Page No.# 1/39 vs State Of Assam And Anr
2021 Latest Caselaw 2187 Gua

                                                                  Page No.# 1/39

GAHC010104592019




                       THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT
  (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)

                         Case No. : Crl.A./205/2019

         ABDUL KADIR AND 4 ORS.
         S/O- AHMAD ALI, VILL.- BHOMURAGURI, PACHMILE, P.S. TEZPUR, DIST.-
         SONITPUR, ASSAM- 784027.

         2: ALAUDDIN
          S/O- MUMRUJ ALI
         VILL.- BHOMURAGURI
          PACHMILE
          P.S. TEZPUR
          DIST.- SONITPUR
         ASSAM- 784027.

         3: ABDUL KADIR JILANI
          S/O- NUR HUSSAIN
         VILL.- BHOMURAGURI
          PACHMILE
          P.S. TEZPUR
          DIST.- SONITPUR
         ASSAM- 784027.

         4: NURUL ISLAM
          S/O- MURMUJ ALI
         VILL.- BHOMURAGURI
          PACHMILE
          P.S. TEZPUR
          DIST.- SONITPUR
         ASSAM- 784027.

         5: NUR ISLAM
          S/O- RUSTUM ALI
         VILL.- BHOMURAGURI
          PACHMILE
          P.S. TEZPUR
          DIST.- SONITPUR
                                                                          Page No.# 2/39

             ASSAM- 784027

            VERSUS

            STATE OF ASSAM AND ANR
            REP. BY THE P.P., ASSAM.

            2:AKHTAR HUSSAIN CHOUDHURY
             S/O- LATE SAHABUDDIN CHOUDHURY
            VILL.- BHOMURAGURI
             PACHMILE
             P.S. TEZPUR
             DIST.- SONITPUR
            ASSAM- 784027

Advocate for the Petitioner    : MR. B CHAKRAVARTY

Advocate for the Respondent : PP, ASSAM

BEFORE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE SUMAN SHYAM HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE ROBIN PHUKAN

JUDGMENT AND ORDER (CAV) Date : 13-09-2021

(Suman Shyam, J)

Heard Mr. R. P. Sarmah, learned senior counsel assisted by Mr. M. R. Adhikari,

learned counsel appearing for the appellants. We have also heard Ms. B. Bhuyan,

learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Assam, appearing for the State/respondent

No.1 and Mr. K. M. Haloi, learned counsel representing the informant/ respondent

No.2.

2. This appeal against conviction has been preferred by the five appellants

assailing the judgment and order dated 11.03.2019 passed by the learned Additional

Sessions Judge, Sonitpur, Tezpur in connection with Sessions Case No.251/2014.

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3. The prosecution case, as unfolded from the materials available on record, is to

the effect that on 03.02.2013, at about 4.00 p.m. the appellant No.1, Abdul Kadir, had

picked up the victim Sahab Uddin Choudhury from his residence and took him to

Bhojkhowa Chapori Bazar. Later on, at about 8.00 p.m. in the evening, the appellants,

in association with some others, had killed the victim behind the Bhojkhowa Balipara

L.P. School, by assaulting him with sharp weapon resulting to his death.

4. On 04.02.2013 the son of the victim viz., Md. Akhtar Hussain Choudhury (PW-1)

had lodged an ejahar before the In-charge of Borghat Police Outpost reporting the

incident. Based on the said ejahar, Tezpur P.S. Case No.141/2013 was registered

under Sections 120(B)/302/34 of the I.P.C. and the matter was taken up for

investigation. Upon completion of investigation, the I.O. had submitted charge-sheet

against 8 accused persons viz. 1) Abdul Kadir, 2) Tahir Uddin, 3) Ala Uddin, 4) Rustam

Ali, 5) Abdul Kadir Gilani, 6) Momruj Ali, 7) Nur Islam and 8) Nurul Islam under sections

120(B)/302 of the I.P.C which included the present appellants. Based on the charge

sheet submitted by the I.O., charges were framed against the accused persons under

sections 302 read with section 149 of the IPC. The charges were read out and

explained to them but the accused persons had pleaded not guilty and claimed to

be tried. Hence, the matter went up for trial.

5. In order to bring home the charges, the prosecution had examined as many

as 11 witnesses including the Medical Officer (PW-8) who had conducted the post-

mortem examination on the dead body of the deceased and the Investigating

Officer (PW-11). PW-4 Md. Saidur Ali had claimed to have seen the occurrence and Page No.# 4/39

therefore, he was examined as an eye-witness. By the impugned judgment and order

dated 11.03.2019, the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sonitpur, Tezpur had

convicted the appellant Nos.1 to 5 viz., Abdul Kadir, Alaluddin, Abdul Kadir Gilani, Nur

Islam and Nurul Islam and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment

for life and also to pay fine of Rs.5000/- each and in default, to suffer rigorous

imprisonment for three months each. However, the two accused persons, viz., Momruj

Ali and Tahir Uddin were acquitted by giving them the benefit of doubt. Accused

Rustam Ali had died before conclusion of the trial and hence, the proceeding stood

abated against him.

6. By the impugned judgment and order dated 11.03.2019 the learned trial court

had held that the prosecution has succeeded in establishing the charges brought

against the appellants beyond reasonable doubt, both by direct evidence of the

eye-witness (PW-4) as well as by the circumstantial evidence. The learned trial court

was also of the opinion that the deceased was last seen together with the accused

persons and therefore, the circumstance of "last seen together" would also be an

additional link in the chain of circumstances which would support the prosecution

case. By rejecting the arguments advanced by the learned defence counsel to the

effect that the testimony of the prosecution witnesses were full of inconsistencies and

material contradictions raising serious doubt on the prosecution story, the learned

court below has held that those were minor discrepancies which would have no

bearing in the prosecution case. It has also been held that the defence side had

failed to prove the contradictions in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses by

following the due procedure laid down by the law.

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7. Assailing the impugned judgment and order dated 11.03.2019 passed by the

learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sonitpur, Tezpur, Mr. R.P. Sarmah, learned senior

counsel appearing for the appellants has argued that the PW-4 had failed to state

many relevant facts to the police while recording his statement under Section 161 of

the Cr.P.C and therefore, this witness was not reliable. Mr. Sarmah has further argued

that at the time of the occurrence it was dark and therefore, it was not possible for

the PW-4 to witness the occurrence. On such ground, Mr. Sarmah has argued that

PW-4 is not an eye-witness in this case. Mr. Sarmah has also invited the attention of this

Court to the discrepancies and/or improvement in the version of the prosecution

witnesses to contend that the prosecution case is almost entirely based on the

testimony of those witnesses who are the close relatives of the deceased. Since their

testimonies were full of contradictions which have been duly proved during cross-

examination of the I.O. (PW-11), the learned Addl. Sessions Judge has committed

manifest illegality in holding that the charges brought against the accused persons

had been established beyond reasonable doubt. The learned senior counsel has also

submitted that in criminal law jurisprudence, when two views are possible on an issue,

it would give rise to some doubt as regards the prosecution case and benefit of

doubt, if any, must always go in favour of the accused persons.

