T.P. Chandrasekharan Onchiyam Murder Case Judgement

8/10/2019 T.P. Chandrasekharan Onchiyam Murder Case Judgement

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IN THE COURT OF SESSION, KOZHIKODE DIVISION

Present : R.Narayana Pisharadi, Speia! "dditi#na! Sessi#ns $%d&e'(arad Cases), K#*hi+#de.

Tuesday, the 28th day of January, 2014(8th day of Magha, 1935, S.E)

Sessi#ns Case N#. -/0120

1) o!"#a$nant % State % &e"resented 'y the

e"uty Su"er$ntendent of o#$*e,

r$!e +ran*h .., --/, oh$ode.

+ r$!e o.40&--/2012.

(r$!e o.43312 of 6ataara o#$*e Stat$on).

2) a!e of 7**used % 1. 7noo" So. angadharan (71),7ged 3012,Manga#assery -ouse, uthoor 7!so!,

hendayad, adanthaha, annur.

2. Mano u!ar : $r!an$ Mano (72),So. angadharan,

7ged 3012,adu;$# Ma#ayatte -ouse,

anthaa# .


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5. .. Muha!!ed Shaf$ : Shaf$ (75),So. Mo$du,

7ged 2=12,ara!'ath -ouse,

ear ho#$


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12.eoth$ +a'u, So. r$shnan (712)7ged 5112, >r$shna $;as>,ara!'ath -ouse,heru"ara!'a ost, unnoth ara!'a,

annur $str$*t.

13.and$nare unh$att$# unhanandan (713)So.annan a$r, 7ged 212,e#othanta;$da, o#a;a##ur ost,unnoth ara!'a an*hayath,annangode.

14..Mohanan : Mohanan Master (714)So. &a!an, 7ged 5812,oootte -ouse, 6atto#$ ost,

aatt$#, oh$ode $str$*t.

15.Sh$'u.. So. o;$ndan (71) 7ged 3012,

Mara$nta;$de -ouse, att$a!,a*ha""oy$# ost, Muth$yanga,o? res$d$ng at 6annathan 6eett$#,

ara;oor.

1.Sree$th. , So. Janu( 71=), 7ged 3012,Meetha#e uray$# -ouse,Muth$yanga ost, att$a!.

1=..6. &afee : 6aha""a"ada*h$ &afee(718)So. -a!sa, 7ged 312,6a#$ya utha#ath -ouse,a##ur ost, Mahe.

18. 7s?anth .. : 7*hu (719)So. &aan, 7ged 2012,.. -ouse (hett$ya!andy),o""araa#a! @uarters,a#uthara ost,a##ur, Mahe.

19... $#shad (720)So. &ah$!, 7ged 2=12,o##a!"ara!'ath -ouse,oroth &oad, 7h$yoor ost,6ataara, oh$ode $str$*t.

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20... Muha!!ed Aasa#u : Aasa#u (721)So. Mo$du, 7ged 2812,ara"ara!'ath Meetha# -ouse,oroth &oad, 7h$yoor ost,

6ataara, oh$ode $str$*t.

21.Sanoo". M. (722)So. +a#ar$shnan,

7ged 2512,arayu##ath$# -ouse,Thatto#$ara, ho!'a#a ost,6ataara, oh$ode $str$*t.

22... &a$anth : oora""an (725)So. &agha;an, 7ged 3012,

h$runna!and$y$#,od$yer$ 7!so!,ara#, annur.

23.&a$th. , So. &aan (72=)7ged 2312,7nantha! -ouse, od$yer$,ara# ost, annur.

24..M. &a!eesh : uttu (728)So. &a;$, 7ged 2112,>&e!yatha $;as>, 7h$yoor ost,a##ara;ath, 6ataara.

25... $"$n : uttan : $"$ (729)So. $#ee"an, 7ged 212,unnu!!a# -ouse,otta!a#aunnu,

7h$yoor ost, 6ataara 6$##age.

2.&a;eendran M., So. hathu (730)7ged 4=12, adaya!andy -ouse,Era!a#a 6$##age,


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28.Shano : e#an (733) So. unh$ra!an, 7ged 3212, $haey$# -ouse, Muth$yanga,

att$a! 7!so!, annur $str$*t.

29. J$esh u!ar, So. angadharan (73) 7ged 2812,


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3.. J$gesh, So. u!aran (750) 7ged 2512, J$$ $;as -ouse,

Muhaunnu 7!so!,Mudaoh$, annur.

3=.. hananayan (7=0)So. r$shnan a$r,

7ged 5312, 7raya#""urath -ouse, ara;oor, oothu"ara!'a.

3) harge % Cnder se*t$ons 143, 14=, 148, 302 read ?$th149 and 45, 4=1, 118, 201, 212, 120+, 109and 115 .. and se*t$ons 3 and 5 of the

ED"#os$;e Su'stan*es 7*t, 1908.

4) #ea of the a**used % ot gu$#ty.

5) A$nd$ng % 710, 712, 714, 71, 71=, 719, 720, 721, 722,725, 72=, 728, 729, 730, 733, 73, 73=, 739,741, 742, 748, 749, 750 and 7=0 are foundnot gu$#ty of the offen*es *harged aga$nst the!and they are a*u$tted us 235(1) r... 71 $sfound gu$#ty of the offen*es "un$sha'#e us. 143,

14= and 302 r? 149 ... 72 $s found gu$#ty ofthe offen*es "un$sha'#e us. 143, 14=, 148 and302 r? 149 .. and us 5 of the ED"#os$;eSu'stan*es 7*t, 1908. 73 $s found gu$#ty of theoffen*es "un$sha'#e us. 143, 14=, 148 and 302.. and us. 3 of the ED"#os$;e Su'stan*es

7*t, 1908. 74, 75, 7 and 7= are found gu$#ty ofthe offen*es "un$sha'#e us. 143, 14=, 148 and302 ... 7 8, 711 and 713 are found gu$#ty ofthe offen*e "un$sha'#e us 120+ r? 302 ...

718 $s found gu$#ty of the offen*e "un$sha'#e

us. 302 r? 109 ... 731 $s found gu$#ty of theoffen*e "un$sha'#e us. 201 ...

) Senten*e or order % (1) 71 $s senten*ed to $!"r$son!ent for #$fe and

to "ay a f$ne of &s.50000/. ..&.. for a "er$od

of one year for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 302

r? 149 ... -e $s a#so senten*ed to undergo

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&.. for a "er$od of s$D !onths for the offen*e

"un$sha'#e us. 143 .. and &.. for a "er$od of

one year for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us 14=

...

(2) 72 $s senten*ed to $!"r$son!ent for #$fe and



r?. 149 ... -e $s a#so senten*ed to undergo

&. for a "er$od of s$D !onths for the offen*e

"un$sha'#e us. 143 .. and &.. for a "er$od

of one year for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 14=

.. and &.. for a "er$od of t?o years for the

offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 148 ... -e $s a#so

senten*ed to undergo &.. for a "er$od of f$;e

years and to "ay a f$ne of &s.10000 / and

..&.. for a "er$od of s$D !onths for the offen*e

"un$sha'#e us. 5 of the ED"#os$;e Su'stan*es

7*t, 1908.

(3) 73 $s senten*ed to $!"r$son!ent for #$fe and



... -e $s a#so senten*ed to undergo &.. for a

"er$od of s$D !onths for the offen*e "un$sha'#e

us. 143 .. and &.. for a "er$od of one year

for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us.14= .. and&.. for a "er$od of t?o years for the offen*e

"un$sha'#e us. 148 ... -e $s a#so senten*ed

to undergo &.. for a "er$od of ten years and to

"ay a f$ne of &s.20000/ and ..&.. for a "er$od

of one year for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 3 of

the ED"#os$;e Su'stan*es 7*t, 1908.

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(4) 74, 75, 7 and 7= are senten*ed to

$!"r$son!ent for #$fe and to "ay a f$ne of

&s.50000/ ea*h. ..&.. for a "er$od of one

year ea*h for the offen*e "un$sha'#e uS 302

... Ea*h of the! $s a#so senten*ed to

undergo &.. for a "er$od of s$D !onths for the

offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 143 .. and &.. for a

"er$od of one year for the offen*e "un$sha'#e

us. 14= .. and &.. for a "er$od of t?o years

for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 148 ...

(5) 78, 711 and 713 are senten*ed to

$!"r$son!ent for #$fe and to "ay a f$ne of

&s.100000/ ea*h. ..&.. for a "er$od of t?o

years ea*h for the offen*e "un$sha'#e us. 120+

r?. 302 ...

() 718 $s senten*ed to $!"r$son!ent for #$fe

and to "ay a f$ne of &s.100000/. ..&.. for a

"er$od of t?o years for the offen*e "un$sha'#e

us. 302 r? 109 ...

(=) 731 $s senten*ed to undergo &.. for a "er$od

of three years and to "ay a f$ne of &s.20000/.

..&.. for a "er$od of s$D !onths for the offen*e

"un$sha'#e us. 201 ... -e ?as under

detent$on dur$ng the "er$od fro! 1.05.2012 to23.08.2012. Th$s "er$od sha## 'e set off aga$nst

the su'stant$;e senten*e of $!"r$son!ent

a?arded to h$!.

(8) The senten*e of #$fe $!"r$son!ent a?arded

to the a**used $s for the ?ho#e of the re!a$n$ng

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#$fe of the! su'e*t to the re!$ss$on granted 'y

the a""ro"r$ate o;ern!ent under se*t$on 432

r#.., ?h$*h, $n turn, $s su'e*t to the "ro;$s$on

*onta$ned $n se*t$on 4337 r#...

(9) The su'stant$;e senten*es of $!"r$son!ent

a?arded sha## run *on*urrent#y.

(10) f the f$ne a!ount $s rea#$sed, &s.300000/

sha## 'e "a$d to &e!a (5), the ?$fe of the

de*eased and &s.200000/ sha## 'e "a$d to

7'h$nand (13), the son of the de*eased as

*o!"ensat$on us. 35= r#...

(11) The *harge aga$nst 79, ?ho $s no !ore,

stands a'ated.

=) o. of r$!e and

na!e of "o#$*e stat$on % r$!e o.+40&--2012,+, oh$ode. (r$!e o. 4332012 of6ataara o#$*e Stat$on).

8) a!e of the *o!!$tt$ng

Mag$strate % Sr$. M. Suha$',

Jud$*$a# A$rst #ass Mag$strate,

6ataara.

9) rose*ut$on *ondu*ted 'y % Sr$. ..Sreedharan, S"e*$a# u'#$* rose*utorand Sr$. .u!aranutty, 7sso*$ate u'#$*rose*utor.

10) 7**used defended 'y % 71 to 73 'y 7d;. Sr$. +. &a!an $##a$, 74 and75 'y 7d;. Sr$. M.7soan, 7d;. Sr$. .M.Sath$sharayanan, 7 and 7= 'y 7d;. Sr$. .6. -ar$,

7d;. Sr$. T.S. 7ay, 78 and 720 to 722 'y 7d;.Sr$. .M. &a!das, 79 'y 7d;. Sr$..Sreedharan a$r, 710 'y 7d;. Sr$. ..a!odharan a!'$ar, 711 and 712 'y 7d;.Sr$. .6$s?an, 713 'y 7d;. Sr$. .o"a#ar$shna uru", 7d;. Sr$. .. Suu!aran

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ra"$d s"read and gro?th ?$th r$*h re?ards and d$;$dends to *r$!$na#s. The a#ar!$ng rate

of so*$a# res"e*ta'$#$ty su*h e#$te gangster$s! ga$n$ng day 'y day $n the !$dst of "eo"#e

?ho *hose and had g$;en unto the!se#;es the r$ght to e#e*t the$r ru#ers, !ost#y gu$ded

'y !$sd$re*ted a##eg$an*e to "arty "o#$t$*s and se#f or$ented "rof$t !a$ng endea;ours

see! to "ro;$de the reu$red ne*tar for $ts !an$fo#d and !yr$ad ?ays of ;ent$#at$on ?$th

$!"un$ty. Though $t $s an $rony, yet a**e"ted truth $s that the Fho!e ru#eG ?e *ou#d

a*h$e;e 'y Gnon/;$o#en*eG has 'e*o!e the root *ause for generat$ng Gho!$*$da#G *u#ture

of "o#$t$*a# go;ernan*e effe*t$;e#y sh$e#ded 'y un"r$n*$"#ed !ass sy!"ath$es and h$gh#y

"rof$t/or$ented se#f$sh des$gns of uns*ru"u#ous G"eo"#eG ?ho ha;e !any fa*eted $!ages

to "resent the!se#;es at t$!es to the eDtent of the$r de$f$*at$on.GG (See &a! Cdgar S$ngh

6s State of +$har % (2004) 10 S 443).

4. 7ngu$sh and anD$ety eD"ressed as a'o;e 'y the 7"eD ourt of the *ountry

a de*ade ago see! to ha;e not yet y$e#ded any fru$tfu# resu#t. ro!ot$on of "o#$t$*a#

;$o#en*e *ont$nues.


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5. Th$s *ase $s 'ased on the f$na# re"ort f$#ed 'y the e"uty Su"er$ntendent

of o#$*e, r$!e +ran*h .., --/, oh$ode $n r$!e o.43312 of 6ataara

"o#$*e stat$on ?h$*h ?as re/reg$stered as + r$!e o.40&--/2012.

