Delhi District Court
The State vs Rahis S /O Sh. Sab U on 23 November, 2009
FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
IN THE COURT OF SH. GURDEEP SINGH,
ADDL. SESSION JUDGE 04, NORTH EAST DISTRICT
KARKARDOOMA COURTS, DELHI.
FIR No. : 567 / 2 0 0 7
PS : Gokalp u ri
U/s : 307 / 3 0 2 IPC
ORDER ON SENTENCE
23.11.2 0 0 9
Present: Sh. Virender Singh, Ld. Addl. P.P for State.
Convict Rahis in J / C with Sh. Abdul Sattar, Advocate
Amicus Curiae, Advocate.
An application is moved by convict for taking lenient
view.
Heard on sentence for convict Rahis.
It is sub mitted that the convict is aged about 38 years
old married having three minor children, two sons aged 8
and 10 years and a daugh ter of 7 years and was the only
earning member of the family and was working as fruit
seller. Therefore, lenient view is prayed for. Ld. Defence
coun sel also sub mits that this case does not fall in the
category of rarest of the rare case , therefore, the convict be
given lesser punis h m e n t .
On the other han d, Ld. Addl. PP for the state sub mits
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FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
that the convict to be given maxim u m punis h m e n t as he
has given most painful death to helpless woma n i.e. his
own wife by burning her to the extent of 95%.
The Hon'ble Supre me Court in many cases has
reiterated that life imprison m e n t is the rule and death
penalty is the exception to be given only in the rarest of the
rare case. In Lehn a V. Sta t e of Hary a n a , 2002 SCC (Cri)
526, it was held that the death penalty can be awarded
when:
(1)When the murder is committed in an
extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical,
revolting, or dastardly manner so as to
arouse intense and extreme indignation
of the community.
(2)When the murder is committed for a
motive which evinces total depravity and
meanne s s , e.g., murder by hired
ass a s sin for money or reward, or cold
blooded murder for gains of a person vis
avis whom the murderer is in a
dominating position or in a position of
trust, or murder is committed in the
course for betrayal of the motherland.
(3)When murder of a member of a
Scheduled Caste or minority community,
etc., is committed not for personal
Page 2 of 32
FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
reasons but in circumstance s which
arouse social wrath, or in cases of "bride
burning" or "dowry death s" or when
murder is committed in order to remarry
for the sake of extracting dowry once
again or to marry another woman on
account of infatuation.
(4)When the crime is enormous in
proportion. For instance when multiple
murders, say of all or almost all the
members of a family or a large number of
persons of a particular caste, community,
or locality, are committed.
(5)When the victim of murder is an innocent
child, or a helpless woman or old or
infirm person or a person vis avis whom
the murderer is in a dominating position,
or a public figure generally loved and
respected by the community.
In the presen t case, the convict as per the facts has
burn t his wife to the extent of 95% and she died on accou n t
of those burn injuries. The death has been caused in most
painful man n er and caused extreme agony to the deceased.
However, I do not find this case to fall within category of
rarest of the rare case. However this case borders on the
Page 3 of 32
FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
rarest of the rare category.
The Hon'ble Supre me Court in "Sw a m i
Shar d d a n a n d a V. Sta t e of Karn a t a k a " , 2008 Crl. L.J.
3911 held that Courts are empowered to restrict the
comm u t a tio n in cases where it feels that the life
imprison m e n t which after comm u t a tion comes to 14 years
would be inadeq u a te and disproportion a te to the crime.
Therefore, I am of the opinion that in this case
punis h m e n t be not comm u te d by the State Governme n t
less tha n 25 years.
Keeping in view the totality of the facts and
circum s t a n c e s of the case and as per the discus sio n above,
I am of the opinion that the interest of justice would be met
in sentencing the convict Rahis to undergo rigorous
imprison m e n t for life for offence punis h a ble U/s 302 IPC.
He shall also be liable to pay fine of Rs. 25,000 / . In
default of paymen t of fine, he shall further undergo
rigorous imprison m e n t for the period of one years. The fine,
if recovered, shall be paid as the compen s a tio n to the
mother of the deceased / victim.
The benefit of Section 428 Cr.P.C be given to the
Page 4 of 32
FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
convict.
Copy of the judgmen t, order on sente nce, charge,
evidence, state me n t of accused, exhibited docu me n t s etc.
duly attested by the reader of the Court be given to the
convict, free of cost. The case property, if any, be destroyed
after the expiry of the period of appeal. File be consigned
to record room.
Announced in the open court
today i.e. on 23.11.200 9
(GURDEEP SINGH)
ASJ 04 /NE / KKD / 2 3 . 1 1 . 0 9
Page 5 of 32
FIR No. : 567/2007
PS : Gokalpuri
IN THE COURT OF SH. GURDEEP SINGH,
ADDL. SESSION JUDGE 04, NORTH EAST DISTRICT
KARKARDOOMA COURTS, DELHI.
