STATE DELHI ADMINISTRATION Vs. MEWA SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Mewa Lal accused, respondent, in this appeal, was charged to stand trial un- der section 326 Indian .Penal Code for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to Miss Gita daughter of Mr. B.N. Lal by means of acid, a corrosive substance. The learned Assistant Sessions Judge, Delhi, giving the benefit of doubt, acquitted the accused of the offence charged.

(2.) According to the prosecution, on the night 18th and 19th May, 1966 at about 1.30 A. M. Kumari Gita was sleeping along with Kumari Soni, Public Witness , her cousin, on the same cot on a raised platform at the back of quarter No 613 Sarojini, Nagar New Delhi. Her grand-mother, maternal grand-mother, H. /uncle .Sham. Lal, Public Witness , and Sham Lal's wife were also Sleeping on other charpoys around her. Her parents were sleeping on the front side of the quarter. At about 1.30 A.M., being aroused by the sound of approaching footsteps, Gita saw the accused Mewa Lal standing on the leftside of her cot and before she could raise a cry, the accused threw acid on her face. Kumari Gita felt a burning sensation and raised an alaram. Soni Public Witness , her cousin, also felt a burning sensation on her feet. This attracted her uncle Sham Lal, Public Witness The accused ran away and Sham Lal and B N. Lal, who tried to give a chase, were unsuccessful in catching him Gita was removed to Safdarjang Hospital where she was medically examined and admitted. B.N. Lal, her father thereafter, went to the Police Station, Vinay Nagar and lodged the report Ex. P. W. 7/A, at about 5 A M., upon which formal F.I.R., Ex. P. W. 10A, was recorded by Jai Lal Singh A S. I. Investigation was completed by P. W. 10, Ram Narain, A. S. I., who recorded the statement of the witnesses, prepared the site plan and challaned the accused under section 307 Indian Penal Code. The accused was arrested on 19th May, 1966 from his Sadar Bazar Shop by Inspector Ajmer Singh between 6 and 7 P. M.

(3.) The accused was committed and ultimately charged under section 326 Indian Penal Code.