State Of U.P. vs Ravindra Yadav And 7 Ors.
2022 Latest Caselaw 9779 ALL

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD
 
 

Court No. - 42
 

 
Case :- GOVERNMENT APPEAL No. - 791 of 2018
 

 
Appellant :- State of U.P.
 
Respondent :- Ravindra Yadav And 7 Ors.
 
Counsel for Appellant :- G.A.
 
Counsel for Respondent :- Mohammad Mustafa,Surendra Prasad Yadav
 

 

 
Hon'ble Vivek Kumar Birla,J.

Hon'ble Vikas Budhwar,J.

Order on Leave to Appeal

Heard learned AGA for the appellant as well as Sri Mohammad Mustafa, learned counsel for the accused respondents.

At the very outset, learned counsel for the parties agree that the controversy involved in the present case is fully covered by a decision of this Court dated 7.9.2018 in Criminal Misc. Application U/S 372 Cr.P.C. (Leave To Appeal) No.336 of 2018, (Dhananjay Yadav Vs. State of U.P. & others) passed by division Bench of this Court of Hon.Vipin Sinha, J. and Hon. Ifaqat Ali Khan, J.

The said judgment is quoted hereinunder:-

"Heard Sri Surendra Mohan Mishra, learned counsel for the applicant-appellant on the application seeking leave to appeal and perused the record.

The present criminal appeal has been filed along with an application for seeking leave to appeal against the judgment and order dated 24.07.2018 passed by Sessions Judge, Siddharth Nagar in S.T. No. 121/2014 whereby accused-respondents, namely, Ravindra Yadav, Rangilal, Jawahar Lal, Guddu @ Ranjeet, Nisha, Usha, Laljade and Phool Chand have been acquitted for the offences under Sections 498A, 304B, 201, 202, 302 IPC & ¾ D.P. Act, P.S. Golhaura, District Siddharth Nagar.

Learned counsel for the appellant has strongly pressed the application with the contention that the prosecution evidence has not been appreciated by the court concerned in its correct perspective. He has submitted that the finding of acquittal recorded by learned trial judge is against the evidence on record. He has next submitted that the learned trial judge has committed a patent error of law and ignored the material evidence on record while holding that the prosecution had failed to prove the charge against the accused respondents beyond the reasonable doubt. He further submitted that there is vast contradiction in the testimony of the witnesses.

We have perused the judgment and order dated 24.07.2018 and the findings as recorded therein.

The court concerned while returning the verdict of acquittal has recorded a number of findings and the relevant portion of which are being extracted herein as under:

bl ekeys esa vfHk;qDr i{k dh vksj ls lk{kh Mh0MCYkw&2 veu dqekj dks ijhf{kr fd;k x;k gSA bl lk{kh us U;k;ky; ds le{k vius eq[; ijh{kk ds c;kuksa esa ;g dgk gS fd og xksiky dh xkM+h o"kZ 2014 esa pyk jgk FkkA jaxhyky us vkt ls yxHkx rhu o"kZ pkj ekg igys mlds ikl xkM+h ds fy, Qksu fd;k FkkA og xkM+h ysdj xzke vtxjk vk;k FkkA jaxhyky dh irksgw dks chekjh gkyr esa ykndj clUriqj ys x;k A le; lqcg vkB cts dk FkkA og ejht dks vLirky esa NksMdj lV~Vk ysus pyk x;k FkkA nwljs fnu jaxhyky dk Qksu vk;k fd ejht dks ftyk vLirky ds fy, jsQj dj fn;s gSaA ejht dks ykndj ftyk vLirky ys tk jgs Fks fd jkuhxat esa muds pkpk o ekek feys] mUgsa Hkh xkMh esa cSBk fy, FksA muds lkFk ftyk vLirky tk jgs Fks fd vLirky igqapus d iwoZ jkLrs esa gh ejht dh e`R;q gks x;hA nwljs fnu jaxhyky ds ?kj 'kknh FkhA jaxhyky] jaxhyky ds HkkbZ] mudh iRuh ,oa pkpk ekek us if.Mr ls ckr djds eq>ls cksys fd v;ks/;k dh rjQ xkMh ys pyksA jkLrs esa jkukxat eksM+ ij jaxhyky dh iRuh dks mrkj fn;k mlds ckn v;ks/;k ysdj x;sA ?kkV ij xkMkh [kM+k djds yk'k mrkj dj ?kkV ij unh esa ty izokg dj fn;sA mlds ckn v;ks/;k ls okil vkrs le; muds pkpk o ekek dkth :/kkSyh esa mrj x;sA mlds ckn eSus jaxhyky o muds HkkbZ dks vtxjk NksM+ fn;k fQj xkMh ysdj pys vk;sA mlds ikl Mh0,y0 gS mldh Nk;kizfr nkf[ky dj jgk gWw] ftldh iqf"V djrk gWw ftl ij izn'kZ&[k&1 Mkyk x;kA