FIR No. : 567 / 2 0 0 7
PS : Gokalp u ri
U/s : 307 / 3 0 2 IPC
Session Case No. : 134 / 2 0 0 8
Date of Institution : 01.11.20 0 7
Date of Committal : 15.11.2 0 0 7
Date, which reserved for order : 19.11.20 0 9
Date of delivery of judgme n t : 19.11.2 0 0 9
In the matter of
The State
Versus
1.Rahis S /o Sh. Sab u R/o Gali No.01, H. No.66 / 1 1 Old Mustafaba d Delhi. ....Accused J U D G E M E N T
1. Briefly the prosec ution case is that on 30.7.20 0 7 on the receipt of DD No. 35A was recorded on the receipt of two information that one woma n has set herself on fire and from HC Dalbir PCR that one woman has been set on fire. The information was sent through Ct. Anil to ASI Praka s h Rai for necess a ry action. SI Prakas h Rai alongwith Page 6 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri Ct. Anil reached at the GTB Hos pit al and found Rizwana w/o Rahis admitted and her stateme n t was recorded wherein she stated that her hus b a n d has poured kerosene oil on her and set her on fire and PCR has brought her to the hospital. The stateme n t of deceased was also recorded thereafter by Sh. A. K. Passi, Executive Magistrate and directed SHO PS Gokalp uri to take action in accorda n ce with law. On the basis of her stateme n t FIR for offence u / s 307 IPC was registered and investigation was handed over the ASI Praka s h Rai who was already attending the call. During the investigation, one plastic container which was smelling kerosene oil was seized. Site plan was prepared without scale. Accused Rahis was also present at the GTB Ho s pit al. Ra hi s wa s also h avi ng b u r n inj urie s a n d hi s MLC wa s p re p a re d. SI Pr a k a s h Rai m a de inq uiry fro m t he la n dla dy of t he inj u re d a n d t he re after a r re ste d t he a cc u s e d a t GTB Hos pit al. O n 6. 8.2 0 0 7, inj u re d Rizwa n a died in t h e Page 7 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri h o s pit al. Her po st mor te m wa s got co n d u c te d a n d de a d bo dy wa s h a n d e d over to h e r rela tive s. Doctor p re served h e r s c alp h air. Doctor opi ne d t he c a u s e of de a t h a s s e p tice mic s h ock d u e to a n te mor te m fla me b u r n co n s tit u te 9 5% of tot al bo dy s u rface a re a. Offe nce wa s co nver ted fro m 3 0 7 IPC to 3 0 2 IPC after h e r de a t h, a n d after co m pletio n of t h e i nve stigatio n a cc u s e d wa s c h a rge s heete d for offe nce p u ni s h a ble u / s 3 0 7 / 3 0 2 IPC. It wa s also m e n tio ne d t h a t t he s c ale site pla n will be s u b mitted after p re p ari ng b u t n o s u c h s c ale site pla n wa s s u b mitte d. However, after t h e co m pletio n of t h e i nve stiga tio n, t he FSL re s ult wa s filed, w hic h wa s a d mi s sible u / s 2 9 3 IPC. As per FSL t he s c alp h air a n d pla s tic co n t ai ner wa s n ot h avi ng re sid u e of ke ro se ne or die sel or pet rol.
2. After supplying the copies to the accused, the case was committed to the court of session s vide order dated 15.11.2 00 7.
Page 8 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri
3. My Ld. Predecessor vide order dated 08.01.20 0 8, after finding prima facie charged the accused for offence punis h a ble U/ s 302 IPC to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.
4. The p ro sec u tio n in s u p por t of t h eir c a se ex a mi ne d a s m a ny a s 11 wit ne s s e s.
5. The m a terial wit ne s s e s, w ho a re ex a mi ne d by p ro sec u tio n a re PW5 S m t. H aja n w ho wa s la n dl a dy a n d alleged eye wit ne s s. S h e wa s h owever, p ar tly t u r n e d h o stile towa r d s t he p ro sec u tio n a n d wa s cro s sexa mi n e d by t he p ro sec u tor. PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Rai w ho also recorde d dying declar a tio n of t he dece a se d a n d p rove d t h e s a m e a s PW1 /A. PW3 S h . A.K.Pa s si, Exec u tive Magistr a te w ho al so recorde d t he dying declar a tio n of t h e inj u re d a n d p roved t he s a m e a s Ex.PW3 /A.
