GURDEV SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal against judgment dated 24-02-1994 of Additional sessions Judge, Sangrur, whereby accused/appellant Gurdev Singh was convicted for offences under Sections 450/326/324/506 IPC and sentenced to undergo RI for four years and to pay fine of Rs. 1,000/- and in default of payment of fine to further undergo RI or six months under Section 450 IPC. For offence under Section 326 IPC to undergo RI for three years and to pay fine of Rs. 500/- and in default of payment of fine to further undergo RI for four months. For offence under Section 324 IPC to undergo RI for two years and for offence under Section 506 IPC to undergo RI for six months All the sentences were directed to run concurrently.

(2.) FIR for offence under Sections 506/452/324 IPC had been registered against the accused/appellant on the statement of Jagdish Kumar that on 17.7.1987 at about 10.00 or 10.30 PM he was lying on a cot in his room, in Prem Basti Sangrur and was listening the transistor. The gate of his room was open because milk-vendor had come to supply milk. Then Gurdev Singh accused entered the house. He was holding an iron weapon in his hand. Then Jagdish Kumar asked Gurdev Singh as to for what purpose he had come. Gurdev Singh appellant did not reply but then gave blows with both hands. Jagdish Kumar raised his left arm and the blow hit on the wrist of his left arm. When Gurdev Singh wanted to give another blow on his neck then he (Jagdish Kumar) again raised his left arm and the blow his on his left arm. Jagdish Kumar raised alarm. Gurdev Singh again gave a blow which hit partly on the right arm. Then Raghbir Chand, brother of Jagdish Kumar came from the kotha and Gurdev Singh fled away. While fleeing, he raised lalkara asking Raghbir Chand to go back otherwise he will also be given blows. After registration of the case police had taken up investigation. They had originally filed challan of case triable by the Court of Magistrate but after some evidence Chief Judicial Magistrate Sangrur found that the case was for offence under Section 450 IPC exclusively triable by the Court of Session. Case was accordingly committed to the Court of Session. Accused/appellant faced trial for offence under Sections 326/324/452/450/506 IPC. The case was found to be duly proved. He was accordingly convicted and sentenced as aforesaid.

(3.) COUNSEL for the appellant had argued that the case against accused/appellant was not proved as Jagdish Kumar complainant was not examined and an opportunity to cross-examine Jagdish Kumar had been denied. He argued that Raghbir Chand PW2 was just brother of Jagdish Kumar and no reliance could be placed on his testimony. It was also pointed out that as per allegations, occurrence had taken placed on 17.7.1987 whereas FIR was recorded on 24.7.1987 after delay of about one week. He pointed out that there was no motive for the accused/appellant to cause injuries on the person of Jagdish Kumar. it was also argued by counsel for the appellant that Jagdish Kumar was a bad character as it will come out from certified copies Exhibits D-1 to D-20.