8. Responding to the arguments advanced by the appellants' counsel, Ms. B.

Bhuyan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Assam, has argued that minor

inconsistencies/discrepancies in the testimony of witnesses would not weaken the

prosecution case unless those are found to be material contradictions, proved by the

defence side, in accordance with law. In the present case, submits Ms. Bhuyan, Page No.# 6/39

although there are some discrepancies in the version of the prosecution witnesses,

yet, such discrepancies do not create any doubt about the fact that it was none

other than the accused persons who had fatally assaulted the deceased Sahab

Uddin Choudhury by sharp weapon and killed him by acting in an unlawful assembly

with a common object. Ms. Bhuyan further submits that the prosecution has

succeeded not only in establishing the motive behind the crime, which is an old

pending land dispute between the deceased and the assailants, but has also

succeeded in establishing the charges brought against the appellants beyond

reasonable doubt on the basis of testimony of the eye-witness (PW-4). Moreover, the

medical report which indicates presence of as many as nine incised injuries on the

dead body also goes to establish beyond doubt that the deceased was attacked by

sharp weapon by an assembly of persons resulting into his death. Such being the

position, Ms. Bhuyan submits that the learned Sessions Judge has rightly convicted the

appellants under Section 302 read with Section 149 of the I.P.C. Therefore, the

impugned judgment and order does not call for any interference by this court. In

support of her above argument, Ms. Bhuyan has relied upon the following decisions :-

1. 1989 (20) GLJ 320 [Ghanakanta Das & ors. Vs. State of Assam].

2. (2016)10 SCC 537 [Bhagawan Jagannath Markad and others vs. State of Maharashtra].

3. (2017) 11 SCC 195 [Yogesh Singh Vs. Mahabeer Singh & others].

4. (2020)7 SCC 237 [Mustak alias Kanio Ahmed Shaikh Vs. State of Gujarat].

5. (2015) 3 SCC 138 [Vinod Kumar Vs. State of Haryana].

6. (2007) 13 SCC 31 [Ramappa Halappa Pujar & others Vs. State of Karnataka].

Page No.# 7/39

7. (2015) 11 SCC 52 [Jodhan Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh].

8. (2015) 7 SCC 148 [Pawan Kumar alias Monu Mittal Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh and another].

9. (2007) 14 SCC 627 [State of Maharashtra Vs. Tulshiram Bhanudas Kamble and others].

9. Mr. K. M. Haloi, learned counsel for the respondent No.2, has adopted the

arguments advanced by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor and has also

submitted that the impugned judgment and order dated 11.03.2019 does not call for

any interference from this Court.

10. We have considered the submissions advanced by the learned counsel for

both the sides and have also carefully gone through the materials available on

record. At the very outset, it would be apposite to mention herein that the appellants

viz., Abdul Kadir, Nurul Islam, Alal Uddin, and Nur Islam are the accused persons

named in the F.I.R. whereas the appellant Abdul Kadir Gilani was included in the

charge-sheet on the basis of statement made by the witnesses during the course of

investigation.

11. PW-1, Akhtar Hussain Choudhury, i.e. the informant in this case is the son of

the deceased Sahab Uddin Choudhury. PW-1 has deposed that on 03.02.2013, at

about 4.00 p.m. one person viz., Abdul Kadir (appellant/ accused No.1) had picked

up his father from home and took him to Bhojkhowa Chapori Bazar. At about 8.00

p.m. on that day, Abdul Kadir, along with Nur Islam, Alaluddin, Nurul Islam,

Kazimuddin alias Ahid, Abdul Kadir Gilani and 2/3 other persons had killed his father Page No.# 8/39

by assaulting him with sharp weapons behind the Bhojkhowa Balipara L. P. School.

This witness has also stated that on that day, he had returned home at about 7.00

p.m. and around 8/8.30 p.m. he had gone to Bhojkhowa Chapori Bazar to make

some purchases. He went there riding a motorbike and in the flash of the headlight of

the motorbike, he saw Nurul Islam, Alaluddin, Tahir Uddin, Nur Islam, Abdul Kadir Gilani

and Abdul Kadir leaving the place on a motorbike after hacking a person. The

number of the motorbike was AS-12J-7259. He then got down from his motorcycle

and found his father lying dead. He had seen cut injuries in the neck, forehead and

from the ear to the nose of his father and stab injuries on his chest. Two passersby had

gathered there and then information was given to the police whereafter, the police

had arrived at the place of occurrence and seized a shirt, a white plastic bag and a

pair of sandals lying near the dead body. PW-1 has also stated that Ext-1 is the seizure

list and Ext-1(1) is his signature. Mat. Ext-1 is the seized shirt, Mat. Ext-2 is the pair of

sandals and Mat. Ext-3 is the white plastic bag. Later on, the police took away the

dead body. On 04.02.2013 he had lodged an ejahar with the Borghat Police Outpost.

Ext-2 is the ejahar and Ext-2(1) is his signature. PW-1 has also deposed that he suspects

that his father was killed as there was a land dispute. During his cross-examination,

PW-1 has stated that he is an employee of the Police department and he had

mentioned in the ejahar that he suspected that the rest of the accused persons had

committed the incident along with the accused No.1. During his cross-examination

PW-1 had reiterated his earlier statement that he came in a motorbike and in the

flash of the headlight of the motorbike he saw Nurul Islam, Alaluddin, Tahir Uddin, Nur

Islam, Abdul Kadir Gilani and Abdul Kadir leaving on a motorbike after hacking a Page No.# 9/39

person. This witness has, however, clarified that he did not inform the police and he

has also denied the suggestion to the effect that without witnessing the incident, he

has falsely deposed before the Court.

12. PW-2, Md. Asaraful Islam is one of the grandsons of the deceased Sahab

Uddin. He has deposed to the effect that the incident took place on a certain day in

the year 2013 at about 8/8.30 p.m. when he was in a shop at Bhumuraguri. At that

time, one person of their village was murdered in Bhojkhowa L.P.School. Then he

rushed to the place of occurrence and on his arrival, he found his grandfather dead

with his neck cut. This witness was later declared as a hostile witness. During his cross-

examination by the prosecution side, PW-2 has denied that he had stated before the

police that at about 8.30 p.m, on the 3rd day of February, 2013, when he was coming

to his house from Bhojkhowa centre with his friend Md. Anisul Hoque, he saw a fight

and heard a hue and cry at a place adjacent to Bhojkhowa Girls'LP School; that he

saw 1) Md. Abdul Kadir, 2) Md. Nurul Islam, 3) Md. Alaluddin, 4) Md. Samruj Ali, 5) Md.

Tahiruddin alias Tahir, 6) Md. Nur Islam and 7) Rustam Ali, residents of Bhumuraguri

together killing Sahabuddin Choudhury, the VDP Secretary of village Bhumuraguri by

cutting his neck by means of sharp weapon and fleeing from the place of

occurrence; that he made an effort to inform the police immediately with the

assistance of the public. During his cross-examination by the defence side, PW-2 has

stated that he did not see informant Akhtar Hussain Choudhury at the place of

occurrence and that Anisul Hoque also did not go with him.

13. PW-3, Md. Afazuddin Choudhury is another son of the deceased and the Page No.# 10/39

younger brother of informant Akhtar Hussain Choudhury. PW-3 has also deposed in

similar lines by stating that at about 4.00 p.m. on 03.02.2013, the accused Abdul Kadir

came to their house in a motorcycle and asked him whether his father was available

at home and told him to call his father. Abdul Kadir then took away his father in his

motorcycle by saying that there was a meeting at Chapori Center. At about 6.30

p.m. accused Kadir brought his father. He followed them riding a bicycle. He had

heard a hue and cry from about 30 meters away from the Bhumuraguri L.P. school.

