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Delhi District Court

State vs . Sandeep @ Raju Etc Fir 475/13 ... on 7 April, 2018

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)




           IN THE COURT OF SHRI MANISH YADUVANSHI
          ADDITIONAL SESSIONS JUDGE ­05: WEST : DELHI.
       
      IN THE MATTER OF 
      Case No. 56620/16
      FIR No. 475/13
      PS Hari Nagar
      U/s  410/411/420/328/34 IPC 

      STATE  

                      VERSUS


      (1) SANDEEP @ RAJU (A­1)
      S/O HARPAL SINGH
      R/O Q­59, BHAGAT ENCLAVE, 
      UTTAM NAGAR, PS BINDA PUR, 
      DELHI. 

      (2) DEEP SINGH @ DEEPA @ BABA (A­2)
      S/O LATE SH.TEJA SINGH
      R/O H.NO. 123, SARIKA ENCLAVE, 
      GOPAL NAGAR EXTN., 
      PHASE­I, PS JAFFARPUR KALAN, 


Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 1  of   68
 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)




     NEW DELHI.       


        Date of Institution                              :      15.03.2014
        Date of Reserving Judgment                       :      03.04.2018
        Date of Judgment                                 :      07.04.2018
        Offence Complained of                            : U/s 410/411/420/328/34 IPC
        Offence Charged with                             : U/s 420/328/411/34 IPC


JUDGMENT 
1.

  Accused  persons   namely  Sandeep   @   Raju   and   Deep   Singh   @ Deepa @ Baba  have  been tried for committing offence Punishable U/s 420/328/34 IPC.   Accused  Sandeep @ Raju  has also been tried for committing offence Punishable U/s 411 IPC.       PROSECUTION'S CASE :

2.    The   Prosecution   case   unfolds   on   receipt   of  DD   no.   25PP   dt.
22.10.2013  (Ex.PW­14/A)  which  records  that  one  S.K.Kumar  who was found near  Petrol Pump, Ghanta Ghar  is admitted through his Son  in  DDU hospital  as a case of unknown poisoning.   Hence,  HC Sham Narayan Singh, now ASI (PW­21) reached  DDU hospital with Ct.Mohd Rafiq (PW­7)  and obtained  MLC No. 24826/13  (Ex.PW­ Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 2  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) 8/A)  in   respect   of  Sushil   Kumar   Bhardwaj  who   was  'unfit   for statement'.   On   the   said  DD,  endorsement  Ex.PW­21/B  for registration of the  FIR  was prepared and accordingly  FIR Ex.PW­ 6/B  was   registered   by  DO/HC   Dashrath   Kumar   (PW­6)  vide   his endorsement  Ex.PW­6/A  for commission of offence Punishable  U/s 328 IPC.  

   2.1.   Investigation   was   also   undertaken   by  HC   Sham Narayan  (PW­21)  during which he visited the place of incident i.e. Petrol Pump, near Ghanta Ghar, Hari Nagar, Delhi.  No eye witness could be found.   He recorded statements of relevant witnesses  U/s 161 Cr.P.C. The Site Plan was prepared.  

     2.2. On  25.10.2013,  the complainant  Sh.S.K.Bhardwaj also joined the investigation and gave a statement  U/s 161 Cr.P.C. Ex. PW­1/A. According to him, he retired from  Ministry of Urban Development. On  22.10.2013, at about  09:30  AM, he  had gone  to Pratap Nagar dispensary for taking some medication for himself and his wife.  After about one hour, he obtained the Medicine and left the Dispensary and started crossing the road to proceed towards Ghanta Ghar.  While in the process, two persons out of whom one was a Sikh Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 3  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) asked him the way to  Saraswati Bal Vidyala  stating that a 'Fair'  is organised in the School and they have to sell the Lotteries there. They also asked him if he wanted to purchase Lottery.  They also gave him three Lottery Tickets stating that his luck is very good and that both of them will give him  Rs.200/­ and Rs.500/­ on account of Lottery. They also purchased  Cold Drink Bottle  of  'Fanta'  and offered it to the  complainant.    The  glass  in  which   it  was  offered  broke  due  to which   some  'Fanta'  fell   on   his   clothes.   In   the   meantime,   the complainant came alongwith said persons towards Ghanta Ghar.  The complainant went to his house for arranging more money.   He had started  feeling  giddiness  after  consuming  'Fanta'.  Nevertheless,  he picked up  one Bag, Passbook of Punjab & Sindh Bank, a Cheque and  an  F.D.  and  reached  Hari  Nagar  Branch  of  Punjab  & Sindh Bank at 02:00 PM.  From the Bank, he withdrew an amount of Rs.17 lacs  and   reached   near  Ghanta   Ghar,   where   he   met   the   accused persons again.   All of them started looking for a desolate place for playing  Lottery   and   hence,   reached  such   a   place  situated   near   the Parsu Ram Park and located between the Petrol Pump and the Fire Station.  The accused persons cheated him of Rs.17 lacs at this place Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 4  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) on the pretext of playing Lottery.  He thereafter, lost consciousness at the   said   place   and   found   himself   in  DDU  hospital  after  regaining consciousness.

    2.3.  As per  statement  of  his  Son  Sanjeev  Bhardwaj,  it was he who was found his father at the above place in unconscious state and shifted him to  DDU hospital.  Section  420 r/w Section 34 IPC was added to the FIR.  Further investigation was transferred on 26.11.2013  to   Spl.Staff   and   the   case   was   further   assigned   to  ASI Ishwar Singh (PW­25).  

     2.4.   The   IO   received  DD   no.5   (Ex.PW­17/A)   on 21.12.2013 regarding apprehension of accused Sandeep @ Raju (A­1) and Deep Singh @ Deepa (A­2) by Spl.Staff, North West District U/s 41.1   Cr.P.C.  in   connection   with   another  FIR   No.   445/12   U/s 328/420/34   IPC   PS   Subhash   Palace.  The   said  A­1   and   A­2  had disclosed   about   their   involvement   in   the   present  FIR.     It   was informed that they will be produced in the concerned Court at Rohini Courts, Delhi.   The case IO accordingly made contact with Spl.Staff concerned   and   obtained   Production   Warrants   of  A­1   and   A­2   for 02.01.2014.  A­2 was formally interrogated and arrested formally. A­ Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 5  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) 1 was, at the relevant time, on PC Remand and hence, he was arrested subsequently on  07.01.2014.   On the basis of disclosure statement, Section 411 IPC was also added.  Both the accused persons refused participation in Judicial TIP.  Both of them were interrogated during PC Remand for recovery of cheated amount of Rs.17 lacs.       2.5. On  26.12.2013,  the case exhibits were also sent for obtaining Expert opinion to FSL, Rohini, Delhi.  The complainant had identified   both   the   accused   persons   during   Court   proceedings   on 11.01.2014.   On  13.01.2014,   recovery   of  Rs.2   lacs  made   at   the instance of accused persons was deposited in Police Malkhana.  The WagonR   Car  bearing   No.  DL­9CN­4686  from   which  A­2  was apprehended by the Spl.Staff was also got transferred as case Property in the present case.   Officials of  PNB, Hari Nagar  from where the complainant   had   a   Bank   Account   and   had   withdrawn   the   cheated amount were also joined in investigation.  The owner of WagonR Car Smt.Parminder Kaur  had disclosed that the Car was sold by her to one Vikram Singh S/o Deep Singh @ Deepa (A­2) for Rs.2,10,000/­ on 06.10.2013.  The Vehicle was used by Deep Singh (A­2) only.  It was not found that the amount of consideration money for purchase Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 6  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) of the Car was was from the Cheated amount. 

        2.6. The IO also obtained opinion on nature of injury and kind of weapon/Poison.  The nature of injury was  "Simple" and as per   the   subsequently   filed   FSL   opinion,   (Ex.PW­25/F),   "On chemical, Microscopic & TLC examination, metallic poisons, ethyl and   methyl   alcohol,   cyanide,   phosphide,   alkaloids,   barbiturates, tranquilizers   and   pesticides   could   not   be   detected   in   Exhibit   '1'. After conclusion of investigation, Charge­sheet was filed against both the accused persons before the Court of Ld.MM from where it was committed to Sessions.   

THE CHARGE :

3.  On  24.05.2015,  detailed Order on Charge was passed.   Both the accused persons are Charged as under :

      (1)  A­1 and A­2 are charged U/s 420/34 IPC to the effect that on  22.10.2013,  after  09:30  AM  at  Road  near  Petrol  Pump,  near Ghanta   Ghar,   Hari   Nagar,   Delhi   they   in   furtherance   of   their common  intention, dishonestly  induced  the complainant to invest money in the lottery and thus deceived him to deliver Rs.17 lacs.        (2)  Both the accused persons were also Charged for committing Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 7  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) offence   Punishable   U/s   328/34   IPC   to   the   effect   that   they,   in furtherance of their common intention had, at the above date, time and place, administered some stupefying substance in Fanta of the complainant   with   intention   to   facilitate   the   commission   of   an offence   of   theft   knowing   that   hurt   may   be   caused   to   the complainant. 
         (3)   A­1 was also charged U/s 411 IPC as on 20.12.2013, he got  recovered  Rs.2 lacs  as part  money  out of Rs.17 lacs  cheated from the complainant (herein) from his House No. Q­59, Bhagat Enclave,   Uttam   Nagar,   Delhi   which   he   allegedly   received   or retained having knowledge or reason to believe that it is a stolen property. The accused persons denied these Charges and claimed trial.  

         3.1.  A­2  subsequently   moved   an   application  U/s   216 Cr.P.C. seeking alteration of Charge on the ground that no case U/s 328 IPC  was made out in view of the FSL report. This application was considered and rejected vide Order dt. 14.05.2016.  