e`rdk ds 'ko dk iapk;rukek o iksLVekVZe fjiksVZ ugha gSA dfFkr ?kVuk dk dksbZ Lora= o p'enhn xokg ugh gSA blh izdkj izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa of.kZr xkao okyksa ds c;ku Hkh foospuk ds nkSjku foospd }kjk vafdr ugha fd;s x;s gSA izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ ls fookg dh frfFk ,oa xkSus dh frfFk izekf.kr ugha gksrh gS rFkk e`rdk dh e`R;q mlds fookg ds lkr o"kZ ds vUnj gksuk izekf.kr ugha gSA foospd }kjk vfHk;ksxh o mlds ?kj okyksa ds c;ku ds vk/kkj ij ek= dYiukvksa ,oa lEHkkoukvksa ds vk/kkj ij vkjksi&i= U;k;ky; esa izsf"kr fd;k x;k gSA ijh{k.k ds nkSjku vfHk;kstui{k ds }kjk rF;kRed lk{kh ds :i esa ek= vfHk;ksxh /kuUt; ;kno o mldh iRuh Jherh uhye ;kno dks gh ijhf{kr djk;k x;k gSA blds vfrfjDr ngst dh ekax] mRihM+u ,oa dfFkr vLokHkkfod e`R;q ds ckor fdlh Hkh izdkj dk p'enhn o Lora= lk{kh ugha gSA rF;kRed lk{kh ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno]ih0MCyw0&8 Jherh uhye ;kno ,oa foospd ih0MCyw0&7 {ks=kf/kdkjh jke eksgu flag ds c;kuksa ls e`rdk ds fookg dh frfFk ,oa xkSus dh frfFk izekf.kr ugha gksrh gS rFkk e`rdk dh e`R;q mlds fookg ds lkr o"kZ ds vUnj gqbZ ;g rF; rF;kRed lk{khx.k ds c;kuksa ls lkfcr ugha gksrk gSA rF;kRed lk{kh ih0MCyw&1 /kuUt; ;kno] o ih0MCyw08 Jherh uhye ;kno }kjk ngst dh ekax ,oa mRihM+u ds lEcU/k esa vius eq[; ijh{kk esa dfFkr ?kVuk ds lEcU/k esa dkYifud ,oa eux<+Ur vk/kkjksa ij xyr ,oa >waBk rF; izLrqr fd;k x;k gS] tc fd ,slk rF; izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ o mDr lk{khx.k ds /kkjk&16 n0iz0la0 esa ugha vk;k gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa lk{kh ih0MCyw&1 /kuUt; ;kno o ih0MCyw08 Jherh uhye ;kno dk lk{; fo'oluh; ugha ekuk tk ldrk gSA blh izdkj lk{kh ih0MCyw&1 /kuUt; ;kno o ih0MCyw08 Jherh uhye ;kno ds c;kuksa esa e`rdk ds lkFk e`R;q iwoZ Øwjrk ds lEcU/k esa Hkh dksbZ lk{; ugha gSA

ih0MCyw&7 foospd {ks=kf/kdkjh jke eksgu flag ds c;kuksa ls Li"V gS fd tks dFku lk{khih0MCyw&1 /kuUt; ;kno o ih0MCyw08 Jherh uhye ;kno ds }kjk vius eq[; ijh{kk esa crk;s x;s gSa ,slk dksbZ Hkh c;ku muds }kjk nkSjku foospuk vius c;ku vUrxZr /kkjk&161 n0iz0la0 esa ugha fn;s x;s FksA bl izdkj vfHk;kstu i{k dh vksj ls izLrqr rF;kRed lk{khx.k ds c;kuksa ls vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksi lkfcr ugha gksrs gS rFkk vkjksfir vijk/k esa vfHk;qDrx.k dh fdlh Hkh izdkj dh lafyIrrk lkfcr ugha gSA

bl ekeys esa lh0 MCyw0&1 ds :i esa lh0,p0lh0 clUriqj ds QkekZflLV lur dqekj ik.Ms; ijhf{kr gq, gSa] muds c;ku ,oa vks0ih0Mh0 jftLVj ds voyksdu ls ;g Li"V gS fd fnukad 07-06-2014 dks e`rdk dks lh0,p0lh0 clUriqj esa bykt gsrq yk;k x;k Fkk vkSj bldk i`"Bkadu vks0ih0Mh0 jftLVj esa gSA bl ekeys esa vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk izfrj{kk esa pkj lk{khx.k dks ijhf{kr djk;k x;k gS rFkk e`rdk ds fnukad 07-06-2014 dks lkeqnkf;d LoLF; dsUnz clUriqj esa bykt gsrq ckg~; jksxh fVdV nkf[ky fd;k x;k gS] ftls Mh0MCyw&4 Mk0vkj0ch0jke }kjk izekf.kr fd;k x;k gSA lk{kh Mh0MCyw&1 vfHk;qDr jaxhyky }kjk vius c;ku esa ;g Li"V :i ls dFku fd;k x;k gS fd lq'khyk dh rfc;r fnukad 07-06-2014 dks lqcg mYVh&nLr ds dkj.k [kjkc gks x;h FkhA mls ljdkjh vLirky clUriqj ys tkdj nok&bYkkt gsrq fjQj dj fn;kA lq'khyk dh rfc;r [kjkc gksus dh lwpuk mlds ek;ds 07-06-2014 dks gh nh x;h rFkk mlds pkpk QwypUn vkSj ekek ykytkns fnukad 08-06-2014 dks lqcg vk;sA muds vkus ij lq'khyk dks xkMh ls ykndj ftyk vLirky fl)kFkZ uxj ys tkrs le; lq'khyk dh e`R;q jkLrs esa gks x;hA mlds HkkbZ tokgj dh yMdh dh 'kknh fnukad 09-06-2014 dks fu;r FkhA blfy, ykytkns o QwypUn] if.Mr iqjksfgr ls fopkj&foe'kZ ds i'pkr lq'khyk dh yk'k dks v;k/;k esa yt izokg fd;k x;kA lq'khyk dh e`R;q mYVh&nLr ls gqbZ FkhA e`Rkdk lq'khyk dh gR;k ugha dh x;hA bUgha rF;ksa dks Mh0MCyw&2 veu dqekj ,oa Mh0MCyw&3 tXxh }kjk Hkh lkfcr fd;k x;k gSA mijksDr rhuksa lk{khx.k ls vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk dh x;h izfrijh{kk esa fdlh Hkh izdkj dk izfrdwy rF; lk{; esa ugha vk;k gSA vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk e`rdk dh chekjh ls e`R;q gksus ds ckor Ik;kZIr ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; izLrqr fd;k x;k gS vkSj muds }kjkvius lcwr ds Hkj dks mueksfpr fd;k x;k gS rFkk e`rdk dh e`R;q chekjh ls e`R;q gksus ds ckor i;kZIr ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; izLrqr fd;k x;k gS bl izdkj i=koyh ij miyC/k rF;ksa ,oa lk{; ls vfHk;qDrx.k dks jaft'ku xyr ,oa >waBk Qlk;k x;k gSA vr% vfHk;qDrx.k dks nks"keqDr fd;s tkus dh ;kpuk dh x;h gSA