Going ahead for about 20 meters he saw Nurul Islam in the flash of the headlight of a

motorcycle, running away towards the road near the school with a sharp weapon in

his hand. PW-3 has also stated that he saw Kadir leaving in his motorbike. Then he

came close to the school and saw his father lying dead on the road in front of the

school. He had seen cut injuries on the head, face and neck of his father and blood

was oozing out. PW-3 has also deposed that Alaluddin, Nur Islam, Tahir Uddin and

Nurul threatened to kill his father when a difference with regard to land of

"char"(riverine area) had taken place about two years back. After the occurrence,

police came there and seized a white shirt, sandal and a bag by seizure list Ext-1

which he had signed and Ext-1(3) was his signature. During his cross-examination PW-3

has stated that the incident had taken place during the time of Panchayat Election

and that his father was an influential leader of Congress. In his cross-examination this

witness had denied the suggestion that he had not stated before the police that

while coming back from the meeting on a bicycle he had seen in the flash of the

headlight of a motorbike Nurul running away with a weapon in his hand and that

going 20 meters ahead he had seen in the flash of headlight of a motorbike from a Page No.# 11/39

distance of about 10 meters that Nurul was leaving the place with a weapon in his

hand and Kadir was leaving on a motorbike and that his father was lying dead on the

road. PW-3 has also denied the suggestion of the defence counsel that he had

neither gone to the place of occurrence nor had he seen the incident.

14. PW-4, Md. Saidor Ali, is an important witness in this case. This witness has

claimed to have seen the occurrence. PW-4 has deposed before the Court that he

knew the complainant. Deceased Sahab Uddin was the son of the elder brother of

his father. One day, about 2 ½ years back, when he, along with Ainul Hoque, was

going to Bhojkhowa Chapori Center to make some purchase, a ruckus broke out on

the road of Bhojkhowa Chapori L.P. School. Then he had seen about 8/10 people

including Alaluddin, Nur Islam, Nurul, Kadir and Gilani assaulting Sahab Uddin by

means of "dao". Then Ainul and he raised an alarm whereupon, they(assailants) fled

away. Abdul Kadir had left in a motorcycle. Thereafter, the VDP Secretary Ainul

dialled up the Police Station and the police arrived there. Shab Uddin died. He saw

cut injuries on the head, neck and forehead of Sahab Uddin. At about 11.00 p.m.

Abdul Kadir surrendered in the Police Station.

15. PW-5, Md. Hafijuddin, is the younger brother of deceased Sahab Uddin

Choudhury and he has deposed to the effect that the incident took place in the year

2013 at about 8.00 p.m. On that day, he had gone to Bhojkhowa Chapori and while

returning back home, he saw deceased Sahab Uddin Choudhury, Alal, Nur Islam,

Nurul, Ahir and Kadir conversing on the road near Bhojkhowa Girls school. At that

time, Sahab Uddin had asked him to carry his shopping bag to his house saying that Page No.# 12/39

he would go for the campaign seeking vote. This witness has stated that at about 8.30

p.m. he had heard a hue and cry raising an alarm that a murder had been

committed in the village. Then he rushed towards the Girls school and on arriving

there, he found the dead body of Sahab Uddin lying beside the road to the school.

PW-5 has also stated that he saw cut injuries on the neck and various parts of the

body of the deceased. At that time they were searching for Kadir as some people

had said that Sahab Uddin was with Kadir. Kadir surrendered in the Police Station at

about 11.00 p.m. During his cross-examination PW-5 has stated that his elder brother

was the VDP Secretary and a Congress leader and that there had been dispute

between the accused persons and his elder brother (deceased) with regard to sale

of Government land. This witness has remained firm during his cross-examination.

From the testimony of PW-5 it has also come out that the place where the dead body

was found lying was the same place where he had earlier seen deceased Sahab

Uddin and the other accused persons together.

16. PW-6, Mustt. Hasen Banu, is the wife of the deceased and this witness has

categorically deposed that on 03.02.2013, at about 4.00 p.m. accused Abdul Kadir

took her husband Sahab Uddin Choudhury to Bhojkhowa Chapori on his motorcycle.

In the evening on that day, her son Akhtar Hussain Choudhury (informant) had gone

to the bazaar to buy medicines for her and at about 7.30 p.m. he had informed her

over phone that her husband has been killed. Her son had also informed her over

phone that he saw Kadir, Alal and Nur Islam running from the place of occurrence.

On receiving the aforesaid information, she had rushed to the place of occurrence

and saw that her husband was lying dead in front of Bhojkhowa Balika LP school. PW-

Page No.# 13/39

6 has also stated that she had seen cut injuries on the back of the head, face and

chest of her deceased husband. According to this witness, 14 years prior to the

incident, a land dispute occurred between her husband and the accused persons

and the said dispute continued till the time of the occurrence. PW-6 has also stated

that once her deceased husband had lodged a complaint before the police against

the accused persons alleging that they had dispossessed them from their land and

sold out the land. The testimony of this witness also could not be shaken during her

cross-examination.

17. PW-7, Md. Sultan Ali, is the nephew of deceased Sahab Uddin Choudhury and

he has deposed that on the date of occurrence, at about 8.10 p.m. when he was

getting ready to bring food from his house for the boy who works in his shop situated

at Bhojkhowa Chapori Center, he had noticed that Abdul Kadir was riding on a pillion

of Sahab Uddin Choudhury's motorcycle. He had also proceeded behind them and

saw one Jilani standing in front of Bhojkhowa L.P. School who had called Kadir. PW-7

has stated that he had also noticed some persons near the school on the road side.

Then he went to his house at about 8.30 p.m. and returned back to his shop through a

different road. After coming back to his shop he had heard from people that a man

had been killed and his dead body was lying in front of Bhojkhowa Chapori L.P.

School. Then he went there and found Sahab Uddin Choudhury lying dead on the

ground and also saw cut injury on his neck.

Page No.# 14/39

18. PW-8, Dr. Atul Kumar Kalita was the doctor on duty at the Kanaklata Civil

Hospital, Tezpur on 04.02.2013 and he had conducted post-mortem examination on

the dead body. As per the post-mortem report (Ext-4) following injuries were found on

the dead body :-

"Description of injuries:

• 9" long transverse incised wound involving left ear, mastoid inferior to the left eye involving lower eye lid, nose, nasal bone, temporal bone.

• 5.5" long oblique incised wound over left anterior occipital area.

• 10" long incised wound involving upper lip, jaw, left maxilla, lower margin of the left ear.

• 6" incised wound involving scalp, bone, brain matter vertically placed on left temporal area.

• 8" long incised wound involving scalp temporal, occipital bones, meninges and brain on left.

• 8" transverse incised wound involving skin soft tissue and trachea on left side.

• 10" long incised wound below and posterior to the right ear to 1.5 cm below and posterior to the left ear involving skin soft tissues C2 and C3 vertebrae, spinal cord separating the head from the vertebral column.

• 8" long incised wound on right posterior on the neck from right angle of the mandible to right side of the spinal column involving skin soft tissue and bone.

• 6 cm oblique cut and incised wound over left scapular area involving soft tissue."

Page No.# 15/39

The doctor had opined that the death was due to shock and haemorrhage as

a result of injuries sustained which were ante mortem in nature.

