KASAM ABDULLA HAFIZ versus STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

KASAM ABDULLA HAFIZ

STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

DECEMBER 4, 1997

(G.N. RAY AND G.B. PATTANAIK, J.J.)

Indian Penal Code, 1860:

Section 304 and 324-Accused hit the victim on abdomen by brick and stabbed him in the stomach-Victim died after JO day.1~Accused also stabbed hand of another who was discharged after first aid-Sessions Judge convicted accused under Sections 302 and 307 /PC for murder and attempt to murder and sentenced him to life-However, High Court reduced the sentence and convicted accused under Section 304 Pa1t 1, !PC and Section 324 /PC for culpable homicide not amounting to murder and causing hwt by dangerous weapon, respectively, taking into consideration the sudden fight and size of knife used - Plea in cross appeals that no explanation of injuries on accused by prosecution--Held - injuries simple-Not such that must have been noticed and explained by witnesses-Their non-explanation not fatal to prosecution case-In any case surviving victim gave reasonable explanation.

Section JOO-Right of self defence---Not sustainable where accused examined as witness but did not say anything about apprehending giievous injury to himself-Nor anything on record to indicate existence of such apprehension.

Sentence-Conviction under Section 304 Pa1t I IPC-Held-Sentence of only 5 years R.!. ordinarily not proper-Howevel'---Conside1ing reasons given by High Court-Not interfered with.

Constitution of India, 1950 :

Article 13fr--Nonnally this court does not look illlo concurrent findings of evidence-In view of contentions raised, it carefully scrutinized evidence of eye witnesses----Found evidence of Pfl12 and fW-3 to be t1ustworthy and held prosecution case proved beyond reasonable doubt.

The prosecution case, based on statements of PW2 and PW3, was that the accused and PW-3 were advocates attached to the chambers of

particular senior advocate and living in the same building. When the accused became an assistant public prosecutor he left the chambers of the senior advocate. The relationship between the accused and PW-3 was cordial. However, in March 1990 PW-3 complained to the District Judge that the accused had spread false rumours about her that PW-3 had taken Rs. 50,000 in the name of the Additional Sessions Judge before whom PW-3 had argued criminal case. In meeting called by the District Judge, the accused stated that he had not said that money had been collected in the name of judge but had merely stated that PW-3 had taken Rs. 50,000 from her client. After the meeting, PW-3 was very agitated and on reaching home, narrated the incident to her father. PW-2, the so~ of her senior also happened to come to the house of PW-3 and heard PW-3 narrating the incident. Just then PW-3 heard that the accused was downstairs and she rushed down, followed by her father, the deceased, and PW-2. PW-3 confronted the accused, who was sitting in the car, about the false rumours he was spreading, upon which the accused rush0ed towards PW-3, but, her father pulled her back. The accused then threw brick towards the father of PW-3 which hit his abdomen and thereafter, pulled out pen knife and stabbed him in the abdomen. The second blow missed the victim and in the meanwhile, PW-2 c;mght the hands of the accused and pushed him against the compound wall. The accused however, managed to stab PW-2 on his left hand and then drove away.

PW-2, after receiving first aid, gave an FIR in the afternoon on 19th March 1990. The injured father of PW-3 was taken to doctor, PW-7, who opined that an emergency operation was necessary and thereafter, since his condition was serious, he was, taken to Bombay, where he died on 29.3.90.

The defense version, based on the complaint lodged by the accused and the evidence of the accused was that PW-3 and her family, including her maid servant, rushed down and started assaulting the accused while he was still in the car. When the accused came out of the car, the maid servant handed knife to PW-2. While PW-2 was attacking the accused with the knife, he pushed the deceased due to which the deceased received injuries, after which the accused drove away. He narrated the incident to the District Judge who advised him to inform the police. An FIR was also registered by the police on the Complaint of the accused. The counter case, however, ended in ac11uittal.

