Dilawar Singh Vs State of Haryana

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REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1362 OF 2010

DILAWAR SINGH & ORS. …Appellants

Versus

STATE OF HARYANA ...Respondent WITH

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 826 OF 2010

STATE OF HARYANA .. Appellant

Versus

BALKAR SINGH & ORS. ..Respondents

AND

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 830 OF 2010

CHANDA SINGH .. Appellant

Versus

RANBIR SINGH & ORS. ..Respondents

J U D G M E N T

R. BANUMATHI, J.

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Appellants Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and

Shamsher Singh (A-7) in Criminal Appeal No.1362/2010

challenge the legality of their conviction for the offence

punishable under Section 302 IPC read with Section 149 IPC

and the sentence of life imprisonment and imposition of fine

of Rs.5,000/- each and also challenge their conviction for

the offence punishable under Section 148 IPC and sentence

of imprisonment for two years. Being aggrieved by the

acquittal of Balkar Singh (A-4), Ranbir Singh (A-6) and

Charan Singh (A-8), State of Haryana and Chanda Singh –

father of the deceased Narinder Singh have preferred

Criminal Appeal Nos. 826/2010 and 830/2010.

2. Briefly stated case of the prosecution is that

deceased Narinder Singh was running a shop for the sale of

fertilizers at the Ladwa Town and he was residing near

Veterinary Hospital. On 22.8.1998 at about 8.45 p.m.

Narinder Singh was driving his motor cycle and when he

turned towards Babain Road, in Ladwa little ahead of the

veterinary hospital, Dilawar Singh (A-1), Gurdev Singh (A-2)

and Yash Pal (A-3) and other accused persons namely

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Balkar Singh (A-4), Ashok Kumar (A-5) Ranbir Singh (A-6),

Shamsher Singh (A-7), Charan Singh (A-8) and Dalbir

Singh(A-9) intercepted him. Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-

3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7) gave blow on the head of

deceased Narinder Singh with their respective cutter and

Narinder Singh fell down along with his motor cycle and

shouted Bachao Bachao. At that time Chanda Singh-father of

the deceased along with his brother Hakam Singh came

nearby in their car and saw the accused being attacked.

Chanda Singh and Hakam Singh cried for help and shouted

‘NA MARO NA MARO’. Gurdev Singh (A-2) and Charan Singh

(A-8) caused sword blows on the left leg and right leg of

Narinder Singh. Ranbir Singh (A-6) gave gandasi blow on the

right hand of Narinder Singh whereas Balkar Singh (A-4)

gave gandasi blow to Narinder Singh on his left arm. Two

other assailants namely Ashok Kumar (A-5) and Dalbir Singh

(A-9) attacked Narinder Singh with hockey sticks and caused

injuries to Narinder Singh. In the meanwhile, Sham Singh

(PW-7) also reached there and he too shouted at the

accused not to kill Narinder Singh. All the accused fled

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away from the spot with their respective weapons in their

motor cycles. Chanda Singh (PW-6), Hakam Singh and Sham

Singh (PW-7) chased the assailants in their respective

vehicles but they could not catch hold of them.

3. Further case of prosecution is that on 22.8.1998 at

about 9.00 p.m. ASI Charan Dass (PW-11) who was on

patrolling duty received message about an injured person

lying near Veterinary Hospital, Ladwa and PW-11 and police

party went to the scene of occurrence and shifted injured

Narinder Singh to Community Health Centre, Ladwa where

Dr. Ashwini Kumar (DW-1), Medical Officer of the Health

Centre examined him and found him not fit to make

statement. In the meanwhile, Chanda Singh and Hakam

Singh reached the spot and found that injured Narinder

Singh had already been shifted to the hospital by the police.

Chanda Singh (PW-6) went to the Ladwa Hospital and Hakam

Singh went to the village to inform the family members of

Narinder Singh about the incident. When Chanda Singh

reached Community Health Centre at Ladwa, injured

Narinder Singh was, in the process of being referred to the

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Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital, Kurukshetra as his condition

was very serious. In the hospital at Kurukshetra, Dr.

S.C.Grover (PW-1) examined the injured–Narinder Singh and

opined that Narinder Singh was unfit to make any statement.