19. PW-9, Md. Abdul Haque, is a resident of the same village and is known to the

informant. From the statement of the PWs-4 & 9 recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. it

transpires that Md. Abdul haque and Ainul is the same person. This witness has

deposed that on the day of the incident at about 8.00 p.m. he was going to

Bhojkhowa Chapori in the motorcycle of Saidor (PW-4) and noticed "hulla" and

"marpit" near Bhojkhowa Balika L.P. School where he had seen Abdul Kadir and

Abdul Kadir Gilani leaving the place. This witness has stated that he had noticed

Sahab Uddin Choudhury lying on the road in an injured condition. He then

telephonically informed the In-charge of Borghat O.P. and thereafter, to the Officer-

in-Charge of Tezpur Police Station. On receiving information the O/C, Tezpur P.S. and

other police officers along with dog squad visited the place and investigated the

matter. He had accompanied the dead body of Sahab Uddin Choudhury to the

hospital for post-mortem examination. During his cross-examination this witness has

stated that he is the VDP Secretary of Bhomoraguri Village. This witness has denied

any relationship with the deceased and had remained firm during his cross-

examination.

20. PW-10, Md. Anisul Haque, has deposed that on the day of the occurrence, at

about 8.30 p.m. while he was in the market at Bhojkhowa Chapori Center, he had

heard that a murder had been committed behind the Bhojkhowa Balika School. He Page No.# 16/39

then went to the place of occurrence and saw many people had gathered behind

the Bhojkhowa Balika School. He had noticed that Sahab Uddin was lying dead on

the ground with cut injuries on his body and neck and blood was oozing out of the

dead body. PW-10 has also stated that VDP Secretary Ainul was there and he had

informed the police over phone. Thereafter, the police came and took away the

dead body. This witness was later declared as a hostile witness. During his cross-

examination by the prosecution side PW-10 has denied having stated before the

police that on 03.02.2013 at about 8.30 p.m. while he, along with his friend Md.

Asaraful Islam, was coming back from Bhojkhowa Chapori Center towards his house,

he saw the VDP Secretary Sahab Uddin was being assaulted by Md. Abdul Kadir, Md.

Nurul Islam, Md. Alal Uddin, Md. Momruj Ali, Md. Tahir Uddin alias Ahir, Md. Nur Islam

and Md. Rustam Ali by means of sharp cutting weapons on his neck and then fled

away from the place of occurrence.

21. PW-11, Sri Bidyut Bikash Baruah, was the In-charge of Borghat Police Outpost

on 03.02.2013 and he has stated in his evidence that on the day of occurrence, at

about 8.30 p.m. one Md. Akhtar Hussain Choudhury had telephonically informed that

some unknown miscreants had killed Sahab Uddin Choudhury by means of sharp

weapon near the Bhojkhowa Balika L.P. school. Accordingly, Borghat OP GD entry

No.44 was made by him whereafter, he had proceeded to the place of occurrence

i.e. Bhojkhowa Balika L.P. School. On reaching the place of occurrence he had seen

the dead body lying there. He had seized, in presence of witnesses, one white and

blue full sleeve shirt, one rubber sandal and one white plastic bag which was lying

near the dead body and took photograph of the deceased. PW-11 has also stated Page No.# 17/39

that as it was dark at night, the inquest could not be performed at that time. So he

had engaged one constable Dil Bahadur Chetri to guard the dead body. He had

recorded the statements of the witnesses and seized the items and prepared a

sketch map of the place of occurrence. On the next day i.e. 04.02.2013 at 10.00 a.m.

he had conducted inquest over the dead body and noticed sharp cut injuries on the

head and back of the neck of the deceased. He then sent the dead body to

Kanaklata Civil Hospital, Tezpur for post-mortem examination. He had again visited

the place of occurrence and recorded the statements of a few witnesses. Based on

the information received from the witnesses he had enquired about the accused and

apprehended Abdul Kadir Gilani, Habibur Rahman, Md. Abdul Ali, Md. Momruj Ali,

Md. Saidul Islam and brought them to the Outpost. In the meantime, the Officer-in-

Charge, Tezpur Police Station, had telephonically informed him that the FIR named

accused Md. Abdul Kadir had surrendered before the Tezpur P.S. with one

motorcycle bearing Registration No.AS-12/J 7259. He had recorded the statement of

the accused persons and seized the motorcycle vide Ext-7. The I.O. had stated that

he had arrested the accused persons namely, Abdul Kadir Gilani, Habibur Rahman,

Md. Abdul Ali, Md. Momruj Ali, Md. Saidul Islam and Md. Abdul Kadir and forwarded

them to the Court. During investigation, he came to know about the other accused

persons viz., Md. Nurul Islam, Md. Alal Uddin, Md. Tahhir Uddin alias Ahir and Mr. Nur

Islam but in spite of his best efforts, he could not apprehend those accused persons

as they were not found.

22. During his cross-examination the I.O. (PW-11) had brought on record certain

contradictions in the testimonies of PW-1, PW-3, PW-4, PW-5, PW-6, PW-7 and PW-9.

Page No.# 18/39

Since such contradictions in the testimony of these witnesses have been heavily relied

upon by the defence side so as to impeach the prosecution case, we propose to

deal with them in greater details in the later part of our judgment.

23. The accused persons had denied all the circumstances put to them while

recording their statements under Section 313 Cr.P.C. but the defence side did not

lead any evidence.

24. Upon analysing the materials brought on record, the learned trial court was of

the view that the prosecution side had succeeded in establishing the charges

brought against the appellants on the basis of the evidence adduced by the sole

eye-witness PW-4 as well as the other circumstantial evidence, which go to show that

the appellants had acted in an unlawful assembly and with a common object to

murder the deceased Sahabuddin Choudhury and killed him.

25. We have carefully gone through the evidence available on record and find

that the homicidal death of deceased Sahab Uddin Choudhury is well established

from the post-mortem report Ext-4 as well as the testimony of the doctor PW-8. The

post-mortem report also shows that the victim had died due to multiple incised injuries

inflicted on different parts of his body by sharp cutting weapon. The evidence

brought on record also establishes the fact that the incident took place on

03/02/2013 at about 8/8.30 pm near the Bhojkhowa Chapori Girls L.P.School.

26. We also find from the materials available on record that PW-4 Md. Saidor Ali

and PW-9 Abdul Hoque alias Ainul are the two most important witnesses in this case.

Let us, therefore, first examine as to whether, the evidence adduced by these two Page No.# 19/39

witnesses have been correctly appreciated by the learned court below.

27. As noticed above, PW-4 has categorically deposed that he had seen 8/10

people including Alaluddin, Nurul Islam, Nurul, Kadir and Gilani assaulting Sahabuddin

by means of "dao". The evidence of PW-4 could not be shaken during his cross -

examination. However, it is also seen from his statement recorded by the Police under

section 161 Cr.P.C that the PW-4 did not mention the name of Abdul Kadir Gilani as

one of the persons whom he had seen to have assaulted the victim. The name of

Gilani has been added by PW-4 for the first time while deposing before the court.

From the above it is evident that there has been some exaggeration and

embellishment in the testimony of this witness.The question is, should the evidence of

this witness be discarded due such exaggeration and embellishment ?

28. In the case of Leela Ram v State of Haryana reported in (1999) 9 SCC 525, the

Supreme Court had observed that one hardly comes across a witness whose

evidence does not contain some exaggeration or embellishment but the court can

sift the chaff from the grain and find out the truth from the testimony of the witnesses.

The evidence of such witnesses are to be considered from the point of view of

trustworthiness. Total repulsion of the evidence would be unnecessary.