The rose*ut$on ase

. The *ase re#ates to the !urder of Sr$. T..handraseharan, ?ho ?as the

#eader of &e;o#ut$onary MarD$st arty. The syno"s$s of the "rose*ut$on *ase $s that on

the n$ght of 04.05.2012, at a "u'#$* road at the "#a*e 6a##$ad, a**used 1 to = ha*ed

the ;$*t$! to death, str$$ng h$! ?$th s?ords and that the th$rd a**used *aused

eD"#os$on ?$th a *ountry !ade 'o!' to "re;ent ?$tnesses fro! a""roa*h$ng the s*ene

of the $n*$dent and that a *r$!$na# *ons"$ra*y had 'een hat*hed 'y a**used 8 to 14 to

*o!!$t su*h !urder and that the other a**used $n the *ase had $n one ?ay or other

ass$sted eDe*ut$ng the !urder and #ater $n s*reen$ng the a**used or o'#$terat$ng the

e;$den*e of the *r$!e.

=. The a##egat$ons aga$nst the a**used $n the f$na# re"ort *an 'e des*r$'ed a

#$tt#e !ore $n deta$# as fo##o?s% T..handraseharan ?as an a*t$;e !e!'er of the

o!!un$st arty of nd$a (MarD$st). -e ?as a #o*a# #eader of the .. (M). 7#ong ?$th

so!e others, he #eft .. (M) and for!ed a ne? "arty *a##ed >&e;o#ut$onary MarD$st

arty> (&.M.). The ne? "o#$t$*a# "arty ra$sed strong *ha##enge to the .. (M) $n


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e#e*t$on. efeat of the .. (M) *and$date at the 6ataara *onst$tuen*y $n the

Bo Sa'ha e#e*t$on, "resu!a'#y due to the "resen*e of T..handraseharan as a

*and$date $n the e#e*t$on, $ntens$;e#y $nf#a!ed the an$!os$ty and r$;a#ry 'et?een

the t?o "o#$t$*a# "art$es. 7 *r$!$na# *ons"$ra*y ?as then hat*hed to !urder

T..handraseharan. ur$ng the !onths of Se"te!'er and


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8. 4, the Su' ns"e*tor of 6ataara "o#$*e stat$on, after *ondu*t$ng #a?

and order duty, rea*hed the "o#$*e stat$on at 22.25 hours on 04.05.2012. The Sen$or

$;$# o#$*e


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+ran*h. 7 S"e*$a# n;est$gat$on Tea! ?as *onst$tuted.


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14. Th$s *ourt fra!ed *harge aga$nst the re!a$n$ng =2 a**used under

se*t$ons 143, 14=, 148, 302 read ?$th 149 .. and 45, 4=1, 115 ,118, 201, 212, 120+

and 109 .. and a#so under se*t$ons 3 and 5 of the ED"#os$;e Su'stan*es 7*t, 1908.

7## the =2 a**used "#eaded not gu$#ty.

15. 7s "er the order dated 21.01.2013 $n &M7 o. 4522013 $n r#. &..

o. 1322013 and $n &M7 o. 4542013 $n r#.&.. o.1332013 and $n &M7 o.

50=2013 $n r#.&.. o. 1452013 and $n &M7 o. 5082013 $n r#.&.. o. 142013,

the -on>'#e -$gh ourt stayed a## further "ro*eed$ngs $n the *ase aga$nst a**used 53,

58, 0, 2 to 9 and =1 to =4.

1. 7s the tr$a# aga$nst the re!a$n$ng a**used ?as not stayed 'y the -onG'#e

-$gh ourt and as there ?as a d$re*t$on 'y the -onG'#e -$gh ourt to d$s"ose of the

*ase on or 'efore 31.=.2013, th$s *ourt "ro*eeded ?$th the tr$a# aga$nst the re!a$n$ng 5=

a**used. (The t$!e f$Ded for d$s"os$ng the *ase ?as su'seuent#y eDtended 'y the

-onG'#e -$gh ourt).

1=. There ?ere 284 ?$tnesses *$ted 'y the "rose*ut$on for eDa!$nat$on.


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(1) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used 1 to = ?ere !e!'ers of an

un#a?fu# asse!'#y, the *o!!on o'e*t of ?h$*h ?as to *o!!$t !urder of

T..handraseharanI

(2) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that $n "rose*ut$on of the *o!!on o'e*t of

the un#a?fu# asse!'#y of ?h$*h a**used 1 to = ?ere !e!'ers, a**used 3 to =, ?$th the

$ntent$on of *aus$ng the death of T..handraseharan, stru* h$! ?$th s?ords on h$s

head and other "arts of h$s 'ody and *aused h$! gr$e;ous $nur$es ?h$*h resu#ted $n h$s

death and thus *o!!$tted h$s !urder I

(3) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used 1 to 5 and = to 14 had hat*hed

any *ons"$ra*y to !urder T..handraseharan I

(4) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that the th$rd a**used un#a?fu##y and

!a#$*$ous#y *aused eD"#os$on 'y a *ountry !ade 'o!', an eD"#os$;e su'stan*e, ?h$*h

?as of a nature #$e#y to endanger #$fe and *ause ser$ous $nury to "ro"erty I

(5) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that the se*ond a**used had $n h$s

"ossess$on or under h$s *ontro#, eD"#os$;e su'stan*e, under su*h *$r*u!stan*es as to

g$;e a reasona'#e sus"$*$on that he had $t $n h$s "ossess$on or under h$s *ontro# not for a

#a?fu# o'e*t I

() -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that on 04.05.2012, 'et?een 4 ".! and

10 ".!, ?$thout #a?fu# author$ty and d$shonest#y and fraudu#ent#y, the f$rst a**used

*aused a nu!'er "#ate ha;$ng fae reg$strat$on nu!'er B/187594 to 'e aff$Ded on

the nno;a ar B/588144 and thus *o!!$tted forgery and that he used the aforesa$d

forged nu!'er "#ate as genu$ne I

(=) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that at so!e t$!e after 10.15 ".! on

04.05.2012, the th$rd a**used entrusted a**used no.31 f$;e '#ood/sta$ned s?ords ?h$*h

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?ere used 'y h$! and a**used 4 to = to *ause the death of T..handraseharan and

thus *aused e;$den*e of *o!!$tt$ng the offen*e of !urder to d$sa""earI

(8) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used 8 to 14 a'etted the !urder of

T..handraseharan I

(9) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.8, at so!e t$!e 'et?een

04.05.2012 and 0=.05.2012, destroyed the !o'$#e "hone ha;$ng the SM *ard nu!'er

9=4=1=04=1 a#ong?$th that SM *ard ?h$*h ?as used for fa*$#$tat$ng the !urder of

T..handraseharan and there'y *aused e;$den*e of the offen*e of !urder to

d$sa""ear ?$th the $ntent$on of s*reen$ng h$!se#f and a**used 1 to = fro! #ega#

"un$sh!ent I

(10) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used 1 and 1=, on 2=.04.2012,

!ade atte!"t to f$nd out the ?herea'outs of T..handraseharan and to $dent$fy h$!

for the "ur"ose of *aus$ng h$s death I

(11) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.18, at a'out 12 noon on

25.04.2012, at the "re!$ses of Mahe +r$dge, "ut h$s s$gnature $n the *heue ha;$ng the

nu!'er 12222 $ssued fro! od$yer$ o/o"erat$;e +an to a**ount no. 919 !a$nta$ned

'y a**used no. 25 $n that 'an and thus *o!!$tted forgery and fraudu#ent#y and

d$shonest#y used the aforesa$d *heue as a genu$ne do*u!ent I

(12) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.18, 'et?een 25.04.2012

and 04.05.2012, entrusted the *ar B/58 8144 ?h$*h ?as o'ta$ned 'y h$! on rent to

the f$rst a**used and there'y a'etted *o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urderI


and 04.05.2012, ?$thout any #a?fu# author$ty, d$shonest#y and fraudu#ent#y, !ade fae

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nu!'er "#ate B/187 594 and at the $nstan*e of the f$rst a**used aff$Ded $t on the

nno;a *ar B/58 8144 and there'y *o!!$tted forgeryI


and 04.05.2012, d$shonest#y and fraudu#ent#y, !ade and aff$Ded the st$*er >Masha 7##ah>

$n 7ra'$* #anguage on the nno;a *ar B/58 8144 ?$th the $ntent$on to fa*$#$tate the use

of the aforesa$d *ar 'y a**used 1 to = $n *o!!$tt$ng the !urder of T..handraseharan

and there'y a'etted *o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urder I


and 04.05.2012, o'ta$ned four SM *ards through 19 $ssar and 1=0 Ja'$r and

entrusted the! to the th$rd a**used ?$th the $ntent$on of a$d$ng and fa*$#$tat$ng the

!urder of T..handraseharan and thus a'etted the !urder of T..handraseharanI


and 04.05.2012, o'ta$ned and entrusted s?ords to the th$rd a**used ?$th the $ntent$on

of a$d$ng and fa*$#$tat$ng the !urder of T..handraseharan and the aforesa$d s?ords

?ere used for *o!!$tt$ng the !urder of T..handraseharan and thus he a'etted the

!urder of T..handraseharan I

(1=) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.22, on 25.04.2012 and

2.04.2012, tra;e##ed $n the nno;a ar B/58 8144 a#ong ?$th a**used 1 to 5 and = $n


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(19) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.2=, 'et?een 24.04.2012

and 04.05.2012, o'ta$ned and entrusted s?ords to the th$rd a**used ?$th the $ntent$on of

a$d$ng and fa*$#$tat$ng the !urder of T..handraseharan and thus a'etted the offen*e

of !urderI

(20) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.2=, on 02.05.2012 and

03.05.2012, a#ong ?$th a**used 24 and 28 and a#so ?$th the ass$stan*e of a**used

no.30, found out T..handraseharan $n


22/420

04.05.2012 or thereafter, "ut the '#ood/sta$ned s?ords, ?h$*h ?ere used for *o!!$tt$ng

the !urder of T..handraseharan and ?h$*h ?ere entrusted to h$! 'y the th$rd

a**used, $nto a ?e## 'eh$nd 6asude;a Ser;$*e Stat$on $n ho#$, ?$th the no?#edge that

they had 'een used to *o!!$t the !urder of T..handraseharan and *aused e;$den*e

of the *o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urder to d$sa""ear ?$th the $ntent$on of s*reen$ng

the offenders fro! #ega# "un$sh!ent I

(2) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.31,on 04.05.2012 at a'out

11.30 ".!, too a**used no., ?ho ?as $nured ?h$#e *o!!$tt$ng the a*t of !urder$ng

T..handraseharan, to .M.. -os"$ta# $n ho#$ for treat!ent and that he ga;e fa#se

$nfor!at$on $n the hos"$ta# regard$ng the na!e of a**used no. and the *ause of the

$nury susta$ned 'y h$! and *aused e;$den*e of the *o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urder

to d$sa""ear and a#so har'oured a**used no.I

(2=) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.33, at a'out 11.30 ".! on

04.05.2012, too a**used no.4 to Byndas Bodge $n oothu"ara!'a, ?$th the no?#edge

that a**used no.4 ?as one of the "ersons ?ho *o!!$tted !urder of

T..handraseharan and that he too a roo! $n that Bodge $n h$s na!e and a##o?ed

a**used no.4 to res$de $n that roo! and thus har'oured*on*ea#ed h$! ?$th the $ntent$on

of s*reen$ng h$! fro! #ega# "un$sh!entI

(28) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.3, on or after the n$ght of

04.05.2012, 'urnt the '#ood/sta$ned *#othes ?h$*h ?ere ?orn 'y a**used no. at the

t$!e of *o!!$tt$ng the !urder of T..handraseharan and *aused e;$den*e of

*o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urder to d$sa""earI

(29) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.3=, on or after the n$ght of

22


23/420

04.05.2012, 'urnt the '#ood/sta$ned f#oor !at ?h$*h ?as re!o;ed fro! the nno;a ar

B/58 8144 ?h$*h ?as used 'y a**used 1 to = for fa*$#$tat$ng the !urder of

T..handraseharan and *aused e;$den*e of *o!!$ss$on of the offen*e of !urder to

d$sa""earI

(30) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.3= ,on or after the n$ght of

04.05.2012, ?$th the no?#edge that the f$rst a**used ?as one of the "ersons ?ho

*o!!$tted the !urder of T..handraseharan, ass$sted the f$rst a**used to

*on*ea#a's*ond ?$th the $ntent$on of s*reen$ng the f$rst a**used fro! #ega#

"un$sh!ent I

(31) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.3=, on or after the n$ght of

04.05.2012, ?$th the no?#edge that a**used no.35 had *aused e;$den*e of the !urder

of T..handraseharan to d$sa""ear 'y a'andon$ng the nno;a ar B/58 8144 at

the "#a*e unath$#!uu $n ho#$, ass$sted a**used no.35 to a's*ond*on*ea# I

(32) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used no.39, on or after the n$ght of

04.05.2012, too a**used no. to the Tha#assery 7rea o!!$ttee


24/420

"ersons ?ho had *o!!$tted !urder of T..handraseharan and ?$th the $ntent$on of

s*reen$ng the! fro! #ega# "un$sh!ent I

(34) -as the "rose*ut$on "ro;ed that a**used 42 and =0, on or after the

n$ght of 04.05.2012, har'oured*on*ea#ed a**used 1 to 3 and 5 $n the uthu"ara!'a

7rea o!!$ttee


25/420


26/420

frag!ents "$er*ed the dura !ater and fronta# #o'es of 'ra$n. Aro! the u""er !arg$n of

the 'ony defe*t a f$ssured fra*ture *! #ong eDtended trans;erse#y a#ong the fronta#

'one to the r$ght s$de of head, another f$ssured fra*ture 8 *! #ong eDtended to the ;au#t

of su##. The 'a* end of the su## defe*t on the #eft s$de of head eDtended a#ong the

!asto$d "ro*ess *utt$ng $t shar"#y trans;erse#y u" to the #eft s$de of 'a* of head.

