STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. MAN SINGH AND ORS

Citation: [2003] SUPP. 2 S.C.R. 460

Court: Supreme Court of India

Bench: DORAISWAMY RAJU, ARIJIT PASAYAT

Judgment text

STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH v. MAN SINGH AND ORS. AUGUST 13, 2003 • [DORAISWAMY RAJU AND ARIJIT PASAYAT, JJ. ] Penal Code, 1860: Section 302134-Murder'-Charge under-Injured eyewitnesses_;_Their evidence recorded under Section 164 Cr. P. C. -Non-mention ofname ofone of the witnesses in FIR-Non-examination of independent witness- Prosecution 's failure to produce statement recorded by Tehsildar-Nonmention ofknife recoveredfrom the spot, in FIR-Change oftime oflodging FIR-Conviction by Trial Court-Acquittal by High Court-On appeal- Plea that Conviction not to be under Section 302 but at the most, under Section 304-Held: In view ofthe evidence accused liable to be convicted- In view of injuries, and nature of assault case not covered uls. 304. Section 34-Applicability of-Held: In its application it is common intention ofthe accused which is material and not how they converge on the place of occurrence.

Criminal Trial: Non-mention ofassailants' name in requisition memo ofinjury-Effect of-Held, such omission does not render prosecution case brittle. . Mention ofname ofwitnesses in FIR-Requirement of-Held: There is no hard andfast rule that the names ofall witnesses more particularly eyewitnesses should be indicated in FJR-Evidence ofperson whose name is not mentioned in FIR does not perforce become suspect. injured witness-Evidentiary value of-Held: Such witnesses have greater evidentiary value, their statements cannot be discarded lightly unless compelling reasons exist. Witnesses-Whose statements recorded uls 164 Cr. P. C. -Evidentiary value of-Held: Such witnesses cannot be discarded merely for reason of STATEOFM. P. v. MAN SINGH 461 their statements being recorded under the provision-Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973-Section 164.

Respondent-accused were charged under Section 302 r/w Section 34 and Section 324 r/w Section 34 IPC for having caused death of one person and for assaulting PWs 4 and 7, the injured eyewitnesses. During trial 10 prosecution witnesses were examined. PW-8 was examined to substantiate the claims that oral dying declaration was made by the deceased before him implicating the accused. Accused were convicted under Section 302 r/w Section 34 and two of the accused were convicted under Section 323 r/w Section 34.

On appeal, High Court found that there was manipulation about the time of occurrence in FIR, that during investigation, though the knife was found at the spot of incident, there is no mention as to how it happened to be there; that though the accμsed were named in FIR but were not arrested even after four months ofthe incident; that the name ofPW8 was not mentioned in FIR; that there was no explanation as to the need for recording statement of the injured witnesses; that provisions ofSection 157 Cr. P. C. were not complied with; and that the names of the accused did not find place in the requisition for injury reports. In view of the discrepancies in the prosecution case, accused were not found guilty and hence acquitted.

In appeal to this Court, respondents contended that High Court rightly acquitted the accused; that an independent witness who, according to PW8, was present was not examined; that there is no explanation as to why the statement made by the deceased before Tehsildar, was not brought on record; that Section 34 was not applicable as all the four accused did not come together at the place ofoccurrence; and that the case is not covered by Section 302 r/ w Section 34 IPC, but the same can at the most be covered u/s 324/325 or 304 Part II IPC. Allowing the appeal, the Court HELD: 1. The judgment of High Court is indefensible for more reasons than one. It has not been indicated as to why and how the High Court came to the conclusion about non-compliance with the requirements of Section 157 Cr. P. C. It has not been indicated as to what is the requirement and what proof was required to be adduced. (466-D-E) 2.

Importance does not appear to have been attached to the evidence of injured witnesses PWs 4 and 7, on the ground that their statements were recorded under Section 164 Cr. P. C. Evidence ofwitnesses cannot be discarded merely because their statements were recorded under Section 164 of the Code. All that is required as a matter ofcaution is a careful analysis of the evidence. The evidence of injured witnesses have greater evidentiary value and unless compelling reasons exist, their statements are not to be discarded lightly. Merely because there was no mention of a knife in the First Information Report, that does not wash away the effect ofevidence tendered by the injured witnesses PWs 4 and 7. Minor discrepancies do not corrode credibility of otherwise acceptable evidence. The circumstances highlighted by the High Court to attach vulnerability to evidence of the injured witnesses are clearly inconsequential.