29. Likewise, in Subal Ghorai v State of W.B. reported in (2013) 4 SCC 607 the

Apex Court had taken note of the fact that sometimes witnesses do exaggerate and

held that evidence of witnesses need not be discarded on account of

embellishments if it is corroborated on material aspect by other evidence on record.

30. In another subsequent decision of the Apex Court in the case of Yogesh Singh Page No.# 20/39

(supra), by taking note of the law laid down in Leela Ram (supra) and Subal Ghorai

(supra) it has further been held that an omission or discrepancy which goes to the

root of the matter and ushers in incongruities may create a dent in the prosecution

version but minor discrepancies are not to be given undue emphasis. The evidence is

to be considered from the point of view of trustworthiness.

31. In the present case PW-4 has narrated the incident by naming the accused

persons who had assaulted the deceased. PW-9 Md. Abdul Hoque alias Ainul has

substantially corroborated the version given by the PW-4 and has stated that on the

day of the incident, he was going to Bhojkhowa Chapori at about 8 p.m. in the

motorcycle of Saidor (PW-4). He had seen Abdul Kadir and Abdul Kadir Gilani leaving

the place and also saw Sahab Uddin Choudhury lying on the road. This witness had

also stated that he had informed the police telephonically. Although the I.O. had

stated that it was Md. Akhtar Hussain Choudhury i.e. the informant, who had informed

the Police, yet it has come out from the evidence adduced by the PWs-1 and 4 that it

was actually PW-9 who had informed the Police.

32. By referring to the statement of the PW-4 in his cross-examination to the effect

that it was night and there was no light on the road and that they did not have a

torch in their hands, Mr. Sarmah has strenuously argued that in the absence of any

light, the PW-4 could not have seen the accused persons as claimed by him and

therefore, he is not an eye-witness. Mr. Sarmah has also made an attempt to derive

support to his aforesaid argument from the fact that neither the PW-4 nor the PW-9

had stated before the police that they came to the place of occurrence at 8.00 p.m. Page No.# 21/39

on the night of the incident in a motorbike. However, on a close scrutiny of the

evidence adduced by these two witnesses i.e. PW-4 and PW-9 we are unable to

accept the aforesaid argument of Mr. Sarmah for the following reason. The PW-4 did

not say in his cross-examination that it was dark so nothing was visible. PWs-4 and 9

were evidently travelling in a motorbike. Therefore, even if there was no street light

and the PW-4 was not carrying a torch, the witness could have easily seen the

accused persons assault the victim and fleeing from the place of occurrence in the

headlight of the motorbike which he was riding.

33. It is also to be noted herein that the PW-9 had categorically stated in his

examination-in-chief that on the day of the incident he went to Bhojkhowa Chapori

in the motorcycle of Saidor but there is no cross-examination of the said witness on

the aforesaid point. On the contrary, it has come out from the cross-examination of

PW-9 that on that day he was the pillion rider in the motorcycle of Saidor (PW-4).

Since the above fact has come out during the cross examination of PW-9, the

learned counsel for the appellants cannot now be permitted to take a plea that

there is no evidence to show that the PW-4 was travelling in a motor bike or that he

did not have the assistance of light coming from the motorbike under which he could

have seen the assailants.

34. It must be noted herein that PW-9, who was the VDP Secretary, is an

independent witness. If there was any motive to falsely implicate the appellants,

there was nothing preventing this witness from naming all the accused persons in the

manner as has been done by the PW-4. However, he did not do so. It appears that Page No.# 22/39

on that night, the PW-9 was riding on the pillion in the motorcycle driven by the PW-4

and therefore, he might not have seen the other accused persons. It was on such

count that the PW-9 had merely stated that he could recognise only two persons viz.,

Abdul Kadir and Abdul Kadir Gilani under the light of the motorcycle. This witness PW-

9 appears to be truthful and his testimony inspires the confidence of this Court. PW-9

has also corroborated the version given by PW-4. Therefore, we are of the considered

view that notwithstanding some exaggerations and embellishment in his evidence, as

noticed here-in-before, PW-4 is an eye-witness to the occurrence and has rightly

been held so by the trial court.

35. Having observed as above, we have also noted that in his statement

recorded under section 161 Cr.P.C, PW-9 had stated that 1) Md. Abdul Kadir, 2)

Md.Nurul Islam, 3)Md. Alal Uddin, 4) Md. Momruj Ali, 5) Md. Tahir Uddin, 6) Md. Nur

Islam and 7) Md. Rutam Ali had together killed Sahab Uddin Choudhury by cutting his

neck with sharp weapon. However, Md. Abdul Kadir Gilani, Md. Habibur Rahaman,

Md. Abdul Ali and Md. Saidul Islam were not involved in committing the murder of the

deceased but had merely gathered at the place of occurrence after hearing the

commotion.

36. PW-1 i.e. the informant in this case, has stated that he has seen Nurul Islam,

Alaluddin, Tahir Uddin, Nur Islam, Abdul Kadir Gilani and Abdul Kadir leaving the

place in a motorbike after hacking the person. It appears from the testimony of PW-1

that he did not see the occurrence but had arrived at the place of occurrence after

the incident took place and saw some of the accused persons as well as Abdul Kadir Page No.# 23/39

Gilani leaving the place. PW-9 has also stated that he had seen Abdul Kadir Gilani

leave the place after the incident. That apart, PW-4 had not named Abdul Kadir

Gilani as one of the persons assaulting the victim in his statement made before the IO.

We are therefore, of the considered opinion that although Abdul Kadir Gilani might

have been present at the place of occurrence and might have been seen by these

witnesses, yet, his involvement in the incident appears to be very doubtful.Under the

circumstances, we are of the view that the benefit of doubt must go to the appellant

Abdul Kadir Gilani.

37. Having observed as above, we also find from a cursory glance at the Case

Diary that the statement of accused Md. Abdul Kadir was recorded by the police

under section 161 Cr.P.C on 04.02.2013 and he had also stated before the police that

Md. Abdul Kadir Gilani, Md. Habibur Rahaman Md. Abdul Ali and Md. Sidul Islam

were not involved in the incident but that they had gathered in the place of

occurrence only after hearing the commotion.

38. PW-5 had also deposed that just before the incident, he had seen deceased

Sahabuddin Choudhury, Alal, Nurul Islam, Nurul, Ahir and Kadir conversing on the

road near Bhojkhowa Girls LP school when Sahabuddin asked him to carry his

shopping bag back home. There is no cross-examination of PW-5 on the aforesaid

point. Therefore, the testimony of this witness on the above point stood firm even in his

cross-examination.

39. It has also come out from the evidence of PW-3 and PW-6 that on the day of

the incident at about 4.00 p.m. accused Abdul Kadir came to their house in a Page No.# 24/39

motorcycle and asked the deceased Sahab Uddin to accompany him so as to

attend a meeting at Chapori Center. Accordingly, the deceased went away in a

motorcycle along with Abdul Kadir. Later in the evening, Abdul Kadir had

surrendered in the Police Station. The aforesaid fact also constitutes a strong link in the

chain of circumstances which goes to show that the accused persons had acted

with pre-meditation and as per a plan to murder the victim Sahab Uddin Choudhury

by taking him to a secluded place i.e. behind Bhojkhowa Balika L. P. School.

40. The motive for committing the crime has also been established by the

prosecution side through the testimony of witnesses PWs-1 and PW-6 who have

deposed that there was a long standing land dispute between the deceased and

the accused persons. The said testimony of the prosecution witnesses have remained

unimpeached during their cross-examination. Therefore, upon reading their evidence

as a whole, we are of the opinion that the prosecution side has succeeded in

establishing each link in the chain of circumstances so as to establish beyond

reasonable doubt that it was none other than the accused/appellants save and

except appellant Abdul Kadir Gilani, who had murdered the deceased Sahab Uddin

Choudhury.

