LALLU MUNDA Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 30.7.2002 passed by the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner, FTC, Ranchi in Sessions Trial No. 439/99/T.R. No. 74/2002, whereby and whereunder the learned Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi held the appellant guilty under Section 302, IPC and convicted and sentenced him to undergo RI for life.

(2.) THE factual matrix leading to this appeal are that in the night of 14.2.1999 the informant Hissi Mundain was cooking food in her house while the deceased, her husband Lakhan Munda was sitting in the room on a mat. It is further stated that two small kids were also sleeping there, when all of a sudden appellant Lallu Munda, cousin brother of the deceased, entered into the room carrying a dagger in his hand and gave the fatal blow with the dagger on the left side of his chest. The informant rushed to help her husband but in the meantime Lallu Munda fled away carrying the dagger. The informant raised alarm and tried to help the deceased but he died on the spot. On alarm raised by the informant, other family members, residing inside other room of house, came and saw the deceased. They were further informed by informant Hissi Mundain regarding the incident. The reason behind this occurrence is said to be a land dispute between two brothers of father -in - law of the informant. The matter was reported next day to Hatia police, which arrived at the PO, recorded the statement of the informant, prepared inquest report and sent the dead body for post - mortem. The police registered Hatia P.S case No. 18/99 under Section 302, IPC, investigated the case and finally submitted charge -sheet against the appellant. The trial Court, after examining witnesses, found and held the appellant guilty and sentenced him as aforesaid.

(3.) WE have anxiously considered the points raised by the learned counsel for the appellant. The prosecution case admittedly stands on the sole evidence of the informant, wife of the deceased. PW 1 Somra Munda, brother and PW 3 Sukra Munda, father of the deceased, examined before the trial Court, have categorically submitted that on holla raised by PW 2, they went running to find Lakhan Munda lying dead with stab injury. They have not claimed to be the eye -witnesses of the occurrence. During cross -examination these two witnesses stated that there was land dispute between two families. PW 4 Ratan Munda is a witness on the inquest report prepared by the police. These two witnesses are truthful as they did not claim to see the occurrence. PW 2, the informant, has supported her fardbeyan before the police. She has admitted in cross -examination that at the time of occurrence she along with her kids were present and deceased fell down with stab injury to die instantaneously. This witness is truth, as she admitted that the room was situated in common angan resided by the witnesses and the accused.