izLrqr ekeys esa i=koyh ij e`rdk dh vLokHkkfod e`R;q vFkok gR;k dk dksbZ vfHkys[kh; lk{; miyC/k ugha gSA bl ekeys esa e`rdk dk 'ko u fey ikus ds dkj.k e`rdk ds 'ko dk iapk;rukek o iksLVekVZe fjiksVZ mmiyC/k ugha gSA bl ekeys esa vfHk;kstui{k }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksfir vijk/k ds lEcU/k eas dksbZ izR;{k lk{; ugha gS vkSj vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksiksa ds lEcU/k esa vfHk;kstui{k }kjk ifjfLFkfrtU; lk{; izLrqr fd;k x;k gS vkSj mDr lk{; ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;qDrx.k dks nks"keqDr fd;s tkus dh izkFkZuk dh x;h gSA

;g c;ku eSus lh0vks0lkgc dks ugha fn;k FkkA eSaus foospd dks ;g c;ku fn;k Fkk fd ^^ ckn esa eq>s irk pyk fd esjh cgu lq'khyk dks mijksDr yksx ngst ds fy;s izrkfM+r djrs gw, yk'k dks xk;c dj fn;s gSA eq>s ;g Hkh irk pyk gS fd esjs pkpk QwypUnz o ekek ykytkns Hkh esjh cgu dh yk'k xk;c djus esa 'kkfey FksA rgjhj esa 'kknh ikap o"kZ iwoZ gksuk fy[kk;k x;k gS] xkSus dk fnu o lu eSaus rgjhj esa ugha fy[kok;k FkkA eSaus c;ku esa ngst de feyus o ngst esa eksVj lkbfdy u feyus ds dkj.k izrkfM+r djuk crk;k gS] ijUrq izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa mijksDr yksxksa ds }kjk [kjh&[kksVh o ekufld mRihMu dh ckr gSA ngst ekaxus dh ckr izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa ugh fy[kk gSA ;g ckr izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa ugh fy[kk gS fd eksVj lkbfdy u feyus ds dkj.k izrkfMr dj jgs FksA eq>s bl ?kVuk dh tkudkjh xkao okysa ds crkus ds vk/kkj ij gqbZ FkhA ?kVuk ds ckjs esa tkudkjh nsus okys vkneh dk uke ugha tkurk gWwA eSaus izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa bl ckr dk mYys[k fd;k gS fd xkao esa crkus okyksa ds vuq:i rgjhj ns jgk gWwA