Shar"#y *ut 'one frag!ents ?ere found a;u#sed on the #eft s$de of 'a* of head.

7 f$ssured fra*ture *! #ong eDtended fro! the 'ony defe*t on the #eft s$de of head to

#eft "ar$eta# "ro!$nen*e. There ?as a shar" *ut on the #eft s$de of 'a* of su##

trans;erse#y "#a*ed 10 *! #ong $n;o#;$ng 'oth ta'#es of su## under#y$ng the eDterna#

$nury 2 (a). 7 shar"#y *ut a;u#sed 'one seg!ent trans;erse#y "#a*ed 9D3 *! seen on the

'a* of head $n;o#;$ng the o**$"$ta# 'one underneath $nury no.1, through ?h$*h $n*$sed

dura!ater and *ut 'ra$n ?as "rotrud$ng. The #eft s$de and !$d#$ne of anter$or *ran$a#

fossa ?as fra*tured and frag!ented ?$th "er$ or'$ta# fat of #eft s$de "rotrud$ng $nto the

*ran$a# *a;$ty. The #eft s$de of !$dd#e *ran$a# fossa ?as found shattered ?$th a shar" *ut

a#ong the ent$re #ength of #eft "etrous te!"ora# 'one. The #eft !asto$d "ro*ess ?as

shar"#y *ut ?$th fra*tures eDtend$ng to the #eft s$de of "oster$or *ran$a# fossa. The #eft

fronta# #o'e of the 'ra$n sho?ed an $n*$sed *ut 9 *! $n;o#;$ng the ent$re th$*ness (5*!)

se"arat$ng the ent$re fronta# #o'e fro! the *ere'ra# he!$s"here ?$th the *ut "ass$ng

through the anter$or horn of #eft #atera# ;entr$*#e. Th$n su' ara*hno$d hae!orrhage seen

o;er 'oth the *ere'ra# he!$s"here. The un*t$on of !$d 'ra$n and "ons ?as #a*erated

?$th "art$a# se"arat$on of u""er 'ra$n ste!. The #eft 'as$ fronta#, 'as$ te!"ora# reg$on

and outer as"e*t of #eft fronta# #o'e ?as #a*erated and *ontused. The #eft o**$"$ta#

#o'e ?as found *ut shar"#y underneath the a;u#sed o**$"$ta# 'one ?$th *ontus$on

of #eft 'as$ o**$"$ta# reg$on. The *ut on the #eft *ere'ra# fronta# #o'e ?as d$re*ted

26


27/420

!ed$a##y and 'a*?ards >>.

28. 13 has g$;en e;$den*e that $nur$es 1 to 3 and 5 to = resu#t$ng $n $nury

o.14 had #ed to the death of the ;$*t$!. -e has de"osed that these $nur$es are

suff$*$ent $n the ord$nary *ourse to *ause death.

29.There $s no reason to f$nd that the o"$n$on of 13 $s $nherent#y

defe*t$;e. The do*tor ?ho eDa!$ned the de*eased and *ondu*ted the "ost!orte! $s the

on#y *o!"etent "erson to o"$ne the nature of the $nur$es and *ause of death. t $s on#y

$n a *ase, ?here the o"$n$on $s $nherent#y defe*t$;e, the *ourt ?$## d$s*ard h$s e;$den*e

(Sahe'rao Mohan +erad 6s. State % 2011 r$.B.J 215= % (2011) 4 S 249). n the

a'sen*e of any *on;$n*$ng e;$den*e that the do*tor ho#d$ng "ost !orte! eDa!$nat$on

has de#$'erate#y g$;en a ?rong re"ort, h$s e;$den*e $s not #$a'#e to 'e d$s*arded

(Tan;$'en anau!ar $;et$a 6s State of uarat % 7..& 199= S 2193 ). There $s no

o'#$gat$on on the do*tor to des*r$'e the or$g$n or *ause of the $nur$es $n the "ost!orte!

re"ort as he stated $n h$s de"os$t$on $n the *ourt ( State of una' 6s Jugra S$ngh % 7..&

2002 S 1083 %2002 r$. B. J. 1503).

30.The e;$den*e of 13 and EDt.1=9 "ost!orte! *ert$f$*ate $ssued 'y

h$! esta'#$sh 'eyond dou't that T..handraseharan had a ho!$*$da# death.

eath of T..handraseharan ef$n$te ase of Murder

31. The defen*e has not d$s"uted the fa*t that the a*t of *aus$ng the death of

T..handraseharan, ?hoe;er has done $t, a!ounts to !urder "un$sha'#e under

se*t$on 302 of the nd$an ena# ode. t $s not an a*t of a #esser degree of *aus$ng death

of a "erson. The $nur$es noted $n the "ost!orte! *ert$f$*ate on the head and the fa*e of

27


28/420

the ;$*t$! $nd$*ate that $t ?as an a*t of $ntent$ona##y *aus$ng the death of a "erson. There

$s no need to ana#yse the other e;$den*e $n the *ase to *o!e to a def$n$te *on*#us$on

that the a*t of *aus$ng death of T..handraseharan ?as !urder "un$sha'#e under

se*t$on 302 of the nd$an ena# ode.

32. 7**ord$ng to the "rose*ut$on, a**used 1 to = had rea*hed the s*ene of

the $n*$dent $n a *ar dr$;en 'y the f$rst a**used. t $s a##eged that T.. handraseharan

?as *o!$ng fro! the o""os$te d$re*t$on r$d$ng a !otor *y*#e and that the f$rst a**used

ra!!ed the *ar on to the !otor *y*#e and ?hen T.. handraseharan fe## do?n on the

road, a**used 2 to = u!"ed out of the *ar and a**used 3 to = atta*ed h$! ?$th

s?ords and ha*ed h$! to death. t $s a#so a##eged that the se*ond a**used ?as

*arry$ng a *ountry !ade 'o!' ?$th h$! and that the th$rd a**used got $t fro! h$! and

*aused an eD"#os$on 'y thro?$ng $t on the road to terr$fy the "ersons ?ho rea*hed there.

33. 1 to 3 are the eye/?$tnesses eDa!$ned 'y the "rose*ut$on to

"ro;e the !urder. They ha;e g$;en e;$den*e regard$ng the h$deous $n*$dent *#a$!ed to

ha;e seen 'y the!.

Test$!ony of raseed (1)

34. 7 su!!ary of the e;$den*e of 1 raseed ($n eDa!$nat$on/$n/*h$ef)

regard$ng the $n*$dent *an 'e stated as fo##o?s% The $n*$dent too "#a*e at a'out 22.15

hours on 04.05.2012 on the s$de of a$natt$/utt$ad$ road at the "#a*e 6a##$ad. The

ann$;ersary of 6a##$ad +rothers #u' ?as s*hedu#ed to 'e he#d on 05.05.2012. 7t

a'out 20.00 hours on 04.05.2012, 1 'egan to de*orate the "re!$ses of the *#u' and

the #o*a# area. &a!a*handran (2), &a!esan (2) and Maneesh u!ar (3)

?ere ?$th h$!. 7t a'out 22.00 hours, they rea*hed 6ar$saun$ Jun*t$on to t$e a 'anner

28


29/420

there. 1 then ?anted to go ho!e and he "ro*eeded to ?a# to?ards h$s house $n the

#o*a#$ty. hen he rea*hed so!e d$stan*e, a #$ght *o#oured nno;a ar *a!e fro!

'eh$nd h$!, too a turn there and "ro*eeded to?ards


30/420

ee".

35. 1 has de"osed that there ?as #$ght at the s*ene of the $n*$dent fro!

the Beague -ouse and the ..S.7 off$*e 'u$#d$ng. -e has a#so stated that the eng$ne

and the #$ghts of the nno;a *ar had not 'een "ut off. 1 ?ou#d say that there ?as

a#so 'r$ght !oon #$ght at the t$!e of the $n*$dent.

3. 1 $dent$f$ed a**used 1 to = $n the *ourt as the "ersons ?ho *a!e $n

the nno;a *ar and ha*ed the ;$*t$! ?$th s?ords. -e s"e*$f$*a##y $dent$f$ed the a**used

7noo" (71) as the "erson ?ho ?as dr$;$ng the *ar and the a**used Mano u!ar (72)

as the "erson ?ho ?as ho#d$ng the round o'e*t $n h$s hand. -e ?ou#d say that the

other f$;e "ersons $dent$f$ed 'y h$! $n the *ourt ?ere the "ersons seen 'y h$! as str$$ng

the ;$*t$! ?$th s?ords. 1 has a#so stated that the nu!'er seen on the nno;a *ar

?as B/187 594. 1 has a#so de"osed that $n the $dent$f$*at$on "arade he#d on

11.0.2012, 14.0.2012 and 12.0=.2012, he had $dent$f$ed the a**used T.. &aeesh

(74), 7noo" (71) and Sh$no (7=). 1 has further stated that on 23.05.2012 he had

"o$nted out S$$th (7) to the "o#$*e at the *a!" off$*e of the S"e*$a# n;est$gat$on Tea!

(S..T). -e ?ou#d a#so say that on 19.0.2012, at the off$*e of the S..T , he had "o$nted

out Muha!!ed Shaf$ (75), Mano u!ar (72) and Sun$ (73) to the "o#$*e. 1

$dent$f$ed the nno;a *ar B/58 8144 "ared $n the *o!"ound of the *ourt as the *ar

$n;o#;ed $n the $n*$dent.

3=. 1 has a#so g$;en e;$den*e regard$ng the se$ure of the nno;a *ar

a##eged to ha;e 'een found a'andoned at the "#a*e unath$#!uu. -$s e;$den*e $n th$s

regard *an 'e su!!ar$ed as fo##o?s%


31/420

near ho#$. The y.S., 6ataara ?as then "resent there. 7#ong?$th &a!a*handran,

1 a""roa*hed the y.S. and to#d h$! that they *ou#d $dent$fy the *ar $n;o#;ed $n the

$n*$dent. The y.S. then too the! $n h$s ;eh$*#e to the "#a*e unath$#!uu near

ho#$. They sa? there the *ar ?h$*h ?as seen 'y the! dur$ng the $n*$dent on the

"re;$ous day. The *o#our of the *ar ?as the sa!e. There ?as ?r$t$ng $n 7ra'$* on the

front and the rear s$des of the *ar. The *ar found the! there had the reg$strat$on

nu!'er B/58 8144. 7 "erson 'rought there the s"are ey of the *ar. The *ar ?as

o"ened 'y us$ng that ey. 1 sa? eD"erts eDa!$n$ng the *ar and *o##e*t$ng '#ood/

sta$ns and ha$rs fro! $t. The "o#$*e se$ed the *ar and the art$*#es found $ns$de the *ar

as "er EDt.1 !ahaar. 1 $dent$f$ed h$s s$gnature $n EDt.1 !ahaar. 1 a#so

$dent$f$ed M


32/420

the road. Then raseed (1) ?a#ed to?ards h$s house stat$ng that he ?ou#d go

ho!e and *o!e 'a*. 7t that t$!e, a #$ght *o#oured nno;a *ar *a!e fro!


33/420

41. 2 has $dent$f$ed the a**used Mano u!ar (72), S$$th (7),

Muha!!ed Shaf$ (75), T.. &aeesh (74) and Sh$no (7=) $n the *ourt as the assa$#ants.

-e $dent$f$ed 7noo" (71) $n the *ourt as the dr$;er of the nno;a *ar. 2 $dent$f$ed the

f$;e s?ords (M


34/420

7 su!!ary of h$s e;$den*e $n eDa!$nat$on/$n/*h$ef *an 'e stated as fo##o?s% The

$n*$dent too "#a*e at a'out 22.15 hours on 04.05.2012 at the eastern s$de of a$natt$/

utt$ad$ road $n 6a##$ad To?n. The ann$;ersary of 6a##$ad +rothers #u' ?as

s*hedu#ed to 'e he#d on 05.05.2012 $n 6a##$ad 6ar$saun$ C. S*hoo#.

&a!a*handran (2) and S$;ara!an (182) had to#d 3 to de*orate the s*hoo#

and $ts "re!$ses. The de*orat$on ?or 'egan after 20.00 hours on 04.05.2012.

raseed (1), &a!esan (2), S$;ara!an (182) and &a!a*handran (2) ?ere

?$th h$! (3) to do the de*orat$on ?or. They de*orated the *#u' and $ts "re!$ses

and the s*hoo#. Thereafter, &a!a*handran (2) ?anted to ere*t a 'anner $n

6ar$saun$ road un*t$on. Then raseed (1) stated that he ?ou#d go ho!e and

*o!e 'a* and he ?a#ed to h$s house. 3 and &a!esan (2) and &a!a*handran

(2) unfo#ded and he#d the 'anner. 7t that t$!e, an nno;a *ar *a!e fro!


