of the existence of two conditions: (i) that the injuries on the person of the accused were of a serious nature; and (ii) that such injuries must have been caused at the time of the occurrence in question. Non-
explanation of injuries assumes greater significance when the evidence consists of interested or partisan witnesses or where the defence gives a version which competes in probability with that of the prosecution."
(Emphasis added) As stated earlier, the PW-2 has stated as to how the Appellant sustained head injury. The learned counsel appearing for the Appellant relied upon a decision of the Apex Court in the case of Subramani (supra) on this aspect. The decision in the case of Subramani (supra) is by a bench of consisting two Hon'ble Judges. We have referred to the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 38 crapeal-611.12 binding precedent of the Apex Court in the case of Kashiram (supra) which is a decision of a larger bench of the Apex Court. Since there is a plea of exercise of right of private defence, we may also make a useful reference to another decision of the Apex Court in the case of Onkarnath Singh & Others v. The State of U.P. [(1975)3 SCC 276] wherein the Apex Court considered the effect of failure to explain the injuries on the accused in a case where there was a plea of exercise of private defence. In Paragraphs 35 and 36, the Apex Court has observed thus:-
"35. The question is, what is the effect of this non-explanation of the injuries of Parasnath? This is a question of fact and not one of law. Answer to such a question depends upon the circumstances of each case. This Court has repeatedly pointed out that the entire prosecution case cannot be thrown overboard simply because the prosecution witnesses do not explain the injuries on the person of the accused (see Bankey Lal v. State of U.P. and Bhagwan Tana Patil v. State of Maharashtra5).
36. Such non-explanation, however, is a factor which is to be taken into account in judging the veracity of the prosecution witnesses, and the court will scrutinise their evidence with care. Each case presents its own features. In some cases, the failure of the prosecution to account for the injuries of the accused may undermine its evidence to the core and falsify the substratum of its story, while in others it may have little or no adverse ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 39 crapeal-611.12 effect on the prosecution case. It may also, in a given case, strengthen the plea of private defence set up by the accused. But it cannot be laid down as an invariable proposition of law of universal application that as soon as it is found that the accused had received injuries in the same transaction in which the complainant party was assaulted, the plea of private defence would stand prima facie established and the burden would shift on to the prosecution to prove that those injuries were caused to the accused in self-defence by the complainant party. For instance where two parties come armed with iga determination to measure their strength and to settle a dispute by force of arms and in the ensuing fight both sides receive injuries, no question of private defence arises.
(Emphasis added) Therefore, in the facts of the case before us, it cannot be said that there is a failure to explain as to how head injury was suffered by the Appellant. In any event, entire prosecution case cannot be disbelieved on account of alleged failure to explain the head injury sustained by the Appellant.
27. Hence, we hold that the prosecution has established the case as recorded in paragraph 24 above beyond reasonable doubt. Now it is necessary for us to consider the evidence in the light of plea of exercise of right of private defence. Before dealing with the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 40 crapeal-611.12 submissions on this aspect, the law on this aspect will have to be summarized.
CONSIDERATION OF PLEA OF EXERCISE OF RIGHT OF PRIVATE DEFENCE:
28. Section 96 of the IPC provides that nothing is an offence which is done in the exercise of the right of private defence. Section 97 of the IPC lays down that every person has a right, subject to the restrictions contained in Section 99 to defend his own body against any offence affecting the human body. Section 99 of the IPC provides that there is no right of private defence against an act which does not reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, if done, or attempted to be done, by a public servant acting in good faith under colour of his office. It further provides that there is no private defence available against an act which does not reasonably cause the apprehension of death or of grievous hurt, if done, or attempted to be done, by the direction of a public servant acting in good faith under colour of his office. It also lays down that right of private defence cannot be exercised when there is a time to take recourse to the protection of the public authorities. Section 100 of the IPC provides that under certain circumstances, right of private defence of the body extends to the voluntary causing of death. The said right extends to ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 41 crapeal-611.12 causing death if the offence which occasions the exercise of the right is such an assault as may reasonably cause the apprehension that death will be otherwise the consequence of such assault or grievous hurt will otherwise be the consequence of such assault. The right conferred by Section 96 is a right of defence. Section 96 does not bestow a right on the Accused to retaliate or attack the Complainant or the victim.
