RANJIT SINGH Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) RANJIT Singh (the Appellant) faced trial (in Sessions Case No. 137/97) for the offence punishable under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). By the impugned judgment he was convicted and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/ -. In default of payment of fine, the Appellant was to suffer further imprisonment for 10 days. Feeling aggrieved, the Appellant has approached this Court by way of this appeal.

(2.) ON the intervening night of 07 -08.06.1994 at about 11:30 PM Sardul Singh (the deceased) knocked on Amarjit Singh's (PW -1) door. When PW -1 opened it, he found Sardul Singh standing in front of the door smeared with blood. Smt. Prem Kaur (PW -2) the deceased's mother and Balbir Kaur (PW -4 and PW -l's wife) also arrived near the door. Sardul Singh then informed that Ranjit Singh had taken him to his house and offered him liquor. Both of them took liquor after which Ranjit Singh inflicted injuries on his person. Saying this Sardul Singh fell down and succumbed to his injuries in the Gali, in front of the door of the house. PW -1 raised an alarm attracting his neighbours Manmohan Singh (PW -3) and Karan Singh. All three of them (PW -1, PW -3 and Karan Singh) went to Ranjit Singh's house and enquired the reason for causing injuries on Sardul Singh. Ranjit Singh informed them that Sardul Singh was taught a lesson as he (Sardul Singh) had destroyed his family.

(3.) ON completion of the investigation a report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was presented in the Court. On Appellant's pleading not guilty to the charge the prosecution examined 14 witnesses to bring home the guilt of the accused. PW -1 Amarjit Singh, PW -2 Smt. Prem Kaur, PW -3 Manmohan Singh and PW -4 Smt. Balbir Kaur are the material witnesses for disposal of the appeal as the number and nature of injuries sustained by Sardul Singh is not in dispute.