On the basis of FIR filed by PW-2, the accused was charged under Section 302 IPC with murder of father of PW-3 and under Section 307 IPC for attempt to murder and causing injuries to PW-2. The Sessions Court found that the charges been proved and accordingly, convicted the ac-cused on both counts and sentenced him to imprisonment for life on first count and R.I. for 5 years on second count. In appeal, the High Court, relying upon the evidence of PW-2 and PW-3, concurred with the Sessions Cou~t that the accused had caused injuries on the deceased and on PW-2 with knife. However, considering the instrument used and the fact that the relationship between the parties was cordial till the incident, which was on the spur of the moment, the High Court held that it could not be said that the accused had the intention to cause the death of the deceased. Accordingly, the accused was convicted under Section 304 Part-I IPC and sentenced to five years R.I. As regards the conviction under Section 307 IPC for causing injuries to PW-2, the High Court considered the size of the knife and the manner in which the incident was alleged to have occurred and concluded that the accused was punishable under Section 324, and sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment of 2 years.

Appeals were filed by the accused and also by the State before this court.

The accused contended that: (i) the evidence of PW-2 and PW-3 cannot be relied upon since several injuries sustained by accused have not been explained by them; (ii) the prosecution evidence as also the injuries sustained by the accused show that the accused apprehended danger to his life and gave the single blow in exercise of his right of private defence; (iii) even assuming the correctness of prosecution case, offence is only made out under Section 304 Part II since single blow was given and also, since deceased was operated upon and survived for 10 days, there may be reas.ons not connected with the injury that caused the death; (iv) the prosecution has not examined independent witnesses though available.

The prosecution contended that the accused had the intention of causing death and hence his acquittal of the charge under Section 302 IPC by the High Court was unjustified. Furthermore, even if he can be said to be rightly convicted under Section 304 Part-I IPC, the sentence awarded by the High Court is unjustified and should be enhanced. Dismissing both the appeals, this Court

HELD : 1. Though normally this court does not scrutinize the

evidence of witnesses where two courts have believed the witnesses and the prosecution story, in view of the contentions raised, this court has itself scrutinized the evidence of the eye witnesses, PW-2 and PW-3. On going through their evidence, it has been found to be wholly trustworthy and reliable. On their evidence, it must be held that the prosecution case has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that it is the accused who caused injury on the abdomen of the deceased which ultimately led to his death.

[182-G-H; 183-A-B]

2. The nature of the injuries sustained by the deceased and the

evidence of the doctor, PW-7, who examined the deceased immediately after the occurrence lead to the conclusion that death was caused by acts of the accused done with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death aud hence, the offence is within the 1st part of section 304 IPC. The Doctor, PW-7, clearly stated that he was of the opinion that the patient would have died if the operation had not been undertaken and furthermore, the injuries are sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death. The guilty intention of the accused to cause such bodily injury as is likely to cause death is apparent from the fact that he did attempt second blow. Hence, the High Court has rightly convicted the appellant under Section 304 Part I IPC. [184-A-C; E-F]

3.1. The injuries on the accused indicate that they are simple in nature. They are such that the non-explanation of them could not be fatal to the prosecution case. The principle that non-explanation of injury on the accused would be fatal to the prosecution case would apply only where injuries are such that the witnesses cannot but notice them. However, it cannot be said that injuries were such as must have been noticed and explained by the witnesses. [180-E-H; 181-A]

3.2. Besides, the prosecution has offered an explanation for such minor injuries on the accused. PW-2 has stated that while the accused was attempting to give second blow to the deceased, PW-2 caught the wrist of the accused and pushed him against the compound wall. It is possible that on that account some minor injuries were caused to the accused. [181-B-C]

State of Gujarat v. Bai Fatima, [1975] 2 SCC 7, relied upon.

Lakshmi Singh & Ors. v. State of Bihar, [1976] 4 SCC 394, referred

4. As regards the right of private defence, since the accused himself chose to be examined as witness but has not said word about ap-prehending grievous injury to himself by the prosecution witnesses, it is difficult to sustain the plea of private defence now raised before this Court. That apart, no evidence has been shown on record from which it can be said that the so called assault by the prosecution witnesses might have reasonably caused apprehension of grievous hurt to the accused; and in view of the positive evidence of the doctor, PW-10, the plea of self defence cannot be available to the accused. [182-A-B; E-F]