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 8  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)  PROSECUTION EVIDENCE (IN BRIEF) :

4.  25  Prosecution   witnesses   have   been   examined   excluding  FSL Expert  in   this   case.  HC   Anil   (Srl.No.6)  was   dropped   by   the Prosecution as  PW­11 HC Shri  Pal  had already deposed  about the relevant facts. 

5. The herein below tabulated Chart indicates the witnesses produced and their brief testimonies :

S.No.        Name   of                   Evidence
             Witness/
             Nature
PW­1 Sushil                      (1)    The witness  has  made  oral  testimony  in
     Kumar                       support   of   Prosecution's   case   regarding   the
     Bhardwaj                    incident dt. 22.10.2013 and has implicated A­1
     (Complain                   and A­2  regarding  meeting  them on the said
     ant)                        date,  allurement   &   deceit  regarding  Lottery

Ticket;   regarding   consumption   of  Soft   Drink 'Fanta'  in   a   Plastic   glass   due   to   which   he became  Nervous  and   the   fact   that   he   had withdrawn  Rs.17   lacs  from   his   Bank   which amount was duped by the accused persons.  

(2)   The Prosecution also cross­examined him on   certain   facts   which   the   witness   could   not depose during his examination in Chief.   

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 9  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (3)The   witness   proved   the Superdaginama   /   Bond  of  Rs.2   lacs Ex.PW­1/PX. 

(4) In his cross­examination, the witness was   confronted   with   his   statement  U/s 161 Cr.P.C. Ex.PW­1/DA. 

PW­2 Sh.Sanjeev (1) The witness has also led oral evidence Bhardwaj (Son stating that he received a Phone Call from of   the his   house   that   his   father   had   not   come Complainant) back   on  22.10.2013  and   that   he   found him,   during   search,   in   unconscious condition and taken to DDU hospital. 

(2) He had shown this place to the Police who prepared Site Plan Ex.PW­2/A.   (3)   He   also   deposed   about   the conversation   he   had   with   his   father regarding the incident dt.  22.10.2013, on 24.10.2013.  

PW­3  Sh.A.S.Bhasin, (1)  As  he  was  Branch  Manager  of  Hari (Ex.Manager, Nagar Branch on 24.01.2014, the case IO Punjab   & sought   documents   regarding  FDR   No. Sindh   Bank, 08911400003082  of  PW­1  vide Hari   Nagar application Ex.PW­3/A.  Branch, Delhi) Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 10  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (2)   The   Bank   Statement   was   provided and seized vide Memo Ex.PW­3/B.  (3) His response letter to Notice U/s 91 Cr.P.C. is proved as Ex.PW­3/C.  (4) Copy of Statement of Account of the above A/c No. is proved as Ex.PW­3/D. (5) Attested copy of  FDR No. 599654 of Rs.12 lacs is proved Ex.PW­3/E.  (6)   Computer   generated   Statement   of account is proved as Ex.PW­3/F. (7)  The original  FDR  and  the original Cheque   No.  546206   dt.   02.10.2013 issued by PW­1 were seen and returned.

PW­4 Ms.Brij   Pandey (1) Witness produced Account Opening (Manager, Form   of  PW­1  in   respect   of  A/c   No. Punjab   &   Sindh 08911000002583.  It   was   opened   on Bank,   Hari 20.03.2004. Name of Smt.Champa Rani Nagar   Branch, Bhardwaj  i.e. wife of  PW­1  was added Delhi) later as Joint Account Holder on request of PW­1 dt. 01.03.2005.  The operation basis   of   account   was   on  "either   or survival" basis.

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 11  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (2)  Account   opening   Form   is  Ex.PW­ 4/A.  (3) Application dt. 01.03.2005 is proved as Ex.PW­4/B.  (4)   Attested   copy   of   Cheque   No. 546206 dt. 22.10.2013 is Ex.PW­4/C.  (5) Attested copy of  FDR No. 599654 was identified as Ex.PW­3/E.    (6)   Attested   copy   of   Statement   of account   between  01.10.2013   to 01.12.2014 is Ex.PW­4/D.  (7)   Certificate  U/s   2A(b)   of   Banker's Books Evidence Act is Ex.PW­4/E.  PW­5 Chittar   Singh (1)   The   witness   produced   records   of (official, registration   of   Car   No.  DL­9CN­4686 licencing in the name of Vikram Singh S/o A­2 as authority, second owner w.e.f. 08.10.2013.  Dwarka).

(2) Vehicle was officially registered to one  Parminder   Kaur  on  14.10.2006.

The relevant record is  Ex.PW­5/A.1 to Ex.PW­5/A.12 (OS&R). 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 12  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­6 HC   Dashrath   The   witness   as   Duty   officer   on (Duty Officer  on 22.10.2013  received   rukka   from 22.10.2013) Ct.Mohd.Rafiq  for  registering   the   case on   which  FIR   Ex.PW­6/D  was registered   vide   endorsement   upon   the rukka   made   by   the   Duty   Officer Ex.PW­6/A.  PW­7 Ct.Mohd.Rafiq   The witness responded to the Call dt.

(witness   was   in 22.10.2013 and accompanied HC Sham investigation Narayan (PW­21) to DDU hospital and with   IO   on found  PW­1  unfit   for   statement.     He 22.10.2013) carried rukka for registration of the case and after it, copy of FIR and rukka was handedover   to   the   IO   in   the   hospital where   the   IO   obtained   a   Parcel   vide Seizure Memo Ex.PW­7/A.  PW­8   Dr.Bobo   Singh (1)The witness medically examined  PW­1 (proved   MLC   of at about 06:00 PM on 22.10.2013 who was PW­1) brought   to  DDU   hospital  with   history   of unknown   substance   ingestion   /   unknown Poison   as   told   by   his   Son.   Patient   was found   conscious   but   drowsy.   An  abrasion was found on right foot Ankle. His  gastric lavage was obtained and handedover to the IO. 

(2) MLC of PW­1 is Ex.PW­8/A.  Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 13  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­9 Dr.Sikander This witness has proved his opinion on the Kumar   Das MLC of PW­1.   On 17.02.2014, the doctor (SR, made an opinion on the MLC that nature of Department   of injury of PW­1 was "Simple". The Opinion Medicine, is Ex.PW­9/A.  DDU   hospital, Delhi) PW­ Sh.Sunil (1)   Witness   produced   judicial   file   of   FIR 10 (Ahlmad  in  the no.445/12   PS   Subhash   Palace  and Court   of   ASJ­ produced Seizure Memo regarding recovery FTC­NW, of  Rs.2   lacs  allegations   as   per   its   copy Rohini   Courts, Ex.PW­10/A. Delhi).

(2)   Confessional   statement   of  A­1  was proved as Ex.PW­10/B.   PW­ HC   Shri   Pal (1) According to this witness, their team had a 11 (Member secret information regarding suspects of similar Spl.Staff, North cases   that   they   received   on  13.12.2013.    HC West, Delhi) Anil and SI Rajeev Ranjan were with him.  At a place opposite Shiva Market, near Madhubhan Chowk,   Delhi,  the   secret   informer   pointed towards   two   persons   and   hence   apprehended. Their names were Bijender Gupta and Sandeep @ Raju (A­1). They were interrogated and they disclosed of their involvement in another  FIR No.   445/12.  A­1  also   confessed   about   his complicity in the present case with his associate Deep Singh.

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 14  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) He confessed of receiving Rs.8.50 lacs out of which  Rs.6.50 lacs was already spent   by   him.   His   Supplementary statement   was   recorded   which   is Ex.PW­10/B. Accordingly, A­1 led the members of Spl.Staff of his house and got  recovered  cash  of  Rs.2  lacs  from an  Iron Almirah kept in a room of the ground floor of his house.  

PW­12 ASI   Subhash (1)   The   witness   deposes   that   on (Member   of 20.12.2013 in his presence besides  SI Spl.Staff,   North Ajay and SI Rajeev Ranjan  who were West, Delhi) investigating   FIR   No.445/12   PS Subhash Palace, A­1  had pointed out towards  WagonR   Car   bearing   No. DL­9CN­4686  parked   near  Aggarwal Sweet House, Madhubhan  Chowk  and identified it as the Car of A­2.  

(2)  A­2  was   also   sitting   on   the   front passenger   Seat   of   the   Car.   He   was apprehended and interrogated.  During interrogation, he revealed  that he was recently   released   in   a   rape   case registered   in  Dehradoon  and   also confessed about his involvement in this case with A­1. 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 15  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (3) The Spl.Staff had arrested him in a Kalandra  vide  DD no.34A PS Maurya Enclave including as per Memo Ex.PW­ 12/A.  (4)   His   personal   search   was   conducted vide Memo Ex.PW­12/B. (5)   His   disclosure   statement   was recorded by Spl.Staff as Ex.PW­12/C.   (6)   Seizure   Memo   of   WagonR   Car   is Ex.PW­12/D.  (7) A Bag containing  270 fake Lottery Tickets  seized   from   the   Dicky   of   said Car is Ex.PW­12/E.    PW­13 Sh.Devender The witness proved TIP Proceedings of Nain,   Ld.ACMM, the accused persons who had refused to Rohini,   North participate therein.  The Proceedings are West, Delhi.  Ex.PW­13/B.  PW­14 HC   Gaikwad This   witness   proves   to   have   recorded Ram   (DD   Writer DD   no.  25   PP   Ex.PW­14/A   on on 22.10.2013  at 22.10.2013. 

PS Hari Nagar) Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 16  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­15 ASI   Shashi   Kant In his presence, ASI Ishwar had arrested (Member   of A­2 on 02.01.2014 after due permission Spl.Staff,   West, from   the   Court   of   concerned   Ld.M.M. Delhi).  vide   Memo  Ex.PW­15/A.   He   made   a disclosure statement Ex.PW­15/B.   PW­16 ASI   Laxman (1)   In   his   presence,  ASI   Ishwar   Singh Singh(Member of had   arrested  A­1  in   the   present   case Spl.Staff,   West, outside the court of MM PS Hari Nagar Delhi) on 07.01.2014 vide Memo Ex.PW­16/A. He   also   made   a   disclosure   statement Ex.PW­16/B.  (2) On 10.01.2014, A­1 and A­2, during PC Remand,  led  Police  team  to  Petrol Pump, Clock Tower, where they pointed towards   a   Footpath   as   the   place   of committing   the   offence   vide   Memo Ex.PW­16/C (A­1)  and Memo  Ex.PW­ 16/B (A­2).  No further recoveries could be effected at their instance. 