6. The p ro sec u tio n also exa mi ne d for m al wit ne s s e s. Page 9 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri PW1 Dr. Ra m Mila n w ho gave t he pe r mi s sio n rega r di ng fit ne s s of t h e inj u re d for m a ki ng t he s t a te me n t a n d h a d wit ne s se d t he s t a te m e n t. PW 11 Dr. Pa r m e s h wa r Ra m , CMO GTB Hos pit al w ho p roved t h e MLC of dece a s e d Rizwa n a p re p a re d by Dr. R avi n der Si ng h a s Ex.PW11 /A a n d MLC of Ra hi s, w ho wa s exa mi ne d by Dr. Avin a s h J e eva n Tigga, a s Ex.PW11 / B . PW2 ASI Azgar Ali wa s t h e d u ty officer w ho recorde d FIR o n t h e directio n of SHO a t 10: 4 5 a . m . a n d p rove d t he s a m e a s Ex.PW2 /A a n d m a de hi s e n dor se m e n t u p o n t he FIR a n d p rove d t he s a m e a s Ex.PW2 / B . PW4 Dr. J u t hi k a De b Ba r m a, w ho co n d u c te d t he po st mor te m o n t h e de a d bo dy of dece a s e d a n d p roved h e r re por t a s Ex.PW4 /A. PW6 ASI E.S.Yad av wa s t h e Inc h a rge Mobile Cri me Te a m w ho in s pecte d t h e s pot. He got place p ho togr a p h e d t h ro ug h Ct. Ma h avir PW7 a n d p rove d hi s in s pectio n re por t a s Ex.PW6 /A. PW 7 Ct. Ma h avir p roved t he p h otogr a p h s a s Ex.PW 7 /A - D a n d its n ega tive a s Ex.PW7 / E to H. PW Page 10 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri 10 In s pector G ajr aj Si ng h, w ho wa s e n tr u s te d c a se file by SHO a n d p re p a re d t h e c h a rge s h eet. PW8 H.C. Anil w ho joine d t he i nve stiga tio n wit h PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Rai. He p roved t h e ar re st m e m o of a cc u s e d Ra his a s Ex.PW8 /A, hi s per so n al s e a rc h a s Ex.PW8 / B , s eiz u re m e mo of s c alp h air a s Ex.PW8 / C a n d pla s tic jar h avi ng s m ell of ke ro se n e a s Ex.PW8 / D a n d ide n tified t he pl a stic jar a s Ex.PW8 /Ar ticle1. PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Ra s h a s co n d u c te d m o s t of t h e i nve stiga tio n s. He p rove d t he site pl a n a s Ex.PW 9 / B , DD e n try rega r di ng de a t h of Rizwa n a a s Ex.PW9 / C , ide n tificatio n of de a d body vide s t a te me n t of F ayee m a n d G u d d u a s Ex.PW9 / D a n d Ex.PW9 / E re s pectively.
6. The state me n t of the accuse d was recorded U/s 313 Cr.PC. Accused admitted that Rizwana deceased was his wife and other facts were denied. He stated that he was sleeping at the roof and sudde nly he was heard noise and when he Page 11 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri came down he saw his wife Rizwana was burning. He tried to douse the fire and in the process sustai ned bur n injuries on his chest, arms. Accused denied the prosecu tion evidence and claimed innocence. However, choose not to lead his evidence in defence.
7. I h ave h e a r d S h . Vire n der Si ng h, Ld. Addl. PP for t he s t a te a n d S h . Abd ul S a tt a r, Advoc a te, Amic u s C uriae for t h e a cc u s e d. I h ave also go ne t h ro ug h t he record s.
10. PW5 S m t. H ajja n @ Ajija n te stified t h a t dece a se d Rizwa n a alo ngwit h h e r h u s b a n d a n d h e r si ster c a m e to h e r h o u s e o ne d ay prior to t he incide n t to look for t he roo m o n re n t. Next d ay in t he eve ni ng a t a bo u t 7: 0 0 p. m. s h e (dece a se d) c a m e alo ne. S h e inq uired fro m h e r a s to w here is h e r h u s b a n d . S h e s t a te d t h a t h e h a s a n ot h er wife a n d h e h a s give n everyt hi ng to hi s ot her wife a n d a s ke d for t h e roo m o n re n t. S h e wa s Page 12 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri c ar rying o nly a pla s tic b u c ket. S h e gave o ne roo m to h e r o n re n t. At a bo u t 9:0 0 p. m. h e r h u s b a n d Ra hi s c a me. There wa s n o electricity in t he roo m, t he refore, s h e a s ke d bot h of t he m to sleep o n t he roof a n d a s s u re d t h e m t h a t s h e s h all m a ke ar r a nge me n t of electricity o n t he n ex t d ay. There after s h e we n t to slee p after locki ng t h e m ai n door. O n t he n ext m o r ni ng, a t a bo u t 5:0 0 a . m . s h e ope ne d h e r door a n d s aw (word ' he r' or 'Rizwa n a') co mi ng o u t of h e r latri ne a n d s h e (Rizwa n a) a s ke d fro m h e r t he k ey a s s h e told h e r t h a t h e r h u s b a n d h a s go ne for p heri. (It s ho uld be 'h a s to go for p h eri' a s disc u s s e d in p a r a n o .12) There after s h e we n t for offering t he n a m aj o u t side h e r roo m in b a r a n d a h . In t he m e a n ti me, s h e c a m e a n d ke pt t he k ey n e a r h e r a s d u ri ng t he offering of t he n a m aj, s h e wa s n o t allowed to s pe a k. There after, s h e s aw Rizwa n a c a m e o u t of h e r roo m in b u r ni ng co n ditio n. S h e inq uire d h e r a s to w h a t h a p p e ne d. S he s aid "I di d nothing b ut m y h u s b a n d h a s brunt m e". Page 13 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri The a cc u s e d R ayee s wa s s t a n di ng be hi n d h er. S h e s po ke to R ayee s a s "ha m e m ar wa y e d ga k y a"
b u t h e ke pt s t a n di ng. Dece a s e d Rizwa n a r a n towa r d s t he latri ne. There after, a cc u s e d R ayee s did n o t m ove eit her to s ave h e r or to do a nyt hi ng. There after, Rizwa n a ret u r n e d towa r d s h e r roo m a n d w he n s h e c a me n e a r R ayee s h e p u s h e d h er. S h e in t he m e a n ti me p ulled t he ga s cylin der fro m t he roo m so a s to avoid t h e ga s cylin der c a tc hi ng fire. In t he m e a n ti me, t he m o h alla people gat he re d a n d t h ey c alled t he police. The Ra his co uld n ot esc a pe d a s t he m ai n gate wa s close d. There after police c a m e a n d took t h e Rizwa n a a n d h e r h u s b a n d . D u e to t he fire t he clot h of Rizwa n a got b u r n t a n d so me bo dy fro m t he n eig h bo u r hoo d gave h e r s alwar to we ar. Police h a d t a ke n Rizwa n a to t he h o s pit al. Later o n s h e c a m e to k n ow t h a t s h e (Rizwa n a) died in t h e h o s pit al after eigh t d ays. S h e ide n tified t he a cc u s e d Ra his.