5. PW-2 can not be held to be interested in the prosecution and inimical to the accused and is, therefore, wholly disinterested witness. The relationship between PW-2 and the accused was very cordial, and neither has the accused stated nor is there any material on record to show that there was any animosity between PW-2 and the accused. Furthermore, the evidence on record does not disclose that there were any independent witnesses available but withheld by the prosecution, and hence no adverse inference can be drawn against the prosecution. Infact, in the complaint filed by the accused he has not indicated that there were any outsiders present who had witnessed the occurrence. Hence, this Court cannot interfere with the conclusion of the courts below that the defence version with regard to the manner in which the deceased could have been injured is unsustainable, and on the other hand, it must be held that the evidence of PW2 and PW-3 is unimpeachable and the prosecution case is proved beyond reasonable doubt. [183-C-E]

6. As re_gards the State appeal, no doubt, there is substance in the contention that ordinarily for conviction under Section 304 Part-I, sen-tence of 5 years can not be held to be proper. However, consider}ng the facts and circumstances of the case and the reasons advanced by the High Court in giving such sentence, this Court is not inclined to interfere with it. [185-\-B]

CRIMINAL APPELLATE .JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 551 of 1993 etc.

From the .Judgment and Order dated 3.4.93 of the Bombay High Court in Cr!. A. No. 671 of 1992.

Shanti Bhushan, l.G. Shah, Makarand D. Adkar, S.D. Singh, S.

Malik, Sudhanshu Atreya, D.M. Nargolkar and B.V. Desai for the appear- ing parties.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

G.B. PATIANAIK, J. This appeal is directed against the conviction and sentence of the appellant under Sections 304 Part-I and 324 l.P.C. passed by the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court in Criminal Appeal No. 671 of 1992. The appellant who was the Assistant Public Prosecutor at the relevant point of time stood charged under Section 302 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code for having committed the murder of one Manohar Deshmukh, father of PW-3 Nanda Deshmukh and injuring one Sanjay Patil, PW-2, respectively. The learned Sessions Judge, Raigad -Alibag, in Sessions case No. 102 of 1990 convicted the appellant of the charge under Section 302 for having committed the offence of murder of Manohar Deshmukh and sentenced him to imprisonment for life. He also convicted the appellant under Section 307 for causing injuries and attempt to commit ·murder of Sanjay Patil, PW-2 and sentenced him to suffer rigorous imprisonment for five years, both the sentences having been directed to run concurrently. On appeal, the Division Bench of the Bombay High Court agreed with the conclusion of the learned Sessions Judge that it was the appellant who caused the injury on the deceased Manohar who ultimately succumbed to the injury and also caused injury on the person of Sanjay Patil, PW-2 by means of knife but taking into consideration the fact that relationship ~etween the accused and the deceased and his family members were cordial till the date of the incident and further that the incident took place all of sudden on the spur of the moment and the instrument that was used by the accused is such that the accused cannot be said to have the intention to cause the death of the deceased the High Court held the accused guilty under Section 304 Part-I LP .C. and sen-tenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for period of five years thereunder. So far as conviction of the appellant under Section 307 for causing injuries on the person of PW-2 is concerned the High Court took into consideration the size of the knife that was used and the manner in which the incident was alleged to have occurred and came to the con-clusion that the offence should be one punishable under Section 324 1.P.C. and nol under Section 307 1.P.C. For his conviction under Section 324 l.P.C. the appellant was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years and it was further directed that both the sentences would run

concurrently. Hence the present appeal.

Against the acquittal of the accused - appellant of the charge under Sections 302 and 307 as well as against the sentence awarded by the High Court for five years' imprisonment for the offence under Section 304 Part-I I.P.C., the State of Maharashtra has also preferred SLP (Crl.) No. 3039 of 1994, wherein Court had passed an order "issue notice" and tagging the same with the Criminal Appeal No. 551 of 1993. In the said SLP also leave is being granted herein and the matter is heard along with Criminal Appeal No. 551 of 1993.