Since the condition of Narinder Singh was serious, he was

immediately referred to PGI Chandigarh and Chanda Singh

shifted injured Narinder Singh to PGI Chandigarh. Dr. Munish

Kumar (PW-9) of PGI Chandigarh admitted Narinder Singh in

the hospital on 23.8.1998 at about 2.30 a.m. and intimation

was sent to the police post located near the hospital. On

receipt of information from the hospital, ASI Karam Chand

(PW-4) went to the hospital and on his application Dr. Kanya

Rejangam (PW-8) opined that injured Narinder Singh was

unfit to make statement. Injured Narinder Singh succumbed

to injuries at about 5.30 a.m. on 23.8.1998 and death

intimation was sent to the Police Post, PGI Chandigarh. On

the same day Chanda Singh came back to Ladwa and went

to the police station and lodged the complaint on the basis

of which FIR was registered at Ladwa Police Station, ASI

Charan Dass (PW-11) went to PGI Chandigarh and conducted

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the inquest on the dead body of deceased Narinder Singh.

In PGI, Dr. Surinder Singh (PW-10) conducted autopsy

on the body of Narinder Singh and noted 18 incised injuries

and other injuries all over the body of the deceased and

issued the Post Mortem Certificate. Dr. Surinder Singh (PW-

10) opined that the deceased died of cut injuries on the head

and due to haemorrhage from multiple incised wounds.

The accused surrendered before the court on various dates

and on information of their surrender, Inspector Jagdish Ram

(PW-12) took the accused to police custody and based on

their confession the weapons and motor cycles were seized.

After completion of investigation, the accused were charge

sheeted under Section 302 IPC read with Section 149 IPC.

4. To bring home the guilt of the accused,

prosecution has examined PWs 1 to 16 and placed reliance

on documents and material objects. The accused were

questioned under Section 313 Cr.P.C. about the incriminating

evidence and circumstances and they denied all of them.

Accused Ranbir Singh took a plea of alibi by stating that he is

practising as an advocate at Kurukshetra and was not

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present at the spot on the date of occurrence. Gurdev

Singh (A-2) also took the plea of alibi and stated that he was

posted as a Naib Tehsildar and in connection with his official

work had gone to village Sardhaheri on the date of

occurrence. The accused examined DWs 1to 6 as witness on

their side.

5. Upon consideration of the evidence, the trial

court convicted and sentenced Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal

(A-3), Balkar Singh (A-4), Ranbir Singh (A-6), Shamsher Singh

(A-7) and Charan Singh (A-8) under Section 302 IPC read

with Section 149 IPC and sentenced them to undergo life

imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- each with

default clause and also convicted them for the offence

punishable under Section 148 IPC and sentenced to undergo

rigorous imprisonment for two years. The trial court

acquitted Gurdev Singh (A-2), Ashok Kumar (A-5) and Dalbir

Singh(A-9).

6. Being aggrieved by the conviction and sentence,

convicted accused 1,3,4 and 6 to 8 preferred appeal before

the High Court. The High Court confirmed the conviction of

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Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7)

and acquitted Balkar Singh (A-4), Ranbir Singh (A-6) and

Charan Singh (A-8). Being aggrieved by the conviction,

Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7)

have filed Criminal Appeal No. 1362/2010. Being aggrieved

by the acquittal of Balkar Singh (A-4), Ranbir Singh (A-6) and

Charan Singh (A-8), State has preferred Criminal Appeal

No.826/2010 and Chanda Singh (PW-6)–father of the

deceased Narinder Singh has filed Criminal Appeal No.

830/2010.

7. Mr. Giri, learned Senior Counsel appearing for the

convicted accused Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and

Shamsher Singh (A-7) submitted that serious doubts arise as

to the presence of Chanda Singh (PW-6) in the scene of

occurrence and trial court as well as High Court ought not

to have based the conviction on the evidence of PW-6 and

conviction of the aforesaid accused is not sustainable.

8. Mr. Rao Ranjit, learned counsel, appearing for the

State has taken us through the evidence of Chanda Singh

(PW-6) and Sham Singh (PW-7) and other evidence and

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submitted that evidence of PW-6 is corroborated by

evidence of PW-7, recovery of weapons and Serology Report

and courts have recorded concurrent findings of fact that

PW-6 is a reliable witness and the same does not warrant

interference. The learned counsel further submitted that

when the learned courts have believed the evidence of

PWs 6 and 7 qua Dilawar Singh(A-1), Yash Pal(A-3) and

Shamsher Singh(A-7), the courts ought not to have

disbelieved the case of prosecution qua Balkar Singh (A-4),

Ranbir Singh (A-6) and Charan Singh (A-8) for reversal of

acquittal.

9. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for

the accused 4, 6 and 8 who were acquitted and also

Mr. Shishpal Laler, learned counsel appearing for the

appellant- Chanda Singh.

10. The prosecution case revolves around the ocular

version of Chanda Singh (PW-6) father of deceased Narinder

Singh who witnessed the occurrence along with his brother

Hakam Singh and Sham Singh (PW-7). PWs 6 and 7 have

spoken about the attack on the deceased and overt act of

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accused Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher

Singh (A-7) and others. Hakam Singh was not examined.

Evidence of Sham Singh (PW-7) corroborates the version of

Chanda Singh (PW-6). Learned courts below found the

evidence of PW-6 trustworthy and recorded respective

findings for convicting Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3)

and Shamsher Singh (A-7) and acquitting other accused.

11. Contending that Chanda Singh (PW-6) could not

have witnessed the occurrence and the learned courts

erred in placing reliance upon version of PW-6, evidence of

PW-6 is interalia assailed on various grounds :- (i) PW-6

had no reason to be present in Babain Road near Veterinary

Hospital, Ladwa; (ii) Conduct of PW-6 is not natural that on

witnessing the attack on his son, he had not naturally

reacted in trying to save his son but he is alleged to have

chased the accused; (iii) PW-6 had he been the witness, he

would have given statement to the police immediately after

the occurrence and there would not have been an

inordinate delay in registration of FIR i.e. on 23.8.1998 at

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11.00 A.M and the delay in registration of FIR falsifies his

evidence.

12. Insofar as the contention of the appellants that

Chanda Singh (PW-6) had no reason to be present in the

place of occurrence, deceased Narinder Singh was dealing in

fertilizers at Ladwa and was residing in a house near the

veterinary hospital of the town. PW-6 has stated that their

home place Mehra is at a distance of 5 kms from Ladwa and

is connected by a pakka road which leads towards Babain

from Ladwa. Village Mehra is connected with this

Ladwa - Babain road by a link road and when this link road

is connecting PW-6’s home village Mehra, there is nothing

unusual about Chanda Singh going through Babain Road

and his presence in the place of occurrence. It is

unreasonable to contend that Chanda Singh (PW-6) had no

compelling reason to be present in the place of occurrence.

13. Learned counsel for the appellant contended that

the conduct of Chanda Singh (PW-6) is unnatural and being

father of the deceased and on seeing his son belaboured,

PW-6 had not swiftly acted to save his son and neither PW-

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6 nor Hakam Singh or Sham Singh ( PW-7) took the

deceased to the hospital and Chanda Singh and other

witnesses are alleged to have left the injured at the place of

incident and proceeded to chase the assailants and such

unnatural conduct of PW-6 only shows that he was not

present at the place of occurrence.

14. We find no merit in the submission that Chanda

Singh (PW-6) is to be disbelieved on the ground that he has

not acted in a particular manner to save his son. Every

person who witnesses a murder reacts in his own way. On

seeing Narinder Singh being attacked, PW-6 and Hakam

Singh might have been shocked and stunned. Being two

together, PW-6 and Hakam Singh might have perhaps

thought of catching the assailants and appear to have

chased them by following them in the car.

15. In Rana Partap and Ors. vs. State of Haryana

(1983) 3 SCC 327, while dealing with the behaviour of the

witnesses, this Court opined thus:

“6….Every person who witnesses a murder reacts in his own way. Some are stunned, become speechless and stand rooted to the

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spot. Some become hysteric and start wailing. Some start shouting for help. Others run away to keep themselves as far removed from the spot as possible. Yet others rush to the rescue of the victim, even going to the extent of counter-attacking the assailants. Every one reacts in his own special way. There is no set rule of natural reaction. To discard the evidence of a witness on the ground that he did not react in any particular manner is to appreciate evidence in a wholly unrealistic and unimaginative way.”

16. In State of H.P. v. Mast Ram (2004) 8 SCC 660 it

has been stated that there is no set rule that one must react

in a particular way, for the natural reaction of man is

unpredictable. Everyone reacts in his own way and, hence,

natural human behaviour is difficult to prove by credible

evidence. It has to be appreciated in the context of given

facts and circumstances of the case. Similar view has been

reiterated in Lahu Kamlakar Patil and Anr. v. State of

Maharashtra (2013) 6 SCC 417.