35/420


36/420

$nured $n the $n*$dent. -e ?ou#d say that the head and the fa*e of that "erson ?as $n a

terr$'#e *ond$t$on on a**ount of the $nur$es susta$ned 'y the s?ords. -e ?ent to h$s

house after the $n*$dent. -e *a!e to no? that the "erson !urdered ?as

T.. handraseharan.


37/420

(13) "re"ared s*ene !ahaar (EDt.20) and se$ed the art$*#es found at the s*ene

of the $n*$dent. 4 $dent$f$ed $n the *ourt M


38/420

E;$den*e &egard$ng the 7nn$;ersary of +rothers #u'

54. 10 Soora u!ar ?as the Se*retary of the +rothers #u' dur$ng the

year 2012. -e has g$;en e;$den*e as fo##o?s% The ann$;ersary of the *#u' ?as used to

'e *ondu*ted $n the na!e Hra!otsa;a!K. Th$s "rogra!!e for the year 2012 ?as

s*hedu#ed to 'e *ondu*ted on 21.04.2012. 7s the rehearsa# of the dra!a to 'e "#ayed

*ou#d not 'e *o!"#eted, the "rogra!!e *ou#d not 'e *ondu*ted on that day. 7s "er the

de*$s$on taen $n the genera# 'ody !eet$ng of the *#u', the "rogra!!e ?as "ost"oned

to 05.05.2012. e*orat$on ?or $n *onne*t$on ?$th the ann$;ersary ?as *ondu*ted 'y

&a!a*handran (2), raseedan (1), Maneesh (3), &a!esan (2) and

S$;ara!an (182). e*orat$on ?or had 'egun at a'out 20.00 hours on 04.05.2012.

7t a'out 21.45 hours on that day, he (10) too the 'anner fro! the off$*e of the *#u'

and 'rought $t to the s*hoo# and entrusted $t ?$th &a!a*handran (182) and #eft for

h$s house to ha;e food.

55. EDt.11 $s the !$nutes 'oo of the +rothers #u'. EDt.10 $s the

"er!$ss$on granted 'y the y.S., 6ataara for us$ng #oud s"eaer $n the ra!otsa;a!

"rogra!!e of the *#u' on 05.05.2012. 10 has g$;en e;$den*e that he had "rodu*ed

these do*u!ents 'efore the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er and they ?ere se$ed as "er EDt.12

!ahaar. 10 $dent$f$ed h$s s$gnature $n EDt.12 !ahaar.

5. y.S. Jossy her$yan (15) has g$;en e;$den*e that on the 'as$s of

the a""#$*at$on !ade 'y 10 for grant$ng "er!$ss$on for us$ng #oud s"eaer on

05.05.2012 $n *onne*t$on ?$th the ann$;ersary of +rothers #u', he had $ssued EDt.10

"er!$t to 10.

5=. EDt.11(a) $s the re#e;ant "age $n EDt.11 !$nutes 'oo ?h$*h *onta$ns

38


39/420

the !$nutes of the genera# 'ody !eet$ng of the +rothers #u' *ondu*ted on 1=.04.2012.

The !$nutes of the !eet$ng re*orded $n EDt.11(a) sho? that the ann$;ersary of the *#u'

?h$*h ?as s*hedu#ed to 'e he#d on 21.04.2012 ?as "ost"oned to another day. t $s true

that no de*$s$on ?as taen to *ondu*t the ann$;ersary of the *#u' on 05.05.2012.


40/420

*onta$ns !$nutes of the !eet$ng of the *#u' to the effe*t that ann$;ersary of the *#u' ?as

"ost"oned to a date 'et?een 05.05.2012 and 10.05.2012 and not to the s"e*$f$* date

05.05.2012 $nd$*ates that $t $s not a fa'r$*ated do*u!ent. There $s a#so no su'stan*e $n

the su'!$ss$on 'y the defen*e that EDt.10 $s a do*u!ent *on*o*ted 'y 15.

0. t $s true that 10 had not stated to the "o#$*e the na!es of 2 and

1 to 3 as the "ersons ?ho had done the de*orat$on ?or. 10 had a#so not

stated to the "o#$*e that he had entrusted any 'anner ?$th &a!a*handran (2).

1. The *ontrad$*t$ons 'y ?ay of o!$ss$ons $n the e;$den*e of 10 as

!ent$oned a'o;e do not $n any ?ay detra*t the *red$'$#$ty of h$s test$!ony. or they "ut

any dou't regard$ng the "resen*e of 1 at the t$!e and "#a*e of the $n*$dent. 10

?as the Se*retary of the *#u'. n that *a"a*$ty, 10 ?ou#d ha;e 'een engaged and

"re/o**u"$ed ?$th !any !atters on the e;e of the ann$;ersary of the *#u'. -e ?ou#d

ha;e 'een ;ery 'usy at that t$!e. -e !ay not ha;e thought $t ne*essary to re*o##e*t h$s

!e!ory and state 'efore the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er !$nute deta$#s regard$ng the

arrange!ents !ade 'y h$! on the "re;$ous day e;en$ng $n *onne*t$on ?$th the

ann$;ersary of the *#u'. 7fter a##, he ?as uest$oned 'y the "o#$*e at the t$!e of

"rodu*$ng the !$nutes 'oo of the *#u' to the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er. -e ?as not an eye/

?$tness to the $n*$dent. n these *$r*u!stan*es, the o!$ss$ons referred to a'o;e $n the

e;$den*e of 10 are not suff$*$ent to d$s*ard h$s test$!ony as unre#$a'#e.

the state!ent of a ?$tness re*orded under se*t$on 11 r.. do not tae a?ay the

nature and *hara*ter of h$s e;$den*e. o su*h o!$ss$ons *o!"e# the *ourt to ree*t

other?$se *red$t?orthy and a**e"ta'#e e;$den*e of a ?$tness I The ans?er *an on#y 'e

$n the negat$;e. (See 7#a!g$r 6s. State % 7..& 2003 S 282).

2. 1 $s a "erson res$d$ng $n the #o*a#$ty. t $s true that he ?as not a

40


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42/420

sha## forth?$th trans!$t to the nearest Jud$*$a# Mag$strate a *o"y of the entr$es $n the

d$ary re#at$ng to the *ase, and sha## at the sa!e t$!e for?ard the a**used to su*h

Mag$strate.

5. Se*t$on 1=2(1) r.. "ro;$des that e;ery "o#$*e off$*er !a$ng an

$n;est$gat$on under ha"ter L of the ode sha## day 'y day enter h$s "ro*eed$ngs $n

the $n;est$gat$on $n a d$ary, sett$ng forth the t$!e at ?h$*h the $nfor!at$on rea*hed h$!,

the t$!e at ?h$*h he 'egan and *#osed h$s $n;est$gat$on, the "#a*e or "#a*es ;$s$ted 'y

h$!, and a state!ent of the *$r*u!stan*es as*erta$ned through h$s $n;est$gat$on.

. There $s no "ro;$s$on $n the ode of r$!$na# ro*edure reu$r$ng the

"o#$*e off$*er to su'!$t a re!and re"ort. +ut under Se*t$on 1= r.. $t $s $!"erat$;e

that the "o#$*e off$*er shou#d send a#ong ?$th the a**used a *o"y of the entr$es $n the

*ase d$ary ?h$*h he $s 'ound to !a$nta$n under se*t$on 1=2 r... Csua##y *o"$es of

the entr$es $n the *ase d$ary are not se"arate#y sent to the Mag$strate. 7 g$st of the

a'o;e entr$es $n the *ase d$ary a#one $s $n*or"orated 'y the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er $n the

re!and re"ort or $n the re!and eDtens$on re"ort. The "ur"ose of f$#$ng su*h re"orts and

the "ur"ose of $n*or"orat$on of the d$ary entr$es $n su*h re"orts $s to ena'#e the

Mag$strate to de*$de ?hether he shou#d author$e the detent$on or further detent$on of

the a**used to "o#$*e or ud$*$a# *ustody, as the *ase !ay 'e, or to re#ease the a**used.

(a!arudheen 6s. S.-.< % .B.& 2010 (3) era#a 8=0).

=. +efore "ro*eed$ng further, $t $s to 'e noted that as "er the e;$den*e of

y.S. Jossy her$an (15) $t ?as on the e;en$ng of 05.05.2012 that he re*orded the

state!ents of raseed (1) and &a!a*handran (2) ?ho *#a$!ed to 'e the eye/

?$tnesses to the $n*$dent.

8. EDt.11 $s the re!and re"ort f$#ed 'y y.S. Santhosh (1) on

42


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1.05.2012 $n the ourt of the Jud$*$a# A$rst #ass Mag$strate, 6ataara $n res"e*t of the

a**used &a$th (72=), &a!eesh (728), $"$n (729), &a;eendran (730) and radee"an

(731). The na!es of 1 and 2 are not !ent$oned $n EDt.11 re"ort. The na!es

of a**used 2 to 5 and = are !ent$oned $n EDt.11 re"ort 'ut they are not sho?n as the

a*tua# assa$#ants.

9. EDt.8 $s the re"ort f$#ed 'y y.S. Jossy her$an (15) $n the ourt

of the Jud$*$a# A$rst #ass Mag$strate, 6ataara on 1=.05.2012 $n res"e*t of the a**used

&a!a*handran (78) and three other a**used. The na!es of 1 and 2 are not

!ent$oned $n EDt.8 re"ort.

=0. EDt.9 $s the re"ort f$#ed 'y y.S. Jossy her$an (15) $n the ourt

of the Jud$*$a# A$rst #ass Mag$strate, 6ataara on 24.05.2012 $n res"e*t of the a**used

.-. 7soan (79) and .. r$shnan (710). The na!es of 1 and 2 are not

!ent$oned $n EDt.9 re"ort.

=1. t $s true that na!es of the eye/?$tnesses are not !ent$oned $n the a'o;e

re!and re"orts. +ut $t $s stated $n these re"orts that the state!ents of the eye/

?$tnesses ha;e re;ea#ed so!e fa*ts.

=2. on/!ent$on$ng of the na!es of 1 and 2 $n EDts. 8, 9 and 11

re!and re"orts as eye/?$tnesses to the $n*$dent has to 'e *ons$dered ta$ng $nto

a**ount the s"e*$a# *$r*u!stan*es of th$s *ase. The "rose*ut$on has got a def$n$te *ase

that #o*a# #eaders of ...(M) had en!$ty to?ards T..handraseharan and $t ?as the

!ot$;e of the !urder. The assa$#ants a##eged to ha;e *o!!$tted the ghast#y *r$!e ?ere

at #arge at the t$!e of f$#$ng EDts. 8, 9 and 11 re"orts. They ?ere yet to 'e

a""rehended 'y the "o#$*e. $s*#os$ng the na!es of the eye/?$tnesses $n the aforesa$d

re!and re"orts ?ou#d ha;e "osed threat to the #$fe of those ?$tnesses. The

43


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a""rehens$on enterta$ned 'y the $n;est$gat$ng off$*ers $n th$s regard *annot 'e $gnored

as 'ase#ess. The fa*t that a #arge nu!'er of ?$tnesses turned host$#e to the "rose*ut$on

dur$ng the tr$a# of the *ase $s an $nd$*at$on that the a""rehens$on enterta$ned 'y the

$n;est$gat$ng off$*ers regard$ng danger to the #$fe of the eye/?$tnesses ?as ?e##/founded.

=3. E;en other?$se, a'sen*e of deta$#s of the eye/?$tnesses or the ro#e of

ea*h a**used $n the *o!!$ss$on of the offen*es $n the re!and re"orts f$#ed 'y the

$n;est$gat$ng off$*er *annot 'e a#?ays *ons$dered as fata# to the "rose*ut$on *ase. on/

*o!"#$an*e ?$th the "ro;$s$on *onta$ned $n se*t$on 1= (1) r.. !ay $n "ro"er *ases

and a**ord$ng to *$r*u!stan*es #ead to an $nferen*e that the e;$den*e addu*ed 'y the

"rose*ut$on 'efore the *ourt $s ta$nted. +ut, $n e;ery *ase of su*h $rregu#ar$ty, su*h an

$nferen*e sha## not 'e dra?n (See a##asanna -aneefa 6s. State of era#a % 19 r$.B.J

100=).

=4. 7 $;$s$on +en*h of the -on>'#e -$gh ourt has he#d $n ada;anath$#

+a'y 6s. State (1983 r$.B.J 118) that e;$den*e *ou#d not 'e d$s*arded on the ground

of a !ere ;$o#at$on of se*t$on 1= r.. and a ;$o#at$on !ay ta$nt the "rose*ut$on on#y $n

*ases ?here the fa*ts ust$fy $t.