bl izdkj Li"V gS fd mijksDr nksuksa gh lk{kh x.k }kjk vius eq[; c;kuksa esa ngst dh ekax o izrkMuk ds lEcU/k esa bEizwoesUV fd;k x;k gSA tcfd rgjhjh fjiksVZ ,oa foospd dks fn;s x;s c;ku vUrxZr /kkjk&161 na0iz0la0 esa lkekU; izd`fr ds vkjksi of.kZr fd;s x;s gSA blh izdkj mijksDr nksuks lk{khx.k }kjk e`rdk ds fookg dh frfFk fnukad 16-06-2010 ,oa fonkbZ dh frfFk 13-02-2011 crk;h x;h gS vkSj rgjhj esa fookg ikap o"kZ iwoZ gksuk vafdr fd;k gSA foospd dks vius c;ku vUrxZr /kkjk&161 na0iz0la0 esa bl lk{kh }kjk fookg dh frfFk 13-06-2010 o xkSus dh frfFk 13-02-2011 crk;h x;h gSA lk{kh ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno }kjk e`rdk dk fookg vius firk }kjk fd;k tkuk tcfd lk{kh ih0MCyw0&8 uhye ;kno }kjk e`rdk dk fookg firk dh e`R;q ds ckn gksuk dgk gSA ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno }kjk firk dh e`R;q 2008 esa gksuk dgk x;k gSA blh izdkj ih0MCyw0&8 uhye ;kno }kjk viuk fookg 18&19 o"kZ iwoZ gksuk vkSj 'kknh ds 8&9 o"kZ ckn llqj dh e`R;q gksuk dgk gSA bl ekeys esa Hkh foospd }kjk nkSjku foospuk e`rdk ds fookg o fonkbZ dk dksbZ izek.k ladfyr ugha fd;k x;k gS vkSj u gh bl lEcU/k esa vU; dksbZ lk{kh ljhf{kr gqvk gSA bl izdkj e`rdk dk fookg fdl lu esa fdl frfFk dks gqbZ rFkk fonkbZ fdl lu o fdl frfFk dks gqbZ ;g Li"V ugha gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa ;g fu"d"kZ ugha fudkyk tk ldrk gS fd e`rdk dh e`R;q fookg ds 7 o"kZ ds Hkhrj gqbZA pWwfd vfHk;kstu i{k }kj bl lEcU/k esa dksbZ izekf.kd ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; ugh izLrqr fd;k tk ldk gSA bl ekeys esa lk{kh ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno ,oa ih0MCyw0&8 uhye ;kno ds c;kuksa ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;qDrx.k ij ngst dh ekax dks ysdj e`rdk ds lkFk e`R;q iwoZ dzwjrk fd;s tkus dk Hkh dksbZ fu"d"kZ ugh fudyrk gSA ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno ,oa ih0MCyw0&8 uhye ;kno ds c;kuksa esa e`rdk dh vLokHkkfod e`R;q vFkok gR;k ds ckor Hkh dksbZ izekf.kd fu"d"kZ ugh fudkyk tk ldrk gS] D;ksafd mDr nksuksa gh lk{khx.k }kjk ?kVuk dh tkudkhj xzke vtxjk ds nks&rhu O;fDr;ksa }kjk fn;k tkuk dgk gS vkSj ek= lUnsg ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;ksx iathd`r djk;k x;k gSA dfFkr ?kVuk dh tkudkjh nsus okys ,sls fdlh Hkh O;fDr dk uke] irk o fooj.k lk{khx.k }kjk ugha crk;k x;k gS vkSj u gh ,sls fdlh lk{kh dks vfHk;kstu }kjk ijhf{kr gh djk;k x;k gSA egRoiw.kZ rF; ;g gS fd mDr nksuksa gh lk{khx.k }kjk vfHk;qDr QwypUn e`rdk dk lxk pkpk rFkk vfHk;qDr ykypUn dks fj'rs dk ekek gksuk Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS vkSj bUgh nksusk O;fDr;ksa dks vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk lwpuk fn;k tkuk dgk x;k gSA blh izdkj vfHk;qDr tokgjyky dh yMdh dh 'kknh fnukad 09-06-2014 dks gksuk Hkh xokgksa }kjk Lohdkj fd;k x;k gSA bl izdkj lk{kh ih0MCyw0&1 /kuUt; ;kno ,oa ih0MCyw0&8 uhye ;kno dh ?kVuk ds rF;ksa ds lEcU/k esa fn;s x;s lEiw.kZ c;ku fd foospu ls ;gh fu"d"kZ fudyrk gS fd nksuksa gh lk{khx.k }kjk e`rdk ls ngst dh ekax o izrkMuk ,oa mldh gR;k fookg ds lkr o"kZ ds vUnj fd;s tkus ds lEcU/k esa dksbZ izekf.kd ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; U;k;ky; ds le{k ugha izLrqr fd;k x;k gSA mDr nksuksa gh lk{khx.k dk c;ku lquh&lqukbZ ckrksa ij vk/kkfjr gS] ftldh iqf"V gsrq U;k;ky; ds le{k vU; dksbZ Lora= lk{kh is'k ugha fd;k x;k gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa ?kVuk ds vU; rF;ksa ,oa ifjfLFkfr;ksa ds lEcU/k esa U;k;ky; ds le{k izLrqr fd;s x;s vU; lk{; ds foospu ds mijkUr Hkh leqfpr fu"d"kZ fudkyk tk ldrk gSA

ih0MCyw0&3 vCnqYykg }kjk vius c;ku esa dgk x;k gS fd fnukad 08-06-2014 dks le; vkB&lk ih0MCyw0&6 jkes'oj izlkn ik.Ms; }kjk dgk x;k gS fd nksigj 12-00 cts rhu yksx eSDl ls vk;s Fks vkSj yk'k izokfgr djus ds fy, dg jgs Fks] mUgksus iwtk djkus ls euk fd;k rks eSaus pkSdh ls fy[kkus dks dgk Fkk rc os yksx yk'k dks xkMh esa ysdj pys x;sA bl xokg }kjk Hkh ftjg esa dgk x;k gS fd tks O;fDr yk'k ysdj ?kkV ij x;s Fks mudks eSa tkurk igpkurk ugha gWwA yk'k dk ty izokg gksrk gSA eSa lEeu ij vk;k gWwA lEeu ugha yk;k gWw [kqn vk;k gWwA bl izdkj lk{kh ih0MCyw0&4 n'kjFk eYykg ,oa ih0MCyw0&6 jkes'oj izlkn ik.Ms; ds c;kuksa ls Li"V gS fd muds }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k dh nkSjku foospuk ,oa ijh{k.k dksbZ f'kuk[r ,oa igpku ugha dh x;h gSA