29. Before dealing with the law relating to burden of proof, a reference will have to be made to a decision of the Apex Court in the case of Munney Khan v. The State of Madhya Pradesh (AIR 1971 SC 1491), the main judgment of the Apex Court was delivered by Bhargava, J and while concurring, Dua, J has observed thus:-
".....This right is available against an offence and, therefore, where an act is done in exercise of the right of private defence such act cannot give rise to any right of private defence in favour of the aggressor in return. This would seem to be so even if the person exercising the right of private defence has the course he does not exceed his right because the moment he exceeds it, he commits an offence..."
(Emphasis added) Thus, what is held by the Apex Court is that if the person exercising the right of private defence exceeds the right conferred on him, the moment he exceeds the same, he commits an offence.
30. At this stage, we may make a useful reference to the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 42 crapeal-611.12 decision of the Apex Court in the case of Yogendra Morarji v. State of Gujarat [(1980)2 SCC 218]. The Apex Court has considered the rule of evidence incorporated in Section 105 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 putting burden of proof on the Accused when plea of private defence is taken. In Paragraphs 14 to 17, the Apex Court has held thus:-
"14. Before coming to the facts of the instant case, the principles governing the burden of proof where the accused sets up a plea of private defence, may also be seen.
Section 105, Evidence Act enacts an exception to the general rule whereby in a criminal trial the burden of proving everything necessary to establish the charge against the accused beyond reasonable doubt, rests on the prosecution. According to the section, the burden of proving the existence of circumstances bringing the case within any of the General Exceptions in the Indian Penal Code; or within any special exception or proviso contained in any other part of the Code or in any other law, shall be on the accused person, and the Court shall presume the absence of such circumstances. But this section does not neutralise or shift the general burden that lies on the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt all the ingredients of the offence with which the accused stands charged.
Therefore, where the charge against the accused is one of culpable homicide, the prosecution must prove beyond all manner of reasonable doubt that the accused caused the death with the requisite knowledge or intention described in Section 299 of the Penal Code. It is only after the prosecution so discharges its initial traditional burden, establishing the complicity of the accused, that the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 43 crapeal-611.12 question whether or not the accused had acted in the exercise of his right of private defence, arises.
15. As pointed out by the Court in Dahyabhai v. State of Gujarat 1, under Section 105, read with the definition of "shall presume"
in Section 5, Evidence Act, the Court shall regard the absence of circumstances on the basis of which the benefit of an Exception (such as those on which right of private defence is claimed), as proved unless, after considering the matters before it, it believes that the said circumstances existed or their existence was so probable that a prudent man ought, under the circumstances of the particular case, to act upon the supposition that they did exist. The accused has to rebut the presumption envisaged in the last limb of Section 105, by bringing in record evidential material before the Court sufficient for a prudent man to believe that the existence of such circumstances is probable. In other words, even under Section 105, the standard of proof required to establish those circumstances is that of a prudent man as laid down in Section 3, Evidence Act. But within that standard there are degrees of probability, and that is why under Section 105, the nature of burden on an accused person claiming the benefit of an Exception, is not as onerous as the general burden of proving the charge beyond reasonable doubt cast on the prosecution. The accused may discharge his burden by establishing a mere balance of probabilities in his favour with regard to the said circumstances.
16. The material before the Court to establish such a preponderance of probability in favour of the defence plea may consist of ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 44 crapeal-611.12 oral or documentary evidence, admissions appearing in evidence led by the prosecution or elicited from prosecution witnesses in cross-examination, presumptions, and the statement of the accused recorded under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
17. Notwithstanding the failure of the accused to establish positively the existence of circumstances which would bring his case within an Exception, the circumstances proved by him may raise a reasonable doubt with regard to one or more of the necessary ingredients of the offence itself with which the accused stands charged.
igThus, there may be cases where, despite the failure of the accused to discharge his burden under Section 105, the material brought on the record may, in the totality of the facts and circumstances of the case, be enough to induce in the mind of the Court a reasonable doubt with regard to the mens rea requisite for an offence under Section 299 of the Code. See Dahyabhai v. State of Gujarat1; State of U.P. v. Ram Swarup2 and Pratap v. State of U.P.3."