PW­17 Ct.Vikrant   (DD   The   witness,   on  21.12.2013  had Writer   spl.Staff, recorded  DD   no.5   Ex.PW­17/A West, Delhi) regarding   apprehension   of   the   accused U/s  41.4 Cr.P.C.  by  team  of  Spl.Staff, North  West  District  who  had  disclosed about   their   involvement   in   the   present case.   

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 17  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­18 Insp.Rajeev (1)   This   witness   has   supported   the Ranjan   (Member testimony   of  PW­11.   He   has   deposed Spl.Staff,   North about  receipt  of  secret  information  and West, Delhi) apprehension of  A­1 & A­2 in FIR no.

445/12   PS   Subhash   Palace.   He identified   these   accused   persons   in   the Court.     One  Bicycle  was   recovered pursuant to disclosure statement of  A­1 which   was   used   in   commission   of offence  in   this   case.   Recovery  of  Rs.2 lacs was also made in his presence at the instance of A­1. 

(2)   The witness identified photographs of   the   recovered   Currency   Notes   as Mark PW­18/1.

(3) The witness also deposed about the apprehension and arrest of A­2 from the Wagon  R  Car  in  the  manner  stated  by PW­11. 

PW­19 HC   Sukhbir This witness had collected case property Singh  from  MHC(M)   PS   Hari   Nagar   on 26.12.2013  and   deposited   the   same   in FSL   in   intact   condition   and   obtained acknowledgement   from   the   FSL  Mark PW­19/A.  Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 18  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­20 ASI   Krishan (1) As an  Incharge, Malkhana PS Hari Kumar (MHC(M) Nagar,   he   had   received   one   sealed PS Hari Nagar) pullanda   from  HC   Sham   Narayan  on 22.10.2013  bearing seal of  CMO, DDU hospital alongwith Sample Seal in intact condition.   He   deposited   same   in   the Malkhana and made necessary entry no.

3735 in Register no.19 Ex. PW­20/A.  (2) The sealed Pullanda was handedover with Sample Seal to Ct.Sukhbir (PW­19) on 26.12.2013 after due entry at Portion X   on   Ex.PW­20/A   vide   RC   no.

160/21/13,   Ex.PW­20/B.   Due acknowledgement  Mark PW­19/A  was also received.

PW­21 ASI   Shyam (1)   The   witness   had   responded   to  DD Narayan   Singh no.   25PP  on  22.10.2013  with (1st  IO   of   this Ct.Mohd.Rafiq   (PW­7)  and   has case) accordingly   deposed   about   the preliminary   investigation   that   he conducted.  He applied for permission to record   statement   of   injured   vide Application Ex.PW­21/A.   Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 19  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (2) He also met PW­2/Sanjeev Bhardwaj in the hospital. He got the FIR registered after   making   his   endorsement  Ex.PW­ 21/B on DD no.25PP.   He had gone to the place of incident with Ct.Mohd.Rafiq (PW­7)  and   since   no   eye   witness   was found,   they   returned   to   the   hospital.

Injured was "unfit for statement".

(3) Witness again went to the hospital on 23.10.2013  and   made   an   application Ex.PW­21/C  for recording statement of injured  and  as  per  Doctor, he was  "fit for statement". 

(4) No such statement could be recorded as  PW­1  did not agree to it as he was suffering from headache. 

(5)   The   witness   again   attempted   to record statement of PW­1 on 24.10.2013 but by that time, injured was discharged from   the   hospital.   Witness   met  PW­1 but again, PW­1 made excuse regarding his ill health. 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 20  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (6) Statement Ex.PW­1/DA was finally recorded   on  25.10.2013.  Further investigation was transferred to SI Shiv Dutt.

 

PW­22 HC   Gajender (1) He received one sealed pullanda in (MHC(M)   PS intact   condition   on  20.12.2013 Subhash Palace. containing  Rs.2   lacs  recovered   in investigation   of   FIR   no.  445/12   PS Subhash   Palace   and   seized   U/s   102 Cr.P.C.  against   entry   no.  5201   in Register no.19 Ex. PW­22/A.   (2) Some other case property was also deposited   but   in   relation   to  FIR   no.

445/12.  

(3) The sealed pullanda of this case was handedover to ASI Ishwar Singh (PW­

25) vide RC no. 5/21/14 Ex.PW­22/B.  Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 21  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­23 ASI   Prakash (1) The witness produced Register nos (Current MHC(M) 19  & 21,  proving  that  on  20.12.2013, PS   Maurya SI   Ajay   Kumar,   Spl.   Staff  (PW­24) Enclave. deposited   a  WagonR   Car  bearing   no.

DL­9CN­4686  with   him   as   per   the Entry No. 2663 Ex.PW­23/A. (2)   This   Car,   vide  RC   no.   01/21/14 Ex.PW­23/B,  was   handedover   to  SI Ishwar Singh on 14.01.2014. 

(3) These entries are in the handwriting of the then MHC(M) HC Jairoop which PW­23 identified.

PW­24 Insp.Ajay (1) The witness was in investigation of (Member   Special FIR no. 445/12 PS Subhash Palace on Staff,   North   West 20.12.2013 with A­1 and other accused District, Delhi) of the said case in two private vehicles. 

(2)   In   his   presence,  A­2  was apprehended   from   the  WagonR   Car DL­9   CN­4686  from   a   place   near Aggarwal   Sweet   House,   Madhubhan Chowk. 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 22  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (3)   The   witness   has   supported   the testimonies   of  HC   Subhash  (PW­12) and Ct.Shri Pal (PW­11).  

(4)   The   witness   has   deposed   with respect   to   interrogation   of  A­2,   his disclosure   statement  Mark   PW­24/A already  exhibited  as  Ex.PW­12/C  and Seizure   Proceedings   with   respect   to WagonR Car  vide Memo  Ex.PW­24/B already exhibited as Ex.PW­12/D. (5)   From   the   Car,   a   Bag   was   seized comprising   of  270   small   Envelops, Bundle   of   papers   in   the   size   of Currency   Notes   and   some   Lottery Tickets.    These articles were seized vide Memo  Mark PW­24/C  already exhibited as Ex.PW­12/E.  (6)   This   fact   was   reported   vide  DD no.34A Mark PW­24/D in PS Maurya Enclave. 

(7)   Kalandra   U/s   41.1   (ba)   Cr.P.C.

Ex.PW­24/E  was registered against A­ 2 and he was produced in the concerned Court. 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 23  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) (8) The witness identified the  hand Bag recovered   from   the   Car,   270   small Envelops used for dispensing medicines and   Bundle   of   Papers  as  Ex.PW­24/A (colly.).  Identity of the WagonR Car was not disputed.  

PW­25 SI   Ishwar   Singh He   took   over   investigation   from  1st  IO (2nd  IO   of   this HC Sham Narayan  (PW­21).   He made case). inquiries   with   Banker   of   the complainant.     On   receipt   of  DD   no.5 (Ex.PW­17/A),   he   collected   case documents   from  Spl.staff,   West  and sought permission  to arrest  Deep Singh (A­2)   and   Sandeep   @   Raju   (A­1)  who were accordingly arrested on 02.01.2014 and 07.01.2014 respectively.  After their arrest,   he   recorded   their   disclosure statements. They refused to participate in TIP Proceedings. IO sought PC Remand wherein  A­1 and A­2  took him and  HC Laxman  to   their   respective   houses.

Nothing incriminating was recovered.  

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 24  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)               As per the IO, Deep Singh (A­2) made   Supplementary   disclosure statement  Ex.PW­25/A   on   10.01.2014.

A­1/Sandeep   @   Raju  made   similar disclosure   statement  Ex.PW­25/B. Pointing out memos of the place where Victim   was   left   unconscious   and   the Punjab   &   Sindh   Bank  where   they   had accompanied   Victim   from  Dispensary, Hari Nagar were prepared.   

            Gastric lavage of the Victim was sent   for   Chemical   Analysis   through Ct.Sukhbir. 

            On 13.01.2014, case property i.e. Pullanda   containing  Rs.2   lacs  was transferred   to   PS   Hari   Nagar   from  PS Subhash   Place  in   intact   condition   vide RC Ex.PW­22/B. Likewise, the WagonR Car was got transferred from PS Maurya Enclave   to   PS   Hari   Nagar  vide  RC Ex.PW­23/B.          The IO has disclosed about serving Notice U/s 91 Cr.P.C. to the Manager of Complainant's Bank, relevant replies and relevant documents that were seized vide Memo Ex.PW­3/B.           Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 25  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)            The IO verified ownership details of WagonR Car and same were received from   Transport   Authority   vide   letter Mark PW­25/B.          The   IO   had   handedover   the G.C.Notes  of  Rs.2   lacs  to   the complainant   on   Superdari   as   per   the Panchnama   Proceedings  Ex.PW­25/C after   noting   their   Srl.Nos.on   Sheets Ex.PW­25/D (Colly.). The Photographs are Ex.PW­18/1.

           Lastly,   the   IO   deposed   that   on 10.01.2014,  the   complainant   had   met him by chance when the accused were pointing   towards   the   place   of   incident and   he   accordingly   identified   the accused   persons   of   this   case.   After receipt of FSL Result, the IO made an application  Ex.PW­25/E  for submitting it.   The   Result   is  Ex.PW­25/F  which was   forwarded   by   the  Director,   FSL, vide letter Mark PW­25/G.               