bl izdkj vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk yk'k dks pksjh&fNis xk;c djuk o pqids &pqids ty izokfgr djus ds lEcU/k esa vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk tks lk{kh ijhf{kr djk;s x;s gS muds c;ku Lor% fojks/kkHkklh gS muds }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk dkfjr vijk/k ds lEcU/k esa dksbZ fo'ks"k fooj.k izLrqr ugha fd;k tk ldk gSA lk{kh ih0MCyw0&2 eqLrkd vyh }kjk ?kVuk ekg vizSy dh crk;h x;h gS rFkk lk{kh ih0MCyw0&3 vCnqYykg }kjk ih0MCyw0&2 eqLrkd vyh dh xkMh ls gh 'ko dks vius xkMh esa j[kuk dgk x;k gS vkSj lUnsg gksus ij iqfyl o fdlh vU; dks lwfpr ugha fd;k x;k gSA blh izdkj lk{kh ih0MCyw0&4 n'kjFk eYykg o ih0MCyw0&3 jkes'oj izlkn ik.Ms; }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k dh dksbZ f'uk[r ugha crk;h x;h gSA thi esa fdrus O;fDr Fks bl lEcU/k esa Hkh pkjks xokgksa }kjk vyx&vyx fLFkfr crk;h x;h gS A ,slh fLFkfr esa bu lk{khx.k ds c;kuksa dks fo'oluh; ugha ekuk tk ldrk gS vkSj bu lk{khx.k ds c;kuksa ds vk/kkj ij ;g fu"d"kZ ugha fudkyk tk ldrk gS fd vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk e`rdk dh yk'k dks pksjh fNis xk;c djus o ty izokfgr djus dk iz;kl fd;k x;kA

,slh fLFkfr esa ;gh fu"d"kZ fudyrk gS fd bl ekeys ds foospd }kjk ykijokghiw.kZ foospuk djrs gq, ekeys esa vkjksi&i= izsf"kr fd;k x;k gSA

bl izdkj lk{kh lh0MCyw0&1 lur dqekj ik.Ms; ds c;ku ls Li"V gS fd fnukad 07-06-2014 dks lq'khyk vk;q 25 ifr&jfoUnz fuoklh vtxjk Fkkuk& xksYgkSjk dks chekjh dh voLFkk esa lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj yk;k x;k vkSj vks0ih0Mh0 esa MkDVj dks fn[kk;k x;kA ;|fi fd vks0ih0Mh0 jftLVj esa ejht dk uke lqjhyk fy[kk gS] fdUrq mlesa vksojjkbfVax gS vkSj ckg~; jksxh fVdV dkxt la[;k& 142 [k ls Li"V gS fd e`rdk lq'khyk dksgh lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj esa vks0ih0Mh0 esa fn[kk;k x;k FkkA

ih0MCyw0&1 }kjk ;g Hkh Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS fd og ifjpkyd gS vkSj ml fnu og xkM+h ysdj fM;qVh ij x;k FkkA lk{kh ih0MCyw0&8 }kjk Hkh ;g Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS fd ftl fnu lq'khyk dh rfc;r [kjkc gqbZ ml fnu mlds ifr xkM+h ysdj fM;qVh ij x;s FksA lk{kh ih0MCyw0&8 }kjk e`rdk lq'khyk dh rfc;r [kjkc gksuk Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS vkSj ;g Li"V gS fd dfFkr ?kVuk ds fnu vfHk;ksxh ?kj ij ugha Fkk] fM;qVh ij Fkk vkSj vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk lq'khyk ds ek;ds esa lwpuk nh x;h vkSj ml lwpuk ds vk/kkj ij gh e`rdk ds pkpk vkSj ekek vk;s vkSj mudh mifLFkfr esa gh e`rdk dh chekjh ls e`R;q gks tkus ds mijkUr mlds 'ko dk ty izokg fd;k x;kA lk{kh ih0MCyw0&1 ,oa ih0MCyw0&8 ds }kjk QwypUn dks e`rdk dk lxk pkpk o ykytkns dks e`rdk dk fj'rs esa ekek gksuk Hkh Lohdkj fd;k x;k gS vkSj ;g Hkh Li"V gS fd oknh vkSj QwypUn esa nhokuh dk eqdnek py jgk gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa ;gh ifjyf{kr gksrk gS fd dfFkr ?kVuk dh frfFk ij vfHk;ksxh vius ?kj ij ugha FkkA blh dkj.k lwpuk izkIr gksus ij e`rdk ds pkpk o ekek mlds llqjky x;s vkSj muds mifLFkfr esa gh pwafd tokgj yky ds yM+dh dh 'kknh Fkh blfy, fookg LFkfxr u gks if.Mr iqjksfgrksa ls lykg e'kfojk djds ty izokg fd;k x;kA bl lk{kh Mh0MCyw0&1 ls vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk foLr`r izfrijh{kk dh x;h gS] ijUrq izfrijh{kk esa ,slk dksbZ izfrdwy ,oa vfo'luh; rF; izdk'k esa ugha vk;k gS ftlds vk/kkj ij bl lk{kh ds c;kuksa ij vfo'okl fd;k tk lds vkSj bl lk{kh }kjk of.kZr ?kVuk ds izfrdwy fu"d"kZ fudyk tk ldsA bl lECkU/k esa ;g Hkh mYys[kuh; gS fd vfHk;qDrx.k ds ifjokj esa fnukad 09-06-2014 dks yM+dh dh 'kknh gksuh fuf'pr Fkh ,slh fLFkfr esa yM+dh dh 'kknh ds ,d&nks fnu iwoZ vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk ,slk ?k`f.kr vijkf/kd d`R; fd;k tkuk LokHkkfod izrhr ugha gksrk gSA

