MANU/SC/0274/2016

True Court CopyTM English

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

Criminal Appeal No. 140 of 2007 and Criminal Appeal No. 169 of 2016 (Arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 5504 of 2012)

Decided On: 03.03.2016

Appellants: Ram Laxman and Ors. Vs. Respondent: State of Rajasthan

Hon'ble Judges/Coram:
Dipak Misra and S.K. Singh

JUDGMENT

S.K. Singh, J.

1. Both the appeals arise out of same judgment and order dated 3.1.2006 passed by a Division Bench of High Court of Rajasthan at Jaipur Bench in Criminal Appeal No. 779 of 2001. By the impugned judgment the High Court has maintained the conviction of Appellants namely Ram Laxman and Sanjay alias Sanju for offences Under Section 302/149 and Section 148 Indian Penal Code. The sentence imposed on the Appellants is life imprisonment and fine of Rs. 5,000/- with default clause Under Section 302/149 Indian Penal Code and RI for one year Under Section 148 Indian Penal Code. Both the substantive sentences are to run concurrently. Vide the same judgment the High Court has allowed the appeal of co-accused Ram Bharos, Sher Singh, Chaturbhuj, Ram Prasad and Mangi Lal and acquitted them for the same very offences.

2. Learned Counsel for the Appellants has taken us through the entire relevant materials on record and particularly through the judgment and order under appeal with a view to support his simple submission that the case and evidence against the Appellants is same as that against the other co-accused who have been acquitted by the High Court. In other words the Appellants simply claim parity with the acquitted co-accused.

3. The prosecution case has been Set in motion by the informant Ganesh (PW-10), brother of deceased Hanuman, by filing a written report (Ex. P-21) to Rafiq Ahmed, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police Station Kaithoon (PW-9). The case, in brief is that around 7.30 a.m. on the said day the informant was taking bath at the bank of the river and his younger brother Hanuman proceeded towards bushes to attend the call of nature. After bath, while coming back the informant saw Sanju and Ram Laxman, the Appellants, armed with Gupti and Sword respectively near the river bank. Both the Appellants proceeded towards the bushes where Hanuman had gone and were followed by the informant who saw the other accused persons including one Ram Kalyan (all acquitted) inflicting blows on the person of Hanuman with Sword, Spear, Gandasi and Gupti. The other assailants were joined by the Appellants Sanju and Ram Laxman who also caused injuries to Hanuman. Ram Kalyan (tried separately and acquitted), Chaturbhuj and Sheru inflicted sword blows on the head of Hanuman. Ram Prasad caused injury with spear. After Hanuman had fallen Ram Laxman inflicted sword blow on the left side of neck and shoulder of Hanuman while Sanju caused a Gupti blow on the abdomen. Ram Bharos and Mangi Lal inflicted gandasi blows on the right palm. The informant shouted for help from a distance on which PW-2 Chhitar and PW-11 Suresh came rushing. On seeing them the assailants fled away. Hanuman had died on the spot. With the help of aforesaid witnesses the informant brought the dead body to hospital and lodged a written report which led to investigation of case Under Sections