17. Behaviour of the witnesses or their reactions

would differ from situation to situation and individual to

individual. Expectation of uniformity in the reaction of

witnesses would be unrealistic and no hard and fast rule can

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be laid down as to the uniformity of the human reaction.

The evidence of PW-6 is not to be disbelieved simply

because he did not react in a particular manner. PW-6

explained how he happened to be there in the place of

occurrence and had cogently spoken about the occurrence

and his evidence remained unscathed despite searching

cross examination.

18. In his evidence Chanda Singh (PW-6) stated that

they have chased the assailants for about 300 – 400 meters

and then abandoned the chase and returned to the place of

occurrence after fifteen minutes. In the meanwhile, injured

Narinder Singh was shifted to Community Health Centre,

Ladwa by ASI Charan Dass (PW-11). Sham Singh (PW-7)

stated that after chasing the assailants they have returned

to the place of occurrence within 5-7 minutes. On behalf of

the appellants, it was contended that chasing the accused to

a distance of 200–300 meters would have taken only about

5-7 minutes and the fact that Narinder Singh was shifted to

the hospital by the time PW-6 returned to the place of

occurrence only shows that PW-6 was not present at the

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time of occurrence and that he has been planted as an eye-

witness subsequently. Version of PW-6 that they have

chased the assailants and came back after about 15-20

minutes, does not affect his credibility nor the prosecution

case. It is brought on record that on the date of occurrence

i.e. 22.8.1998 there was solar eclipse and Solar Eclipse Fair

was going on in Kurukshetra and large number of people

congregated and the place of occurrence and nearby place

was crowded with temporary bazaars and exhibitions and

therefore PW-6 could come back to the place of occurrence

only after 15 minutes and in the meanwhile injured Narinder

Singh was shifted to Community Health Centre, Ladwa

by ASI Charan Dass (PW-11). The alleged time taken in

chasing the accused and the fact that in the meanwhile

Narinder Singh was shifted to the Community Health

Centre, Ladwa, in our view, does not militate against the

credibility of PW-6.

19. Learned counsel for the appellants then

contended that police station in Ladwa is situated within a

short distance from the place of occurrence and yet no

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information was given to the police immediately. It was

submitted that Chanda Singh (PW-6) had not given

statement to police either at Ladwa or at Kurukshetra or

atleast to PW-4, ASI Karam Chand of Police Post at PGI

Chandigarh who came to the hospital on receipt of

information of admission of injured Narinder Singh in PGI

Chandigarh and FIR was registered only on 23.8.1998 at

11.00 A.M. and the inordinate delay in giving information to

the police and registration of FIR raises serious doubts about

the credibility of prosecution case and trustworthiness of

PW-6.

20. We find no merit in the submission that delay in

registration of FIR is fatal to the prosecution case for the

reason that delay is satisfactorily explained by the

prosecution. Let us briefly recapitulate the sequence of

events. After chasing the assailants for few minutes, PW-6

came to Community Health Centre, Ladwa at 9.00 – 9.15

P.M. Hakam Singh went to village Mehra to inform the family

members and for arranging money. By the time PW-6

arrived in the Ladwa Hospital, the hospital authorities were

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making arrangement to refer the injured to Kurukshetra as

his condition was very serious. By the time PW-6 went to

Ladwa Hospital, PW-11 left to village Mehra to inform the

family members of injured Narinder Singh. Evidently in

Ladwa Hospital, PW-6 could not have met ASI Charan Dass

(PW 11). PW-6 shifted the injured to Kurukshetra Hospital at

10.30-11.00 P.M. and then shifted Narinder Singh from

Kurukshetra Hospital to PGI Chandigarh. They left

Kurukshetra between 11.30-12.00 P.M. for PGI and reached

PGI Chandigarh at 2.30 A.M. on 23.8.1998. ASI Charan

Dass (PW 11) reached Kurukshetra Hospital at about 11.30

P.M. and moved an application to the doctor regarding

fitness of the injured to make a statement. Again in

Kurukshetra there was hardly any time for PW-6 to meet

PW-11, ASI Charan Dass. There is nothing on record

showing that PW-6 met PW-11 either at Ladwa or at

Kurukshetra. When PW-6 was busy in arranging medical aid

to save his son, delay in lodging the FIR cannot be said to

be fatal. The sequence of events clearly show that PW-6

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was taking all steps to save the life of his son and making

arrangements for money, ambulance etc.