bl ekeys esa e`rdk ds lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj esa bykt ds lEcU/k esa Mh0MCyw0&4 ds :i esa Mk0 vkj0ch0jke ijhf{kr gq, gSa] ftuds }kjk ;g Li"V dFku fd;k x;k gS fd eSa fnukad 07-06-2014 dks lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj esa rSukr FkkA ml fnu esjs le{k clUriqj ih0,p0lh0 ij iathdj.k la[;k& 3935 ls lEcfU/kr ejht vk;k Fkk rFkk eSus mlds ijh{k.k ds ckn vko';d vkS"kf/k;ka fy[k nh Fkh ogka ij efgyk MkDVj u gksus ds dkj.k eSus mls ftyk vLirky fjQj fd;k FkkA ckg~; jksxh izi= ij vafdr esfMflu o fjQjsUl esjs ys[k o gLrk{kj esa gS] tks oLrq izn'kZ&d1 gSA bl izdkj bl lk{kh ls Hkh vfHk;kstui{k dh vksj ls izfrijh{kk dh x;h gS fdUrq bl lk{kh ds c;ku esa e`rdk ds bykt ds izfrdwy dbZ rF; izdk'k esa ugha vk;k gS vkSj bl lEcU/k esa vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk dkxt la[;k&142 [k lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj dk ckg~; jksxh nkf[ky fd;k x;k gS] ftls bl lk{kh ds }kjk lkfcr fd;k x;k gSA bl izdkj ckg~; jksxh fVdV dkxt la[;k&142 [k o bl lk{kh ds c;ku ls ;g iw.kZr;k Li"V gS fd e`rdk lq'khyk dh rfc;r fnukad 07-06-2014 dks mYVh o nLr ds dkj.k [kjkc gksus ij mls lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj ijh{k.k ,oa bykt gsrq yk;k x;k tgka iathdj.k ds mijkUr Mk0 vkj0ch0jke }kjk vks0ih0Mh0 esa mldk ijh{k.k ,oa bykt fd;k x;k rFkk efgyk MkDVj ds vHkko esa leqfpr bykt ds fy, lq'khyk dks ftyk vLirky ds fy, fjQj fd;k x;kA bl izdkj lk{kh Mh0MCyw0&4 Mk0 vkj0ch0jke ds c;kuksa ls vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk izfrj{kk esa izLrqr fd;s x;s rF;ksa dh iqf"V gksrh gS rFkk ;gh fu"d"kZ fudyrk gS fd e`rdk lq'khyk dh e`R;q mYVh&nLr o chekjh ds dkj.k gqbZ Fkh vkSj lk{kh Mh0MCyw0&4 Mk0 vkj0ch0jke] tks fd ,d yksd ds c;kuksa ij vfo'okl fd;s tkus dk dksbZ dkj.k ugha gS rFkk vfHk;kstu dFkkud ds izfrdwy fu"d"kZ fudyrk gSA