The prosecution case in nutshell is that the accused and PW-3 belong to the legal profession and both of them were attached to the chambers of senior advocate Shri D.N. Patil. The accused - appellant on being ap-pointed as Assistant Public Prosecutor in the year 1988 left the chambers of Shri D.N. Patil and was residing in Sneha Apartment where the incident occurred. Nanda· Deshmukh - PW 3, lawyer by profession was continuing as junior to Shri D.N. Patil and was divorcee. She was also staying in the same building - Sneha Apartment on the first floor along with her parents. The relationship between Nanda Deshmukh, PW-3 and the accused -appellant was all along cordial. It was the further prosecution case that criminal case under Section 395 I.P.C. was being tried by the Additional Sessions Judge - Shri P.M. Joshi and D.N. Patil, Advocate was the defence lawyer along with Smt. Nanda Deshmukh and at t4e fag end of the trial Shri Patil could not attend to the proceeding and handed over the case to Smt. Nanda Deshmukh. Ultimately, in that case the learned Additional Sessions Judge convicted the accused but released the accused on bond by applying the provisions of Probation of Offenders Act. In March, 1990 in get-together of some lawyers the accused made statement that he had heard that Nanda Deshmukh had taken Rs. 50,000 in the name of the Judge in whose court the aforesaid criminal proceeding was pending. When Nanda Deshmukh heard about this statement made by the accused she met the District Judge, Alibag, Mr. Vazalvar and complained against the ac-cused - appe.Jlant that he is unnecessarily spreading false rumours. It appears that the District Judge called meeting of some of the lawyers and Additional Sessions Judge Shri Joshi and in that meeting the ~istrict Judge commented upon the conduct of the accused as to why he has beenspreading rumours ~bout Nanda Deshmukh that she had taken money in the name of the Judge. The accused thereupon replied the District Judge that he had never said that the money was collected in the name of the Additional District Judge, Shri Joshi but he had only said that Nanda Deshmukh had taken sum of Rs. 50,000 from the accused. The senior lawyers who were present in that meeting told the Di~trict Judge that since the accused had not made any allegation against the District Judge, Shri Joshi but he merely stated that Nanda had taken money from the accused, the dispute is one between two individual lawyers and the Judges should not be brought into the dispute. Thereafter the meeting was dispersed and Nanda came home. She was in very agitated and disturbed mood on account of what happened in the c.hambers of the District Judge and to her father's query 'as to why she was in agitat~d mood' she narrated the entire incident that had taken place in the chambers of the District Judge. Shri Sanjay Patil, PW-2 who is the son of Nanda's senior Shri D.N. Patil was passing by that area and on seeing Nanda's car parked down stair came to Nanda's house and heard all that she was telling to her father. It is at that point of time Nanda's daughter - Sona! who was standing near the window of the flat stated that accused has come. On hearing from Sona! that accused has come, Nanda Deshmukh, PW-3 rushed to the ground floor followed by her father Manohar Deshmukh (the deceased) and Sanjay Patil, PW-2. Nanda Deshmukh asked the accused who was sitting in the car as to why he has been spreading rumours against her to which the accused reiterated that she had given money to the Judge - Shri P.M. Joshi. The further prosecution case is that accused then came out of the car and rushed towards Nanda but deceased Manohar pulled Nanda back. The accused then throw brick towards the Manohar which hit in his abdomen thereupon the accused brought out knife and gave blow on the abdomen of the deceased - Manohar and while he was trying to give second blow on the deceased it somehow missed and Sanjay Patil, PW-2, rushed to the accused and caught him by his hands. Sanjay then pushed the accused against the compound wall. The accused, however, attacked Sanjay and gave stabbing blow with the knife which hit Sanjay on his left hand. Accused thereafter left the place in his car. PW-9, one of the occupants of the said building reached the place and took San.jay to the dispensary of Dr. Deshpanda where some first-aid was given. Thereupon