21. Whether the delay is so long as to draw a cloud

of suspicion on the prosecution case will depend upon

variety of factors which will vary from case to case. As

pointed out by the learned courts, from the very beginning

the condition of injured Narinder Singh was very serious

and he was struggling for existence and his father PW-6 and

uncle Hakam Singh were concerned about the welfare of

the injured. While so, they could not have thought of

approaching the police first and informing them about the

incident and the assailants. Where delay in lodging

complaint and registration of FIR has been satisfactorily

explained, the delay by itself was no ground for disbelieving

the prosecution evidence particularly when it had been

accepted both by the Sessions Court and the High Court.

22. Coming to the further contention of the appellants

raising doubts about the credibility of PW-6 in not making

any statement at least to ASI Karam Chand (PW-4) of Police

Post PGI Chandigarh, on receipt of the information regarding

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admission of injured Narinder Singh, ASI Karam Chand (PW-

4) went to the PGI Hospital to record the statement of

injured Narinder Singh. At that time, Chanda Singh (PW-6)

was attending his son. The contention of the appellants is

that PW-6 had the occasion to inform the police about the

incident at least to ASI Karam Chand (PW-4) but the same

was not done which raise serious doubts about the presence

of Chanda Singh (PW-6) at the scene of occurrence. By

perusal of the evidence of PW-4, it is seen that on receipt of

intimation (rukka) from PGI Chandigarh, PW-4 rushed to the

hospital for recording the statement of injured Narinder

Singh. Since Chanda Singh (PW-6) did not offer any

statement to ASI Karam Chand (PW-4), since Narinder

Singh was then alive, there was no occasion for recording

the statement of Chanda Singh. It is also brought in

evidence that after the death of Narinder Singh ASI Karam

Chand (PW-4) did not go to PGI for the second time. In our

view, there is no merit in the submission that PW-6 is to be

disbelieved on the ground that he did not choose to give

any statement at least to ASI Karam Chand (PW-4).

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23. Narinder Singh died at 5.30 A.M. on 23.8.1998 and

thereafter Chanda Singh (PW-6) went to Ladwa Police Station

on 23.8.1998 at 11.00 A.M. and lodged the complaint and

FIR was registered as Ext PE No. 314/1998 at Ladwa Police

Station. Sequence of events clearly show that PW-6 was

attending his son and was taking steps to shift injured

Narinder Singh from Community Health Centre Ladwa to

Lok Nayak Jai Parkash Hospital, Kurukshetra and from

Kurukshetra to PGI Chandigarh and PW-6 was busy in

arranging for money, medical aid and ambulance etc. The

delay of about 15 hours and 15 minutes in lodging the

FIR, in our view, cannot be said to be fatal. Learned courts

have recorded concurrent finding that the delay in

registration of FIR has been satisfactorily explained and

the delay is not fatal to the prosecution case.

24. While appreciating the evidence of a witness, the

approach must be whether the evidence of the witness

read as a whole appears to have a ring of truth. Once that

impression is formed it is necessary for the court to

scrutinize the evidence, to find out whether it is against the

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general tenor of the prosecution case. Learned courts below

found evidence of PW-6 reliable and accepted the same.

The power of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution

are very wide. But in criminal appeals this Court does not

interfere with the concurrent findings of fact save in

exceptional circumstances. When the learned courts below

found the evidence of PW-6 reliable and acceptable, we do

not find any perversity in the approach of the learned courts

in accepting the evidence of PW-6 warranting interference in

exercise of jurisdiction under Article 136 of the Constitution

of India.

25. Evidence of Chanda Singh (PW-6) is corroborated

by the evidence of Sham Singh (PW-7). Credibility of PW-7 is

assailed on the ground that he was also challaned along with

Narinder Singh in criminal case in 1994 and that PW-7 has

animosity against the accused persons. The mere fact that

PW-7 was also challaned along with Narinder Singh and that

he was inimical towards the accused would not result in

mechanical rejection of evidence of such a witness; but

would only make the court cautious while evaluating the

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testimony of the witness and we do not find any infirmity in

the appreciation of evidence of PW-7 by the courts and

relying upon the same as corroborative evidence.

