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Showing contexts for: self strangulation in Kuntala Misra vs State Of Orissa on 1 October, 1986Matching Fragments
The abrasions and contusions on the face were possible by finger nails and by fist blows. He also categorically opined that one cannot commit suicide by strangulation by using M.O.I, on one's neck.
6. It has been strenuously urged by Mr. Patra, the learned Counsel appearing for the appellant that the evidence of the Doctor is not acceptable so far as his opinion of the impossibility of suicide is concerned. It is no doubt correct that P.W. 11 has contradicted himself by once saying that it is not possible for one to commit suicide by self strangulation by a ligature and that he does not agree with Modi that there might be some cases of self strangulation and again stating that if there would be a case of self strangulation, then there would be signs of violence. Later on the witness again stated that in very rare cases there could be self strangulation by ligature but however he stated that he does not agree with Modi that in such cases injuries to the deep structures of the neck and marks of violence on other parts of the body are, as a rule, absent. The evidence of P.W. 11 being thus confused on the point would not be of much help to determine the question whether it was a case of self strangulation or suicide. But however by reference to the established medical authorities it can be well said from the injuries on the person of the deceased that it could not be a case of self strangulation. According to Modi (12th edition page 154), suicidal strangulation is not very common and that in such cases some contrivance is always used to keep the ligature tight after insensibility supervenes. This is usually done by twisting a cord several times round the neck and then tying a knot, which is usually single and in front or at the side or back of the neck, or by twisting a cord tightly by means of a stick, stone or some other solid material, or by tightening the ends of a cord by tying them to the hands or feet or to a peg in a well or to the leg of bed. In such cases injuries to the deep structures of the neck and marks of violence on other parts of the body are, as a rule, absent. Tayler in his Principles and Practice of Medical Jurisprudence, 13th Edition, observes at page; 309 as follows :-
Self-strangulation involving a ligature may occur in four ways:
(1) When the neck is constricted by multiple turns which are sufficient to maintain constriction without a knot or fewer turns secured either by a half or double knot at a point accessible to the person's own hands.
(2) More frequently a rod of some sort is either inserted under a knot or included in it, the neck being compressed by twisting in the fashion of a tourniquet. This, in our experience is the commonest method used.
(3) A running noose with a weight attached to the free end.