STATE OF A P Vs. M SOBHAN BABU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is indeed an unfortunate case.

(2.) P.W. 1-Maxwell Trevor, P.W.2-Gene Trevor and P.W. 4-Marlene Moss are brothers, whereas P.W. 5 Sherlyn Trevor is the wife of the deceased Glen Trevor. P.W. 3 Ezzard Moss is the sister of the deceased and wife of P.W. 4. The entire extended family was residing in a residential house bearing No. 12-5-188/2 Lalaguda, Secunderabad, consisting of two floors with two portions in each floor. The deceased was an employee of the Railways and he along with his wife and children was residing in the southern portion of the ground floor whereas P.W. 4 along with his wife and children was residing in the northern portion of the ground floor. P. Ws. 2,3 and 4 were residing on the first floor of the said premises. P.W. 6-D. Francis Satyanandam, was a neighbour of P. Ws. 1 to 5 with his residence on the southern side of the said premises. During the intervening night of 20th/21st November, 1991 shortly after midnight the deceased heard some footsteps and came out to investigate. He found A2 standing on the balcony of the first floor. A scuffle ensued between the two and the shouts and screams that came about in the scuffle woke up the other occupants of the building and they saw the deceased and A2 grappling with each other. As the deceased was a sportsman of some repute and physically strong he managed to pin A2 to the ground by falling on him. A2 thereupon took out a knife from the right side of his hip pocket with his right hand and stabbed the deceased on the left side of the abdomen and when P.W. 3 went to his rescue A2 stabbed him on the lower part of the right arm as well. In the meanwhile, A1 came from the side of the balcony and stabbed the deceased on both his thighs. Al also prevented P. Ws. 1 and 3 from going to the rescue of the deceased by holding a knife at the throat of P.W. 3. A1 also stabbed P.W. 2 on his left shoulder. Despite the injuries having been caused to them, P. Ws.1 and 2 over powered A-2 and pushed him from balcony. In the meanwhile, the other neighbours arrived at the scene and got hold of A1 as well. P. Ws. 1 to 3 brought both the accused to the ground floor, where they were tied up with a rope and information was also sent to the police. In the meanwhile, P.W. 1 secured a car from his neighbour Captain P. Crlbyand and removed the injured to the Railway Hospital Lalaguda, but he succumbed to his injuries on the way. The other injured were also brought to the hospital and they were examined and given first aid for their injuries. Their injuries were found to be simple. The trial court relying on the evidence of the aforesaid witnesses as supported by the medical evidence convicted and sentenced the accused under Sections 302 / 34 , 460 and 324 of the Indian Penal Code.

(3.) An appeal was thereafter taken by the accused to the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which, modified the conviction to one under Section 304 Part I IPC (while acquitting the accused of the offence under Section 302 ). It is this part of the judgment which has been challenged by the State of Andhra Pradesh by way of this appeal.