Sanjay went to the Police Station and gave report at 3.10 p.m. on 19th of March, 1990 which was treated as F.I.R. (Ex. 30). On the basis of said F.I.R. cri1r.inal case was registered and the police took up investigation and finally submitted the charge-sheet against the accused whereafter the accused was tried for the offences as already stated. Injured Manohar was taken to_ Dr. Hashing, PW-7 who examined him at about 2.30 p.m. on 19.3.1990. Looking at the injury on the abdominal region doctor took the decision that an emergency operation is necessary and accordingly operated upon the injured - Manohar. Manohar became serious in the Civil Hospital at Alibag and therefore he was taken to Hinduja Hospital, Bom-C bay on 27.3.1990 and ultimately died in Bombay on 29.3.1990. It may be stated at this stage that accused himself after leaving the place of occur-rence came to the court of the District Judge and narrated his version of the incident to him. The District Judge then called the Public Prosecutor and advised him to inform the police immediately about the occurrence. The police was then called and the accused himself gave report in writing giving his version of the occurrence which was treated as F.I.R. of the counter case. The said counter case, however, ultimately ended in acquittal. The defence version of the incident as transpired from the complaint lodged by the accused himself on 19 .3.90 as well as from the suggestions given to the prosecution witnesses and statement of the accused under Section 313 LP. C. is that the Deshmukr family including Nanda, her parents and the maid servant Chhaya rushed from the first floor of the house and started assaulting the accused while he was still inside the car even some dung was spread on his clothes and face, the accused then came out of his car and at that point of time the maid servant Chhaya handed over knife to Sanjay, PW-2 and while Sanjay was attacking the accused with the knife he pushed the deceased on account of which the deceased received the injury on his abdomen and the accused came away from the place by driving his vehicle.

The prosecution examined 13 witnesses in all in support of its case of whom PWs 2 and 3 are the eye witnesses to the occurrence. PW-7 is the Civil Surgeon of Civil Hospital, Alibag where the injured Manohar Desh-mukh had been operated upon and PWs 8 and 10 are also the doctors attached to the said hospital at Alibag. Said PW-10, Dr. Adhatrao had also

examined the accused a~d had issued the Injury Certificate (Ex. 61). PW-11 is the Medical Officer who had performed autopsy on the dead body of deceased Manohar and the post-mortem report given by him is Ex.68. PW-12 also is the doctor and was Associate Professor in Pathology and he had examined the viscera~of the deceased. PW-13 is the investigat-ing officer and he had recorded the statement of deceased Manohar at the _ Civil Hospital, Alibag in the evening of 19th of March, 1990 which has been treated to be the dying declaration (Ex. 79). From the evidence of the doctors who had conducted the operation on deceased Manohar as well as the doctor who conducted the autopsy on the dead body of the deceased Mai:;iar the learned Sessions Judge recorded finding that Manohar met with homicidal death and the said finding has not been assailed either in the High Court or in this Court. On 19th of March, 1990 an incident happened near Sneha Apartment is also not disputed nor is it disputed that on account of sustaining injury by means of knife Manohar, father of PW-3 ultimately died and Sanjay Patil, PW-2 also received some injuries. The dispute centres round the question as to what manner the incident occurred. While according to the ocular statements of eye- witnesses of PWs 2 and 3 deceased Manohar and Sanjay Patil PW-2 received the injuries on their person on account of stabbing blow being given by accused, according to the defence version it was Sanjay who was rushing towards the accused with the knife in his hand which he got from the maid servant Chhaya and accused then pushed the deceased Manohar on ac-E count of which deceased sustained the injury and ultimately succumbed to the same in the hospital. The learned Sessions Judge as well as the High Court relying upon the evidence of PWs 2 and 3 have concurrently found that the prosecution story unfolded through the evidence of these two witnesses is true and reliable and the defence version of the incident has not been accepted. The learned Sessions Judge came to the conclusion that the accused caused an injury on Manohar with the intention to kill him but the High Court reversed that finding and came to hold that there was no intention on the part of the accused to kill Manohar and accordingly altered the conviction of Section 302 to Section 304 Part-I I.P.C.

Mr. Shanti Bhushan the learned senior counsel appearing for the accused - appellant contended that the accused having sustained several injuries on his person and the prosecution having not explained as to how those injures could be sustained by the accused, the entire prosecution case as unfolded through the evidence of PWs 2 and 3 become vulnerable and

