KARTIK BAG Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Court of trial has held it established, by accepting the case of the prosecution, that on Jan. 17, 1978, the appellant dealt a lathi blow on Parameshwar Bag (to be described hereinafter as 'the deceased') and after the latter fell down, dealt some blows by an axe which he and his wife had carried to the land in their cultivating possession after the deceased went upon the land of the appellant and dealt a lathi blow which missed the appellant and hit the ground. For his conviction under S.302 of the I.P.C. (for short, the 'Code'), the appellant has been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life.

(2.) The medical evidence would undoubtedly show that the death of the deceased was homicidal in nature. The evidence led by the prosecution that the appellant had caused injuries on the person of the deceased which had resulted in his death has not been challenged before us by Mr. Das appearing for the appellant. It has been submitted by him that what had been done by the appellant was the result of grave and sudden provocation offered by the deceased himself who first attacked the appellant and the latter, on the spur of the moment without any premeditation, dealt some blows which resulted in the death of the deceased, It has also been brought to our notice that the medical evidence does not conclusively establish that the injuries sustained by the deceased were sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death. It has, therefore, been submitted that the appellant may be convicted under S.304 Part I of the Code and the period of imprisonment already undergone by him would be sufficient in the circumstances of the case. Mr. M.R. Mohanty, the learned Additional Standing Counsel, has supported the order of conviction as legal and sustainable.

(3.) As can be seen from the medical evidence, some injuries were scalp deep and some were bone deep. On dissection, the doctor (P.W.8) had noticed fractures of the maxilla on both the sides and of the mandible on its right. No internal injury had been noticed on any vital internal organ, such as, the brain. The doctor has not categorically testified that the injuries sustained by the deceased were sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death. On the other hand, he has opined that 'all these injuries collectively can cause death in ordinary course of nature'. Some injuries, as can be seen from the medical evidence, had been caused by the blunt side of the axe. Regard being had to be medical evidence and the manner and circumstances in which the appellant had assaulted and killed the deceased, after an attack by the deceased and without any premeditation, it would not be legal and appropriate in our view to bring the case within any of the clauses of S.300 of the Code defining murder. Accepting the contention raised on behalf of the appellant, we would hold that the appellant had committed culpable homicide not amounting to murder punishable under S.304 Part I of the Code.