26. PWs 6 and 7 have spoken in one voice against

Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-

7). Their evidence is also corroborated by the medical

evidence of Dr. Surinder Singh (PW-10) who conducted the

autopsy on the body of Narinder Singh. As per Post-Mortem

Certificate, 18 incised wounds were found on the body of the

deceased which strengthen the prosecution case as to the

overt act of the accused 1, 3 and 7. Based on the

confessional statement of the disclosure of Dilawar Singh (A-

1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7) cutters were

recovered and detection of human blood in those cutters

also lends credence to the prosecution case.

27. Placing reliance on the evidence of DW-1,

Dr. Ashwini Kumar feeble attempt was made to contend that

serious doubts arise about the prosecution case. Of course,

according to DW-1, Dr. Ashwini Kumar who admitted injured

Narinder Singh in Ladwa Hospital, he found only five

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injuries on the person of the injured and he opined that the

same had been caused by blunt weapon. As per Post

Mortem Certificate as many as 18 incised wounds were

found on the body of Narinder Singh. As held by the learned

courts DW-1 did not examine the injuries on the person of

the injured in right perspective and did not correctly record

the injuries on the person of Narinder Singh. Opinion of DW-

1 that the injuries were the result of blunt weapon is false

and for that reason he has been rightly challaned by the

police for the offence punishable under Section 218 IPC on

the ground that he had prepared the wound certificate

falsely. Reasonings contained in paragraphs 44 and 45 in

the judgment of the Sessions Court sufficiently answer the

arguments advanced on behalf of the appellant and the

evidence of DW-1 is of no assistance to the accused.

28. The trial court and the High Court recorded

concurrent findings holding that the appellants accused

Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7)

have committed the offences punishable under Section 302

IPC read with Section 149 IPC and under Section 148 IPC. It

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has been repeatedly held by this Court that even though

powers of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution

are very wide, in criminal appeals this Court does not

interfere with the concurrent findings of fact, save in

exceptional circumstances.

29. Considering the scope of power of this Court

under Article 136 of the Constitution in criminal appeals, in

the case

of Ganga Kumar Srivastava vs. State of Bihar (2005) 6 SCC

211, it is observed:

“From the aforesaid series of decisions of this Court on the exercise of power of the Supreme Court under Article 136 of the Constitution of India following principles emerge:-

(i) The powers of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution are very wide but in criminal appeals this Court does not interference with the concurrent findings of fact save in exceptional circumstances.

(ii) It is open to this Court to interfere with the findings of fact given by the High Court, if the High Court has acted perversely or otherwise improperly.

(iii) It is open to this Court to invoke the power under Article 136 only in very exceptional circumstances as and when a question of law of general public importance arises or a decision shocks the conscience of the Court.

(iv) When the evidence adduced by the prosecution fell short of the test reliability and

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acceptability and as such it is highly unsafe to act upon it.

(v) Where the appreciation of evidence and finding is vitiated by any error of law or procedure or found contrary to the principles of natural justice, errors of record and misreading of the evidence, or where the conclusions of the High Court are manifestly perverse and unsupportable from the evidence on record.”

30. In the case of Charanjit & Ors. vs. State of Punjab

and Anr. (2013) 11 SCC 163, it was observed as under:-

“26. Thus, the trial court and the High Court have recorded concurrent findings of facts holding the appellants guilty of the offences under Sections 323/34, 504/34, 376(2) (a) and 376 (2) (g) IPC and the appellant Radha Krishan guilty of the offence under Section 342 IPC also. It has been repeatedly held by this Court that even though the powers of this Court under Article 136 of the Constitution are very wide, in criminal appeals this Court does not interfere with the concurrent findings of facts, save in exceptional circumstances where there has been grave miscarriage of justice {Sambhu Das v. State of Assam (2010) 10 SCC 374}. As we have found that the concurrent findings of facts recorded by the trial court and the High Court in this case are based on legal evidence and there is no miscarriage of justice as such by the two courts while arriving at the said findings, we are not inclined to disturb the impugned judgment of the High Court in exercise of our discretion under Article 136 of the Constitution.”

31. As we have found that the concurrent findings of

fact recorded by the trial court and the High Court qua

Dilawar Singh (A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher Singh (A-7)

are based on evidence, in our view, there is no miscarriage

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of justice by the learned courts while arriving at the said

findings and we are not inclined to disturb the impugned

judgment of the High Court in exercise of our discretion

under Article 136 of the Constitution. The appeal preferred

by the Dilawar Singh(A-1), Yash Pal (A-3) and Shamsher

Singh (A-7) fails and is liable to be dismissed.