=5. Bearned *ounse# for the a**used ?ou#d re#y u"on the de*$s$on of the

7"eD ourt $n Sur$nder u!ar 6s. State of una' (7..& 1999 S 215) to *ontend that

a'sen*e of !ater$a# "art$*u#ars $n the re!and re"ort ?ou#d 'e fata# to the "rose*ut$on

*ase. t ?as a *ase $n ?h$*h the on#y !ater$a# on ?h$*h the "rose*ut$on *ou#d "r$!ar$#y

re#y u"on to ust$fy the "rayer for re!and$ng the a**used ?as eDtra ud$*$a# *onfess$on

!ade 'y the a**used 'efore a ?$tness 'ut $t ?as not !ent$oned $n the re!and re"ort. n

a!arudheen 6s S.-.< (2011 r$.B.J 388), the -on>'#e -$gh ourt has eD"#a$ned the

aforesa$d de*$s$on of the -on>'#e Su"re!e ourt $n the fo##o?$ng !anner%

44


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Hn Sur$nder u!ar 6s. State of una', the on#y !ater$a# re#$ed on 'y the

"rose*ut$on to "ro;e the *harge aga$nst Sur$nder u!ar ?as a *onfess$on !ade to

. That so#$tary *$r*u!stan*e ?as not !ent$oned $n the re!and a""#$*at$on and that

?as taen as an $!"ortant *$r*u!stan*e 'y the 7"eD ourt as an add$t$ona# ground to

ho#d that the *harge aga$nst Sur$nder u!ar ?as not "ro;ed. n the "resent *ase, the

re!and re"ort as ?e## as the re!and eDtens$on re"ort "erta$n$ng to 7/10 g$;e a g$st of

the $n*r$!$nat$ng !ater$a# (though not the ent$re !ater$a#) aga$nst 7/10. -en*e a! not

$!"ressed 'y the argu!ent 'ased on Sur$nder u!ar>s *aseK.

=. n Sunny 6s. State of era#a% 2011(3) .B.T 885, the -on>'#e -$gh ourt

has he#d as fo##o?s%

H7 re!and re"ort $s for the "ur"ose of ena'#$ng the Mag$strate to sat$sfy

h$!se#f of the ne*ess$ty to re!and the a**used. 7 "art$*u#ar re!and re"ort has

s$gn$f$*an*e on#y for the "er$od dur$ng ?h$*h the a**used $s re!anded, un#ess the sa!e

$s re#$ed on for the re!and of the a**used for su'seuent "er$od a#so. 7 re!and re"ort

need not *onta$n a## the deta$#s ?h$*h are a;a$#a'#e $n the A$rst nfor!at$on State!ent

and the other !ater$a#s *o##e*ted dur$ng $n;est$gat$on. The re!and re"ort need on#y

*onta$n suff$*$ent !ater$a#s to arr$;e at the *on*#us$on that detent$on of the a**used $s

ne*essary or the *ont$nued detent$on of the a**used $s ne*essaryK.

==. n the #$ght of the a'o;e, *ons$der$ng the fa*ts and *$r*u!stan*es of the

"resent *ase, $t *annot 'e found that non/!ent$on$ng the na!es of 1 and 2 $n the

re!and re"orts as eye/?$tnesses to the $n*$dent #eads to the $nferen*e that they are

?$tnesses "ro*ured 'y the $n;est$gat$ng off$*ers at a #ater stage to "roe*t the

"rose*ut$on *ase $n a "art$san !anner.

45


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7'sen*e of a!es of 1 and 2 $n EDt.1 Mahaar

=8. 7nother *ontent$on ra$sed 'y the #earned *ounse# for the a**used $s ?$th

regard to the non/!ent$on$ng of the na!es of 1 and 2 as eye/?$tnesses to the

$n*$dent $n EDt.1 !ahaar. EDt.1 $s the !ahaar "re"ared 'y y.S. Jossy her$an

(15) for se$ure of the nno;a *ar B/58 8144 ?h$*h ?as found a'andoned at the

"#a*e unath$#!uu. The !ahaar ?as "re"ared at 15.00 hours on 05.05.2012. The

e;$den*e of 1 $s that a#ong?$th &a!a*handran (2) he had a**o!"an$ed 15

to the "#a*e ?here the *ar ?as found a'andoned and that he $dent$f$ed the *ar as the

;eh$*#e $n ?h$*h the assa$#ants *a!e to the s*ene of the o**urren*e. 1 and 2

ha;e aff$Ded the$r s$gnature $n EDt.1 !ahaar as attestors. t $s true that there $s no

re*$ta# $n EDt.1 !ahaar that 1 and 2 $dent$f$ed the *ar. t $s a#so not !ent$oned

$n EDt.1 !ahaar that 1 and 2 are eye/?$tnesses to the $n*$dent. t $s to 'e

re!e!'ered that 'efore the "re"arat$on of EDt.1 !ahaar 15 had not re*orded

the state!ents of 1 and 2. 7t that t$!e, 15 ?as a?are of the fa*t that 1

and 2 ?ere "ersons ?ho had seen the $n*$dent. +ut, $n ;$e? of the fa*t that 15

had not re*orded the$r state!ents at that t$!e, there $s noth$ng unusua# or strange $n not

!ent$on$ng the$r na!es $n EDt.1 !ahaar as eye/?$tnesses to the $n*$dent. EDt.1

!ahaar 'ears the $n$t$a# of the Mag$strate ?$th the date 0=.05.2012. The date

0.05.2012 ?as a Sunday. EDt.1 !ahaar *onta$n$ng the s$gnatures of 1 and 2

had rea*hed the Mag$strate on 0=.05.2012. n these *$r*u!stan*es, non/!ent$on$ng of

the na!es of 1 and 2 as eye/?$tnesses $n EDt.1 !ahaar does not #ead to an

$nferen*e that they are eye/?$tnesses "ro*ured 'y the $n;est$gat$ng off$*ers at a #ater

"o$nt of t$!e.

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e#ay $n &e*ord$ng the State!ent of 1

=9. There $s a#so no !er$t $n the "#ea of the defen*e that there ?as undue

de#ay $n re*ord$ng the state!ents of 1 and 2 under se*t$on 11 r.. 'y

15. 7 ?ho#e read$ng of the e;$den*e of 15 ?ou#d sho? that throughout the day

of 05.05.2012 he ?as fu##y engaged $n the $n;est$gat$on of the *ase. t ?as at a'out

11.00 hours on 05.05.2012 he *a!e to no? that 1 and 2 ?ere eye/?$tnesses to

the $n*$dent. +y that t$!e 15 had got $nfor!at$on that the *ar ?h$*h ?as sus"e*ted

to 'e $n;o#;ed $n the $n*$dent ?as found a'andoned at the "#a*e unath$#!uu.

7#ong?$th 1 and 2, he had rea*hed that "#a*e. 7fter the eDa!$nat$on of the *ar

'y the forens$* eD"erts, 15 *ou#d "re"are se$ure !ahaar (EDt.1) of the *ar on#y

at 15.00 hours.


48/420


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Stat$on on the date of the $n*$dent. -e ?as one of the "ersons ?ho had a**o!"an$ed

Su' ns"e*tor Mano (4) to the s*ene of the $n*$dent and rea*hed there at a'out

22.40 hours. 4 Su' ns"e*tor had "ut h$! on s*ene guard duty on that n$ght.

125 ?ou#d say that the t?o "ersons ?ho ?ere "resent at the s*ene of the $n*$dent

and ?ho he#"ed the "o#$*e "arty to get the ;$*t$! $nto the ee" re!a$ned at the s"ot t$##

neDt day !orn$ng.


50/420

ad;an*ed te*hn$ues $n te*hno#ogy ?ere used and 'rought $n a$d. Storage, "ro*ess$ng

and trans!$ss$on of data on !agnet$* and s$#$*on !ed$u! 'e*a!e *ost effe*t$;e and

easy to hand#e. on;ent$ona# !eans of re*ords and data "ro*ess$ng 'e*a!e out/dated.

Ba? had to res"ond and ga##o" ?$th the te*hn$*a# ad;an*e!ent. Ba? d$d not s#ee" ?hen

the da?n of nfor!at$on and Te*hno#ogy 'roe on the hor$on. or#d o;er, statutes ?ere

ena*ted. &u#es re#at$ng to ad!$ss$'$#$ty of e#e*tron$* e;$den*e and $ts "roof ha;e 'een

$n*or"orated $n the nd$an E;$den*e 7*t a#so.

88. n th$s *onteDt, $t ?ou#d 'e ad;antageous to !ae referen*e as to ho?

re*ord of the *a##s !ade fro! and to a *e## "hone 'e*o!es usefu# $n the tr$a# of a *ase to

$dent$fy the "resen*e of a "art$*u#ar "erson $n and around a s"e*$f$* "#a*e and a#so to

$dent$fy the !o'$#e "hone fro! ?h$*h the *a##s ha;e 'een !ade.

89. 7n a*t$;e !o'$#e "hone has t?o *o!"onents, that $s, the !o'$#e

$nstru!ent and the SM *ard. E;ery !o'$#e $nstru!ent has a un$ue $dent$f$*at$on

nu!'er, na!e#y, nstru!ent Manufa*tured Eu$"!ent dent$ty, for short, ME nu!'er.

Su*h SM *ard *ou#d 'e "ro;$ded 'y the ser;$*e "ro;$ders e$ther ?$th *ash *ard or "ost

"a$d *ard to the su's*r$'er and on*e th$s SM *ard $s a*t$;ated the nu!'er $s generated

?h$*h $s *o!!on#y no?n as !o'$#e nu!'er. The !o'$#e ser;$*e $s o"erated through a

!a$n ser;er *o!"uter *a##ed !o'$#e s?$t*h$ng *entre ?h$*h hand#es and re*ords ea*h

and e;ery !o;e!ent of an a*t$;e !o'$#e "hone #$e day and t$!e of the *a##, durat$on of

the *a##, *a##$ng and the *a##ed nu!'er, #o*at$on of the su's*r$'er dur$ng a*t$;e *a## and

the un$ue ME nu!'er of the $nstru!ent used 'y the su's*r$'er dur$ng an a*t$;e *a##.

Th$s !o'$#e s?$t*h$ng *entre !anages a## th$s through ;ar$ous su'/syste!s or su'/

stat$ons and f$na##y ?$th the he#" of te#e"hone to?ers. These to?ers are a*tua##y +ase

Trans/re*e$;er Stat$ons a#so no?n as +TS. Su*h +TS *o;ers a set of *e##s ea*h of

50


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the! $dent$f$ed 'y a un$ue *e## . 7 !o'$#e *ont$nuous#y se#e*ts a *e## and eD*hanges

data and s$gna##$ng traff$* ?$th the *orres"ond$ng +T. Therefore, through a *e## the

#o*at$on of the a*t$;e !o'$#e $nstru!ent *an 'e a""roD$!ated (Mohd. 7r$f : 7shfa 6s

State of T of e#h$ % (2011) 13 S 21).

90. n ara 6s. State (T) of e#h$N (2011) 10 S =5N 2012 r$.B.J 413,

$t has 'een he#d as fo##o?s%

HThe e;$den*e "rodu*ed 'y the "rose*ut$on $s 'ased on one $rrefuta'#e

fa*t, na!e#y, e;ery !o'$#e handset has an eD*#us$;e EM nu!'er. o t?o !o'$#e

handsets ha;e the sa!e EM nu!'er. 7nd e;ery t$!e a !o'$#e handset $s used for

!a$ng a *a##, 'es$des re*ord$ng the nu!'er of the *a##er as ?e## as the "erson *a##ed,

the EM nu!'ers of the handsets used are a#so re*orded 'y the ser;$*e "ro;$der. The

aforesa$d fa*tua# "os$t$on has to 'e e"t $n !$nd ?h$#e eDa!$n$ng the "rose*ut$on

e;$den*e OOOOe are sat$sf$ed, that the "ro*ess 'y ?h$*h the a**used/a""e##ant

*a!e to 'e $dent$f$ed dur$ng the *ourse of $n;est$gat$on, ?as #eg$t$!ate and unassa$#a'#e.

The EM nu!'er of the handset, on ?h$*h the a**used/a""e##ant ?as !a$ng *a##s 'y

us$ng a !o'$#e "hone (s$!) reg$stered $n h$s na!e, 'e$ng e;$den*e of a *on*#us$;e

nature, *annot 'e o;er#ooed on the 'as$s of su*h #$e !$nor d$s*re"an*$es . n fa*t e;en

a ser$ous d$s*re"an*y $n ora# e;$den*e, ?ou#d ha;e had to y$e#d to the aforesa$d

s*$ent$f$* e;$den*e.GG

91. The aforesa$d de*$s$on $n ara>s *ase has 'een fo##o?ed $n rashant

+hart$ 6s State % (2013) 3 S (r$) 92 % (2013) 9 S 293.

