STATE Vs. RAVI ALIAS MUNNA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Criminal Appeal No. 320 of 1997 has been filed by Chandrika and Criminal Appeal No. 309 of 1997 has been filed by Ravi @ Munna, both challenging the judgment and order of the learned Additional Sessions Judge dated 7th June, 1997 in Sessions Case No. 125 of 1990, holding them guilty of the offences charged while Murder Reference No. 4 of 1997 seeks confirmation of the sentence of death imposed upon Ravi @ Munna. The appeals as also the Murder Reference are being disposed of by this judgment.

(2.) Brief facts of the case are that on 21st November, 1989, Rajesh, a student of 7th class, of Govt. Boys Senior Secondary School, went to attend school but did not return. At around 8 O'clock on that day there was a telephonic message at the house of Puranmal ( Public Witness -7) to the effect that Rajesh would be released upon a ransom of Rs. 1 lac being paid. Puranmal reported the aforesaid incident to the police control room where the message was received by lady constable, Vidya, who passed on the same to Police Station, Mangolpuri. The entry of this information was made in D.D. No. 23-A. Inspector Vinod Kumar (Public Witness-21) was assigned the case. However, it was only on 23rd November, 1989 that an FIR No. 493/89 was registered. On 11th December, 1989, Duleshwar (A-1) was arrested from near D-block bus stand of Mangolpuri. While in custody Duleshwar made a disclosure statement leading to the recovery of the body of Rajesh from beneath the floor in the House No. G-303, Mangolpuri alleged to be in the tenancy of the appellants. Inquest proceedings were held by the SMD, Vipul Mitra (Public Witness-13) while post mortem was conducted by Dr. L.T. Ramani (Public Witness- 1).

(3.) On 11th December, 1989, Chunni Lal (Public Witness-17) made a statement to the effect that he had seen Rajesh on 21st November, 1989, at about 1.00 p.m. in the company of all the three accused. On 4th January, 1990, Ram Narain, father of the deceased, produced two letters (Ex.P-1 and P-2) which were taken into possession vide Memo (Ex.P-10/A). These letters are alleged to be from Ravi @ Munna demanding ransom.