Page 14 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri 1 1. S h e wa s cro s sex a mi ne d by t h e p ro sec u tor a s s h e wa s re siling fro m h e r p r evio u s s t a te m e n t. S h e c a tegoric ally de nied t h a t s h e s aw Ra hi s s etti ng fire u p o n Rizwa n a a n d s h e wa s d re n c h e d wit h ke ro se ne oil a n d a cc u s e d Ra his h a d t h row n t he d a b b a of ke ro se ne oil a t t h e side of t he roo m. S h e al so de nied t h a t s h e r aised al a r m a n d dece a se d Rizwa n a c a ug h t h old t h e h a n d of t he a cc u s e d R ayee s w ho wa s trying to r u n aw ay fro m t he roo m. S he al so de nied t h a t IO p re p a re d site pl a n a t h e r in st a n ce. In h e r cro s sexa mi n a tio n o n be h alf of t he a cc u s e d, s h e s t a te d t h a t h e r h o u s e is b uilt o n 10 0 ya r d s a re a. There a re t h ree roo m s o n t he gro u n d floor a n d t h ree roo m s o n t he first floor. There is o nly o ne e n try o n t he gro u n d floor in side t he h o u s e a n d o ne way to t h e s t air s for going for t h e first floor. There wa s n o ot her te n a n t in h e r h o u s e a t t h a t ti me. Her two d a ug h ter sinlaw a re living o n t h e gro u n d floor. O ne d a ug h te r inlaw lives o n t he first floor a n d h e r so n n a m ely Kall u a H azi h a s s e p a r a te h o u s e. Page 15 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri Her d a ug h te r inlaw living o n t he first floor h a s go ne h e r p a re n t's h o u s e. Her d a ug h te r inlaw o n t he gro u n d floor wa s p re se n t a t t h eir roo m s o n t h a t d ay. S h e s t a te d t h a t s h e h a d fixed t he re n t a t t he r a te of Rs.8 0 0 / per m o n t h . S h e did n ot receive a ny a dva n ce d m o n ey n or gave a ny re n t receipt a s n o p ay me n t wa s m a d e. S h e did n ot get t he verificatio n of te n a n t do n e fro m t h e police. S h e c a me to k n ow rega rdi ng t h e s eco n d m a r riage of t h e a cc u s e d t h ro ug h hi s wife dece a se d Rizwa n a. S h e h a s n o per so n al k n owledge rega r di ng t he s eco n d m a r riage of a cc u s e d R ayee s. S he h a s n ot m et t he s eco n d wife of t he a cc u s e d n o r s h e k n ow h e r n a m e. S h e did n ot h e a r a ny alterc a tio n b etwee n t he a cc u s e d a n d dece a se d Rizwa n a. S he did n ot s ee a t w h a t ti me Rizwa n a a n d h e r h u s b a n d c a m e d ow n s t air s fro m roof. S h e do n o t k n ow w het h er bot h of t h e m c a m e toget her fro m roof. S he wa s offering Na m aj be side s t he wall of t h e roo m of Rizwa n a . S h e s t a te d s h e doe s n ot k n ow h ow long Rizwa n a Page 16 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri re m ai ne d in h e r roo m d u ri ng t h a t period. S h e vol u n t arily s t a te d t h a t bot h of t he m were in side t he roo m. S he s t a te d to t h e police a cc u s e d R ayee s a n d dece a se d Rizwa n a c a m e o u t of t he roo m toget h er b u t s h e wa s co nfro n te d wit h t he s t a te me n t a s t he s a m e wa s n ot recorde d. S h e a n d a cc u s e d R ayee s did n o t m a ke a n d a t te m p t to do u s e t he fire n or r aise a ny al a r m . S he mig h t h ave r u n a ro u n d for a bo u t two mi n u te s before s h e wa s p u s h e d by t he a cc u s e d. S h e de nied t h e s ugge stio n t h a t Rizwa n a s et h e r self o n fire.