rnuqlkj mijksDr foospuk o i=koyh ij miyC/k ekSf[kd o vfHkys[kh; lk{; ds vk/kkj ij U;k;ky; bl fu"d"kZ ij igqaprh gS fd vfHk;kstu&i{k }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksfir vkjksi ds lEcU/k esa i;kZIr ] izekf.kd ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; izLrqr ugha fd;k tk ldk gSA bl ekeys dh izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ foyEc ls lkaasp&fopkj ds i'pkr lquh&lqukbZ ckrksa ij vk/kkfjr gSA bl ekeys esa rgjhj fjiksVZ ,oa lk{khx.k ds c;kuksa ls e`rdk ds fookg ,oa xkSuk dh frfFk ,oa lu lkfcr ugha gksrk gS rFkk vfHk;kstui{k ;g Lfkkfir djus esa vLkQy jgk gS fd e`rdk dh e`R;q fookg ds lkr o"kZ ds vUnj vLokHkkfod ifjfLFkfr;kaas esa gqbZA izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa ngst dh ekax ,oa izrkM+uk dk lkekU; vkjksi yxk;k x;k gS] tc fd xokgksa }kjk vius c;kuksa esa bEizwoesUV fd;k x;k gS ,oa ngst esa ipkl gtkj :i;s o eksVj lk;fdy dh ekax djuk] ekjk&ihVk tkuk] izrkfM+r fd;k tkuk o ngst gR;k fd;k tkuk dgk x;k gSA izFke lwpuk fjiksVZ esa ngst dk ekax ,oa izrkM+uk ds lEcU/k esa dksbZ Li"V fooj.k vafdr ugha gSA v=koyh ij e`rdk ds lkFk ngst ds fy, e`R;q iwoZ dzwjrk dk dksbZ lk{; ugha gSA blh izdkj ngst dh ekax] izrkM+uk rFkk ngst gR;k dh iqf"V ds ckor dksbZ Lora= lk{; ugha gSA e`rdk lq'khyk dh e`R;q vLokHkfod ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa gqbZ vFkok mldh gR;k dh x;h bl lEcU/k esa Hkh i=koyh ij dksbZ fo'oluh; lk{; ugha gSA bl ekeys esa vfHk;ksxh }kjk xzke vtxjk ds nks&rhu O;fDr;ksa ls ?kVuk dh tkudkjh gksuk dgk x;k gS vkSj mUgha ds crkus o lUnsg ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;ksx iathd`r djk;k x;k gS] ijUrq ,sls fdlh Hkh lk{kh dks vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk ijhf{kr ugha djk;k tk ldk gSA vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk ijhf{kr djk;s x;s lHkh lkf{k;kssa ds c;kuksa esa ijLij fojks/kkHkk"k gS] ftlls ?kVuk dh iqf"V ugha gksrh gSA vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk izLrqr vfHkys[kh; lk{; ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;qDrx.k ds nks"kflf) ds ckor fu"d"kZ ugha fudyrk gSA vfHk;kstui{k }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) yxk;s x;s vkjksiksa dks lUnsg dh lhek ls ijs lkfcr ugha djk;k tk ldk gSA bl ekeys esa vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk izfrj{kk esa Ik;kZIr fo'oluh; ,oa izekf.kr vfHkys[kh; o ekSf[kd lk{; izLrqr fd;k x;k gS] ftlls Li"V gksrk gs fd e`rdk lq'khyk dh rfc;r mYVh nLr ls fnukad 07-06-2014 dks lqcg [kjkc gks x;h] msl leqfpr bykt ,oa ijh{k.k gsrq lkeqnkf;d LokLF; dsUnz clUriqj yk;k x;k tgka vks0ih0Mh0 esa MkDVj ds }kjk mldk ijh{k.k o bykt fd;k x;k vkSj efgyk fpfdRld ds u gksus ds dkj.k mls leqfpr bykt gsrq ftyk vLirky fjQj fd;k x;k rFkk ftyk vLirky ys tkrs le; jkLrs esa mldh e`R;q gks x;hA lq'khyk dh rfc;r [kjkc gksus ij vfHk;qDr jaxhyky }kjk mlds ek;sds lwpuk nh x;h] tgka ls mlds pkpk o ekek vk;s vkSj pwafd vfHk;qDr tokgj yky ds yM+dh dh 'kknh fnukad 09-06-2014 dks gksuh fuf'pr Fkh bl dkj.k ls fookg esa dksbZ vM+pu u vk;s blfy, vfHk;qDr jaxhyky] tokgjyky] e`rdk ds pkpk o ekek }kjk if.Mr o iqjksfgr ls fopkj&foe'kZ ds mijkUr e`rdk lq'khyk ds 'ko dks v;ks/;k esa ys tkdj ty izokg fd;k x;kA vfHk;qDrx.k }kjk e`rdk dh ngst gR;k ugha dh x;hA blh izdkj vfHk;qDrx.k ds 'ko dks xk;c ugha fd;k x;k vkSj u gh pksjh&pqids ls e`rdk ds 'ko dk ty izokg fd;k x;kA rnuqlkj i=koyh ij miyC/k leLr rF;ksa ,oa lk{; rFkk mijksDr foospuk ds vk/kkj ij vfHk;qDrx.k dh nks"keqfDr ds ckor fu"d"kZ fudyrk gSA

mijksDr lEiw.kZ foospuk ds vk/kkj ij U;k;ky; bl fu"d"kZ ij igqaprh gs fd vfHk;kstui{k }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksi dks izekf.kr ,oa lkfcr ugha fd;k tk ldk gSA vfHk;kstu i{k }kjk izLrqr rF;ksa ,oa lk{; ls vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksi lUnsg dh lhek ls ckgj rd lkfcr ugha gksrs gSA i=koyh ij miyC/k ekSf[kd o vfHkys[kh; lk{; ds vk/kkj ij U;k;ky; bl fu"d"kZ ij igqaprh gS fd vfHk;kstu&i{k }kjk vfHk;qDrx.k ds fo:) vkjksfir vkjksi ds lEcU/k esa i;kZIr] izekf.kd ,oa fo'oluh; lk{; izLrqr ugha fd;k tk ldk gSA vfHk;kstu dh rjQ ls izLrqr vfHkys[kh; o ekSf[kd lk{; ls vfHk;qDrx.k jfoUnz ;kno] jaxhyky] tokgj yky] xqMMw mQZ j.kthr] fu'kk] Å"kk ,oa QwypUn ds fo:) /kkjk& 498&,] 304&ch] 201 Hkk0na0la0 o /kkjk&4 ngst izfr"ks/k vf/kfu;e ,oa vfHk;qDr ykytkns ds fo:) /kkjk& 202 Hkk0na0la0 dk vkjksi izR;sd lEHkkoukvksa ds ijs lR; lkfcr ugha gksrk gSA

i=koyh ds voyksdu ls Li"V gS fd izLrqr izdj.k esa vfHk;qDrx.k jfoUnz ;kno] jaxhyky] tokgj yky] xqMMw mQZ j.kthr] fu'kk] Å"kk ,oa QwypUn ds fo:) /kkjk&304 ch Hkk0na0la0 ds fodYi ds :i esa /kkjk&302 Hkk0na0la0 dk Hkh vkjksi fojfpr fd;k x;k gSA /kkjk&302 Hkk0na0la0 ds vkjksi dks lkfcr djus ds fy;s ;g ns[kuk gS fd D;k bl eqdnesa ds vfHk;qDrx.k us e`rdk lq'khyk nsoh dh gR;k dhA i=koyh ij tks ekSf[kd o vfHkys[kh; lk{; miyC/k gS mlls Li"V gS fd vfHk;qDrx.k jfoUnz ;kno] jaxhyky] tokgj yky] xqMMw mQZ j.kthr] fu'kk Å"kk ,oa QwypUn }kjk e`rdk lq'khyk nsoh dh gR;k ugha dh x;hA bl rjg i=koyh ij tks Hkh ekSf[kd o vfHkys[kh; lk{; lk{; miyC/k gS mlls gR;k ds lEcU/k esa /kkjk&302 Hkk0na0la0 dk vkjksi izR;sd lEHkkoukvksa ds ijs lR; lkfcr ugha gSA