6. As already said, the Prosecution dropped witness no.6 HC Anil as PW­11 HC Shri Pal had already deposed on the facts to be proved Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 26  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) through him. 

DEFENCE U/S 313 CR.P.C. : 

7.   All the incriminating circumstances in evidence were put to the accused persons who have denied the Prosecution's case.            7.1 As per A­1, he is innocent.  He was called at the office of Spl.Staff to satisfy their demands but as he failed to do so, he was falsely implicated in this case.  According to him, all the Prosecution witnesses are interested witnesses.   Further, he claimed that he was shown to  PW­1 not only by the officials to Spl.Staff but also of  PS Hari Nagar  and hence, he refused to take part in TIP.   He denied having   made   any   disclosure   statement.   He   denied   that   he   led   to discovery of Currency Notes of Rs.2 lacs.  He denied that he led the Police   to   co­accused  Deep   Singh  near  Aggarwal   Sweet   House, Madhuban Chowk  as alleged.   He did not know if the police seized Fake Lottery Tickets vide Memo Ex.PW­12/E from Deep Singh.  He denied   entire   Prosecution's   case.   He   did   not   opt   to   produce   any witness in his defence. 

               7.2.  A­2 Deep Singh also claims innocence.  As per him, he Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 27  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) was at his home on  18.12.2013. At about  07:00 PM, 6­7 persons including  SI Rajan  had come to his house.  SI Rajan  was in Police Uniform while others were in Civil dress. They searched his house and took away his Wife's gold ear rings weighing 5 gms.   He stated that   one  Kewal   Singh  residing   next   to   his   house,   was   in   habit   of parking his Car in this accused's Plot on which he had resisted. He was therefore threatened by  Kewal Singh  that since he knew Police Officials, he will implicate the accused in a false case.              7.3. The accused claims all the Prosecution witnesses as 'interested witnesses'.  He also claims like A­1 that he was shown to complainant by Police officials of Spl.Staff as well as PS Hari Nagar and hence, he refused to take part in TIP Proceedings.  Denying the Prosecution case, he claims that he was never taken in Police custody from the WagonR Car on 20.12.2013 but apprehended from his house on 18.12.2013 only at 07:00 PM. 

      7.4.  Regarding recovery of Rs.2 lacs from his house, he denies  any knowledge  of  such  recovery  having  been  effected.   He also   denies   the   entire   case   of   the   Prosecution   but   did   not   lead evidence in defence. 

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 28  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)  ARGUMENTS BY LD.ADDL.P.P.FOR THE STATE :

8.  The  ld.Prosecutor  Mr.B.B.Bhasin  was   assisted   by   Complainant's Counsel  Sh.Jatin   Sapra,   Advocate.  The   Prosecution   opened   its arguments by stating that the Prosecution has proved its case against both the accused persons on both the Charges.   The argument that Mr.Bhasin initially made, on being probed by the court, is that before the Victim PW­1 was administered Soft drink Fanta comprising of a stupefying substance, the accused persons had already induced him fraudulently  and dishonestly  in the game of  playing  lottery  tickets leading   to   delivery   of  Rs.200/­  thereby   completing   the   offence Punishable U/s 420/34 IPC.  

9.   According to him,  PW­1  felt uneasy after consuming  Fanta  and even while the accused persons got him involved in further talks, they continued their attempt to cheat him/ take away further cash amount from him on the pretext that if PW­1 had more money to invest, then they will return double of such investment.  It is thus, urged that the Victim   thereafter   went   to   his   house,   collected   Bank   related documents/FDR. He went to his Bank and got a sum of  Rs.17 lacs withdrawn from his account.  It is this amount that was obtained by Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 29  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) the   accused   persons   while   the   Victim   was   under   influence   of   the stupefying substance offered to him in  Fanta  and thus, completing the offence Punishable U/s 328/34 IPC. 

10.  These arguments was subsequently modified by the Prosecution urging   that   there   is   over   lapping   of   the   ingredients   of   offence Punishable U/s 420 as well as 328 IPC as evident from the testimony of PW­1.  It was thus urged that bifurcation of the time period prior to and   after   consumption   of   stupefying   substance   in  Fanta  will   be inconsequential as both offences were committed simultaneously.

11. It is urged that PW­1, at the time of incident was a 60 years old person retired from a Sr.Post from  Ministry of Urban Development, Department  of  Publication  and thus, there is no reason  for him to falsely implicate the accused persons at all.  His testimony is said to be completely believable.   It is urged that as per  PW­8, the doctor found   the   Patient   i.e.  PW­1  as   conscious   but  "drowsy".    It   is submitted that version of PW­1 supplements version of his Son PW­

2.  It is submitted that both the Bank Managers i.e. PW­3 and PW­4 have   proven   the   relevant   documents   regarding   the   banking transactions.     It   is   pointed   out   that   refusal   of   accused   persons   to Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 30  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) participate in TIP for no apparent and cogent reason is an instance of drawing   adverse   inference   against   them.   It   is   pointed   out   that recovery of Rs.2 lacs out of the cheated amount has been made from A­1.  It is contended that no previous enmity is shown by the defence for false implication. It is urged that the defence is highly improbable.  DEFENCE ARGUMENTS :

12. For A­1, Advocate Sh.Himanshu Bhuttan has presented arguments while   on   behalf   of  A­2,  Sh.R.P.Sarwan,   legal   Aid   Counsel  has presented arguments. 
13.  According   to   the   Counsels   for   both   the   accused   persons,   the Prosecution has failed to produce any medical evidence at all with respect  to offence Punishable  U/s 328 IPC.   It is also accordingly argued that mere oral evidence of PW­1 odes not inspire confidence vis­a­vis administration of stupefying substance to him after mixing it in   Soft   Drink  'Fanta'  in   view   of   glaring   improbabilities   found recorded in his statement in the Court. It is urged that the conduct of complainant in not giving his statement to Police at his first instance and instead getting discharge and giving statement subsequently does not   inspire   confidence.   It   is   submitted   that   there   are   marked Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 31  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) improvements  in testimony  of Complainant, which are liable to be viewed   carefully   as   such   contradictions   and   improvements,   when viewed carefully, puts the veracity of the entire statement of  PW­1 under a question mark. 
14. It is also jointly argued by both the counsels that the Prosecution has   not   produced   evidence   sufficient   enough   to   comprise   into   a coherent   version   incorporating   all   the   ingredients   of   offence Punishable U/s 420 IPC r/w Section 34 IPC. 
15. In order to demonstrate the same, the defence submitted that DD no.25  PP  recorded at  06:05 PM  on  22.10.2013  was  received from DDU hospital implying that PW­1 was already at the hospital by that time.  Support to that is sought by Prosecution from PW­2 i.e. Son of the Victim who claimed that he found his father unconscious at the abandoned   land   between   the  two   Petrol   Pumps,  Fire   Station   and Samta Dham, near Ghanta Ghar.   PW­2 shifted his  father/PW­1  to hospital on a  Cycle Rickshaw.  Police had reached the spot. Further, PW­1  was relieved from the hospital  (as per PW­2) on  23.10.2013.

He was unwell.   It was only on  24.10.2013  that his father told him about the incident dt. 22.10.2013.      

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 32  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)

16. Defence urges to note that as per PW­1, he had lost consciousness after   reaching   the   said   abandoned   land   and   regained   his consciousness at DDU hospital on next day i.e. 23.10.2013. 

17. Further more, he saw Police but did not make statement to them on  23.10.2013 due to giddiness.  On the same day, he came back to his house from hospital. As per him, the Police recorded his statement either on 24th or 25.10.2013. 

18. In this back drop of oral testimony, the defence urges the Court to note   that   as   per  Ex.PW­8/A   (MLC),   PW­1  was   examined   on 22.10.2013   at   06:00   PM  in  DDU   hospital  and   was   found "Conscious" but "drowsy". 

19.  Accordingly,   it   is   urged   that   as   per   the   medical   opinion,   the Patient was conscious even at 06:00 PM on 22.10.2013 and therefore entire evidence to the fact that he lost consciousness at "Abandoned land" and regained the same only on the next day i.e. 23.10.2013 is highly improbable. 

20.  The defence also urges the Court to note the fact that PW­1 was examined   for   the   first   time   by   the   case   IO  U/s   161   Cr.P.C.   on 25.10.2013  i.e.   after  three   days  of   the   incident.   This   statement   is Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 33  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) Ex.PW­1/DA. 

21. Attention of the court is drawn to the statement of case IO/PW­21 HC   Sham   Narayan.  The   injured   was   not  "fit   for   statement   on 22.10.2013"  as   per  Ex.PW­21/A.  He   was   still   unfit   when   the   IO returned back after making preliminary investigation on the spot.  On 23.10.2013, the injured was  'fit for statement'  as per  Ex.PW­21/C but he admittedly did not agree to give his statement on the pretext that he was suffering from headache.  The IO had again attempted to record the statement on 24.10.2013 but by then, the injured had been already discharged.  On the same day, the IO went to house of injured for recording his statement but he refused to make it on the premise that he is still suffering from headache.  As per the IO, the injured had given different grounds on  24.10.2013  for not getting his statement recorded.  It was only on 25.10.2013 could the IO finally succeed to record  the  statement.  The aforesaid  conduct  of  the  Complainant  is urged   to   be   extremely   doubtful   making   his   testimony   subject   to extensive scrutiny.  

22.  Having   highlighted   this   much,   the   defence   sought   comparison between Police statement  Ex.PW­1/DA  and the Court Statement of Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 34  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) PW­1/Complainant  and   pointed   out   to   numerous   instances   of improvements  and also facts narrated only for the first time in the Court.   It   is   pointed   out   that   the   entire   Prosecution   version   of implication of accused persons in this case and their doubtful chance identification by the complainant smacks of suspicion.