12. It is s ettled law t h a t t h e te sti mo ny of eve n a h o s tile wit ne s s c a n be relied u p o n . PW H ajja n h a s bee n decla re d h o s tile by t he p ro sec u tor b u t s h e h a s s ee n t he dece a se d co mi ng to h e r for t a ki ng t he k ey a n d s t a te d to h e r t h a t h e r h u s b a n d h a s to go for p heri (wro ngly writte n a s 'h a s gone for p h eri' a s fro m t he s eq u e n ce of fur t her exa mi n a tio n it is clea re d t h a t t h e m ai n door of t h e h o u s e wa s n ot ope n a n d wit ho u t t he Page 17 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri k ey h e co uld n ot h ave go ne for p h eri a n d for t h a t p u r po se s h e h a d t a ke n k ey fro m h e r). S h e wa s offering Na m aj o u t side h e r roo m in t he b a r a n d a h a n d s h e ret u r n e d a n d ke p t t he k ey a n d t he re after s h e s aw h e r co mi ng o u t of t h e roo m in b u r ni ng co n ditio n a n d w he n s h e inq uire d h e r a s to w h a t h a p p e n e d a n d s h e (dece a se d) re plied t h a t s h e did n ot hi ng b u t h e r h u s b a n d h a s b u r n t h er. The a cc u s e d wa s s t a n di ng be hi n d h er. Therefore dece a s e d h a s give n t h e dying declar a tio n to H ajja n t h a t 'h er h u s b a n d h a s brunt h er' a n d t h a t H ajja n h a s s ee n h e r co mi ng in b u r ni ng co n ditio n w he n t h e a cc u s e d wa s ju s t s t a n di ng be hi n d h er.
13 . St a te m e n t of t h e dece a s e d wa s recorde d by PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Rai w he rei n s h e s t a te d t h a t s h e is living a s te n a n t for two d ays a n d a bo u t 4 / 5 d ays prior s h e wa s living wit h h e r m ot h er a n d e a rlier s h e wa s living wit h h e r h u s b a n d in t he h o u s e of Bab u B uilder, G ali No.2 0, 2 5 ft. Ro a d, Page 18 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri Old M u st afa b a d, Del hi. Her Nik k a h wit h Ra hi s S / o S a b u h a d t a ke n place fo ur m o n t h s prior a n d t his is s eco n d Nik k a h of Ra hi s . Fro m hi s first wife, h e is h avi ng t h ree c hildre n a n d hi s first wife h a d co me to hi m a bo u t o ne m o n t h prior a n d is living in G ali No.14, Nala Side, New M u st afa b a d, Del hi o n re n t wit h hi m. After h e r co mi ng, h e s t a r te d living wit h h e r a n d s to p pe d co mi ng to h e r co m pletely. He c a m e to h e r in t h e nig h t ye ster d ay a n d s t aye d wit h h e r d u ri ng t he nig h t. They h a d s m all alterc a tio n rega r di ng p r evio u s wife a n d c hildre n a n d Ra hi s after getti ng op por t u nity po u re d ke ro se ne oil o n h e r in t h e m o r ni ng, o n h e ari ng t he al a r m t he n eig h bo u rer c alled police a n d police b ro ug h t h e r to t h e h o s pit al. The s t a te me n t recorde d by IO wa s e n dor se d by Doctor PW1 Ra m Mila n, SR Unit III, UCMS & GTB Hos pit al. He de po se d t h a t doctor a t GTB Hos pit al h a d decla re d h e r fit for s t a te me n t. S he wa s h avi ng 9 0% to 9 5% b u r n inj uries. Pr a k a s h Rai after t a ki ng hi s per mis sio n Page 19 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri recorde d h e r s t a te m e n t in hi s p re se nce a n d took h e r rig h t t h u m b imp re s sio n.
14 . PW3 S h . A. K. Pa s si, Exec u tive Magistr a te al so recorde d s t a te m e n t of dece a s e d w herei n s h e h a d s t a te d t h a t s h e is living a s te n a n t for two d ays a n d e a rlier wa s living wit h h e r m ot her. Her Nik k a h h a d t a ke n pl ace 3 / 4 m o n t h s ago wit h a cc u s e d Ra his s / o S a h a b u . His first wife h a d co me to hi m for a bo u t o ne m o n t h a n d bot h of t h e m were living in G ali No.14, New M u st afa b a d. He is h avi ng t h ree c hildre n fro m hi s first wife a n d h e h a d s to p pe d co mi ng to h e r after hi s first wife h a d co me. O n 2 9. 7. 2 0 0 7 Ra his h a d co me to h e r a t a bo u t 10: 0 0 p. m. a n d s t aye d wit h h e r t h ro ug ho u t t he nig h t. An alterc a tio n t a ke n pl ace b etwee n Ra his a n d Rizwa n a rega r di ng hi s first wife. In t he m o r ni ng w he n s h e wa s lying o n t he cot a n d w he n s h e got aw a ke s h e s aw t h a t a cc u s e d Ra hi s wa s po uri ng ke ro se ne oil o n h e r a n d before s h e co uld r aise al a r m h e s et h e r o n Page 20 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri fire. S h e h eld hi s h a n d w hile h e s t ar te d r u n ni ng a n d r aise d al a r m. In t h e m e a n ti me so me body c alled t h e police. Police c a m e a t a bo u t 7: 0 0 a . m. a n d took h e r to t h e h o s pit al. Her s t a te m e n t wa s recorde d a t 10: 0 0 a . m. o n 3 0. 7. 2 0 0 7 by S h. A. K. Pa s si.