(Emphasis added)
31. Now we turn to the evidence on the aspect of exercise of right of private defence. Though a submission was made by Shri Mohite, the learned counsel appearing for the Appellant that the FIR at Exhibit-111 registered at the instance of the Appellant is not admissible in evidence as it amounts to confession before the police, an advantage is sought to be taken by him of what is stated in the said complaint for establishing a right of private defence. In the said complaint, though it is stated that PW-1 Vishwajeet came while carrying a stone in his hand, ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 45 crapeal-611.12 there is no allegation that the PW-1 Vishwajeet assaulted the Appellant on his head by the stone. The Appellant has stated that due to scuffle, he suffered injury. He fell down and both the deceased and the PW-1 Vishwajeet were sitting on his chest. He has not stated that the deceased was having a stone in his hand. He claimed that as the deceased threatened to kill him, he fired a bullet from his revolver which may have hit the the deceased. He claimed that he had done this act in his self defence. As regards the actual incident, we have already recorded a finding earlier that the PW-1 Vishwajeet assaulted the Appellant on his head by stone and at the time of incident, the deceased was sitting on his chest with a stone in his hand. If this prosecution case is accepted, then it is quite probable that there was a reasonable apprehension in the mind of the Appellant that atleast a grievous hurt will be caused to him at the instance of party of the deceased. Even in the statement under Section 313 of the said Code, the Appellant has stated that the deceased was sitting on his chest and was having a scuffle though he has not stated that the deceased was carrying a stone in his hand. The version in the statement under Section 313 of the said Code is that the PW-1 Vishwajeet was carrying a stone in his hand.
32. While we are considering the question whether the Appellant has exceeded the right conferred on him under Section 96 of ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 46 crapeal-611.12 the IPC, we may again note here that the incident of 9 th February, 2004 of the Appellant going to the site of construction and pointing revolver at the deceased and threatening him has been admitted. The incident of 10th February, 2004 was in the morning at 9.30 a.m when only two workers were working at the site. Neither the deceased nor the PW-1 were initially present when the Appellant went at the spot of construction. There was no reason for the Appellant to carry his revolver with him at 9.30 a.m when there was no threat to him.
Reliance was sought to be placed on a vague statement made by the PW-1 in his examination-in-chief that the Appellant was always carrying his revolver by way of self defence. In the incident of 9 th February, 2004 which has been admitted, after altercation with the deceased, the Appellant went back to his house and brought the revolver. This fact cannot be ignored.
33. At the time of incident, the fact that the deceased was sitting on the chest of the Appellant is virtually an admitted position.
From Attire of the deceased, there appears to be a substance in the prosecution case that he rushed to the site when he was performing Pooja. Going by the spot panchanama at Exhibit-103, the defence of the Appellant that his spectacle has fallen down can be accepted as a probable defence. If at the time of incident, the deceased was sitting on the chest of the Appellant, it is not possible to believe that after the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 47 crapeal-611.12 deceased sat on his chest, the Appellant pulled out his revolver. The post mortem notes show that there were abrasions on the left knee of the deceased. Thus, obviously, his knees must touching the ground when he sat on the chest. While the deceased was sitting on his chest, it was not possible for the Appellant to take out revolver. Therefore, the Appellant must have taken out the revolver even before the deceased sat on his chest. Hence, when the deceased sat on the chest of the Appellant, the revolver must be in his hands. As per the version of PW-
2 Nadaf, the assault on the head of the Appellant was by PW-1 Vishwajeet. It is not the case made out by the Appellant in his statement under Section 313 of the said Code that while sitting on his chest, the deceased was holding a stone in his hand. We have already noted that the entry point of the bullet in the body of the deceased is through right epigastric region (abdominal region right over the stomach). The Appellant being a Police Officer was very much conversant with the use of revolver. We are aware of the well settled position of law reflected from the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Subramani (supra) that when a person is faced with imminent peril of life and limb of himself or other, he is not expected to weigh in golden scales the precise force needed to repel the danger. However, as stated earlier, we cannot ignore that the Appellant was an officer of Police and was conversant with the use of revolver. We have already held that it is not established that before the shot was fired by the ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 48 crapeal-611.12 Appellant, an effort was made by the deceased to hold revolver. We have already ruled out the possibility of accidental fire of the bullet from the weapon. In the cross-examination of PW-1 Vishwajeet, it is brought on record that the Appellant had held the revolver with both hands. There is nothing on record to hold that as his spectacles had fallen, the bullet was wrongly fired in the direction of the abdomen of the deceased. Considering the totality of the aforesaid circumstances, the action of firing a bullet in the direction of the abdomen certainly amounts to an action which is in excess of right available under Section 96 of the IPC. Thus, while exercising the right of private defence under Section 96 of the IPC, the Appellant crossed the limit and exceeded the right conferred on him by law. Once it is accepted that the Appellant exceeded the right of private defence, as the prosecution has established its case, the Appellant is guilty of committing an offence.
