NACHHATAR SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) FOR the murder of 83 -year old Lala Jagat Narain, a former Minister of Punjab and Editor of daily newspapers 'Punjab Kesri' and Hind Samachar' published from Jalandhar in Hindi and Urdu respectively, and for the injuries to his driver Som Nath PW5, two persons, namely, Nachhattar Singh and Swaran Singh, were put on trial - Dalbir Singh, a third accused, having absconded - under section 302 read with section 34; and section 307 read with section 34; and Swaran Singh was put on trial under section 307 of the Indian Penal Code. The trial Court acquitted Swaran Singh of all the charges, but convicted Nachhattar Singh under section 302 read with section 34, Indian Penal Code, and sentenced him to imprisonment for life. Nachhattar Singh accused has challenged his conviction and sentence through Criminal Appeal No. 627 -DB of 1983.

(2.) THROUGH other Criminal appeals 15 -DBA and 16 -DBA of 1984, the State of Punjab has challenged the acquittal of Swaran Singh.

(3.) RAMESH Chand (Since deceased) son of the deceased Lala Jagat Narain has filed Criminal Revision No. 1591 of 1983 against the acquittal of Swaran Singh accused and for the enhancement of sentence passed on Nachhattar Singh accused to the extreme penalty of law.