PATEL CHELA VIRAM Vs. STATE OF GUJARAT

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal filed u/S. 379 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and S. 2(a) of the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act 1970. The sole appellant was tried along with four others for offences punishable under Ss. 147, 148 and 302 of the Indian Penal Code. The case rested mainly on the sole testimony of P.W. 2 who figured as the star eye-witness. The prosecution no doubt examined some witnesses to show that the accused were seen while running away from the scene of the occurrence. The learned Sessions Judge having considered the evidence of P.W. 2 observed that he was an interested witness belonging to the opposite faction and there are certain material discrepancies in his evidence. It is also pointed out that the medical evidence does not corroborate his evidence. There are certain other reasons given by the Sessions Judge for acquitting all the accused. The State preferred an appeal. The High Court, however, took the view that page No. W. 2 is an independent witness and the discrepancies pointed out are not material and P.W. 2 the sole eye-witness at least has stated clearly that the appellant dealt a blow with dharia and the medical evidence shows that there is incised injury and, therefore, to that extent his evidence is corroborated and in that view of the matter the High Court set aside the acquittal of the appellant and convicted him under S. 302, IPC. simpliciter and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for life.

(2.) Learned counsel for the appellant submits that it is well settled that when the case rests on the testimony of the sole eyewitness his evidence should be wholly reliable on the other hand in the instant case even the High Court has rejected the material part of the evidence of P.W. 2. His further submission is that the view taken by the Sessions Court is a reasonable one and the High Court ought not to have interfered in the appeal against acquittal.

(3.) The prosecution case is as follows: The deceased who was an agriculturist and a resident of Village Vajanagar where there were factions. The accused belong to one faction and the deceased belonged to the other. On 15-8-77 when the deceased was going to his house from his field at about 8-30 a.m. it is alleged that the appellant before us armed with a dharia and the other four accused with sticks surrounded the deceased and dealt blows on him. The deceased fell down in the field of late Sadhu Jivandas Kandas. P.W. 5 who had come to his field to answer the call of nature saw the accused and deceased. On hearing the cries P.Ws. 3,4, 5 and 6 came there and saw that the accused were running. A report was given to the Police and investigation was taken up and the victim was removed to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The dead body was sent to the hospital for post-mortem.