23.  The  defence   pointed   out   that   Police   never  seized   the  "Fanta"

bottle, the Glass and even clothes of the complainant.   It is heavily stressed   upon   that   if   main   Pws   i.e.  PW­1   and   PW­2  are   to   be believed then some 'Fanta' had fell on the clothes of PW­1 and PW­ 2  had noticed that something had spilled over the clothes of  PW­1. The initial history given to the doctor is of consumption of unknown substance.   Despite   that   the   IO   failed   to   seize   the   above   articles thereby rendering the case extremely doubtful qua offence U/s 328/34 IPC

24.  The defence further tore into the testimony of PW­1 by pointing out various anomalies.   It is pointed out that  PW­1  claimed in his Chief examination that the accused  "compelled me to bring money and they will give double amount to me". It is urged that if it is a case of compulsion then it cannot be a case of cheating at all.

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 35  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)

25.  The defence has also tried to show from the testimony that the Victim,   if   believed,   was   administered  'Fanta'  "after   about   11:30 AM". Thereafter, the Victim went to his house, stayed there for some time and reached the Bank at about  01:50 PM.   It is urged that in between, he stayed  at  his  house  for about  30  minutes  but did not convey anything to his daughter in law about him not feeling well even though she had offered water to him. 

26. It is urged that although there is nothing to show that the accused persons had offered the Victim  'Fanta' or that the 'Fanta' comprised of   some  stupefying   substance,  yet   the   fact   that   the   Victim   drank Water during the  interregnum, is an additional fact to be considered by this Court as something could have been present in the water that he drank at his house that could have led to the Victim feeling uneasy, if at all such circumstances are to be believed. 

27. It is further urged that the witness who reached the Bank at about 01:50   PM  and   claims   to   have   withdrawn  Rs.17   lacs  from   there, admittedly took 10 minutes in doing so.  Thereafter, the Victim had gone to  Ghanta Ghar  to meet the accused persons and finally fell unconscious.  It is thus, urged that there is a gap of almost five hours Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 36  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) in between administering 'Fanta' and loosing consciousness which is highly improbable. 

28. It is pointed out that as per the witness, one of the accused had a bicycle   but   no   evidence   is   produced   on   this   aspect.     It   is   further argued that there is no documents of Pratap Nagar Dispensary from where PW­1 took medicine for himself and his wife. 

29. It is pointed out that Police never seized any Lottery Tickets that the Victim had allegedly played on the date of incident. 

30.  It is further submitted that the Police seized the  FDR  but it is urged for this Court to see that the said FDR Ex.PW­3/A comprises of   cutting   and   signature   over   the   name   Column   but   none   has explained about the said cutting showing that FDR was in the name of  Sh.Sunil  Kumar Bhardwaj  which is later converted as  Sh.Sushil Kumar Bhardwaj. It is nevertheless argued that even if any cash was withdrawn by the Victim, the Prosecution never connected it to be ever in possession of these accused persons.  Regarding recovery of Rs.2 lacs, it is urged that there is no kind of identification in order to show that the recovered Currency Notes were the same which were withdrawn by PW­1 from his Bank.  

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 37  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)

31. The incident of recovery is said to be highly doubtful.  Absence of public witness is projected as a major factor to discredit the recovery made by the officials of Spl.Staff/West. 

32. The defence also attacked the testimony of PW­2 who referred to the   fact   that   when   he   found   his   father,   some   other   persons   were surrounding him.   It is urged that these  "some other persons"  have not been examined.   The defence also argued that the IO made no verification from the Bank.  

33.  It   is   submitted   that   as   per  PW­2,  Site   Map  was   prepared   on 23.10.2013  but   physical   perusal   of   the  Site   Map  shows   that   it   is undated.   It   is   also   submitted   that  PW­1   and   PW­2  have   given different Mobile Phone numbers in their testimonies.  It is submitted that when  PW­1  had reached his house, he met his daughter in law only while wife of PW­1 was away whereas when PW­2 reached his house, he met his mother while his wife was away. 

34.  Regarding  medical  evidence,  it  is  again  argued  that  the  doctor never   recorded   that   any   kind   of   spillage   was   found   on   Victim's clothes.   It   is   urged   that  PW­21  never   tried   to   collect   any  CCTV Footage despite the fact that the place of incident is located near two Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 38  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) Petrol Pumps. 

35. In support of these arguments, the defence has placed reliance on following Judgments : 

(1)  Joseph Kurian Philip Jose  Vs. State of Kerela,        1995 Supreme Court Cases (Cri) 20 "(h) In order to prove offence under Section 328 the Prosecution is re­ quired to prove that the substance in question was a poison, or any stupe­ fying, intoxicating or unwholesome drug, etc., that the accused adminis­ tered the substance to the complainant or caused the complainant to take such substance, that he did so with intent to cause hurt or knowing it to be likely that he would thereby cause hurt, or with the intention to commit or facilitate the commission of an offence.   It is, therefore, essential for the prosecution to prove that the accused was directly responsible for admin­ istering poison etc. or causing it to be taken by any person, through an­ other.  In other words, the accused may accomplish the act by himself or by means of another.   In either situation direct, reliable and cogent evi­ dence is necessary.  Now on that basis it has to be seen whether A­1 had any role to play in directly administering to or causing to be taken the poi­ sonous liquor by the deceased, who had purchased and consumed liquor from a retail shop, with intent to cause hurt to him or knowing it to be likely that it would cause hurt to him."    
(2)  Sanjay Singh & Anr. Vs.  State        2008 VII AD (DELHI) 151 "(4) The stomach wash of the victims was not preserved and therefore the MLC prepared shows the endorsement of the doctor Ms.Jyoti that a final opinion could not be given.  The Trial Court has proceeded to convict the accused entirely on the evidence of the three victims and their father.  It Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 39  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) concluded that according to the statements of these victims, both the ac­ cused had administered in intoxicating the material with the intention to kill such persons.
(6)  The essential element of Section 328 is that the victim should be ad­ ministered "Poison or any stupefying, intoxicating or unwholesome drug, or other thing".  The forensic examination of the stomach wash in order to determine the substance that administered was poison is therefore impera­ tive for ascertaining the commission of the offence under Section 328 IPC.

The opinion of the victim who is rendered unconscious after taking the substance may not be stated to be final as to whether the drug adminis­ tered was either "poison or any stupefying, intoxicating or unwholesome drug". In this context the medical legal case sheets become relevant which were marked as Ex.PW­6/A, PW­3/A and PW­9/A which contain endorse­ ments that the victims were unfit for making a statement.   In respect of each of the victims, the endorsement of Dr.Jyoti is to the effect that "the stomach wash could not be preserved so that the final report could not be given"." 

         (3)      Santosh Kumar Vs. State
                  2000 X AD (DELHI) 735  

"(10) From the above quoted observations of the learned trial Judge it is very much clear that the findings rendered are not sustainable at all be ­ cause of being conjectural.  Simply on the basis of the statement of PW­5 alone it could not be concluded that he had become unconscious because of eating the biscuit or drinking tea offered to him by the accused. There had to be medical evidence to the effect that PW­5 had, in fact, become unconscious because of consuming any drug or intoxicating substance etc. mixed in tea or biscuit."

         (4)      Mukesh Chand & Anr. Vs. state of NCT
                  2010 {1} JCC 750

Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 40  of   68
 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)




"(15)  Now, coming to the arrest of other two appellants namely, Horam Singh and Mahender Singh.  As per statement of PW­4, on 3 rd June, 1994, he alongwith SI Roshan Lal, Ct.Jagdish and complainant Mata Parsad had come to the Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi and in the crowd, complainant identified appellants Horam Singh and Mahender Singh who were appre­ hended at the pointing out of the complainant.

(16) On the other hand, complainant nowhere states that appellants Ho­ ram Singh and Mahender Singh were apprehended at his pointing out. The complainant in his statement has stated that   he saw other accused persons only in the Court and nowhere in between after the incident.

(21) Surprisingly no chemical report about the "stomach wash" has been proved on record.  It is well settled that in order to prove Section 328 IPC, the prosecution is required to prove that the substance in question was a poison.

(23)  After scanning through the entire evidence and facts of the present case, I have no hesitation in holding that case of prosecution is full of con­ tradictions and it has miserably failed to prove its case against any of the appellants.   The impugned judgment of Additional Sessions Judge is set aside and present appeal stands allowed.  All the appellants stand acquit­ ted."

         (5)      Mahinder Kumar & Anr.  Vs.  State
                  2017 (4) LRC 104 (Del)

"Section 328 - Causing hurt by means of poison, etc. with intent to com­ mit an offences - Proof - In a case under Section 328 IPC mere oral as­ sertions are not sufficient to hold an accused guilty of the offence.  To hold an accused guilty for the offence, the oral assertions ought to be corrobo­ rated by other circumstances and evidence.  In absence of any medical ev­ Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 41  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) idence corroborating allegation of injured, convicting appellants for the offence under Section 328 of IPC does not seem to be justified, especially when prosecution has not seized any liquid/substance  for taking expert opinion so as to know the substance was poisonous, stupefying, intoxicat­ ing or unwholesome drug.  Prosecution has also not produced any witness to rebut the plea of alibi on behalf of appellants except that of the injured witness.   Defence witnesses specifically deposed before court that appel­ lants were not present at the spot and came later and removed the victim to hospital.  Benefit of doubt extended to appellants. Acquitted. 

(16) No doubt, the victim has specifically alleged that the appellant Ma­ hender had given tea due to which she felt giddiness and thereafter offered something to drink due to which she felt burning sensation and started vomiting.  She has also remained consistent in her statement made before the police as well as before the Court.  This court also went through the MLC of the victim.  On a careful perusal of the MLC, this Court finds that the victim was brought to the hospital with the history of Ingestion, Acid (unknown   variety)   in   the   evening;   patient   conscious,   oriented,   pulse   - 92/m; BP­140/90 mm HS; Injury Note. Froth coming out from the mouth. However, the MLC nowhere mentions about any report regarding any poi­ sonous substance being found in the body of the victim."