[as such. no reliance can be placed on the said testimony and prosecution ]case must fail. The learned counsel further contended that from the prosecution evidence itself as well as from the injuries sustained by the accused it transpires that the accused was being assaulted by the deceased, his daughter Nanda, his wife, his maid servant and Sanjay, PW-2 while the accused was still sitting in his car and at that point of time the accused having apprehended danger to his life or at least danger of sustaining grievous injury in hands of the deceased and his family members, gave the single blow on the abdomen of the deceased in exercise of right of private defence on his person and therefore the conviction of the appellant is unsustainable. Mr. Shanti Bhushan lastly submitted that even assuming the prosecution case as unfolded through the evidence of PW s 2 and 3 is wholly correct then yet the offence should be one at the most under Section 304 Part-II and not under Section 304 Part-I inasmuch as the act of the accused by which the death was ultimately caused cannot be said to have been done with the intention of causing death or of causing such bodily injury as is [likely to cause death. This ][is ][apparent not only from the fact that the single ]blow was given but also from the fact that the injured was operated upon and survived thereafter till 29.3.1990 and there might be variety of reasons for such death which may not be connected with directly to the injury that was caused by the accused on the abdomen of the deceased.

Shri Shah the learned senior counsel appearing for the State on the other hand repelled the contention raised by Mr. Shanti Bhushan and urged that there is no materials available on record from which it can be said that the accused caused the injury in exercise of right of private defence. He further contended that in law the prosecution is not obliged [to explain minor and superficial injuries on accused and non-explanation ]of such superficial injuries will not fatal to the prosecution. But in the case in hand according to the learned counsel the prosecution has offered an explanation for the so-called minor injuries on the accused inasmuch as PW-2 Sanjay stated in his evidence that he pushed back the accused towards the wall and on account of such conduct he might have su~tained some injuries. The learned counsel also urged that looking at the injury caused by the accused and the part of the body of the deceased where such injury was caused it must be reasonably held that the accused had the intention of causing such bodily injury which is likely to cause death and medical evidence clearly supports that view and consequently the accused [was ][convicted by the High Court under Section 304 Part-I I.P.C. In support ]

of the State's appeal, the learned counsel urged that the order of acquittal of the charge under Section 302 is unjustified as evidence reveals that accused with the intention of causing murder brought out the pen knife and pushed it inside the deceased Manohar. At any rate even if the accused can be said to have been rightly convicted under Section 304 Part-I by the High Court, the sentence awarded thereunder is wholly unjustified and this Court should enhance the sentence.

In view of the rival submissions at the Bar the first and foremost question that arises for consideration is whether the non-explanation of the injuries found on the accused can be said to be fatal to the prosecution case and further whether the prosecution has offered any explanation which can be said to be acceptable. Mr. Shanti Bhushan the learned senior counsel appearing for the accused - appellant strongly relied upon the decision of this Court in the case of Lakshmi Singh and others v. State of Bihai; [1976) 4 SCC 394 in support of his contention that non-explanation of the injuries on the accused by the prosecution is fatal to the prosecution case. In the aforesaid case this Court held that in murder case the non- explanation of the injuries sustained by the accused at about the time of the occurrence or in the course of altercation is very important cir-cumstance from which the court can draw the following inferences :

(1) that the prosecution has suppressed the genesis and the origin of the occurrence and has thus not presented the true version;

(2) that the witnesses who have denied the presence of the injuries on the person of the accused are lying on most material point and therefore their evidence is unreliable;

(3) that in case there is defence version which explains the injuries on the person of the accused it is rendered probable so as to throw doubt on the prosecution case.

While observing this the Court hasten to add as held by this Court in State of Gujarat V. Bai Fatima, (1975] 2 sec 7 ; "there may be cases where the non-explanation of the injuries by the prosecution may not affect the prosecution case. This principle would obviously apply to cases where the injuries sustained by the accused are minor and superficial or where the evidence is so clear and cogent, so independent and disinterested, so probable, consistent and credit worthy, that it far outweighs the effect of

the omission on the part of the prosecution to explain the injuries," Bearing in mind the aforesaid principles of law the contention of Mr. Shanti Bhushan on this score is required to be examined. The accused as per the Injury Certificate (Ex. 61) given to him was found to have sustained the following injuries :

"(1) Contusion on back right scapular region vertically directed 10.3 cm x 2 cm red discoloration.

(2) Contusion on back right scapular region vertically directed 6 cm x 2 cm red discoloration.

(3) Abrasion on left ring figure proximal Phalank dorwal aspect 1cmx1 cm.