1 5. PW1 Dr. Ra m Milla n in hi s cro s sexa mi n a tio n de nied t he s ugge stio n t h a t t h e p a tie n t w ho h a s b u r n inj uries of 9 5% c a n n ot be fit to m a ke s t a te me n t. He doe s n ot re me m be r a s to w ho told hi m t he n a m e of t he p a tie n t a s Rijwa n a n o r h e c a n tell t h e ti me of a d mi s sio n wit ho u t going t h ro ug h t he a d mi s sio n record. He s t a te d t h a t h e doe s n ot k n ow w ho else ot her t h a n SI Pr a k a s h Rai wa s p re se n t a t t h e ti me of recordi ng of s t a te me n t. He also de nied t h e s ugge stio n t h a t Rizwa n a h a d alre a dy died before h e r alleged s t a te me n t or t h a t s h e did n ot give a ny s t a te me n t. He a d mitte d t h a t t h e p a tie n t did n o t s pe a k to hi m.
Page 21 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri 16 . MLC of Rizwa n a w hic h is Ex.PW11 /A s h ows t h a t o n 3 0. 7. 2 0 0 7 a t a bo u t 6:4 0 a. m. Rizwa m a wa s b ro ug h t wit h t he hi story of b u r n . S h e wa s declare d fit to m a ke s t a te m e n t.
1 7. PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Rai w ho recorde d h e r s t a te me n t in hi s cro s s ex a mi n a tio n s t a te d t h a t h e h a d received DD No.3 5A a t a bo u t 5:4 4 a . m. a n d re ac h e d a t t he s pot a t a bo u t 6:0 0 a. m. a n d re m ai ne d a t t he s pot till 7: 3 0 a . m. for t he first ti me. He s t a te d t h a t h e h a d s ee n t he inj u re d a t t he ti me of recordi ng of h e r s t a te m e n t. Inj u re d h a s h e r s elf told hi m a bo u t t h e period of h e r m a r riage wit h t he a cc u s e d. He recorde d s t a te me n t of inj u re d a t a bo u t 8:0 0 a . m. a n d after co m pletio n of h e r s t a te m e n t, h e obt ai ne d h e r t h u m b imp re s sio n o n t he s t a te m e n t. Dr. Ra m Mila n wa s p re se n t a t t h a t ti me. He fur t her s t a te d t h a t t h e exec u tive m agistr a te s t ar te d recordi ng t he s t a te me n t of t he inj u re d a t a bo u t 9:3 0 a . m . Page 22 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri 18 . PW3 S h. A. K. Pa s si, s t a te d t h a t h e re ac h e d a t t he s pot a t a bo u t 9:3 0 a. m . SI Pr a k a s h Rai m e t hi m t h e re. He fo u n d o ne lady a d mitte d a t t he h o s pit al. The doctor h a d opi ne d t he Rizwa n a is fit for s t a te m e n t. He recorde d h e r s t a te m e n t a n d s h e p u t h e r t h u m b imp re s sio n in hi s p re se nce. In hi s cro s sexa mi n a tio n h e s t a te d t h a t h e wa s n ot infor me d over t he telep ho n e a s to w ho h a s b u r n t t he Rizwa n a . The di st a n ce betwee n hi s re side nce a n d h o s pit al is a bo u t 2 83 0 k m . Fir stly h e m e t t h e doctor to inq uire w het h er t h e inj u re d is fit for s t a te m e n t t he re after h e took h e r s t a te me n t. He h owever, s t a te d t h a t h e doe s n ot k n ow w het he r a ny rela tives of t he inj u re d wa s also p re se n t wit h t he doctor, b u t h e s t a te d t h a t n o o ne wa s p re se n t a t t he ti me of recordi ng of t he s t a te m e n t. He s a te d t h a t h e c a n n ot s ay a s to w ho wa s p re se n t w he n h e re a c h e d n e a r t he victi m b u t t he re wa s so m e per so n s w ho were a s ke d to go o u t. He s t a te d t h a t t h e victi m wa s n ot we ari ng a ny clot he, s h e wa s h avi ng d re s si ng Page 23 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri over h e r bo d y. He s t a te d t h a t h e doe s n ot k n ow w het her t he a cc u s e d h u s b a n d of t h e dece a se d wa s al so p re se n t in t h e h o s pit al wit h 18 % b u r n . He s t a te d t h a t h e did n ot n otice a ny s m ell of ke ro se n e oil fro m t h e victim.
19 . Ld. Co u n s el o n be h alf of a cc u s e d s u b mitte d t h a t t he dece a se d did n ot s p e a k to t he doctor w ho h a d give n pe r mis sio n for recordi ng of h e r s t a te me n t. F ur t h er t he rela tive s of t he dece a s e d wa s p re se n t n e a r h e r w he n SDM re a c he d a n d t he refore t h ey mig h t h ave t u tore d h e r. Thirdly it is s u b mitte d t h a t t he s t a te m e n t is m a d e by t he dece a se d o n a cco u n t of h e r jealo u sy wit h t h e first wife of t he a cc u s e d a n d s h e h a s co m mitte d s uicide. F u r t he r t he doctor h a s n ot fo u n d a ny s m ell of ke ro se ne oil a n d in c a s e if ke ro se ne oil wa s s pri n kled o n h er, t h e s m ell m u s t h ave re m ai ne d. F u r t her, it is s u b mitte d t h a t t he s c alp h air or t he e m p ty pl a stic co nt ai ner wa s n ot fo u n d h avi ng a ny re sid u e of pet rol, ke ro se n e or Page 24 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri die sel. Therefore t he dyi ng declar a tio n is n ot believa ble.