92. n State 6s. a;ot Sandhu : 7fsan uru % 2005 r$.B.J 3950 % (2005) 11

S 00, the -onG'#e Su"re!e ourt has he#d that e;en se*ondary e;$den*e $s

ad!$ss$'#e to "ro;e the *a## data re*ords of a *e## "hone. t ?as *ontended 'y the

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defen*e $n that *ase that $n the a'sen*e of a *ert$f$*ate $ssued under su'/se*t$on (2) of

se*t$on 5+ of the E;$den*e 7*t ?$th the "art$*u#ars enu!erated $n *#auses (a) to (e), the

$nfor!at$on *onta$ned $n the e#e*tron$* re*ord *annot 'e addu*ed $n e;$den*e and $n any

*ase $n the a'sen*e of eDa!$nat$on of a *o!"etent ?$tness a*ua$nted ?$th the

fun*t$on$ng of the *o!"uters dur$ng the re#e;ant t$!e and the !anner $n ?h$*h the

"r$ntouts ?ere taen, e;en se*ondary e;$den*e under Se*t$on 3 of the E;$den*e 7*t $s

not ad!$ss$'#e. The 7"eD ourt re"e##ed these *ontent$ons and he#d that Se*t$on 5 of

the E;$den*e 7*t ena'#es se*ondary e;$den*e of the *ontents of a do*u!ent to 'e

addu*ed $f the or$g$na# $s of su*h a nature as not to 'e eas$#y !o;a'#e and as the

$nfor!at$on *onta$ned $n the *a## re*ords $s stored $n huge ser;ers ?h$*h *annot 'e

eas$#y !o;ed and "rodu*ed $n the *ourt, "r$ntouts taen fro! the *o!"utersser;ers 'y

!e*han$*a# "ro*ess and *ert$f$ed 'y a res"ons$'#e off$*$a# of the ser;$*e "ro;$d$ng

*o!"any *an 'e #ed $nto e;$den*e through a ?$tness ?ho *an $dent$fy the s$gnatures of

the *ert$fy$ng off$*er or other?$se s"ea to the fa*ts 'ased on h$s "ersona# no?#edge. t

?as he#d that $rres"e*t$;e of the *o!"#$an*e of the reu$re!ents of Se*t$on 5+ of the

E;$den*e 7*t ?h$*h $s a "ro;$s$on dea#$ng ?$th ad!$ss$'$#$ty of e#e*tron$* re*ords, there $s

no 'ar to addu*e se*ondary e;$den*e under the other "ro;$s$ons of the E;$den*e 7*t,

na!e#y Se*t$ons 3 and 5. The 7"eD ourt a#so found no su'stan*e $n the *ontent$on

of the defen*e that the ?$tnesses eDa!$ned ?ere not te*hn$*a# "ersons a*ua$nted ?$th

the fun*t$on$ng of the *o!"uters nor they do ha;e "ersona# no?#edge of the deta$#s

stored $n the ser;ers of the *o!"uters.t ?as a#so he#d that the "r$ntouts "erta$n$ng to the

*a## deta$#s eDh$'$ted 'y the "rose*ut$on ?ere of su*h regu#ar$ty and *ont$nu$ty that $t

?ou#d 'e #eg$t$!ate to dra? a "resu!"t$on that the syste! ?as fun*t$ona# and the out"ut

?as "rodu*ed 'y the *o!"uter $n regu#ar use, ?hether th$s fa*t ?as s"e*$f$*a##y de"osed

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to 'y the ?$tness or not.

a## ata &e*ord of the e## hone of 1

93. 1 has g$;en e;$den*e that h$s !o'$#e "hone nu!'er $s 9048014554.

-e ?ou#d say that he does not re!e!'er ?hether the ser;$*e *onne*t$on of th$s nu!'er

$s $n h$s na!e or $n the na!e of h$s ?$fe. -e has de"osed that the !o'$#e "hone ha;$ng

the aforesa$d SM *ard $s 'e$ng used 'y h$! and a#so h$s ?$fe.

94. EDt.24 $s the *a## data re*ord of the SM ha;$ng the nu!'er

9048014554. Th$s do*u!ent $s "ro;ed through 152, ?ho $s the oda#


54/420

has no !o'$#e "hone to?er at 6a##$ad.


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$nde"endent *and$date. t ?ou#d not !ean that 1 $s a sy!"ath$er of &.M.. t ?as

then suggested to 1 $n the *ross eDa!$nat$on that he has 'e*o!e a ?$tness $n the

*ase as he ?as a *#ose fr$end and asso*$ate of &a!a*handran (2) ?ho ?as a

?orer of &.M.. There $s a'so#ute#y no !ater$a# to f$nd that 1 has got any s"e*$a#

$nterest $n the *ase to see that the a**used are so!eho? *on;$*ted.

100. E;en other?$se, e;$den*e of a ?$tness ?ho 'e#ongs to a r$;a# "o#$t$*a#

"arty *annot 'e d$s*arded on that ground. n My#ad$!!a# Surendran 6s. State of

era#a% 7..& 2010 S 3281, the -on>'#e Su"re!e ourt has he#d that "o#$t$*a# host$#$ty

of ?$tnesses to?ards the a**used does not !er$t ree*t$on of the$r e;$den*e. t ?as a

*ase re#at$ng to the !urder of a #o*a# #eader of +harath$ya Janatha arty and the

a**used ?ere ..(M) ?orers. &egard$ng the e;$den*e of t?o eye/?$tnesses $n that

*ase, the 7"eD ourt he#d as fo##o?s%

HMere#y 'e*ause 2 and 3 are sy!"ath$ers of +.J., the$r e;$den*e

*annot 'e 'rushed as$de. 7t 'est, the$r e;$den*e has to 'e *arefu##y s*rut$n$ed.K

101. -o?e;er, $n the "resent *ase, there $s no !ater$a# at a## e;en to $nd$*ate

that 1 $s an a*t$;$st or sy!"ath$er of &.M.. -e has no reason to fa#se#y s?ear

aga$nst the a**used.

ondu*t and &ea*t$on of 1

102. Bearned Sen$or ounse# Sr$. M.. a!odaran and Sr$. +. &a!an $##a$

ha;e strong#y urged that the *ondu*t and rea*t$on of 1 on a##eged#y see$ng the

!urderous assau#t on the ;$*t$! ?ere not natura# and $t $s suff$*$ent to dou't h$s

"resen*e at the s*ene of the $n*$dent ?hen $t o**urred. Bearned *ounse# ?ou#d *ontend

that the *ondu*t of 1 $n not !a$ng any effort to tae the ;$*t$! to the hos"$ta# and to

$nfor! the "o#$*e regard$ng the $n*$dent ra$ses strong dou't as to ?hether he had

56


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a*tua##y seen the $n*$dent.

103. 1 has g$;en e;$den*e that he d$d not !ae any atte!"t to re!o;e

the !otor *y*#e ?h$*h ?as #y$ng on the #egs of the ;$*t$!. -e ?ou#d say that $t ?as a

horr$d s*ene and $t ?as e;en d$ff$*u#t to #oo at the ;$*t$!. 1 has de"osed that he d$d

not !ae any atte!"t to g$;e $nfor!at$on regard$ng the $n*$dent to the "o#$*e stat$on or

the hos"$ta# o;er "hone. -e ?ou#d say that he d$d not go to the house of any "erson

?ho o?ned a ;eh$*#e. -e d$d not !ae "hone *a## to any su*h house to get ;eh$*#e to

tae the ;$*t$! to the hos"$ta#. -e d$d not *ry a#oud or !ae atte!"t to 'r$ng others to

the s*ene of the $n*$dent. hen 4 *a!e to the s*ene of the $n*$dent, he d$d not te##

h$! that the had seen the $n*$dent. s the *ondu*t of 1 suff$*$ent to !ae an

$nferen*e that he d$d not a*tua##y see the $n*$dent I

104. n the oft/uoted de*$s$on $n &ana arta" 6s State of -aryana% 7..&

1983 S 80, the 7"eD ourt has he#d as fo##o?s%

HE;ery "erson ?ho ?$tnesses a !urder rea*ts $n h$s o?n ?ay. So!e are

stunned, 'e*o!e s"ee*h#ess and stand rooted to the s"ot. So!e 'e*o!e hyster$* and

start ?a$#$ng. So!e start shout$ng for he#".


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HThe ourt sha## ha;e to 'ear $n !$nd that d$fferent ?$tnesses rea*t

d$fferent#y under d$fferent s$tuat$ons% ?hereas so!e 'e*o!e s"ee*h#ess, so!e start

?a$#$ng ?h$#e so!e others run a?ay fro! the s*ene and yet there are so!e ?ho !ay

*o!e for?ard ?$th *ourage, *on;$*t$on and 'e#$ef that ?rong shou#d 'e re!ed$ed. 7s a

!atter of fa*t $t de"ends u"on $nd$;$dua#s and $nd$;$dua#s. There *annot 'e any set

"attern or un$for! ru#e of hu!an rea*t$on and to d$s*ard a "$e*e of e;$den*e on the

ground of h$s rea*t$on not fa##$ng ?$th$n a set "attern $s un"rodu*t$;e and a "edant$*

eDer*$seK.

10. n C!esh 6s State% 200= (4) Su"re!e =52, $t has 'een o'ser;ed as

fo##o?s%

He are una'#e to a**e"t the *ontent$on of the #earned *ounse# for the

a""e##ant that the *ondu*t of the eye/?$tnesses $s unnatura# as they had not d$s*#osed

the genes$s of the $n*$dent to the !e!'ers of the fa!$#y of the de*eased on the sa!e

day or they had not $!!ed$ate#y re"orted the !atter to the "o#$*e.


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has 'een he#d as fo##o?s%

H


60/420


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that they ?ou#d $n the$r enthus$as! go a## out, as though $ns"$red 'y !$ss$onary ea# to

*onta*t the "o#$*e and $nfor! the! a'out the *r$!e (7"ren Jose"h 6s State of era#a%

7..& 19=3 S 1).

111. o stra$ght/a*et for!u#a or "r$n*$"#e *an 'e #a$d do?n as to ho? a

"art$*u#ar "erson ?ho ?$tnesses a *r$!e ?$## rea*t to su*h a s$tuat$on. t $s not a#?ays

ne*essary that $n a g$;en s$tuat$on s$!$#ar#y "#a*ed "ersons ?$## rea*t $n the sa!e

fash$on. Mu*h ?$## de"end on the fa*t s$tuat$on of ea*h $n*$dent and a#so the $nd$;$dua#

'eha;$our of the "erson $n*#ud$ng h$s "sy*he.


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seen the ghast#y *r$!e. o?/a/days "eo"#e ee" the!se#;es a?ay fro! the "o#$*e

stat$on and the *ourt un#ess $t $s $ne;$ta'#e. Many ?ou#d th$n of the trau!a they !ay

ha;e to undergo 'e$ng a ?$tness $n a *r$!$na# *ase. nde"endent ?$tnesses !ay a#so

th$n that 'y g$;$ng e;$den*e $n a *ase of !urder ?h$*h has got "o#$t$*a# o;ertones the$r

#$fe $s at r$s. t $s a no?n fa*t that $nde"endent "ersons are re#u*tant to 'e a ?$tness or

to ass$st the $n;est$gat$on. &easons are not far to see. A$rst#y, they 'e#$e;e that the$r

safety $s not guaranteed 'y s"ea$ng the truth 'efore the *ourt.


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to get the ;$*t$! $nto the ee".

114. The su'!$ss$on "erta$n$ng to non/se$ure of the *#othes of 1 needs

to 'e noted and dea#t ?$th $n the *onteDt of the de*$s$on of the -on>'#e Su"re!e ourt $n

urunath ona""a er$ 6s. State of arnataa % 7..& 2009 S (Su"")1485% 2009

r$.B.J 2995 ?here$n a s$!$#ar *ontent$on ?as ad;an*ed on 'eha#f of the a**used

"ersons. &e"e##$ng the sa$d *ontent$on, $t ?as he#d that the sa$d fa*t !ere#y "o$nts out

an error on the "art of the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er and the sa!e, 'y $tse#f, $s not suff$*$ent to

d$s*ard the ent$re "rose*ut$on *ase.

115. n -ar"a# S$ngh 6s e;$nder S$ngh (199=) S 0 % 7..& 199= S

2914N 199= r$. B.J 351, the -on>'#e Su"re!e ourt has he#d as fo##o?s%

Hf the *#othes ?orn 'y the $nured or the ;$*t$!s ?ere not re*o;ered 'y the

$n;est$gat$ng tea! that "erha"s ?ou#d ha;e "ro;$ded a hand#e to the defen*e to atta*

the "rose*ut$on *ase. +ut no $n;est$gat$ng agen*y ?ou#d nor!a##y tae the trou'#e to

se$e the *#othes ?orn 'y ?$tnesses at the t$!e they sa? the o**urren*e !ere#y

'e*ause the$r *#othes too had *o##e*ted sta$ns of '#ood dur$ng any "ost e;ent a*t$;$t$es.

7t any rate, the sa$d o!$ss$on on the "art of the $n;est$gat$ng agen*y $s not a f#a? of that

ty"e to $n;$te the *onseuen*e of ett$son$ng h$s test$!onyK.

E;$den*e of 1 &egard$ng the n*$dent &e#$a'$#$ty

11.


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$dent$f$*at$on of M


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sat$sfa*tory eD"#anat$on has 'een offered 'y 2 for the de#ay $n d$s*#os$ng the deta$#s

of the $n*$dent to the "o#$*e and $t de!o#$shes h$s test$!ony. t $s further *ontended that

he $s a "art$san and $nterested ?$tness and no re#$an*e *an 'e "#a*ed u"on h$s

test$!ony.

&e#$a'$#$ty of the E;$den*e of 2

119. The e;$den*e of Soora u!ar (10), the Se*retary of +rothers #u',

?ou#d sho? that 2 ?as one of the "ersons ?ho ?as engaged $n the ?or of

de*orat$ng the "re!$ses of the *#u' $n *onne*t$on ?$th $ts ann$;ersary. +ut, $t does not

!ean that 2 ?as "resent at the s*ene of the $n*$dent ?hen $t o**urred.

120. The state!ent of 2 ?as re*orded 'y the $n;est$gat$ng off$*er

(15) on 09.05.2012. The e;$den*e of 2 $s that on see$ng the $n*$dent he ?as

;ery !u*h s*ared and therefore, on the neDt day, he #eft h$s house and ?ent to the

house of the 'rother of h$s father at arth$a"a##y ?h$*h $s at a d$stan*e of a'out s$D

$#o!etres and he stayed there t$## 09.05.2012. Th$s $s the eD"#anat$on offered 'y 2

for the de#ay $n g$;$ng state!ent to the "o#$*e.