41. In so far as the arguments pertaining to the contradictions/

omissions/improvements in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses are concerned,

we find that there are, in fact, some discrepancies in their testimony and some of the

facts deposed before the court were not stated by the prosecution witnesses to the

police while recording their statements under Section 161 Cr.P.C. According to the Page No.# 25/39

learned counsel for the appellants, such contradictions in the statements of the key

witnesses have been duly proved by the defence side during the trial through the I.O.

(PW-11). In order to drive home his point, Mr. Sarmah has drawn our attention to the

relevant part of the cross-examination of the I.O. (PW-11) which is extracted herein

below for ready reference :-

"PW-1 Akhtar Hussain Choudhury has not stated before me that on the date of occurrence at about 7 p.m. he came to his house and at about 8/8.30 p.m. he went to Bhojkhowa Cahpori for marketing in a bike and he saw through the light of the bike that Nurul Islam, Alaluddin, Tahiruddin, Nur Islam, Abdul Kadir Jilani giving blows to a person with sharp weapon and Abdul Kadir leaving the place with motorcycle and the registration No. of the bike was AS- 12/J-7259. This witness has also not stated before me that he came down from the motorcycle and saw his father lying dead and there was cut injuries on the neck, forehead and from the ear to the nose.

In the FIR the name of Abdul Kadir Jilani was not mentioned.

It is not a fact that PW 2 Ashraful Islam and PW 10 Anisul Haque did not give any statement as I have narrated today. The statement of PW 2 and PW 10 are recorded in white sheets.

PW-3 Afazuddin Choudhury has not stated before me that he also went to attend the meeting. This witness has also not before me that at about 6:30 p.m. accused Kadir brought his father back from the meeting in a motor cycle and he also followed them after 10 minutes. This witness has also not stated before me that while he was returning in his bicycle he saw, in the light of bike, that Nurul was running with a weapon in his hand and Kadir left the place in his bike. This witness has also stated that the occurrence took place about 8:30 p.m. This witness has stated before me that he saw the dead body of his father while he was going to market.

Page No.# 26/39

PW-4 Saidor Ali has stated before me that he saw hulla near L.P. School while he was returning from the market. This witness has not stated before me that he along with Ainul were going in a motor cycle. This witness has not stated before me that he saw accused Alaluddin, Nur Islam, Nurul, Kadir and Jilani assaulted Sahabuddin by means of dao. This witness has not mentioned the name of Abdul Kadir Jilani before me. This witness has stated before me the name of Rustam, Momrus and Tahir Uddin. This witness has not stated before me that Kadir surrendered before police station.

PW-5 Hafizuddin has not stated before me that at about 8 p.m. while he was coming from Bhojkhowa Chapori, near Bhojkhhowa L.P. School he saw Kadir, Sahabuddin Choudhury, Alal, Nur Islam, Nurul, Ahir were gossiping at the road and Sahabuddin told him to take back his bag and hand over to his house and he told that he will go to village for canvassing for election. This witness has not stated before me that at about 8:30 p.m. he heard hulla in the village that a murder took place and then he went running near the Balika LP School where he met Sahabuddin and other and he saw that the dead body of Sahabuddin was lying on the road near LP School and he saw cut injury on the neck and various parts of his body. He also did not state before me that he then searched Kadir because some people told that Sahabuddin came to Kadir and at about 11 p.m. accused Kadir surrendered before police station.

PW-6 Mustt. Hasen Banu has not stated before me that on the date in the evening her son Akhtar Hussain went to Bazar for purchasing medicine and at about 7:30 p.m. he informed her over phone that her husband had been killed. She has also not stated that Akhtar had informed her that he saw Kadir, Alal, Nur Islam were running away from the place of occurrence. She has also not stated before me that on getting the information she rushed to the place of occurrence. She has also not stated that prior to the occurrence land dispute arose between her husband and the accused since 14 years back and it continues till the occurrence. She also did not state before me that after the occurrence she along with others went to the house of Kadir but he was Page No.# 27/39

not available in his house. She has also not stated before me that one pair of sandal, plastic bag and one shirt were found near the place of occurrence.

PW-7 Sultan Ali has not stated before me that at about 8:10 p.m. he got ready to go to his house to bring food for his employee. He has also not stated before me that Abdul Kadir was coming as a pillion rider in the motor cycle of Sahabuddin and seeing them he also followed them. This witness has also not stated before me that Jilani was standing in front of the LP school and he called Kadir and then Kadir stopped there. He has also not stated before me that turning back he noticed some persons standing near the road side and then he went to his house. He has also not stated before me that he came to his shop to a different road. This witness has not stated before me that after returning to his shop he heard from the people that a man had been killed and the dead body was lying in front of Bhojkhowa Sapori LP School. This witness has also not stated before me that he went there and saw cut injury on the neck of Sahabuddin Choudhury at the place of occurrence.

PW-9 Abdul Haque has not stated before me that he was coming as a pillion rider in the motor cycle of Saidar. He has also not stated before me that he saw, in the light of motor cycle, accused Abdul Kadir and Abdul Kadir Jilani. This witness has stated before me that Abdul Kadir Jilani is not involved in this case and he came to the place of occurrence only to see the occurrence along with other people. This witness has not stated before me that he saw cut injury on the face of the dead body. When any accused surrenders before police station, a GDE is made. I have not collected as to whether any GDE No. was made or not in respect of Abdul kadir and Alaluddin. It is not a fact that no accused were absconding in connection with this case. I do not remember as to how I came to know that the seized items, seized vide Ext.1, belongs to accused Alaluddin. It is not a fact that the said items does not belong to accused Alaluddin. There was no electric connection at the place of occurrence and therefore I could not inquest at night. I have not filled up column No.12, 13, 14 and 15 in the inquest. It is not a fact that without having Page No.# 28/39

any incriminating materials I have submitted the charge-sheet against the accused persons. It is not a fact that I have not investigated the case properly."

42. We, however, find from the Case Diary that PW-1 Akhtar Hussain Choudhury

had, in fact, told the police that on the day of the incident the accused persons

named by him had killed his father by cutting his neck with a sharp weapon and

thereafter fled the place. It is no doubt correct that PW-1 did not mention before the

police that he had arrived at the place of occurrence in a motorbike but there is also

no statement of this witness which throws light as to the means by which he had

arrived at the place of occurrence along with his brother Afazuddin Choudhury (PW-

3). Therefore, the omission to state the said fact before the I.O., in our view, cannot

be termed as a material contradiction in the testimony of this witness.

43. We also find that contrary to the statement of the I.O. made during his cross-

examination the witness PW-4 had, in fact, stated before the police that he had seen

(1) Md. Abdul Kadir, (2) Md. Nurul Islam, (3) Md. Alaluddin, (4) Md. Momruj Ali, (5) Md.

