MANOJ KUMAR VERMA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) TO commit a murder is brutal in itself, but it is most dehumanizing and bestial when one fellow human is set ablaze by the hands of another human in a moment of rage. There can be various reasons which may drive a person to commit a crime. There exists no logic or rationality which may excuse any crime irrespective of its magnitude. Moreover, in no circumstances an action as nefarious or inhuman as burning a person alive may be justified. The acts of a man is the mirror to his mind and it is a dark reflection of his soul that we see when he loses his rationality and reason and is overcome by emotion so extreme as to turn into a barbaric criminal. None else but the victim alone undergoes horrendous pain, agony and trauma due to burn injuries which cause irreversible damage even if the victim survives. In the present case, the question before this court is that whether the given facts and circumstances result in a similar situation of inhumanity.

(2.) CHALLENGE in the present appeal is to the impugned judgment dated 20.11.1999 and order on sentence dated 22.11.1999 whereby the learned Additional Sessions Judge had convicted the appellant for committing an offence punishable under Sections 302 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as 'IPC') and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life along with a fine of Rs.2000/ - only and in default of payment of fine, he had been sentenced to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months.

(3.) TO prove its case, the prosecution examined as many as 22 witnesses. The statement of the appellant was recorded under Section 313 Cr.P.C. The appellant was confronted with the entire incriminating evidence adduced by the prosecution and responded to various questions put to him. The appellant pleaded his innocence and false implication.