32. Appeals against Acquittal qua Balkar Singh

(A-4), Ranbir Singh (A-6) and Charan Singh (A-8):- Being

aggrieved by the acquittal of Balkar Singh (A-4), Ranbir

Singh (A-6) and Charan Singh (A-8), State and Chanda

Singh have preferred Criminal Appeal No. 826/2010 and

Criminal Appeal No. 830/2010.

33. A-6, Ranbir Singh has put forth defence plea of

alibi. A-6, Ranbir Singh was a practising lawyer at

Kurukshetra and he was working as a junior advocate in the

office of Senior Advocate, Mr. S.C. Sharma. Mr. Yudhvir

Singh, advocate was examined as DW-6, who was also

practising with Mr. S.C.Sharma. He stated that on the date

of occurrence A-6, Ranbir Singh was in the office of Senior

Advocate and not at the place of occurrence. Trial Court has

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not accepted the plea of alibi raised by him only on the

ground that the Senior Advocate with whom A-6, Ranbir

Singh was practising was not examined. The High Court held

that evidence of DW-6 cannot be doubted as there was no

reason to disbelieve him and plea of alibi taken by A-6,

Ranbir Singh cannot be rejected on the ground that his

Senior Advocate Mr. S.C. Sharma was not examined and on

those findings as recorded, High Court acquitted Ranbir

Singh, the 6th accused. We do not see any perversity in the

appreciation of evidence by High Court and we find no

substantial ground to interfere with the acquittal of A-6.

34. Insofar as A-4, Balkar Singh and A-8, Charan Singh

are concerned, the case of the prosecution is that A-4 gave

gandasi blow to Narinder Singh on his left arm and A-8,

Charan Singh gave a blow with his sword on the right leg of

Narinder Singh. PW-10, Dr. Surinder Singh stated that death

of the deceased was caused by sharp edged weapon and

could not have been caused by any blunt weapon. The High

Court was of the view that the overt act of A-4, Balkar Singh

and A-8, Charan Singh, do not find corroboration with

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medical evidence and on those findings the High Court set

aside the conviction of A-4, Balkar Singh and A-8, Charan

Singh and acquitted them.

35. The court of appeal would not ordinarily interfere

with the order of acquittal unless the approach is vitiated by

manifest illegality. In an appeal against acquittal, this Court

will not interfere with an order of acquittal merely because

on the evaluation of the evidence, a different plausible view

may arise and views taken by the courts below is not

correct. In other words, this Court must come to the

conclusion that the views taken by the learned courts below,

while acquitting, cannot be the views of a reasonable person

on the material on record.

36. In Chandrappa and Ors. v. State of Karnataka

(2007) 4 SCC 415, the scope of power of appellate court

dealing with an appeal against acquittal has been considered

and this Court held as under:

“42…..(4) An appellate court, however, must bear in mind that in case of acquittal, there is double presumption in favour of the accused. Firstly, the presumption of innocence is available to him under the fundamental principle of criminal jurisprudence that every person shall

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be presumed to be innocent unless he is proved guilty by a competent court of law. Secondly, the accused having secured his acquittal, the presumption of his innocence is further reinforced, reaffirmed and strengthened by the trial court.

(5) If two reasonable conclusions are possible on the basis of the evidence on record, the appellate court should not disturb the finding of acquittal recorded by the trial court.”

Unless there are substantial and compelling reasons, the

order of acquittal is not required to be reversed in appeal. It

has been so stated in State of Rajasthan vs. Shera Ram

(2012) 1 SCC 602.

37. On evaluation of the evidence found by the High

Court while recording an order of acquittal, in our view, does

not suffer from any infirmity or illegality or manifest error.

We see no reason to interfere with the order of acquittal of

Accused 4, 6 and 8.

38. We, therefore, do not find any merit in the appeal

preferred by accused (A-1, Dilawar Singh), (A3, Yash Pal),

and (A-7, Shamsher Singh). The appeal fails and the same is

dismissed. The appeals against acquittal preferred by the

State and by Chanda Singh also are dismissed.

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………………………………J. (T.S. Thakur)

……………………………….J. (R. Banumathi)

New Delhi; September 16, 2014

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DILAWAR SINGH Vs STATE OF HARYANA

DILAWAR SINGH Vs STATE OF HARYANA