Omission to mention the name of the assailants in the requisition memo, perforce does not render prosecution version brittle. [466-E-H; 467-A-B] Balak Ram and Anr. v. State ofUP. , AIR (1974) SC 2165 and /J. am Charan and Ors. v. The State ofUP. , AIR (1968) SC 1270, referred to. 3. One of the circumstances highlighted by the High Court to discard the evidence <'fPW 8 is non-mention of his name in the FIR. Evidence of the person whose name did not figure in the FIR as witness does not perforce become suspect. There can be no hard and fast rule that the names of all witnesses more particularly eye-witnesses should be indicated in the FIR. _ Mere non-mention ofthe name ofan eye-witness does not render prosecution version fragile. [467-C] Chittar Lal v. State of Rajasthan, (2003) AIR SCW 3466 and Shri Bhagwan v. State ofRajasthan, [2001) 6 SCC 296, relied on. 4.

High Court failed to notice that evidence of PWs 4 and 7 was to the effect that they left the dec~ased in injured condition and rushed to the police station. The arrival of PW8 near the deceased, according to prosecution, was thereafter. His presence could not have been noted by PW4 who lodged Fm and, therefore, non-mention ofhis name in the FIR is the natural consequence. The High Court has completely misread the evidence in this regard. (467-D-E] 5. Even if it is accepted that there were deficiencies in investigation as pointed out by the High Court, that cannot be a ground to discard the prosecution version which is authentic, credible and cogent. Non-examination of independent witness is also not a factor to cast doubt on the prosecution version. He was not an eye-witness and according to the version of PW8 he STATE OF M. P. v. MAN SINGH 463 arrived after PW 8. When PW 8 has been examined, his non-examination is of no consequence. [467-F) 6.

The plea regarding non-mention of knife is unsustainable. From a reading ofthe evidence on record it appears that mention was made about a sharp-edged weapon affixed to a stick being used. (467-GI 7. Prosecution's failure to produce the statement purported to have been recorded by the Tehsildar cannot be a factor to throw doubt on prosecution version. Though PW4 has stated that the Tehsildar had come and had noted some statements after inquiries, the investigating officer has not been asked about the recording ofany such statement by the Tehsildar. It is not known as to under what circumstance the Tehsildar had come and noted the statement as stated. [467-H; 468-A) 8. Merely because there was some change in time of the lodging of FIR, that does not per se render prosecution version vulnerable. At the most the requirement was a careful analysis of the evidence, which has been done by the Trial Court One material factor which the High Court missed to notice .

J is that the spot map was prepared at 13. 30 p. m. and PW 8 is the witness to the map. (468-B) 9. Plea that Section 34 has no application because all the four accused did not come together is one which is liable to be rejected. Section 34 has no requirement that all the accused must come together. It is their common intention which is material and not how they converage on the place of occurrence. [468-C) 10. Looking at the nature of injuries and the manner of assaults established by evidence. Section 302 IPC has clear application and not-Section 304 Part II. (468-D, E) CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 825 of 1996. From the Judgment and Order dated 5. 11. 1992 of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Cr!. A. No. 397 of 1985. Siddhartha Dave and Ms. Vibha Datta Makhija for the Appellant, Sushi! Kumar Jain, H. D. Thanvi, Anil Vyas, Alok Bachawat, Ms. Anjali Doshi and Ms. Ruchi Kohli for the Respondent. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.

Questioning acquittal ofthe respondents by the impugned judgment of the Madhya Pradesh High· Court, Jabalpur Bench at Indore, by which the conviction and sentence imposed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ratlam, were set aside, this appeal has been filed by the State of Madhya Pradesh. Four persons i. e. respondents herein faced trial for allegedly causing homicidal death ofDharamchand (hereinafter referred to as 'the deceased') on 6. 8. 1984. Background facts as highlighted by the prosecution version sans unnecessary details are as follows: On the fateful day at about 9. 30 a. m. deceased accompanied by Mansingh (PW 4) and Gulabsingh (PW 7) was going from his village Talod to Alote. The accused persons were hiding behind bushes on the road near village Gharola. They were armed with lathies and farsies.

