RATAN LAL Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior Bench, allowing the appeal of the State and convicting the appellant for having committed an offence punishable under Section 435, Indian Penal Code, and sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for one year. The only point involved in the present appeal is whether the appellant was a person of unsound mind within Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code at the time of the incident. The Magistrate held that he was not liable to punishment as he was insane at that time and did not know that he was doing anything wrong or anything contrary to law. The High Court, on the other hand came to the conclusion that the case of the appellant did not fall within the exception created by S. 84, I. P. C.

(2.) It is now well settled that the crucial point of time at which unsoundness of mind should be established is the time when the crime is actually committed and the burden of proving this lies on the accused. (See State of Madhya Pradesh v. Ahmadullah, (1961) 3 SCR 583 . In D. C. Thakkar v. State of Gujarat, (1964) 7 SCR 361 ; it was laid down that "there is a rebuttable presumption that the accused was not insane, when he committed the crime, in the sense laid down by Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code:the accused may rebut it by placing before the Court all the relevant evidence oral, documentary or circumstantial, but the burden of proof upon him is no higher than that which rests upon a party to civil proceedings." It was further observed:

(3.) The learned counsel contends that if regard is had to the circumstances which preceded, attended and followed the crime it would be clear that the accused is entitled to the benefit of Section 84 of the Indian Penal Code.