36.  In rebuttal, the Ld.Prosecutor has submitted that merely because there   is   absence   of   medical   evidence,   it   cannot   be   said   that   no stupefying substance was administered to PW­1 as the MLC reveals that when the patient was brought in the hospital, he was 'conscious' but at the same time he was also  'drowsy'.   It is contended that in similar circumstances, the  Hon'ble Delhi High Court  had upheld the Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 42  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) Conviction  U/s 328/379  IPC r/w Section  34 IPC  in Judgment  dt. 27.01.2014  passed   in  Crl.Appeal   No.   32/2013  in   case   titled   as Rafiqul Vs. State (GLCT of Delhi).

37.  The said Judgment is also relied to show that in the said case, the complainant was made to consume a stupefying drug and he became unconscious.  When he regained consciousness, he found himself in Safdarjang   hospital  and   noticed   that   his   various   articles   were missing.  In the said case, the Hon'ble Delhi High Court observed that as  per  the MLC, the Victim was brought  to  hospital  in a  'drowsy' condition   and  it   was  in  deposition   of   complainant  that  he  became unconscious on consuming the Cold drink.   This testimony was read with   the   factum   of   refusal   of   Judicial   TIP   by   one   of   the   accused therein for no apparent reason and for want of Proof in the form of any   evidence   that   has   photographs   were   obtained   in   the   PS.   The subsequent identification of both the accused by complainant in the Court was held to be sufficient in view of the facts and circumstance including of the fact that from both the accused a size­able quantity of medicine name "Ativan 2 mg" was recovered.  It was also held that not taking Viscera sample of complainant was inconsequential as it is Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 43  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) relevant  only   if  a  person  is  administered  poison  or  any   poisonous substance.  

38.   The Ld.Prosecutor also placed reliance on Judgment of  Hon'ble Delhi High Court titled as   Mohd.Zuber & Anr.  Vs. State, 2015(2) JCC 1229, wherein it is held that  :

"(18)  Section 328 of IPC to the extent it is relevant provides that whoever administers or causes to be taken by any person any stupefying drug, or other thing with intent to commit or to facilitate the commission of an of­ fence shall be liable to be punished.
(19) A perusal of the MLC goes to show that when the complainant was brought to the hospital on 4th  January, 2011 at 01:55 PM, he was in a state of unconsciousness at that time and it was only on 5 th  November, 2011 that he became conscious and then his statement was recorded by PW­15­SI Murtaza.
(20) It has come in the statement of complainant that he became uncon­ scious on consuming tea offered to him, therefore, there can be no reason­ able doubt that some stupefying drug or substance was mixed in the tea which the appellants made the complainant to consume.   This obviously was done with the intent of committing theft of the articles belonging to the complainant which he was having on his person and was carrying with him.  A number of articles belonging to the complainant were thereafter actually stolen.  The appellants, therefore, were rightly held guilty of the offence punishable under Section 328 and 379 IPC r/w Section 34 thereof.
(21) It was submitted by the learned counsel for the appellant that gastric lavage of the complainant was not taken and in the absence of the same, it cannot be said that any poison or any stupefying, intoxicating or unwhole­ Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 44  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) some drug or other thing was administered to him.   I, however, find no substance in this contention.  The viscera would have been necessary had the complainant been administered poison or any poisonous substance.

Nothing could have been found in the viscera on account of complainant taking a stupefying substance mixed in tea."

39.    In   this   case   also   there   was   a   conviction   that   was   upheld   for Offences  U/s   328/379   IPC   r/w   Section   34   IPC.    Here   also   no medical evidence was found present but the testimony of complainant was   believed.   Absence   of   Viscera   sample   was   held   to   be inconsequential   for   want   of   administration   of  poison   or   poisonous substance. 

FINDINGS :

40. For purposes of Section 354(B) Cr.P.C, it would be suffice to say that this Court is required to ascertain if the accused persons acted in furtherance of their common intention to cheat the complainant of sum of Rs.17 lacs in the manner alleged and if for the said purpose, they   administered   him   some   stupefying   substance   in   Cold   drink 'Fanta' in  the manner  alleged  with an  intent to  cause  hurt  with  a further intent to commit offence of theft or not?

41. The Court has already set out the arguments made for and against the case of the prosecution in the preceding paragraphs.  

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42.  The Court has also highlighted that the Prosecution modified its arguments  vis­a­vis the point of time that separates the two offences with which the accused persons are charged with.  The said 'point of time' is the time when Victim  PW­1  was made to consume 'Fanta' allegedly laced with some stupefying substance. 

43.  The   latter   argument   that   ingredients   of   both   the   offences   i.e. offences Punishable  U/s 328 and 420 IPC  are over lapping is not found to be a reasonable argument.  To put it simply, in the peculiar facts and circumstances of this case, the accused persons are bound to abandon their alleged approach of justifying their common intention to deprive  PW­1  of his money.   It is so as their purpose would be solved   the   moment   the  PW­1  consumed  'Fanta   laced   with   a sedative'. From that point onwards, it would no longer be necessary for them to either have or continue having a dishonest intention or a fraudulent intention to deceive PW­1 or induce him to deliver Rs.17 lacs to them. 

44. Section 328 IPC postulates requirement of the following viz :­

       (a) Administration or cause to be taken by any person;

     (b) Any poison or any stupefying, intoxicating or  Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 46  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) unwholesome drug or other thing;  

   (c) With an intent to cause hurt; 

   (d) Or with intent to commit or to facilitate the  commission of an offence;  

    (e) Or knowing it to be likely that he will thereby cause  hurt. 

45.  Given the facts in this case, the 'substance' that was given to PW­ 1 has not surfaced.  The Court is left with oral testimony only on that count.  It is however clear that Prosecution does allege an intent on A­ 1 and A­2 to commit commission of an offence.  The said offence, in this case, as per the Prosecution, is offence of Cheating Punishable U/s 420 IPC.  Hence, the ingredients of offence of Cheating becomes of greater importance. 

46.  As per Section 415 IPC, the following is necessary to constitute ofence of Cheating viz :

                 (a) Deceiving any person either fraudulently or dishonestly and inducing such person to ;
              (b) deliver any property to any person; 
           (c)  or to consent that any person shall retain any property;
Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 47  of   68

State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16)

                (d)  or intentionally inducing the person so deceived to do  or omit to do anything which he would not do or omit if  he was not so deceived;

                (e)  and which act or omission causes or is likely to cause  damage or harm to that person  in body, mind,  reputation or property.

47.  The offence requires element of deceit coupled with fraudulent or dishonest inducement.  It will not be difficult to comprehend that for inducing a person (in this case PW­1), it is necessary that he is not in a   state   of   influence   of   (in   this   case)  stupefying   or   intoxicating substance or even unwholesome drug.   To put it simply, a person will not be in a position to be deceived or induced if he is not in his ordinary senses. 

48. The above analysis of the legal Provisions reveals that in this case, there is either cheating or administration of  stupefying, intoxicating or unwholesome drug.  If the Prosecution avers that there are both, then it stands faced with a hurdle of proving these allegations on the basis   of  strong,   cogent,   coherent,   unimpeachable  evidence.   The Prosecution has to travel from a mere possibility to certainty. 

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49.To this Court, the former argument of the Prosecution appears to be more logical and legal than the latter one. 

50.   However,  there  is  a strong  catch  which  is  unexplained  in  the present scenario.  To begin with, there is unusual delay in the Victim making his statement to the Police and a certain amount of confusion regarding his state of consciousness. 

51. The defence has made a very strong argument regarding the time lapse   between   the   alleged   administration   of   some  stupefying, intoxicating   substance   or   unwholesome   drug  and   the   time   when PW­1  lost   complete   consciousness.   Nevertheless,   it   is   in   his statement  Ex.PW­1/DA  that he started feeling uneasiness  (घबररहट) after consumption of 'Fanta' but it is quite obvious from bare reading of this statement that he started feeling 'घबररहट' after certain amount of time of consumption of soft drink 'Fanta'. In between, he travelled back to Ghanta Ghar with the accused persons and on their asking, he went to his own house for arranging more money. 

52.  Prior   to   it   he   was   offered  Rs.500/­  against   playing   lottery   of Rs.200/­  and accused persons actually gave  three Lottery Tickets to him.  Nowhere  does  he  say  that  he  had  returned  the  three  Lottery Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 49  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) Tickets. As to what happened to three Lottery Tickets has never seen light   of   the   day.   These   were   never   recovered.   There   is   absolute silence on any investigation regarding the same. 

53. The above is a missing link and a crucial one too, as there is a gap of almost three months between the incident and apprehension of A­1 and A­2. 

54.   Proceeding ahead,  Ex.PW­1/DA  then records that even though the complainant felt 'घबररहट' at his house yet he proceeded to collect bank   documents   at   his   house   and   proceeded   to   his  Bank  at  Hari Nagar where he reached at 02:00 PM.  It has to be noticed here that he left for dispensary at 09:30 AM. At the Dispensary, he consumed one hour and it was only after it that he met the accused  persons. Thus, he ought to have consumed the Soft drink between 10:30 AM - 11:00   AM.   This   fact   stands   proved   and   nailed   from   his   Court testimony establishing that he reached dispensary at 10:00 AM.   He would have left the dispensary by 11:00 AM.  He admits of meeting the accused persons at  11:30 AM.   He stayed for  15 minutes  with them   and   therefore,   he   would   have   consumed  'Fanta'  actually between 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM in the light of evidence on record. 

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55.  He reached his house after 30 minutes of 11:45 AM i.e. by 12:15 PM.   He stayed at his house for  30 minutes i.e. till 12:45 PM.   He does not convey anything to his daughter in law which is very very surprising.  As a matter of fact he was offered water at his house.

56. Nevertheless, he left for his Bank located 500 mtrs. away from his house  taking 10­12 minutes to reach there.  Thus, he was at his Bank by  01:00   PM.  As   per   him,   he   took  10   minutes  in   the   bank   to withdraw money.  Accordingly, he would have left his bank by 01:10 PM.  From there, he proceeded to Ghanta Ghar again. 