When the deceased and the aforesaid two persons reached near the Khakhra, the respondents surrounded them and started attacking the deceased with weapons with which they were armed. His nose was cut. PWs. 4 and 7 tried to intervene, but they were also attacked by the accused persons as a result of which they also received injuries. The two witness rushed to the police station where PW 4 lodged the FIR (Exhibit P-10). The deceased in injured condition was taken to the hospital, and later he succumbed to the injuries. Post-mortem was conducted and large number of injuries were found on his body. During investigation the alleged weapons of the assailants were seized. After investigation charge sheet was placed. Appellants were charged for commission ofoffences punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34 and Section 324 read with Section 34 ofIndian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC'). During trial accused persons pleaded innocence. .

They were acquitted for offence punishable under Section 324 read with Section 34 IPC, but were convicted for offence under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC each, to undergo life imprisonment. Accused Bhanwar Singh was convicted for offence punishable under Section 323 IPC, accused Bheru Singh also similarly convicted, and each of them were sentenced to undergo six months RI for the offence. At this juncture it is to be noted that ten witnesses were examined to ·further the prosecution version. Apart from PWs. 4 and 7 who claimed to be · eye witnesses, one Jaswant Singh (PW 8) was also examined to substantiate STATE OF M. P. v. MAN SINGH [PASAYAT, J. ] 465 the claim that an oral dying declaration was made by the deceased before the said witness implicating the accused persons to be his assailants. The Trial Court accepted the prosecution version and convicted the accused-appellants and sentenced them as noted supra. The matter was carried in appeal by the · accused persons.

Several circumstances were highlighted to attach vulnerability to the prosecution version. One ofthe circumstances was alleged manipulation of the FIR to indicate as if the same was lodged at I0. 25 a. m. The evidence of PWs. 4, 7 and 8 were also subjected to criticism on the ground that they did not inspire confidence. It was pointed out that the evidence of PWs 4 and 7 were recorded under Section I64 of the Code of criminal Procedure, I973 (for short 'the Cr. P. C. ') and that was a highly suspicious circumstance. It was also submitted that though during trial, there was mention about use of knife in the FIR, the statements under Sections 161 and 164 of the Code, there was no mention about them. Though knife was stated to have been found at the spot, there was no investigation directed to find out as to how it came there at the spot of occurrence. A plea was raised by learned counsel for the accused that Section 34 has no application to the fact of this case.

With reference to the statement of the witnesses it is pointed out that the accused persons did not come together, and first two persons came followed by two others. The High Court accepted stand of the accused persons and recorded the following findings :- (I) There was manipulation about the time of occurrence in Exhibit P- 10. (2) Undisputedly knife was recovered from the spot when investigation was conducted. As to how it happened to be at the place of occurrence no mention is there. (3) Though the accused persons were named in the FIR they were not arrested till 24. 12. I984. (4) The name of PW 8 did not find place in the FIR. (5) There was no explanation as to the need for recording the statement of injured· witnesses PWs 4 and 7. (6) There was no proof of compliance with provisions of Section 157 of the Code. (7) The names ofthe accused persons did not find place in the requisition for injury reports.

In view of the afore-noted alleged discrepancies, the accused persons were held to. be not guilty and the order of acquittal was passed by allowing the appeal. In support ofthe appeal, learned counsel for the appellant-State submitted that the circumstances relied by the High Court to direct acquittal are clearly not supportable in law. The factual scenario has not been considered in the proper perspective and, therefore, the order of the High Court deserves to be set aside and that of the Trial Court restored. In response, learned counsel for the accused persons submitted that the High Court has analysed the legal and factual positions i11 the proper perspective, and the deficiencies in the prosecution version have been clearly highlighted. It was submitted that there was manipulation in the FIR about the time of recording it, and the same was not recorded at ! he police station. Genesis of the prosecution case is doubtful.

An independent witness Hira Lal who, according to PW 8, was present, has not been examined. Non-mention of the names of the accused in the requisition· shows that the names of the assailants were not known. PWs 4 and 7 are not reliable witnesses. Presence of PW 8 is doubtful and there is no explanation as to why the statement made by the deceased before Tehsildar, as deposed by some witnesses, has not been brought on record. Alternatively, it was submitted that the case is not one whieh is covered by Section 302 read Section 34 IPC and at the most the case cannot travel beyond Section 324/325 or in the worst case under Section 304 Part II IPC. In our considered opinion, the High Court judgment is indefensible for more reasons than one. It has not bc,en indicated as to why and how the High Court came to the conclusion about non-compliance with the requirements of Section 157 Cr. P. C. It was only stated that there was no proof of comp! iance of Section 157 Cr. P. C.