(4) Contusion on forehead middle region vertically directed 3cm x 1/2 cm red discoloured.

(5) Abrasion at bridge of nose 1/2 cm.

( 6) Contusion on right side of cheek inner aspect 2 cm x 1/2 cm red discoloration.

Simple blunt object."

The dimension and nature of injuries clearly indicate that they are simple in nature. There were two abrasions and four contusions. These injuries found on the person of the accused are such that non-explanation to them could not be fatal to the prosecution case as was held by this Court in Bai Fa_tima's case referred to supra (1975) 2 SCC 7. Mr. Shanti Bhushan no doubt strenuously urged that the injury held by the doctor to be simple is in contradistinction to 'grievous' but the contusion on forehead though of dimension 3 cm x 1/2 cm must be held to be an injury of such nature which the prosecution was obliged to explain and in the absence of any explanation it ought to be held that the prosecution is not coming forward with true version of the case. We are unable to accept this submission of the learned counsel. The principle that non-explanation of injury on the person of the accused would be fatal to the prosecution case would apply only when the injuries could be of such nature which the prosecution witnesses cannot but._notic.e the same. But the injury on the person of the accused even on the forehead which was found by the doctor is such that

it would be difficult to hold that the prosecution witnesses must be held to have noticed the same and must offer an explanation. Such minor injuries can be caused for variety of reasons and the prosecution case must not suffer for non-explanation of such minor injuries. We are therefore µnable to accept the contention of Mr. Shanti Bhushan on this score. We also find sufficient force in the contention of Mr. Shah, learned counsel appearing for the State-respondent that the prosecution has offered explanation for such minor injuries on the person of the accused. PW-2, Sanjay Patil in his evidence has categorically stated that while the accused was attempting second blow at the deceased he caught hold of wrist of the' accused and then pushed him back as result of which the accused there dashed against the compound wall. It is just possible that on account of such dashing the minor injuries on the person of the accused could have been possible. That apart the accused was examined himself as DW-2 and has stated that while he was still inside the car the prosecution party namely deceased Manohar and his. daughter assaulted him with stick, on that score also the accused might has sustained the injuries in question. In this view of the matter on the materials on record we are not in_ position to hold that there has been no explanation for the minor injuries sustained on the person of the accused.The next question that would arise is whether the accused can be said to have inflicted the blow on the abdomen of the deceased while apprehending grievous injury on him from the prosecution party. In that event the benefit of Section 100 of the Indian Penal Code can be given to him. Under Section 100 of the Indian Penal Code the right of private defence of body extends to the assailant if the offence which occasions the exercise of the right be of any of the descriptions enumerated in six clauses of the said Section. According to Mr. Shanti Bhushan, the learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant when the accused was being assaulted with the 'tommy' reasonable apprehension could have been caused that grievous hurt will otherwise be the consequence of the assault and therefore the accused was justified in giving the blow in exercise of his right . of private defence on his person. It may be noticed that the accused though himself had been examined as witness in the case as DW-2 but he has never uttered word indicating that he had any apprehension of grievous hurt being caused to him. It is of course true that in law plea of right of private defence would be available to the accused even though the plea has

