SANT LAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) APPELLANT Sant Pal Singh was tried by the court of learned Sessions Judge, Ferozepur, for the offence under Section 302 IPC, for committing the murder of his son Gurpreet Singh. The trial court, vide its judgment and order dated 3.12.2008 convicted and sentenced the appellant to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/ -, in default of payment of fine to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year, under Section 302.

(2.) IN this case, the prosecution was launched against the accused on the statement (Ex.P12) of Ramandeep Kaur alias Kuldeep Kaur (PW.6) wife of Gurpreet Singh (since deceased), which was recorded by SI Rajbir Singh (PW.10), SHO, Police Station Sadar Jalalabad, on 30.8.2008 at 10.00 AM at Bus Stand of village Ghagga Khurd, which was also thumb marked by her father Jagir Singh (PW.7). In her aforesaid statement, the complainant stated that her marriage was solemnised with Gurpreet Singh son of the appellant about 12 years ago. Out of their wed lock, two children were born. Her father -in -law (appellant) was residing with her Jeth (husband's elder brother) Gora Singh in a separate house. He was addicted to liquor. He was not doing any work and used to demand money from her husband for liquor. The complainant further stated that on the previous evening, i.e. 29.8.2008, her father -in -law demanded money from her husband for liquor, upon which her husband asked him as to why he is not feeling ashamed, and further that he is without any work and visits him daily for money. Her father -in -law took it ill and left the house in anger.

(3.) AFTER making his endorsement (Ex.P12/A) on the said statement, SI Rajbir Singh sent the same to the police station, on the basis of which the formal FIR (Ex.P12/B) was registered on the same day at 10.40 AM. Thereafter, SI Rajbir Singh went to the place of occurrence, prepared the inquest report (Ex.P3) and recorded the statements of one Baldev Singh and aforesaid Gora Singh (elder brother of the deceased and son of the appellant), who identified the dead body of Gurpreet Singh. Rough site plan (Ex.P15) of the place of occurrence was prepared. Thereafter, vide application (Ex.P2) addressed to the Senior Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Fazilka, the dead body was sent to the Hospital under the supervision of HC Kuldip Singh (PW.9) for post mortem examination.