121. e#ay $n g$;$ng state!ent to the "o#$*e, does not ne*essar$#y, de!o#$sh

test$!ony. 7s not$*ed ear#$er, there *annot 'e un$for!$ty $n hu!an rea*t$on. erta$n

?$tnesses $n *erta$n *$r*u!stan*es !ay get s*ared and !ay !ae the!se#;es a;a$#a'#e

to the "o#$*e on#y 'e#ated#y and thus re*ord$ng of the$r state!ent 'y the "o#$*e !ay get

de#ayed. n the "resent *ase, $f 2 had ?$tnessed the $n*$dent, $t $s u$te "ro'a'#e that

he got fr$ghtened and on a**ount of fear, he !ade h$!se#f not a;a$#a'#e for $nterrogat$on

'y the "o#$*e.


66/420

a**ount of fear he a;o$ded go$ng to the "o#$*e stat$on $!!ed$ate#y. The ghast#y and

grueso!e *r$!e !ust ha;e sent a sh$;er $n h$s s"$ne and #eft h$! *onfounded. 7fter a

fe? days, he ?ou#d ha;e !ustered *ourage and "ro*eeded to the "o#$*e stat$on.

122. 2 has de"osed that 808149223 $s the nu!'er of the !o'$#e "hone

?h$*h ?as 'e$ng used 'y h$! 'efore and after the $n*$dent. -e ?ou#d say that the *e##

"hone ser;$*e *onne*t$on $s $n the na!e of h$s *o/?orer 'y na!e hanesh. 7 s"e*$f$*

suggest$on ?as !ade to 2 $n the *ross eDa!$nat$on that the !o'$#e "hone ha;$ng the

nu!'er 808149223 ?as $n h$s "ossess$on on the date of the $n*$dent and on the days

'efore and after the $n*$dent. 2 ?ou#d say that he does not re!e!'er a'out $t. -e

has a#so g$;en e;$den*e that he ?as a#so us$ng the !o'$#e "hone of h$s ?$fe.

123. EDt.2 $s the *a## data re*ord of the !o'$#e "hone ha;$ng the nu!'er

808149223 for the "er$od fro! 04.05.2012 to 09.05.2012. The ser;$*e *onne*t$on of

th$s !o'$#e "hone $s "ro;$ded 'y 6odafone o!"any. EDt.2 has 'een "ro;ed through

152, the oda#


67/420

"#a*e Mada""a##$. The e;$den*e of 152 sho?s that 6odafone o!"any has no

!o'$#e "hone to?er $n 6a##$ad. There $s no e;$den*e as to under ?h$*h to?er the

"#a*e 6a##$ad ?ou#d *o!e. Therefore, EDt.2 *a## data re*ord does not he#" the

defen*e to "ro;e that 2 ?as not at the "#a*e of the $n*$dent at or a'out the t$!e at

?h$*h $t o**urred.

12. The e;$den*e of 152 and EDt.2 *a## data re*ord ?ou#d sho? that

on 05.05.2012, the to?er #o*at$ons of the !o'$#e "hone nu!'er 808149223 at ;ar$ous

t$!es ?ere 6e##$u#angara, Mada""a##$, oh$ode, ayyo#$, 6adaara and


68/420

12=. +efore ana#ys$ng the e;$den*e of 2 any further, ?hat ha""ened

dur$ng h$s *ross eDa!$nat$on has to 'e ad;erted to. EDa!$nat$on/$n/*h$ef of th$s ?$tness

?as he#d on 12.02.2013 and $t ?as *ont$nued on 15.02.2013. -e ?as *ross/eDa!$ned

on 15.02.2013 $tse#f. hen h$s *ross/eDa!$nat$on ?as resu!ed after #un*h/'rea on

that day, 2 found $t d$ff$*u#t to "ro"er#y ans?er the uest$ons "ut to h$!. Bearned

*ounse# Sr$. +.&a!an $##a ?ho ?as *ondu*t$ng *ross/eDa!$nat$on then su'!$tted that $t

a""eared to h$! that the ?$tness had *onsu!ed a#*oho#. The *ourt then sent the

?$tness for !ed$*a# eDa!$nat$on. The ?$tness ?as ad!$tted $n the Med$*a# o##ege

-os"$ta#, oh$ode. Med$*a# eDa!$nat$on of 2 on 15.02.2013 sho?ed that he ?as

not drun. The !ed$*a# *ert$f$*ate $ssued fro! the hos"$ta# sho?ed that he had

sy!"to!s of *hest d$s*o!fort and de*reased ;er'a# out"ut. Aurther *ross eDa!$nat$on

of 2 ?as *ondu*ted on#y on 23.04.2013 after he ?as d$s*harged fro! the hos"$ta#.

128. The aforesa$d fa*ts ha;e 'een ad;erted to here $n the *onteDt that so!e

of the ans?ers g$;en 'y 2 dur$ng the *ross/eDa!$nat$on on the t?o days, that $s,

15.02.2013 and 23.04.2013, are at ;ar$an*e ?$th ea*h other.

129. 7 s"e*$f$* suggest$on ?as !ade to 2 $n the *ross/eDa!$nat$on that he

?as an a*t$;$st of &.M. 'ut he den$ed $t. ur$ng h$s eDa!$nat$on on 15.02.2013 2

has de"osed that he ?as not a?are ?hether h$s 'rother +a#an $s an a*t$;$st of &.M..

-o?e;er, dur$ng the eDa!$nat$on on 23.04.2013 he ?ou#d say that +a#an $s an a*t$;$st of

&.M.. 2 den$ed the suggest$on !ade to h$! that he ?as the e#e*t$on agent of

T.. handraseharan $n the Bo Sa'ha e#e*t$ons he#d $n the year 2009. ur$ng the

eDa!$nat$on on 15.02.2013, 2 has de"osed that he does not no? Sadas$;an. -e

?ou#d say that he does not re!e!'er ?hether Sadas$;an had *ontested the

68


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an*hayath e#e*t$on $n ard o.4 of the horode an*hayath $n ?h$*h he $s res$d$ng.

-e den$ed the suggest$on !ade to h$! that he ?as the e#e*t$on agent of Sadas$;an. -e

?ou#d say that he had not a*ted as 'ooth agent $n any e#e*t$on. -o?e;er, dur$ng h$s

eDa!$nat$on on 23.04.2013, 2 ?ou#d say that he does not re!e!'er ?hether he had

a*ted as "o#$ng agent or 'ooth agent of &.M.. -e ?ou#d then say that he does not

re!e!'er and that he $s not a?are ?hether Sadas$;an ?as a *and$date $n ard o.4 of

horode an*hayath. 2 den$ed the s$gnature sho?n to h$! $n the #$st of "o##$ng

agents (!ared as EDt.3 #ater).

130. 8 o##y $s the 7ss$stant $re*tor of 7gr$*u#ture, 6ataara. 7s "er the

su!!ons $ssued fro! the *ourt, 8 "rodu*ed 'efore the *ourt the a**ount of "a"er

sea#s used $n the e#e*t$on 'ooth $n 6ar$saun$ C.. S*hoo# $n ard o.4 of horode

an*hayath ?h$*h ?as e"t $n her off$*e. She "rodu*ed t?o su*h do*u!ents ?h$*h

ha;e 'een !ared as EDts. 3 and 4. These do*u!ents *onta$n a #$st of "o##$ng

agents ?$th the$r s$gnature.

131. The "#ea of the defen*e $s that 2 ?as a "o##$ng agent of Sadas$;an, a

*and$date of &.M., $n the an*hayath e#e*t$on $n ard o.4 of horode an*hayath

and that 2 has s$gned EDts.3 and 4 do*u!ents as "o##$ng agent $n h$s na!e

$neshan.

132. 8 had no o**as$on to see 2 "utt$ng h$s s$gnature $n EDts.3 and

4 do*u!ents. -er e;$den*e does not he#" the defen*e to "ro;e that 2 has "ut h$s

s$gnature $n these do*u!ents as "o##$ng agent of any *and$date.

133. 9 6asu has de"osed that he ?as the "o##$ng agent of ..(M)

*and$date T.M. &aan $n ard o.4 of horode an*hayath. -e has stated that

.. Sadas$;an ?as the *and$date of &.M. $n that ?ard. 9 has a#so de"osed that

69


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2 $s h$s ne$gh'our and that he $s an a*t$;e ?orer of &.M.. 9 $dent$f$ed h$s

s$gnature $n EDts.3 and 4 do*u!ents ?h$*h ?as "ut 'y h$! $n h$s *a"a*$ty as

"o##$ng agent. 9 has stated that the "o##$ng agents s$gned the aforesa$d do*u!ents

after the e#e*t$on on 23.10.2010. 9 ?ou#d a#so say that 2 $s the "erson ?ho has

s$gned $n EDts.3 and 4 do*u!ents as the f$fth "erson.

134. 9 has stated $n the *ross/eDa!$nat$on that Sadas$;an had *ontested

the e#e*t$on as an $nde"endent *and$date 'ut he ?as a *and$date of &.M.. t $s to 'e

noted that &.M. had not o'ta$ned re*ogn$t$on as a "o#$t$*a# "arty then and therefore, the

*and$dates of that "arty *ou#d ha;e *ontested the e#e*t$on on#y as $nde"endent

*and$dates. 9 has asserted that 2 had s$gned EDts.3 and 4 do*u!ents

'efore the res$d$ng s #$st $s $neshan. t $s on#y "ro'a'#e that he

had s$gned EDts. 3 and 4 do*u!ents 'y ?r$t$ng h$s na!e as $nesh. n th$s

*onteDt $t $s to 'e re!e!'ered that 2 had at f$rst de"osed that he d$d not no?

Sadas$;an. Su'seuent#y, he ?ou#d say that he does not re!e!'er ?hether Sadas$;an

?as a *and$date $n ard o.4 $n the e#e*t$on. t $s to 'e re!e!'ered that 2 $s a

"erson res$d$ng $n ard o.4 of horode an*hayath. 2 ?ou#d at f$rst say that he

had ne;er a*ted as a 'ooth agent $n any e#e*t$on. Su'seuent#y, he ?ou#d say that he

does not re!e!'er ?hether he ?as a "o##$ng agent or 'ooth agent of &.M..


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read$ng of the de"os$t$on of 2 as a ?ho#e, the $!"ress$on one *ou#d for! $s that he $s

a sy!"ath$er or a*t$;$st of &.M. 'ut he $s re#u*tant to ad!$t that fa*t.

13. 2 ?ou#d at f$rst say that he does not no? ?hether h$s 'rother +a#an

$s an a*t$;$st of &.M.. Su'seuent#y, he ?ou#d *on*ede that +a#an $s an &.M. ?orer.

-e has de"osed that +a#an ?as atta*ed and $nured 'y so!e "ersons 'ut he does not

no? ?ho had atta*ed +a#an. 7 s"e*$f$* uest$on ?as "ut to 2 ?hether $n h$s

"resen*e the ?$fe of +a#an had g$;en state!ent to the "o#$*e. 2 ?ou#d say that he

does not re!e!'er. -e has stated that he had gone to the hos"$ta# to see +a#an. -e

has de"osed that he ?as not "resent ?hen the "o#$*e re*orded the f$rst $nfor!at$on

state!ent $n that *ase and that he does not no? ?ho had g$;en the f$rst $nfor!at$on

state!ent $n that *ase.

13=. EDt.59 $s the *ert$f$ed *o"y of the A..& $n *r$!e no.2012 of

Eda*herry o#$*e Stat$on reg$stered under se*t$ons 143, 14=, 148, 324, 452, 30= and

42= read ?$th 149 ... Th$s *ase re#ates to the atta* !ade on +a#an, the 'rother of

2. The f$rst $nfor!at$on state!ent atta*hed to EDt.59 A..& sho?s that the *ase

?as reg$stered on the 'as$s of the state!ent g$;en to the "o#$*e at the hos"$ta# 'y the

?$fe of +a#an $n the "resen*e of 2. et, 2 has eD"ressed $gnoran*e a'out $t. The

$n*$dent !ent$oned $n EDt.59 A..& ?as on 21.02.2012.

138. EDt. 59 A..& ?ou#d sho? that the f$rst a**used $n that *ase

$s .. &a!a*handran ?ho $s a**used no.8 $n the "resent *ase. 7d!$tted#y,

.. &a!a!*handran (78) $s a #o*a# #eader of ..(M).

139. n the aforesa$d *$r*u!stan*es, $t *annot 'e found that 2 $s a tota##y

d$s$nterested and $nde"endent ?$tness.


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dr$;$ng the *ar and 2 ga;e ans?er $n the aff$r!at$;e. 2 a#so $dent$f$ed the

a**used 7noo" (71) $n the *ourt stat$ng that he ?as the dr$;er of the *ar. +ut 2 had

not stated to the "o#$*e that he had seen the dr$;er of the *ar and that he *ou#d $dent$fy

h$!. 2 ?ou#d say that on 22.0.2012, at the *a!" off$*e of S..T, he had "o$nted out

to the "o#$*e the dr$;er of the *ar.