Tahir Uddin alias Ahir, (6) Md. Nur Islam and (7) Md. Rustam Ali killing the victim Sahab

Uddin Choudhury by sharp weapon and then ran away from the place. From a

meticulous examination of the statements made by the witnesses PWs-1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

and 9 we find that although there are some omissions/improvements in the testimony

of these witnesses, nevertheless, these witnesses had not deposed before the Court in

any manner which contradicts their previous statements recorded under Section 161

Cr.P.C. In other words, it cannot be said that the omissions/improvements in the Page No.# 29/39

version of the witnesses makes their testimony untrustworthy due to contradiction

therein. As a matter of fact, from a close scrutiny of the Case Diary we find that the

statements of the witnesses had been recorded by the I.O. in a concise form by

confining the same to the substance of the statement, without going into every

details and therefore, it is possible that the minute details which the witnesses had

deposed before the Court were not recorded by the police in the 161 Cr.P.C.

statement.

44. By relying on several judicial pronouncements on the issue, the learned trial

court had rejected such a plea of the learned defence counsel on the ground that

the defence side had failed to prove the contradictions of the witnesses in

accordance with law. Let us now examine the validity of such conclusion recorded

by the learned trial court.

45. Section 145 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, lays down the manner in which

cross-examination of the witnesses is to be made as to any previous statement made

in writing. Section 145 of the Evidence Act is quoted herein below :-

"145. Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing.--A witness may be cross-examined as to previous statements made by him in writing or reduced into writing, and relevant to matters in question, without such writing being shown to him, or being proved; but, if it is intended to contradict him by the writing, his attention must, before the writing can be proved, be called to those parts of it which are to be used for the purpose of contradicting him."

46. In a decision of a Division Bench of this Court rendered in the case of

Ghanakanta Das & others Vs. State of Assam reported in 1989 (2) GLJ 320, relied Page No.# 30/39

upon by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor, it has been held that the

procedure to be followed in order to contradict the evidence adduced by the

prosecution witnesses during trial with a statement made before the police during

investigation would be to draw the attention of the witness to that part of the

contradictory statement and question him as to whether, he did in fact make the

statement. If the witness admits to have made the particular statement before the

Police then his admission would be recorded and would form part of his testimony

and can be relied upon by the accused as establishing the contradiction. However, if

the witness denies of having made such statement before the Police then the

particular portion of the statement should be previously marked for identification and

when the Investigation Officer (I.O.) comes to the witness box, he should be

questioned as to whether the witness had made the particular statement before him

during the course of investigation. The answer of the I.O would prove the

contradiction. Unless the said procedure is followed and the witnesses are given

opportunities for explanation, their previous statements made before the police

cannot be used for contradictions. On such failure, it was held that the testimony of

the witnesses could not have been thrown out on the ground that their evidence

before the trial court has been contradicted by the previous statements made before

the police.

47. In the case of V. K. Mishra and another Vs. State of Uttarakhand and another

reported in (2015) 9 SCC 588 the Hon'ble Supreme Court also had the occasion to

consider the correct manner of proving contradictions as to any previous statement

made by a witness. Upon interpretation of Section 145 of the Evidence Act, the Page No.# 31/39

following observations have been made by the Supreme Court in paragraph 19 of

the aforesaid decision which are as follows :-

"19. Under Section 145 of the Evidence Act when it is intended to contradict the witness by his previous statement reduced into writing, the attention of such witness must be called to those parts of it which are to be used for the purpose of contradicting him, before the writing can be used. While recording the deposition of a witness, it become the duty of the trial court to ensure that the part of the police statement with which it is intended to contradict the witness is brought to the notice of the witness in his cross-examination. The attention of witness is drawn to that part and this must reflect in his cross-examination by reproducing it. If the witness admits the part intended to contradict him, it stands proved and there is no need to further proof of contradiction and it will be read while appreciating the evidence. If he denies having made that part of the statement, his attention must be drawn to that statement and must be mentioned in the deposition. By this process the contradiction is merely brought on record, but it is yet to be proved. Thereafter when investigating officer is examined in the court, his attention should be drawn to the passage marked for the purpose of contradiction, it will then be proved in the deposition of the investigating officer who again by referring to the police statement will depose about the witness having made that statement. The process again involves referring to the police statement and culling out that part with which the maker of the statement was intended to be contradicted. If the witness was not confronted with that part of the statement with which the defence wanted to contradict him, then the court cannot suo motu make use of statements to police not proved in compliance with Section 145 of the Evidence Act that is, by drawing attention to the parts intended for contradiction."

48. In the instant case, we find that the defence counsel had failed to invite the Page No.# 32/39

attention of the witnesses PWs-1, 3, 4, 6 and 9 as to any previous statements in writing

so as to contradict the witnesses. On the contrary, an attempt has been made to

prove such contradictions through the I.O. in the manner indicated above. Having

regard to the ratio of the law laid down in the case of V. K. Mishra (supra) and

Ghanakanta Das (supra) we are of the view that the learned trial court was correct in

holding that the defence side had failed to prove the contradictions in the

statements made by the prosecution witnesses as per the requirement of law and

therefore, they could not be permitted to avail the benefit of such alleged

contradictions, if any, in the testimony of the prosecution witnesses.

49. In so far as the omissions and discrepancies in the testimony of the prosecution

witnesses are concerned, law is well settled, by means of long line of judicial

pronouncements, that minor contradictions and discrepancies in the testimony of

witnesses would not have a fatal bearing in the prosecution case unless the same

goes into the root of the matter. In the case of Ramappa Halappa Pujar & others

(supra)the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that there can be some

contradictions in the deposition of witnesses since minor variations from their earlier

statements are but natural. Again, in the case of Mustak alias Kanio Ahmed Shaikh

(supra) the Supreme Court has observed that minor discrepancies, if any, is to be

ignored.

50. In State of Uttar Pradesh Vs. Krishna Master and others reported in (2010) 12 SCC

324 the Supreme Court has observed that the Court should read evidence as a

whole and on such reading if it appears to have ring of truth, then the discrepancies, Page No.# 33/39

inconsistencies, infirmities or deficiencies of minor nature not touching upon the core

of the case can be ignored.

51. In the present case, we have noticed that there are some omissions such as

failure on the part of the PWs-4 and 9 to state before the police that they had arrived

at the place of occurrence in a motorcycle or that the PW-1 had failed to state that

he came riding in a motorcycle and in the flash of headlight of the motorbike he had

seen the assailants leaving the place. But such omissions, in our view, do not erode

the credibility of these witnesses since the basic facts stated by them before the

police do not contradict their earlier statements in a manner such that both their

statements cannot co-exist. Moreover, as mentioned above, the defence side has

also failed to prove the contradictions in the statement of these witnesses in the

manner required by law. On the contrary, we find that the version given by PWs-1, 3,

4, 5, 6 and 9 broadly bears up the same story without any vital contradictions and

therefore, their evidence is found to be trustworthy.

52. If the evidence of PWs-1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 are read in conjunction, then it

becomes clear that on the night of the incident, at around 8 .00 p.m. deceased

Sahab Uddin was seen together with the accused persons Alaluddin, Nur Islam, Nurul,

Ahir and Kadir near the place of occurrence and soon thereafter, his deadbody was

found lying there in an injured condition. The eye-witness (PW-4) had identified the

accused persons. He had also seen them fleeing the place after assaulting the victim.

The evidence available on record more particularly the testimony of PW-4 clearly

establishes the fact that the accused persons Abdul Kadir, Alaluddin, Nur Islam, Nurul Page No.# 34/39

Islam and Rustom Ali had formed an unlawful assembly with the common object of

murdering the victim due to some rivalry owing to a land dispute and in furtherance

of such common object, they had fatally assaulted Sahab Uddin Choudhury by

sharp weapon causing grievous injuries on his persons leading to his death. We are,

however, of the opinion that the prosecution has failed to prove the charges under

section 302/149 of the I.P.C. brought against Abdul Kadir Gilani (Jilani) beyond

reasonable doubt. Rather, it appears from the materials on record that this appellant

had reached the place of occurrence on hearing commotion after the incident took

place and that is why he was seen in the place of occurrence.