2 0. The dece a se d h a s give n t h ree dyi ng declar a tio n.
Fir stly s h e give n dyi ng declar a tio n to t he PW H ajja n t h a t h e r h u s b a n d h a s b u r n t h er. The s eco n d dying declar a tio n wa s give n to t h e PW9 SI Pr a k a s h Rai, IO a n d t h e t hird declar a tio n wa s give n to t he exec u tive m agistr a te i.e. PW3. All t he t h ree dyi ng declar a tio n s a re co n si ste n t t h a t it is t he a cc u s e d w ho h a s s et h e r o n fire. The doctor i.e. PW1 Dr. Ra m Milla n h a s c a tegorically s t a te d t h a t a s per t he MLC s h e wa s decla re d fit for m a ki ng s t a te me n t a n d t he re after h e r s t a te me n t wa s recorde d in hi s p re se n ce. Therefore t h e doctor is t he wit ne s s to t he s t a te me n t give n by t h e dece a se d to t he IO i.e PW 9 Pr a k a s h Rai. It is im m a terial t h a t t he p a tie n t did n ot s pe a k to t h e doctor w he n h e gave pe r mi s sio n to t h e IO to record t h e s t a te m e n t. The MLC Ex.PW11 /A c ategorically record s t h a t Page 25 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri t he p a tie n t is co n scio u s a n d orie n te d a n d wa s declare d fit for m a ki ng t he s t a te m e n t. F u r t her t he exec u tive m agi str a te i.e. PW3 S h. A. K. Pa s si, h a s c a tegorically s t a te d t h a t h e h a s m a de inq uiry fro m t he doctor rega r di ng h e r fit ne s s a n d t he re after h e recorde d t h e s t a te me n t of inj u re d. 2 1. As rega r d s t he s u b mi s sio n t h a t t he relatives of t he dece a s e d were p re se n t a n d t h ey h a d t u tore d h e r is wit ho u t a ny b a si s. As eve n IO h a s n ot bee n q ue s tio ne d a s to w ho were infor me d a bo u t t he a d mi s sio n or w hich of t he relatives of t he dece a se d were infor m e d a bo u t h e r a d mi s sio n in t he h o s pit al. Eve n ot herwise believing t h a t t he rela tives were p re se n t, s h e h a s n o t c h a n ge d h e r ver sio n w hic h is co n si ste n t in all t he t h ree declar a tio n.
2 2. Ld. defe nce co u n s el al so s u b mitte d t h a t t he t h u m b imp re s sio n of t h e dece a s e d h a s n ot bee n t a ke n o n MLC a n d h e r t h u m b imp re s sio n bei ng Page 26 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri t a ke n o n t he s t a te m e n t. Si nce t he re wa s b u r n inj uries, t h erefore it wa s n ot po s sible to t a ke t h u m b imp re s sio n a n d t h u m b im p re s sio n t a ke n o n t he s t a te me n t of t h e inj u re d a re n ot of t h e inj u re d / d ece a se d. It is tr u e t h a t t h e pl ace LTI a n d RTI a re bl a n k o n t he MLC, h owever PW1 h a s c a tegorically s t a te d t h a t t h u m b im p re s sio n of t h e dece a se d wa s t a ke n . Therefore, t hi s a rg u m e n t is wit ho u t a ny b a sis.
2 3. As rega r d s, a rg u m e n t rega r di ng n o n p re se n ce of s m ell of ke ro se ne oil n o r doctor h a s recorde d t he s a m e, fur t her s c alp h air al so n ot fo u n d a ny re sid u e of ke ro se ne oil, t he refore, t he ver sio n give n by t h e dece a s e d is wro ng, a re co ncer ne d o u r ow n Ho n'ble Hig h Co ur t in c a se title a s Md. Moh sin v. St ate, Crl. A. 3 8 4 / 2 0 01 d ecide d on
19. 8.2 0 0 9 ob served a s "It all d e p e n d s a s to ho w m u ch k ero s e ne oil is thro w n on a person w ho is b ur nt. If qu a ntit y of k ero s e n e oil thro w n is s m all it w o uld get con s u m e d in its e ntiret y b y being so a k e d b y the clothe s w or n b y the person a n d w h e n the bo d y is s et on Page 27 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri fire, the p arts of the clothe s w hich h a ve a b sorbe d k ero s e n e oil w o ul d flairu p first a n d im m e diatel y, thereb y leaving no re sid u al trace s of k ero s e ne oil either on the clothe s or on the bo d y."
Therefore m e rely bec a u s e of ke ro se ne oil is n ot p re se n t, it c a n n ot be s aid t h a t t he ver sio n give n by t he dece a s e d in h e r dyi ng declar a tio n is incor rect.