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dou't a'out the truthfu#ness or *red$t?orth$ness of the ?$tness, h$s e;$den*e

'e*o!es una**e"ta'#e. Then $t ?$## not 'e safe to re#y u"on su*h e;$den*e. Ser$ous

*ontrad$*t$ons and o!$ss$ons ?h$*h !ater$a##y affe*t the su'stratu! of the "rose*ut$on

*ase ha;e to 'e understood $n *#ear *ontrad$st$n*t$on to !ere !arg$na# ;ar$at$ons $n the

state!ent of the ?$tnesses.

144. h$#e a""re*$at$ng the e;$den*e, the *ourt has to tae $nto *ons$derat$on

?hether the *ontrad$*t$onso!$ss$ons are of su*h !agn$tude that they !ay !ater$a##y

affe*t the *red$t?orth$ness of the ?$tness. n ter!s of the eD"#anat$on to se*t$on 12

r... ?h$*h dea#s ?$th an o!$ss$on to state a fa*t or *$r*u!stan*e $n the state!ent

g$;en to the "o#$*e 'y a ?$tness, su*h o!$ss$on !ay a!ount to *ontrad$*t$on $f the sa!e

a""ears to 'e s$gn$f$*ant and other?$se re#e;ant ha;$ng regard to the *onteDt $n ?h$*h

su*h o!$ss$on o**urs and ?hether there $s any o!$ss$on ?h$*h a!ounts to *ontrad$*t$on

$n a "art$*u#ar *onteDt sha## 'e a uest$on of fa*t. f a s$gn$f$*ant o!$ss$on $s !ade $n the

state!ent of a ?$tness under se*t$on 11 r.., the sa!e !ay a!ount to *ontrad$*t$on.

here the o!$ss$on a!ounts to a *ontrad$*t$on, *reat$ng a ser$ous dou't a'out the

truthfu#ness of a ?$tness, $t ?ou#d not 'e safe to re#y u"on su*h e;$den*e. Mere

!arg$na# ;ar$at$ons $n the state!ents *annot 'e du''ed as $!"ro;e!ents as the sa!e

!ay 'e e#a'orat$ons of the state!ent !ade 'y the ?$tness ear#$er. +ut, the o!$ss$ons

?h$*h a!ount to *ontrad$*t$ons $n !ater$a# "art$*u#ars ?h$*h go to the root of the *ase

render the test$!ony of the ?$tness #$a'#e to 'e d$s*red$ted (Sun$# u!ar Sa!'hudaya#

u"ta 6s. State of Maharashtra% 2010 7& S =049).

145. The o!$ss$ons $n the state!ent of 2 ?h$*h a!ount to !ater$a#

*ontrad$*t$ons d$s*red$t h$s test$!ony ?$th regard to the "art$*u#ars of the $n*$dent. 7t

any rate, $n the #$ght of the *ontrad$*t$ons !ent$oned a'o;e, $t $s not safe to re#y u"on h$s

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test$!ony regard$ng the $n*$dent, es"e*$a##y $n ;$e? of the f$nd$ng that he $s a "art$san

?$tness. >&e;o#ut$onary outh>> $s

the na!e of the youth ?$ng of &.M.. 3 used to attend the !eet$ngs of

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>>&e;o#ut$onary outh>>. -e $s a red ;o#unteer of &.M.. -e ?as one of the &ed

6o#unteers ?ho had he#d the dead 'ody of T..handraseharan ?hen $t ?as 'rought to

the To?n -a##, oh$ode. +efore 'e$ng a !e!'er of &.M., 3 ?as a ?orer of

..(M).

150. 3 has ad!$tted that he had *ontested the an*hayath e#e*t$on fro!

ard o.19 of horode an*hayath.

151. EDt.3 $s the *ert$f$ed *o"y of the f$na# re"ort (*harge sheet) f$#ed 'y the

"o#$*e $n *r$!e no.1=12 of 6ataara "o#$*e stat$on. EDt.4 $s the *o"y of the f$rst

$nfor!at$on state!ent g$;en to the "o#$*e 'y one &asheed, a ?orer of &.M., the

"erson ?ho ?as $nured $n the $n*$dent and EDt.1 $s the *o"y of the !e!orandu! of

e;$den*e (#$st of ?$tnesses) $n that *ase. The a##egat$on $n that *ase $s that the a**used

there$n ?ho ?ere ?orers of .. (M) had atta*ed and !ade atte!"t to *ause death of

&asheed due to "o#$t$*a# an$!os$ty. EDt.1 sho?s that 3 has 'een *$ted as an eye/

?$tness $n that *ase.

152. EDt.5 $s the *ert$f$ed *o"y of the A..& $n *r$!e no.12=508 of 6ataara

"o#$*e stat$on. EDt.2 $s the *o"y of the !e!orandu! of e;$den*e (#$st of ?$tnesses) $n

that *ase. The a##egat$on $n that *ase $s that the a**used there$n ?ho ?ere ?orers of

.. (M) had atta*ed and *aused gr$e;ous $nury to one S$neesh, a ?orer of &.M..

EDt.2 sho?s that 3 has 'een *$ted as a s*ene !ahaar ?$tness $n that *ase.

153. n the aforesa$d *$r*u!stan*es, $t *annot 'e found that 3 $s a tota##y

d$s$nterested and $nde"endent ?$tness.


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does not !ean that h$s e;$den*e has to 'e ree*ted . The *ourt has to ?e$gh su*h

e;$den*e *arefu##y. The *ourt has to assess the $ntr$ns$* ?orth of the e;$den*e after

s*rut$ny of $t ?$th *are and *aut$on.

ondu*t of 3 and e#ay $n &e*ord$ng -$s State!ent

155. 3 had g$;en state!ent to the "o#$*e regard$ng the $n*$dent on#y on

09.05.2012. -$s e;$den*e sho?s that he had gone to the Med$*a# o##ege -os"$ta#,

oh$ode on the !orn$ng of 05.05.2012 and that he had a**o!"an$ed the dead 'ody

of T..handraseharan as a &ed 6o#unteer. -$s e;$den*e $s that on 0.05.2012 he ?ent

to the house of h$s s$ster near 6ataara and stayed there. -e $s a "erson ?or$ng as

go#d a""ra$ser $n a 'an. -e ?ent to the 'an on 0=.05.2012 and 08.05.2012 fro! the

house of h$s s$ster. -$s e;$den*e $s that on 09.05.2012 he ?ent to the off$*e of the

y.S., 6ataara and ga;e state!ent regard$ng the $n*$dent. 3 has de"osed that $t

?as on a**ount of fear that he ?ent to the house of h$s s$ster and stayed there.

15. 3 ?ou#d say that there ?as no hurd#e to go to the off$*e of the

y.S., 6ataara on 0=.05.2012 and to g$;e state!ent 'ut he ?as s*ared. -e has

stated that he d$d not te## the $n*$dent to any'ody or !ade "hone *a## to the "o#$*e

'e*ause he ?as fr$ghtened. -e had !et !any &.M. ?orers ?hen he ?ent to

oh$ode on 05.05.2012 'ut he d$d not te## any'ody that he had seen the $n*$dent. -e

had gone to oh$ode $n a ee". &ed 6o#unteers of &.M. ?ere the "assengers of the

ee". They ?ere $n un$for!. t ?as a #o*a# #eader of &.M. 'y na!e .M.&e$ ?ho had

ased h$! to *o!e to oh$ode $n the un$for! of &ed 6o#unteer. -e d$d not te##

.M.&e$ that he sa? the $n*$dent. 3 d$d not te## any of the! regard$ng the $n*$dent.

+efore g$;$ng state!ent to the "o#$*e, he d$d not te## any #eader or ?orer of &.M.

regard$ng the $n*$dent.


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;o#untar$#y ?ent to the off$*e of the y.S., 6ataara.

15=. n 7*hara"ara!'ath radee"an 6s State of era#a % 200= (1) BT 249

(S), the -onG'#e Su"re!e ourt has o'ser;ed as fo##o?s%

He a#though a""re*$ate that $n a *ase of th$s nature the ?$tnesses !ust gather

*ourage o;er a "er$od of t$!e to *o!e out ?$th the$r "art of story 'ut ?e are not ;ery

sure that the sa!e standard shou#d 'e a""#$ed to s = and 8. They ?ere !e!'ers of

a "o#$t$*a# "arty. = ?as a sy!"ath$er of the +harat$ya Janata arty. -e *a!e to #earn

a'out the $n*$dent on the sa!e day at a'out noon. -e e;en ?ent to the house of the

de*eased. o#$*e off$*ers ?ere "resent there. -e !ust ha;e ta#ed to others that the

a**used "ersons *o!!$tted the !urder 'ut st$## he had not o"ened h$s !outh.GG

158. n the "resent *ase, regard$ng the non/d$s*#osure of the $n*$dent for four

days after the !urder, the standard a""#$ed to the *ondu*t of 1 *annot 'e a""#$ed to

3. The *ondu*t of 3 stands on a d$fferent foot$ng. -e $s a staun*h su""orter of

&.M.. The "erson !urdered ?as h$s #eader. 3 ?as a !e!'er of F&e;o#ut$onary

outhG, the youth ?$ng of &.M.. -e ?as a &ed 6o#unteer of that "arty. -e had

a**o!"an$ed the dead 'ody of T..handraseharan $n the un$for! of &ed 6o#unteer.

-$s test$!ony that he ?as s*ared and therefore he d$d not te## the "o#$*e and any other

"erson a'out the $n*$dent for four days on a**ount of fear *annot 'e a**e"ted as

"#aus$'#e and *on;$n*$ng eD"#anat$on for the de#ay. t *annot 'e 'e#$e;ed that though he

?as a !e!'er of F&e;o#ut$onary outhG, the youth ?$ng of &.M.. and a &ed 6o#unteer

of that "arty, he d$d not get *ourage to d$;u#ge the $n*$dent to any'ody, e;en to the

#eaders of &.M. ?$th ?ho! he had o**as$on to *o!e $nto *onta*t on 05.05.2012. The

"r$n*$"#e that there *annot 'e un$for!$ty $n hu!an rea*t$on has to 'e *erta$n#y e"t $n

!$nd. +ut, ?hen the *ondu*t of the ?$tness $s so unnatura# and $s not $n a**ord ?$th

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a**e"ta'#e hu!an 'eha;$our a##o?$ng ;ar$at$ons, then h$s test$!ony 'e*o!es

uest$ona'#e (Bahu a!a#aar at$# 6s State of Maharashtra % ( 2013 ) S 41=).

&e#$a'$#$ty of the Test$!ony of 3

159. S*rut$ny of the e;$den*e of 3 ?$th *are and *aut$on, es"e*$a##y $n

;$e? of the fa*t that he $s a "art$san ?$tness and that there ?as undue de#ay $n

d$s*#os$ng the $n*$dent to the "o#$*e or any other "erson, re;ea#s ;$ta# and *ru*$a#

o!$ss$ons and $n*ons$sten*$es $n h$s test$!ony ?$th regard to the $n*$dent of !urder. 7s

$n the *ase of 2, he had not stated to the "o#$*e that any "erson ?ho u!"ed out of

the *ar on the se*ond o**as$on had atta*ed the ;$*t$!. -e has re$terated $n the *ross/

eDa!$nat$on that he sa? f$;e "ersons *ho""$ng the ;$*t$!. 3 has de"osed 'efore the

*ourt that so!eth$ng ?as ?r$tten $n 7ra'$* #etters on the front and the rear g#asses of the

*ar. -e had not stated to the "o#$*e these fa*ts. -e has de"osed that the dr$;er of the

*ar d$d not get out of $t. -e had no o""ortun$ty to see the dr$;er of the *ar. 3 $dent$f$ed

the a**used 7noo" (71) $n the *ourt on#y as one of the "ersons $n;o#;ed $n the $n*$dent.

-e d$d not $dent$fy h$! $n the *ourt as the dr$;er of the *ar. The e;$den*e of 3 sho?s

that e;en dur$ng the $n;est$gat$on of the *ase he had no o**as$on to $dent$fy the f$rst

a**used as the dr$;er of the *ar. n eDa!$nat$on/$n/*h$ef 3 has on#y stated that on

22.0.2012, at the off$*e of the S..T, he understood the na!e of 7noo" (71) and t?o

other a**used. -e has not g$;en e;$den*e that he $dent$f$ed 7noo" (71) at the off$*e of

the S..T as the dr$;er of the *ar or e;en as a "erson $n;o#;ed $n the $n*$dent. 3 had

not stated to the "o#$*e that he had seen the dr$;er of the *ar and that he *ou#d $dent$fy

h$!.

10. The $n*ons$sten*$es and the o!$ss$ons referred to a'o;e $n the

test$!ony of 3 *annot 'e $gnored as $rre#e;ant or $!!ater$a#. They a!ount to

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!ater$a# *ontrad$*t$ons *reat$ng a ser$ous dou't a'out the truthfu#ness and

*red$t?orth$ness of the ?$tness and h$s e;$den*e 'e*o!es una**e"ta'#e. t $s not safe

to re#y u"on h$s e;$den*e regard$ng the $n*$dent. The *ontrad$*t$onso!$ss$ons $n the

test$!ony of 3 !ater$a##y affe*t h$s *red$t?orth$ness. -$s e;$den*e does not $ns"$re

*onf$den*e.

11. The fa*t that e;$den*e of 2 and 3 $s found to 'e not re#$a'#e does

not !ean that the e;$de

T.P. Chandrasekharan Onchiyam Murder Case Judgement

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