SANGRAM MUNDA Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Ms. Rita Kumari, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr. Satish Kumar Keshri, learned A.P.P. for the State.

(2.) The appellant is aggrieved by the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 24.03.2015 and 31.03.2015 respectively passed by the Additional Sessions Judge-I, Khunti in connection with Sessions Trial No. 580/2007, whereby and whereunder the appellant has been convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302/34 I.P.C. and Section 3 of the Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act, 1999 and has been sentenced to undergo R.I. for life along with a fine of Rs.5,000/- for the offence under Section 302/34 I.P.C. and he has further been sentenced to R.I. for 3 months and a fine of Rs.1,000/- for the offence under Section 3 of the Prevention of Witch (Daain) Practices Act, 1999.

(3.) The prosecution story in brief is that on 24.07.2007 at about 8 p.m., the informant (Chandra Singh) was in his house along with his family members. It is alleged that at the relevant point of time, Vimal Swansi alias Laddu Singh and the appellant-Sangram Munda had come armed with balua and had forcibly dragged and taken away the deceased Tupan Singh, the father of the informant and killed him by means of fists and bricks. It is also alleged that the informant and others had tried to save the deceased, but they have been threatened with dire consequences.