SUKHPAL SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sukhpal Singh (ASI under suspension) challenges his conviction by learned Sessions Judge, Faridkot, for the murder of Karamjit Singh alias Goru, a taxi driver of Kot Kapura. Sukhpal Singh was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life by judgment dated December 13, 1996 and has come up in appeal.

(2.) On the morning of June 27, 1993 Pritam Singh (PW-10), a Beldar deployed on the Rajasthan Canal, discovered an unidentified dead body lying in the canal and reported the matter to ASI Ravel Singh (PW-15) at 10.15 AM. On the basis of this information a case was registered under Section 302 IPC at Police Station Sadar Muktsar, District Faridkot, at 10.45 AM. The body had been found near Burji No. 287 Rajasthan Canal within the area of Thandewala, about 8 km from the Police Station. ASI Ravel Singh (PW-15) commenced the investigation and inspected the spot.

(3.) He found that the body was of a 27 years old man, wearing a terricot sky coloured shirt and trousers stained with blood. The body also had an orange coloured underwear, a HMT Quartz watch as well as a purse containing Rs. 137/- in cash. Mouth was open and eyes were closed. Rigor mortis was present. There was a lacerated wound on the back of the head towards the left side. Blood was clotted and had oozed from the head. The injuries appeared to be fire arm injuries. Cause of death was recorded as bullet injury.