57.  A deeper probe into Chief examination of  PW­1  reveals that he actually pin points the time when he reached the Bank at 01:50 PM. Accordingly, he was conscious till this time.  If he took 10 minutes in the bank then he would have left the bank actually at 02:00 PM. 

58.   From the bank, he reached near  Ghanta Ghar,  met the accused and all of them started looking for an abandoned place. He does not provide as to what was the time when he was at the said abandoned place. There is no cross­examination on that aspect. 

59. By the above analysis of evidence, it is clear that the exact time when PW­1 lost consciousness is not provided to this Court. 

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60.   In this context, statement of  PW­2  is of some assistance.   He received   telephonic   call   between  03:30   PM   -   04:00   PM  that   his father  has  not  come back  to  the  house.  He went to his  house  and started   searching   him.     He   found   his   father   lying   in   unconscious condition  on  the  abandoned  land  between  two  Petrol  Pumps,  Fire Station and Samta Dham, near Ghanta Ghar.  His cross­examination reveals that  he reached his house within one hour  of receiving  the telephonic message. Thus, PW­2 was at his house between 04:30 to 05:00 PM.   He went in search of his father on foot and found him about  500 Mtrs.  away from his house. He shifted his father to the hospital  in a  Cycle Rickshaw  where he, as per  MLC,  was taken at 06:00 PM. 

61. Thus, somewhere between 02:00 PM to a little before 06:00 PM, the PW­1 would have fallen unconscious. 

62.   Thus, the defence has an argument worth appreciation that there was   no   immediate   consequence   of   the   stupefying   or   intoxicating substance and it took several  hours before PW­1 fell unconscious. 

63.   The medical evidence could have explained such a condition in which there could be a gap of several hours between a person being Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 52  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) administered   an  unwholesome   drug   or   stupefying,   intoxicating substance and loosing consciousness. 

64.  I   am   afraid   to   say   that   such   evidence   was   available   but   was allowed to be lost without collection.  PW­1 is consistent not only in Ex.PW­1/DA  but also in his Court testimony that while consuming 'Fanta', some of it fell on his clothes. 

65. PW­2 lends credence to this version to some extent as he claimed, though in his cross­examination, that,  "something had split on his clothes". This fact is not mentioned in statement of  PW­2 U/s 161 Cr.P.C.  Nevertheless,  it stands  to reason  to be a correct statement considering the fact that the  MLC Ex.PW­8/A  records the alleged history of "unknown substance ingestion as told by B/B? Unknown poisoning".  The MLC also records that on oral examination, PW­1 was   conscious   but   drowsy   and   that   he   was   responding   to   verbal command.   There was presence of  an abrasion over his right foot with Ankle. 

66. Despite the said clear and unambiguous history, there was nothing that was done to ascertain the kind of Poison.  Only 'gastric lavage' was  obtained,  report  of which  is  'Negative'  and not  helpful  to the Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 53  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) Prosecution.  Had a blood sample been drawn, presence of a foreign substance in blood could be detected.   In this case, no Viscera was preserved   despite   suspected   diagnosis   of   administration   of   an unknown poison. 

67.  The reason the Court has provided the above details is to stress upon   the   need   to   carefully   scrutinize   the   testimony   of   the  Star witness of the Prosecution i.e. PW­1 keeping in view the arguments pertaining   to   it   being   riddled   with   numerous   improvements   and anomalies. 

68.   As per Ex.PW­1/DA, the PW­1 met with a Turbaned Sikh who was supporting White and Black beard and speaking in Punjabi.  He also met another person who was speaking in Bengali language.  Age of the Sikh person is stated as 40 years while the age of the non Sikh person  is said to be  35 years.  The  Sikh  individual  is identified as Deep Singh i.e. A­2 in the Court and non Sikh person as A­1 in the Court.   Record reveals that when the A­2 was apprehended, his age has been disclosed in the Conviction Slip as 67 years whereas the age of  A­1  is   shown   as  40   years.   The   defence   argued   and   it   is   also observed   on   record   that   on  11.09.2015,   PW­1  was   specifically Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 54  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) suggested that the age of A­2 is about 67 years but surprisingly this suggestion was denied by PW­1.  He was also suggested that A­2 is not the same person who had taken Rs.17 lacs from him.  Of course, PW­1 denied this suggestion.  Nevertheless, incorrect mention of age of A­2 despite the fact that the witness was categorically suggested to the contrary on this aspect and further despite the fact that he denied the suggestion implies that he had no explanation to offer as to why he would provide the age of  A­2 as 40 years in  Ex.PW­1/DA even though same is not correct age and there is a difference of about  27 years.   This thus create a doubt on the identity of  A­2.   Of course, TIP   has   been   refused   in   this   case   but   this   court   will   not   be   in   a position to apply the ratio of Judgment cited by the State in Rafiqul Vs. State (Supra) as in the present case, A­2 has given an explanation in TIP proceedings  Ex.PW­13/B  that his photographs were taken in the   PS.   Additionally,   he   also   submitted   that   he   has   been   seen   by everyone as well as the complainant. Accordingly, he has provided two reasons for refusing TIP.   It is the case of the Prosecution that there was a chance identification of both the accused persons by the complainant at the time when they took the Police party for pointing Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 55  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) out the place of incident. It being so, not only the reason for refusal of TIP assigned by A­2 is believable but also similar reason given by A­ 1 is equally believable too.  This Court is not in a position to draw an adverse inference regarding refusal of accused persons to take part in TIP proceedings. 

69.  It is essential for the Prosecution to establish that the  PW­1 had actually met A­1 and A­2 at the date, place and time complained of. If there arises any doubt regarding it, its benefit is liable to be given to   the   accused   persons.   The   IO   had   proceeded   to   record   a supplementary   statement   of  PW­1  on  10.01.2014  in   this   context. This   statement   has   not   been   proven   or   put   to   the   witness.   It   is recorded therein that on  10.01.2014, he had noticed the two persons standing with the Police while on the way for some domestic work. He recognized them as the persons who had duped him. 

70.  Here it  is important to  note that both  the  accused  persons  had refused to take part in TIP Proceedings on  08.01.2014.  Merely one day   after   the   same   i.e.   on  10.01.2014,   PW­1  chanced   upon   these accused persons while in Police custody.  This Chance identification does not inspire confidence keeping in mind the fact that there was no Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 56  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) arrest in this case for almost three months of the date of incident.  I shall touch upon the aspect of recovery of Currency amount of  Rs.2 lacs in this Judgment. 

71. Once a doubt arises regarding proper identification of the accused persons, it has become more important to carefully scrutinized  PW­ 1's testimony. 

72. Before administration of 'Fanta' to PW­1, it is his case that first A­2  stopped  him  to ask location  of  Sarvodya  Bal Vidyala.   In the meanwhile, A­1 joined them.  After joining, A­1 stated to A­2 that he is aware of  location  of the  above  referred School.  Simultaneously, both of them told PW­1 that they sell Lotteries and the Govt. pays to them against selling such Lotteries. 

73. This scenario should have alerted the PW­1 as any prudent person would be alerted after noting the fact that the two persons whom he met one by one were already known to each other and were in same line of selling Lotteries.  

74. Nevertheless, the younger accused who is stated to be A­1 asked him to purchase Lottery Tickets while saying, "आपकर लक अचछर हह". thereafter, the accused gave him three Lottery Tickets stating that if Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 57  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) he invests Rs.200/­ in Lottery, he can get return of Rs.500/­. 

75. Here it is important to note that though it is not stated in Ex.PW­ 1/DA that Rs.200/­ was paid but it is in the Court testimony that PW­ 1 did pay accused Deep Singh (A­2) Rs.200/­.  It is further important to note that in none of the two statements does the  PW­1  state that accused actually gave him Rs.500/­ in lieu of game of Lottery. 

76. Soon thereafter, A­2 brought a 'Fanta' bottle and a Plastic glass and offered the same to PW­1. 

77. Up­till this stage, it would have been possible for this Court to say that   during   the   first   segment   of   the   Crime,   the   accused   persons committed offence of cheating by duping Rs.200/­ from the PW­1 on the   pretext   of   playing   lottery.     It   cannot   be   however   said   for   the reason that if  Rs.500/­  was never returned to him,  PW­1  would not have been further duped deceitfully to go and bring more money in the manner complained of. 

78.  It is further  in evidence that  after  consumption  of  'Fanta', the accused involved PW­1 in talks and that if he invested more money, then   double   of   it   will   be   given   to   him.   This   fact   is   not   stated   in Ex.PW­1/DA.  It   is   also   not   recorded   in  Ex.PW­1/DA  that   the Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 58  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) accused   had   obtained   information   about   financial   status   and   bank accounts of PW­1.  It is also not recorded in Ex.PW­1/DA that PW­1 had told the accused of having a FD of Rs.12 lacs at Punjab & Sindh Bank, Hari Nagar. 

79.  Moreover,  Ex.PW­1/DA  reveals   that  PW­1  felt  'घबररहट'  after reaching his house whereas in his Court statement, he disclosed that during   talks   with   the   accused   persons,   he   became  "Nervous".   He explained this term by saying, "जहसस कक ससध बसध नहह ह रहह". 

80.  These words are crucial and important.   If that is to be believed then it is very surprising to note that after parting with the accused persons, the  PW­1  went all the way back to his house.   He stayed there for sometime during which he was conscious. He collected his Bank   documents.   Thereafter,   he   left   on   foot   for   his   Bank. Subsequently, he did all the formalities of withdrawing the amount of Rs.17   lacs  after   making   request   to   the   Branch   Manager   for withdrawal of the amount outstanding in the FDR, copy of which is Ex.PW­3/E.   He was conscious  that he was carrying huge amount and deposes that the Cashier asked him if he needs Company as he has withdrawn a huge amount.   PW­1  even remembers that he kept Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 59  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) the money in a bag and walked all the way to Ghanta Ghar and met the accused persons.  He remembers to have proceeded with them in the   search   of   abandoned   place.   Then   he   becomes   unconscious suddenly. 