53. Applying the ratio of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in the decisions

noted above, we are, therefore, of the view that the basic story of the prosecution as

regards the time and place of occurrence, the presence of the assailants at the

place of occurrence, the previous rivalry constituting the motive of the crime and the

homicidal death of the deceased have been firmly established by cogent evidence

brought on record. The sole exception is that there is no evidence to establish that

accused Abdul Kadir Gilani had, in fact, joined the unlawful assembly to commit the

murder of the victim. The discrepancies, inconsistencies, improvements and

embellishments in the testimony of the witnesses examined by the prosecution side, in

our opinion, do not go into the root of the matter so as to dent the prosecution case.

Moreover, as noted above, the defence side has also failed to prove the

contradictions in the evidence adduced by the prosecution witnesses in accordance

with law. For the above reason, we are in agreement with the view expressed by the

learned trial court that the defence has failed to prove the contradictions as per law.

Page No.# 35/39

54. In so far as the circumstances of last seen together is concerned, we find that

the learned trial court had relied upon such circumstances in support of the

conviction of the appellants. After the decision of the Supreme Court in Satpal vs

State of Haryana reported in (2018) 6 SCC 610 Law is well-settled that the

circumstance of "last seen together" is a weak kind of evidence. One of the

fundamental tenets of the aforesaid theory is that there should be very little gap

between the time when the accused was last seen with the victim and when the

dead body was recovered. However, if the last seen together circumstance is

established by cogent evidence and is duly corroborated by other evidence

available on record then the same can be relied upon for convicting the accused

persons.

55. In the case of Kanhaiya Lal Vs. State of Rajasthan reported in (2014) 4 SCC

715, after analysing the earlier decisions on the issue the Apex Court has held that the

circumstance of last seen together does not, by itself, lead to the inference that the

accused had committed the crime. There must be something more establishing the

connectivity between the accused and the crime.

56. Relying on the previous decision of the Supreme Court including Kanhaiya Lal

(supra) the rule of last seen together circumstance had been summarised in the case

of Ashok Vs. State of Maharashtra reported in (2015) 4 SCC 393 whereby it has been

held that the initial burden of proof to bring sufficient evidence pointing towards the

guilt of the accused is on the prosecution. However, in case of last seen together, the

prosecution is exempted from proving the exact happenings of the incident as it is Page No.# 36/39

the accused who would have special knowledge of the incident and thus, would

have burden of proof under Section 106 of the Evidence Act. It has further been

observed that last seen together itself is not a conclusive proof but along with other

circumstances surrounding the incident, may lead to presumption of guilt.

57. In State of Rajasthan vs Kashi Ram reported in (2006) 12 SCC 254 it has been

held that if a person is last seen with the deceased he must offer explanation as to

how and when he had parted company with the deceased. He must furnish an

explanation which appears to the Court to be probable and satisfactory.

58. Considering the facts of the present case, evidence adduced by PWs-1, 3 and

6 clearly goes to show that the accused No.1, Abdul Kadir had picked up the victim

from his residence at around 4.30 p.m. on the day of occurrence and both of them

had gone to Bhojkhowa Capori to attend a meeting. From the testimony of PW-5 it

has come out that the victim was last seen together with the accused persons viz.

Alal, Nur Islam, Nurul, Ahir and Kadir at about 8.00 p.m. on the day of the incident

near Bhojkhowa Girls School which is the place of occurrence. This evidence of PW-5

was not specifically challenged by the defence side during his cross-examination.

PW-4 had also seen the accused persons Md. Abdul Kadir, Md. Nurul Islam, Md. Alal

Uddin, Md. Momruj Ali, Md. Tahir Uddin alias Ahir, Md. Nur Islam and Mr. Rustam Ali

assaulting the victim at the place of occurrence. From the above, it is firmly

established that the accused persons were last seen together with the victim

immediately before the occurrence. Although accused Abdul Kadir had surrendered

before the Police Station later in the evening, yet, he had offered no explanation as Page No.# 37/39

to the circumstances under which the victim had died. Rather, as mentioned above,

it appears that in his statement recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. accused Abdul

Kadir has told the police that in the incident (1) Md. Nurul Islam, (2) Md. Alaluddin, (3)

Md. Momruj Ali, (4) Md. Tahiruddin alias Ahir, (5) Md. Nur Islam, (6) Md. Rustam Ali and

(7) Md. Kapil Uddin were with him and were involved in the occurrence.

59. It is also to be noted herein that the conviction in the present case is not solely

based on the circumstance of last seen together but on the basis of evidence

adduced by eye-witness PW-4 and other witnesses whereby the prosecution has

succeeded in proving the homicidal death of the victim, the identity of the assailants,

the time and place of occurrence as well as the motive behind the crime. Therefore,

the last seen together circumstance find due corroboration from the other evidence

available on record.

60. This brings us to the last point raised by the learned counsel for the appellant

seeking to impeach the evidence adduced by PWs 1,3,4 5 and 6 on the ground that

all of them were related to the victim and therefore, were interested witnesses. The

question of reliability of the evidence adduced by close relatives of the victim was

considered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Dalip Singh vs. State of

Punjab reported in AIR 1953 SC 364 wherein, it was observed that ordinarily, a close

relative would be the last to screen the real culprit and falsely implicate an innocent

person. It has further been observed that when feelings run high and when there is

personal enmity, it is true that there would be a tendency to drag an innocent person

against whom a witness has a grudge along with the guilty but foundation must the Page No.# 38/39

laid for such a criticism and a mere fact of relationship, far from being a foundation, is

often a guarantee of truth. In the present case, it is true that some of the witnesses

are related to the victim and therefore, can be viewed as interested witnesses.

However, their testimony finds due corroboration from the evidence of one another

and also the evidence adduced by the independent witnesses examined by the

prosecution. There is nothing on record to show any previous enmity against the

accused persons and the witnesses. Moreover, the defence has also failed to lay the

foundation to impeach the testimony of such witnesses on the ground that they

being close relatives of the victim, had deposed falsely before the court. Under the

circumstances, we are of the opinion that their evidence need not be discarded

merely on the ground that they were close relatives of the victim, even if such

evidence is otherwise found to be reliable.

61. From an analysis of the evidence available on record in its entirety, we are of

the opinion that the prosecution had succeeded in establishing the charges brought

against the accused persons viz. Abdul Kadir, Alaluddin, Nur Islam and Nurul Islam

beyond reasonable doubt. Their conviction is therefore, affirmed.

62. In so far as appellant Md. Abdul Kadir Gilani is concerned, evidence on record

no doubt indicates his presence in the place of occurrence but as noted herein

before, the evidence is not sufficient to indicate his involvement in committing the

offence. Therefore, there is a genuine doubt as regards his actual involvement in

commissioning the crime. As such, giving the benefit of doubt, the conviction of

appellant Md. Abdul Kadir Gilani is hereby set aside and he is acquitted of the Page No.# 39/39

charges brought against him. Consequently, we direct that the appellant Md. Abdul

Kadir Gilani be forthwith released from jail if his custodial detention is not required in

connection with any other case.

The appeal is partly allowed

Send back the LCR.

                                JUDGE                               JUDGE



Comparing Assistant