2 4. As rega r d s t he s u b mi s sio n of Ld. Co u n s el, t h a t t he dece a s e d h a s o n a cco u n t of jealo u sy wit h t h e first wife h a s co m mitte d s uicide a n d h a d n a m e d hi m a n d o n t h e co n tr a ry t h e a cc u s e d h a s tried to s ave h e r t he refore in t he p roce s s h e s u s t ai ne d 18 % b u r n inj uries a n d wa s a d mitted in t he h o s pit al wit h b u r n inj uries, a re co ncer n e d, t he dece a se d in h e r dyi ng declar a tio n h a s c a tegoric ally s t a te d t h a t s h e h a d mi nor alterc a tio n wit h h e r h u s b a n d rega r di ng hi s first wife a n d c hildre n. S h e fur t her c a tegorically s t a te d t h a t a cc u s e d h a s tried to r u n aw ay after s etti ng h e r o n fire a n d s h e h eld hi s h a n d. Page 28 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri The a cc u s e d Ra hi s h a s al so b u r n inj urie s o n t he fro n t a n d b a ck of hi s h a n d a s de picte d by t h e pict u re s m a d e by doctor o n Ex.PW11 / B . PW H ajja n h a s al so s t a te d t h a t h e h a d p u s h e d t he dece a s e d w he n s h e wa s b u r ni ng a n d a cc u s e d wa s s t a n di ng ju s t be hi n d h e r a n d did n ot a t te m p t to do u s e t he fire. It c a n o nly be infer re d in t he circ u m s t a n ce s t h a t t h e a cc u s e d h a s s u s t ai ne d b u r n inj ury a s h e wa s h eld by t he dece a se d w he n h e wa s a t te m p ti ng to r u n aw ay, t he refore t he a rg u m e n t is wit ho u t m erit a n d rejected.
2 5. The p ro sec u tio n h a s p roved b eyo n d re a so n a ble do u b t t h a t t h e dece a se d m a d e dyi ng declar a tio n to PW H ajja n, IO a n d to t he exec u tive m agistr a te. The dyi ng declar a tio n s a re co n si ste n t a n d m a de after s h or t interval im me dia tely after t h e b u r ni ng. The dyi ng declar a tio n is fur t h er cor robor a te d by PW H ajja n w ho h a s d e po se d rega r di ng t h e co n d u c t of t h e a cc u s e d a n d h a d Page 29 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri s ee n bot h of t h e m toget h er a n d h e a r d t he u t ter a n ce s m a d e by t he dece a se d. 2 6. The dyi ng declar a tio n is a d mi s sible u / s 3 2 of India n Evide nce Act. The s t a te m e n t m a d e by t he dece a se d before h e r de a t h a re relia ble, tr u t hf ul a n d tr u s t wor t hy. They do n ot s uffer fro m a ny infir mity a n d a re n ot a s a re s ult of a ny t u tori ng or im agi n a tio n. It is s et tled law t h a t t he co nvictio n c a n be m a d e o n t he b a si s of dyi ng declar a tio n wit ho u t a ny cor robor a tio n. However, in t he p re se n t c a se, t he dyi ng declar a tio n al so fin d s cor robor a tio n fro m t h e te sti mo ny of in de pe n de n t wit ne s s.
2 7. The defe nce of t he a cc u s e d t h a t h e wa s sleepi ng o n t h e roof a n d c a me d ow n w he n h e h e a r d n oise a n d tried to do u s e t he fire a n d in t he p roce s s s u s t ai ne d b u r n inj u re s o n hi s c he s t a n d a r m s is u n s u b t a n ti a te d in t he face of t h e inj uries o n t he per so n of t h e a cc u s e d explai ne d by t h e dece a s e d Page 30 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri h e r self t h a t s h e h eld h e r h a n d . F u r t h er PW H ajja n h avi ng s ee n hi m w hile h e wa s s t a n di ng ju st be hi n d h e r a n d did n ot m a ke a ny a t te m p t to do u s e t he fire.
2 8. The dece a se d h a s s uffere d 9 5% b u r n inj uries all over h e r bo d y. The inte n tio n of t he a cc u s e d c a n be gat h e re d fro m t he exte n t of b u r n inj uries t h a t h e o nly inte n de d to c a u s e h e r de a t h a n d a s a re s ult of t he b u r n inj uries dece a se d Rizwa n a died after six d ays de s pite t h e t re a t m e n t. Therefore t h e es se n tial ingre die n t s to co n stit u te t he offence a s define d u / s 3 0 0 IPC in cla u s e firstly is m a d e o u t agai n s t t h e a cc u s e d. The s a m e is p u ni s h a ble u / s 3 0 2 IPC.
2 9. Accordi ngly I a m of t he opi nio n t h a t t he a cc u s e d h a d s et hi s wife Rizwa n a o n fire by po u ri ng ke ro se n e oil wit h inte n tio n to kill h e r a n d s h e died a s a re s ult of t he s a m e. Accordi ngly, t h e offe nce p u ni s h a ble u / s 3 0 2 IPC is p roved agai n st Page 31 of 32 FIR No. : 567/2007 PS : Gokalpuri t he a cc u s e d b eyo n d re a so n a ble do u b t.
30. Accused Rahis is convicted for offence punis h a ble U/ s 302 IPC.
Announced in the open court today i.e. on 19.11.200 9 (GURDEEP SINGH) ASJ 04 /NE / KKD / 1 9 . 1 1 . 0 9 Page 32 of 32