81. The above analysis of facts is not inspiring confidence. The sheer time gap referred above plays a vital role in this opinion. 

82. If PW­1 is to be believed that he had become nervous that he was not having any  'ससध बसध' even before parting with the accused persons during the first segment of alleged crime then it is inconceivable that PW­1  would   be   able   to   undertake   so   many   tasks   during   the interregnum.

83. What is also equally important to note is that as per PW­1, he had told   the   Bank   officials   to   be   in   need   of   money   and   that   he   was expecting to get double amount against amount invested by him.  No Bank official  has been  examined  on this  aspect. The Bankers  who have been examined in this case i.e. PW­3 Sh.A.S.Bhasin and PW­4 Sh.Brij Pandey have never said anything about such a conversation. If that be true, the IO ought to have examined someone from the Bank to whom such the fact was stated by PW­1.  Again, there is silence on Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 60  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) this aspect.

84.  For a moment, if this court ignores presence of any stupefying substance in the metabolism of PW­1 when he was visiting his house and Bank, then also someone had to say that there was a prior concert amongst  PW­1  and   the   accused   persons   that   they   will   wait   at   a particular spot and in the meantime, PW­1 will get and collect Rs.17 lacs from his bank.  Same ought to have been said atleast in the Court if not in  Ex.PW­1/DA.  Nothing has been said on this aspect.  This omission has resulted into a situation where there is no clear evidence to show that after learning about financial status of  PW­1; accused persons had deceitfully or fraudulently represented him that they will double this amount by way of Lottery Tickets. 

85.  As said earlier, dishonest and fraudulent intention coupled with deceit  and delivery  of property  are essential  ingredients  of offence U/s 420 IPC.   In this case, there is no charge against the accused persons   of   having   committed   offence   of   theft   Punishable  U/s   379 IPC.   The only Charge beside Section 328 IPC is of commission of offence   Punishable  U/s   420   IPC.   In   concluding   the   same,   it   is essential that  PW­1  said that he had delivered the amount of  Rs.17 Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 61  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) lacs to these accused persons.  It is not the case.  Neither in Ex.PW­ 1/DA nor in his Court statement does PW­1 said that he had actually delivered the said amount to the accused persons. 

86.  As   per  PW­1,   he   reached   with   the   accused   persons   to   the abandoned   place   between   the   two   Petrol   Pumps   and   all   of   them started talking. He did not know as to what happened as he became unconscious.   He regained his consciousness on the next day in the hospital and it was then that he found that his cash of Rs.17 lacs and bank documents were missing.  He was carrying a Bag in which he had kept the Currency Notes.  He never said that the Bag was taken away or was given to the accused persons. 

87.  The above analysis of evidence therefore clarifies that in both the segments of the alleged crime, the ingredients of Section 420 IPC are found missing. 

88. Thus, I revert back to the Prosecution's case so far as it pertains to Section   328   IPC.  The   defence   has   cited   from   several   Judgments which have been recorded above in preceding paragraphs.  It has been categorically held in Joseph  Kurian Philip Jose  Vs. State of Kerela, supra  that   for   proving   offence  U/s   328   IPC,  the   Prosecution   is Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 62  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) required to prove that the substance in question was a 'Poison' or any stupefying intoxication  or unwholesome drug etc; that the accused had administered such substance to the Complainant; that he did so with intent  to cause  hurt  or knowing  it to be likely that he would thereby cause hurt or with the intention to commit or facilitate the commission of offence. 

89. It is held therein that it is essential for Prosecution to prove that the accused was directly responsible for the act which he may have accomplished by himself or by means of another.  In either situation, direct, reliable and cogent evidence is necessary.  

90.  The   defence   has   urged   that   medical   evidence   has   not   been adduced   at   all.     The   argument   is   well   appreciated   and   is   to   be accepted. Despite presence of such evidence, none of it was collected. I agree with the defence that non seizing the clothes of PW­1 is fatal to  the  Prosecution.     I  also  agree  with  the  defence   that  absence  of drawing   blood   sample   of  PW­1  is   equally   damaging   to   the Prosecution. 

91.  While   agreeing   with   the   Prosecution   that  'Negative'   Viscera report cannot be held to be demolishing its case, I will add that in this Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 63  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) case, the nature of poison, if any was never determined.  As a matter of fact, it is nobody's case that poison or poisonous substance was administered to  PW­1.   Hence, as also held in the Judgments cited above, the  Viscera report does not make any difference.  Moreover, Victim's gastric lavage Report is in "Negative".  

92. As to why Stomach wash of the Victim was not taken or preserved is also very surprising.   That is one more aspect that ought to have been looked into but was never done.  This situation has been referred to in the Judgment titled as Sanjay Singh & Anr. Vs.  State, supra, in which case also the Stomach wash of the Victim was not preserved. 

93. True, in the Judgment titled as   Mohd.Zuber & Anr.  Vs. State, supra, Conviction had followed on the basis of oral testimony of the Victim even though medical evidence was absent yet, several factors were taken into consideration.  It was never the case in Mohd.Zuber & Anr. Vs. State, supra that the Victim had lost consciousness after inordinate delay. In all the Judgments that have been cited above, the Victims   have   lost   consciousness   soon   after   administration   of stupefying substance.  It is not so in the case in hand.  It appears that various   facts   may   not   have   been   presented   to   the   Court   which   if Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 64  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) presented, might have led to a different conclusion. 

94.   Whether or not I can rely on the sole testimony of PW­1 is a question,   the   answer   of   which   is   already   tilted   in   favour   of   the accused for the reasons explained above.   Moreover, there is much force   in   the   contention   of   the   defence   that   the   unusual   delay   in recording of the statement of  PW­1  makes his present testimony as more doubtful.   It is in the statement of the IO that the Victim had been giving different reasons for not making his statement.  

95.  Merely   because   the   Victim   was   found   to   be   in   the   state   of drowsiness,   it   cannot   be   said   that   he   was   administered   with   a stupefying substance by the accused persons only.  He had also drank water at his house.   When doubts are created in Prosecution's case, each   fatctor   is   to   be   looked   into   carefully.   Possibility   of   some substance in water that  PW­1  consumed at his house resulting into him feeling drowsy cannot be all together obviated although it is a very week possibility. 

96.   I agree with the defence that testimony of  PW­1  suffers from material inconsistencies and improvements as pointed out above. 

97. The IO should have collected the prescription slips of medicines Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 65  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) that  PW­1  obtained   from   Dispensary.   The   IO   should   have   also collected the three Lottery Tickets which ought to be in possession of the  PW­1.   Nothing   had   been   stated   about   the  Currency   Notes  of Rs.500/­ to be recovered from the possession of  PW­1 in case he is believed   that   such   an   amount   was   given   to   him   after   investing Rs.200/­. 

98. The IO should have made some efforts to try and obtain the serial numbers   of   the  Currency   Notes  that   were   issued   to  PW­1  by   his Bank.  It is another matter if the Bank could have provided the same or not for want of records.  No such efforts was ever made. 

99.  The recovery of Rs.2 lacs from the house of A­1 is also doubtful.

This accused was arrested much prior in point of time of recovery and therefore, this team of Spl.Staff West had ample opportunity and time to involve independent members of public in the event of recovery. No such efforts have been made as evident from the testimony of the Pws examined from the  Spl.Staff (West).   Further more, for proving Charge  U/s   411   IPC,  it   is   also   important   for   the   Prosecution   to connect   the   recovered  Currency   Notes  with   the   ones   that   were allegedly taken away from the PW­1.  No such connection has been Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 66  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) established for the reasons that I have pointed out above. 

100.  It was important for the Prosecution to have established that this amount   of  Rs.2   lacs  that   is   allegedly   recovered   from  A­1  is   the property that was obtained from and only from PW­1 and none other. 

101.   In view of above observations of this Court, it is held that the testimony of  PW­1  who is Star witness of the Prosecution does not inspire   confidence   and   is   not   of   unimpeachable   value.   There   is absence   of   ingredients   of   offence   Punishable  U/s   420   IPC. Commission of Offence U/s 328 IPC has not been proven.  There are doubts in the testimony of Prosecution witness i.e. PW­1.  Support to it cannot be derived from testimony of PW­2 as he is not the witness to any of the incident.  There are glaring lapses by the case IO on this aspect.  Case U/s 411  IPC is also  not proved beyond reasonable doubt. 

 CONCLUSION  : 

102. In view of the foregoing discussion, this Court holds that the Prosecution is unable to prove its case beyond reasonable doubts. Accordingly, both the accused persons namely Sandeep @ Raju Result:  Acquitted                                                        Page 67  of   68 State  Vs.  Sandeep @ Raju etc                                   FIR 475/13 (56620/16) and Deep Singh @ Deepa @ Baba are hereby acquitted for the offences   Punishable   U/s   420/328/34   IPC.   Accused   Sandeep   @ Raju is also hereby acquitted for the offence Punishable U/s 411 IPC.  

  They are  directed to furnish PB/SB for Rs.15,000/­ (Rupees fifteen thousand each) with one surety each in the like amount, in view of Section 437A Cr.P.C. 

    Further  it  is  ordered  that  the  case  property  of  this case, if any, be disposed of/destroyed after expiry of period of fil ­ ing appeal, if any. 

ing appeal, if any.

File be consigned to Record Room. 



Announced in open Court                       (Manish Yaduvanshi)
on 07.04.2018                                  ASJ­05(W)/THC
                                               Delhi/07.04.2018(P)

                                          Digitally
                                          signed by
                                          MANISH
                               MANISH     YADUVANSHI
                               YADUVANSHI Date:
                                          2018.04.09
                                          15:32:42
                                          +0530



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