JUDGEMENT
MATHUR, J. -
(1.) THESE two appeals are directed against the
judgment dated 20.04.2007 passed by learned Additional
Sessions Judge (Fast Track) No.1, Bhilwara in Sessions Case
No.96/2004 (42/2003) convicting accused Devilal, Harji,
Ramchandra and Nanda while acquitting accused Mrs. Sayari,
Mrs. Deu and Hinduram. The conviction and sentence of the
accused-appellants is as under :-
Conviction for the Sentence Awarded offence punishable under Section 148 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for one year and a fine of Rs.100 and in default of payment of fine, further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one month 452 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for three years and a fine of Rs.500 and in default of payment of fine, further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two months 302/149 IPC Life term imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1000 and in default of payment of fine, further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three months 342 IPC Rigorous imprisonment for six months and a fine of Rs.100 and in default of payment of fine, further to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one month
(2.) IN brief, the facts of the case are that on 25.07.2003 at about 11.00 p.m., a statement given by Mrs. Bhaguti (P.W.1) at Community Health Center, Aasind before
the Station House Officer, Police Station Aasind was reduced in
writing and on the basis of that, a criminal case was lodged
against seven persons including two ladies, namely, Mrs.
Sayari and Mrs. Deu. As per the statement made by Mrs.
Bhaguti, she was at the residence of her brother Nanuram
from last five days and on 24.07.2003, some altercations took
place between her and Mrs. Sayari relating to some money
transaction. Being aggrieved with these altercations and also
looking to earlier vengeance, Mrs. Sayari called her brothers
Harji, Ramchandra and Nanda with their 3-4 friends and in the
night at about 11.30 p.m., the persons aforesaid armed with
lathis and iron rods entered in the house of Nanuram. Being
frightened, Bhaguti and two daughters of Nanuram fled from
the spot and availed shelter at the house of Prithviraj Balai.
Nanuram also ran away to the agriculture fields, however, his
old mother Mrs. Sarju remained at home, who was beaten by
Devilal, Ramchandra, Nanda, Harji and their friends. In the
morning of 25.07.2003 at about 8.00 a.m., Mrs. Bhaguti and
the two girls, who took shelter at the house of Prithviraj Balai,
returned to their house. At that time, Devilal and his wife Mrs.
Sayari came there and forcibly took Mrs. Bhaguti to their
house. Serious beating was given to her by Mrs. Sayari, Devilal
and Mrs. Deu. Devilal and Harji at that time were carrying iron
rods, whereas Nanda, Ramchandra and their friends were
armed with lathis. All these persons then went in search of
Nanuram and after fetching him, he was brought to the
residence of Devilal and was tied to a Neem tree. He was
ruthlessly beaten with the aid of lathis and iron rods. Mrs.
Sayari and Mrs. Deu squeezed testicles of Nanuram, whereas
other persons gave him several blows from iron rod and lathi.
On making alarm, Harikishan, Bhojraj and Laxman came for
rescue. At that time, Nanuram was unconscious and in the
evening, he died.
On basis of this statement, investigating agency initiated investigation, got autopsy conducted on the person
of Nanuram and injury reports of Mrs. Sarju and Mrs. Bhaguti
were also obtained. Accused persons were arrested and at
their instance, certain recoveries were made. On basis of the
disclosure made by accused Devilal an iron rod and a plastic
rope was recovered. At the instance of Mrs. Deu and Mrs.
Sayari, Babool sticks were recovered. Sticks were also
recovered as per documents Ex.P/6 and Ex.P/7, on basis of
the information given by accused Ramchandra and Nanda
respectively. An iron rod was recovered as per Ex.P/8 on
basis of the disclosure made by accused Harji. All these
articles and the cloths of deceased were subjected to
serological examination and as per the report given by the
Forensic Science Laboratory (Ex.P/47), blood stains of human
origin were found on the shirt and Dhoti worn by the deceased
at the time of death. No blood was detected on any other
article.
(3.) AFTER completion of the investigation, a report as per the provisions of Section 173 CrPC was filed and after
affording hearing, accused Hinduram, Harji, Ramchandra and
Nanda were charged for commission of offence punishable
under Section 148, 452, 325, 325/149, 302, 302/149 and
342 IPC. Accused Devilal, Mrs. Sayari and Mrs. Deu were charged for commission of offence punishable under Section
148, 452, 325, 325/149, 302/149, 342 and 323 IPC. On denial of the same, trial commenced as desired.;