rn~uqlkj vfHk;qDrx.k jfoUnz ;kno] jaxhyky] tokgj yky] xqMMw mQZ j.kthr] fu'kk] Å"kk ,oa QwypUn /kkjk& 498&,] 304&ch] 201] fcdYi esa 302 Hkk0na0la0 o /kkjk&4 ngst izfr"ks/k vf/kfu;e ds vkjksikas ls ,oa vfHk;qDr ykytkns /kkjk&202 Hkk0na0la0 ds vkjksi ls lUnsg dk ykHk nsrs gq, nks"k&eqDr fd;s tkus ;ksX; gSaSA**

Reference may be made to the recent judgment of the Apex Court rendered in the case of Bannareddy & Ors. vs. The State of Karnataka & Ors reported in 2018 (5) SCC 790 wherein the Apex Court has held as under:

11. Before we proceed further to peruse the finding of the High Court, it is relevant to discuss the power and jurisdiction of the High Court while interfering in an appeal against acquittal. It is well settled principle of law that the High Court should not interfere in the well reasoned order of the trial court which has been arrived at after proper appreciation of the evidence. The High Court should give due regard to the findings and the conclusions reached by the trial court unless strong and compelling reasons exist in the evidence itself which can dislodge the findings itself. This principle has further been elucidated in the case of Sambhaji Hindurao Deshmukh and Ors. vs. State of Maharashtra, (2008) 11 SCC 186, para 13, wherein this Court observed that: "The High Court will interfere in appeals against acquittals, only where the trial court makes wrong assumptions of material facts or fails to appreciate the evidence properly. If two views are reasonably possible from the evidence on record, one favouring the accused and one against the accused, the High Court is not expected to reverse the acquittal merely because it would have taken the view against the accused had it tried the case. The very fact that two views are possible makes it clear that the prosecution has not proved the guilt of the accused beyond reasonable doubt and consequently the accused is entitled to benefit of doubt.

12. It is not in dispute that the presumption of innocence is further reinforced, reaffirmed and strengthened against the acquitted accused by the judgment in his favor. [Vide Rabindra Kumar Pal @ Dara Singh vs. Republic of India, (2011) 2 SCC 490 in para. 94].

27. Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, we hold that the prosecution was not able to establish the guilt of the accused persons beyond reasonable doubt. Further, the High Court should not have re-appreciated evidences in its entirety, especially when there existed no grave infirmity in the findings of the trial court. There exists no justification behind setting aside the order of acquittal passed by the trial court, especially when the prosecution case suffers from several contradictions and infirmities. No specific assertion could be proved regarding the role and involvement of the accused persons. Further, certain actions of the victim-respondents themselves are dubious, for instance admitting themselves later in a Multi-speciality hospital without proper cause. It has further come to our notice that respondents have already compromised and have executed a compromise deed to that extent, though the same is not the basis for our conclusion.

Reference may also be made to the judgments of the Apex Court rendered in the cases of Sanmwat Singh Vs. State of Rajasthan reported in 1961 SC 715, Murlidhar @ Gidda & Anr. Vs. State of Karnataka decided on 09.04.2014 in Criminal Appeal No. 791 of 2011, Basappa Vs. State of Karnataka decided on 27.02.2014 passed in Criminal Appeal No. 512 of 2014, Ashok Rai Vs. State of U.P. & Ors. Decided on 15.04.2014 in Criminal Appeal No. 1508 of 2005, Ramesh Harijan vs. State of U.P. 2012 AIR SCW 2990 and Murugesan v. State through Inspector of Police reported in 2012 AIR SCW 5627.

Thus, in view of aforesaid consistent legal position as elaborated above and also in view of the fact that learned counsel for the appellant has failed to point out any illegality or perversity with the findings so recorded in the impugned order, no case for interference has been made out.

It is an established position of law that if the court below has taken a view which is a possible view in a reasonable manner, then the same shall not be interfered with moreso in view of the fact that more than 4 years have already elapsed as the incident is of the year 2014.

After perusal of the impugned judgment shows that the trial court after a thorough marshalling of the facts of the case and a microscopic scrutiny of the evidence on record has held that the prosecution has failed to prove the charge against the accused respondents and the findings recorded by the learned trial judge in the impugned judgment are based upon evidence and supported by cogent reasons.

No interference with the impugned judgment and order of acquittal is warranted. Accordingly leave to appeal is refused and application is rejected. Consequently, the appeal also stands dismissed.

Copy of the order be certified to the court concerned for consequential follow up action."

We find that similar grounds have been taken in the present Government Appeal and there is no additional ground of challenge warranting consideration by this court.

Accordingly, this application for grant to leave is rejected.

Re: Government Appeal

Consequently, since the Criminal Misc. Application (Leave to Appeal) has been rejected by order of this date, the present government appeal is also dismissed.

Order Date :- 10.8.2022

piyush