FAROOQ AHMAD BAJAD Vs. STATE OF J&K

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS revision petition impugns the order dated 11.11.98 passed by Additional Sessions Judge Srinagar, in Session Trial No. 23 of 1996 titled State Vs. Farooq Ahmad Bajad and others for the offences punishable under sections 302,324 read with Section 34 R.P.C. on the allegations that on 26th of April 1996, the accused in the case having the common intention to cause murder of one Zubair Pakthoon cought hold of him at Pushkar Kanqan and subjected him to such a physical assault that led to causation of a fatal injury on his head as the result of the blow of lathi by accused Farooq Ahmad.

(2.) ON the accuseds pleading not guilty to the charges, the prosecution examined its listed witnesses, which included the medical expert namely Dr. Qazi Javid Ahmad who had conducted autopsy on the dead body of the victim of the alleged murderous assault. After examination of the accused under section 342 Cr. P.C, they opted not to adduce any evidence in defence. Case was argued and the judgment reserved.

(3.) WHILE preparing the judgment the learned trial judge felt that the medical expert, Dr. Qazi Javid Ahmad had not been examined with respect to those aspects of his opinion which were very relevant for the just decision of the case and consequently the learned Judge in exercise of his powers under section 540 Cr P.C. directed through the impugned order the recalling of the said witness so as to elicit his opinion on two pertinent points; namely, whether the lathi seized by the police as the alleged weapon of crime was a sharp -edged weapon, and secondly whether the fatal injury could be inflicted by a sharp or by a blunt edged weapon.