CONCLUSION:
34. The Appellant had sustained head injury and at the relevant time, he was lying on the ground and the deceased was sitting on his chest. As we have held that the right of private defence was available to the Appellant, we cannot attribute any intention to the Appellant to cause death of the Appellant at the time when he fired the bullet. However, the knowledge that firing of a bullet from the revolver from such a short distance is likely to cause death will have to ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 49 crapeal-611.12 be attributed to the Appellant. Hence, the Appellant will have to be held guilty of the offence punishable under Part-II of Section 304 of the IPC.
SENTENCE :
35. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the Appellant even on the quantum of sentence. We have also heard the learned APP on this aspect. Learned counsel appearing for the Appellant relied upon the decision in the case of Yogendra Morarji (supra) wherein it was held that the Accused has exceeded the limit of the right of private defence available to him and the sentence for the offence punishable under Part II of Section 304 of the IPC was reduced to six months' rigorous imprisonment. From the facts of the case reflected from the judgment, we find that this was a case where five persons attempted to stop the vehicle of the Accused in order to wrongly restrain the Accused with a common object of getting money from him by putting him in a fear of physical harm. Considering this aspect, in the facts of the case, the Apex Court has reduced the sentence to six months' rigorous imprisonment. Learned counsel appearing for the Appellant relied upon a decision in the case of Khanjan Pal v. State of U.P. [(1990)4 SCC 53] where for the offence punishable under Part-II of Section 304 of the IPC, the Accused was let off on undergone imprisonment for over one year. The Paragraph 5 of the said decision ::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 ::: ash 50 crapeal-611.12 shows that the Accused was a young man who had been at large for nearly 12 years, therefore, the Apex Court observed that he cannot be committed to prison for any further period at that stage. Lastly, the learned counsel appearing for the Appellant relied upon a decision of the Apex court in the case of Md. Monir Alam v. State of Bihar [2010 ALL MR (Cri) 652 (S.C.)]. This was a case where probation under Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958 was granted to the Accused for the offence punishable under Section 304 Part-II read with Section 149 of the IPC. From Paragraph 4 of the judgment of the Apex Court, we find that this was a case where the Accused during the pendency of the proceedings had secured a doctorate and was working as a Senior Professor in the Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu. The Apex court observed that his professional qualifications show his expertise in specialty and also portrays his association with prestigious organizations worldwide in the field of strategic studies. In the light of this peculiar factual position, perhaps, in exercise of powers under Article 142 of the Constitution of India that the Apex Court conferred benefits under the Probation of Offenders Act, 1958. Thus, none of the three decisions will help the Appellant.::: Downloaded on - 09/06/2013 19:03:34 :::
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36. On the date of commission of offence, the age of the Appellant was 79 years. He was enlarged on bail on 9 th June, 2004 and was taken into custody on 28th May, 2012 by cancelling his bail bond.
As of today, the age of the Appellant is 86 years. The submission of the learned counsel appearing for the Appellant that considering these two factors, minimum possible sentence be imposed. We cannot ignore that the incident of 9th February, 2004 involving the Appellant is admitted. In the morning of the date of incident, only two workers were on the site and at about 9.30 in the morning, the Appellant came out with his revolver. Considering these two factors and considering the fact that on the date of commission of the offence, the age of the Appellant was 79 years, we are of the view that the sentence of rigorous imprisonment for four years will be adequate.
37. As far as offence punishable under Section 447 of the IPC is concerned, there is no evidence adduced by the prosecution to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the Appellant had forced his entry into the plot of the deceased. Therefore, the said conviction cannot be sustained. Thus, by setting aside the conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the IPC, he will have to be convicted under Part-II of Section 304 of the IPC.
Hence, we pass the following order:-
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ORDER :
(a) The conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offence punishable under Section 447 of the Indian Penal Code is quashed and set aside and he is acquitted of the offence alleged against him for the offence punishable under Section 447 of Indian Penal Code;
(b) The conviction and sentence of the Appellant for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code is set aside and instead the Appellant is hereby convicted for the offence punishable under Part II of Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code;
(c) The Appellant is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for a period of four years;
(d) The fine amount and in default sentence under the impugned judgment and order is maintained;
(e) The direction issued by the Trial Court in Clauses
(v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) are hereby confirmed;
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(f) The Appeal is partly allowed on above terms.
( SMT.SADHANA S. JADHAV, J) ( A.S. OKA, J )
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