VIKRAM RAM PAL Vs. STATE NCT OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Appellant is aggrieved by the judgment and order dated 31st July, 2002 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge in Sessions Case No. 24/1999. By the impugned judgment and order, the Appellant was convicted for offences punishable under Sections 302, 397 and 392 of the Indian Penal Code (for short the IPC). By a subsequent order dated 2nd August, 2002, the Appellant was sentenced to imprisonment for life for the offence punishable under Section 302 of the IPC and for different periods in respect of the other two offences.

(2.) At the outset, it may be stated that the Appellant was charged with having committed two murders, that is, of Ram Kumar and Ramjas with a dangerous weapon on the night of 16th October, 1998.

(3.) The case of the prosecution is that Dheeraj (PW-15) was working as a chaudhry/supervisor in a nursery maintained by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi in Ram Leela Grounds. On 17th October, 1998, he went to the nursery at about 10.00 am and found the gate locked from inside. He called the gardener Ramjas who used to stay in the nursery but there was no response forthcoming. Dheeraj (PW-15) then went to one side of the nursery and peeped through the grill and found that Ramjas was lying on a cot and it appeared to him that he was dead. Under these circumstances, Dheeraj went to the police station and lodged a complaint. On the basis of his complaint, a police party was deputed to go to the nursery.