It has not been indicated as to what is the requirement and what proof was required to be adduced. Similarly importance does not appear to have been attached to the evidence of injured witnesses PWs 4 and 7, on the ground that their statements were recorded under'Section 164 CrP. C. In a catena of decisions this Court has held that evidence of witnesses cannot be discarded merely because their statements were recorded under Section 164 ofthe Code (See: Balak Ram andAnr. v. State ofUP. , AIR(1974) SC 2165 and Ram Charan and Ors. v. The State ofUP. , AIR (1968) SC 1270). All that is required as a matter of caution is a careful analysis of the evidence. The evidence of injured witnesses have greater evidentiary value and unless compelling reasons exits, their statements are not to be discarded lightly. Merely because there was no mention ofa knife in the first information report. That does not wash away the effect of evidence tendered by the injured witnesses PWs 4 and 7.

Minor discrepancies do not corrode credibility of otherwise acceptable evidence. The circumstances highlighted by the High Court to attach vulnerability to evidence of the injured witnesses are clearly inconsequential. Though, it is fairly conceded by learned counsel for the accused that though mere non-mention of the assailants' names in the STATEOFM. P. v. MANSINGH[PASAYAT,J. ] 467 requisition memo of injury is not suffident to discard the prosecution version in entirety, according to him it is a doubtful circumstance and forms a vital link to determine whether prosecution version i<; credible. It is a settled ·position ! n law that omission to mention the name of the assailants in the requisition memo perforce does not render prosecution version brittle. One of the circumstances highlighted by the High Court to discard the evidence of PW 8 in non-mention of his name in the FIR. As stated by this Court in Chittar Lal v.

State ofRajasthan, (2003) AIR SCW 3466 evidence of the person whose name did not figure in the FIR as witness does not perforce become suspect. There can be no hard and fast rule that the names of all witnesses more particularly eye-witnesses should be indicated in the FIR. As was observed by this Court in Shri Bhagwan v. State of Rajasthan, (200 I] 6 SCC 296 mere nor. -mention of the name of an eye-witness does not' render prosecution version fragile. It is nobody's case that PW 8 was an eye-witness. The High Court failed to notice that evidence of PWs 4 and 7 was to the effect that they left the deceased in injured condition and rushed to the police station. The arrival of PW 8 near the deceased, according to prosecution, was thereafter. His presence could not have been noted by PW 4 who lodged FIR and therefore, non-mention of his name in the FIR is the natural consequence. The High Court has completely misread the evidence in this regard.

Even if it is accepted that there were deficiencies in investigation as pointed out by the High Court, that cannot be a ground to discard the prosecution version which is authentic, cerdible and cogent. Non-examination of Hira Lal is also not a factor to cast doubt on the prosecution version. He was not an eye-witness, and according to the version of PW 8 he arrived after PW 8. When PW8 has been examined the non-examination of Hira Lal is of no consequence. Coming to the plea regarding non-mention of knife, from a reading of the evidence on record it appears that mention was made about a sharp-edged weapon affixed to a stick being used. That being the position, the plea is clearly unsustainable. Great emphasis was laid on the prosecution's failure to produce the statement purported to have been recorded by the Tehsildar.

Though PW 4 has stated that the Tehsildar had come and had noted some statements aft~r inquiries, the investigating officer has not been asked about the recording of any such statement by the Tehsildar. It is not known as to under what circumstance the Tehsildar had come and noted the statement as stated. That cannot be a factor to throw doubt on prosecution version. Merely because there was some change in time of the lodging of the FIR, that does not per se render prosecution version vulnerable. At the most the requirement was a careful analysis of the evidence, which has been done by the Trial Court. One material factor which the High Court missed to notice is that the spot map was prepared at 13. 30 p. m. and PW 8 is the witness to the map. Plea that Section 34 has no application because all the four did not come together is one which is to be noted and rejected. Section 34 has no requirement that all the accused must come together.

It is their common intention which is material and not how they converge on the place of occurrence. Supposing the accused persons come out from a narrow lane and only one person can come out at a time and others follow one after the other,. in such a case it cannot certainly be said that because did not come together, Section 34 will have no application. Looking at the nature of injuries and the manner of assaults established by evidence, Section 302 IPC has clear application, and not Section 304 Part II as contended. Judging from any angle, the High Court's judgment cannot be maintained and deserves to be set aside which we direct. The judgment of the Trial Court is restored. The appeal of the State is allowed. The accused persons are directed to surrender to custody to serve the remainder of their sentence. K. K. T Appeal allowed.