not been taken by the accused provided the materials on record would justify such plea. But since it is the apprehension of the accused which could be material to sustain plea of right of private defence and since the accused himself chose to be examined as witness and has not uttered word about such apprehension it would be difficult to sustain the plea. That apart from the materials available on record namely the prosecution evidence of the case, Mr. Shanti Bhushan has not been able to lay his hand on any specific part of the evidence from which such plea can at all be said to be available to the accused. As has been stated earlier the injuries which the accused has sustained on his person might have been caused while the accused was pushed by Sanjay and was dashed against the compm~nd wall or even while the accused was sitting in his car and was said to have been assaulted by the deceased and his daughter by stick. But the incident of stabbing on the abdomen of the deceased has not occurred while the accused was inside the car but on the other hand while he has come out and while the deceased wanted to prevent an attack by the accused on Nanda. Dr. Adhatrao, PW-10 in his evidence has categorically stated, after referring to the injury certificate mentioned in respect of the accused and after being shown iron tommy of the motor vehicle, that "after examining the article physically I state that the said article is neither heavy nor light. I state that injuries of such nature on the person of Kasam Hafiz would not have accrued with forceful assault with such tommy and wooden stick." In the absence of any material on record to establish that the so-called assault by the tommy might have reasonably caused the apprehension in the mind of the accused that grievous hurt will otherwise be caused and in view of the aforesaid positive evidence of the doctor referred to, it is difficult to hold that assault given by the accused can be said to be one in exercise of right of private defence on his person. We are therefore not in position to sustain the contention of Mr. Shanti Bhushan on this score. Though normally this court does not scrutinise the evidence of witnesses in case where the two courts below have believed the evidence of the witnesses and have concurrently held that prosecution case has been established beyond reasonable .doubt but in view of the contentions raised we have ourselves carefully scrutinised the evidence of two eye-witnesses PWs 2 and 3. On going through their evidence we find them to be wholly trustworthy and reliable and we do not find anything brought out in their cross-examination to impeach their testimony. On theirevidence, in our considered opinion it must be held that the prosecution case has been proved beyond reasonable doubt that it is accused appellant who caused the injury on the abdomen of the deceased Manohar on account of which Manohar died ultimately in the hospital.

It may not be out of place to notice another argument advanced on behalf of the accused - appellant that the prosecution have not examined independent witnesses though available and have chosen to examine only the interested witnesses. On being asked, the counsel for the appellant could not justify as to why Sanjay, PW- 2 can be held to be an interested witness as the records of the case reveal. Nanda, PW-3 and the accused both were working in the chambers of Shri D.N. Patil, father of Sanjay till accused was appointed as Assistant Public Prosecutor. The relationship between them was very cordial and neither the accused has stated in his evidence nor there is an iota of material on record to hold that Sanjay had any axe to grind against the accused. He can not be held to be interested in the prosecution and inimical to the accused and therefore must be held to be wholly dis- interested witness. That apart even the evidence on record does not disclose that there were other independent witnesses available and yet withheld by the prosecution from being examined, consequently no adverse inference can be drawn against the prosecution on that score. In this connection, it may be worthwhile to note that the accused himself immediately after the occurrence has lodged complaint which was treated as first information report in the counter case and nowhere in that complaint he has indicated as to any other outsider being present and seeing the occurrence. In the aforesaid premises, the conclusion of the learned Sessions judge as well as the High Court to the effect that the defence version with regard to the manner in which the injury could have been caused on deceased Manohar is wholly unsustainable and cannot be interfered by this Court. On the· other hand it must be held, on the reliable and unimpeachable evidence of PWs 2 and 3 that the prosecution case has been proved beyond all reasonable doubts.

Mr. Shanti Bhushan's last argument on the question as to what offence can be said to have been caused requires consideration at this stage. According to the learned counsel the acts cannot be said to have caused the injury on the deceased with the intention of causing such bodily

injury as is likely to cause death and therefore the conviction under Section 304 Part-I is unsustainable. The doctor PW-7 who examined the injured Deshmukh immediately after the occurrence and who thought it necessary to undertake an emergency operation clearly indicated in his evidence that the patient had stab wound over the abdomen and probably omentum was [also seen ][in ][the wound. He further stated that he was ][of ][the ][view ][that the ]operation was immediately necessary and the patient would have died if the operation had not been undertaken. He also stated looking at the injury of the deceased, that the instrument of stabbing must have moved inside the intestines and such injury could be inflicted with sharp object like knife and the injuries can be called dangerous. He also opined that the injuries are sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death in ordinary circumstances. From the evidence of Sanjay it is crystal clear that not only the accused gave the stabbing blow on the abdomen of the deceased but even tried to give second blow which missed and it is on that point of time Sanjay intervened and he was also ultimately injured. Looking at the na~ure of injuries sustained by the deceased and the circumstances as enumerated above the conclusion is irresistible that the death was caused by the acts of the accused done with the intention of causing such bodily injury as is likely to cause death and therefore the offence would squarely come within the 1st part of Section 304 l.P.C. The guilty intention of the accused to cause such bodily injury as is likely to cause death is apparent from the fact that he did attempt second blow though did not succeed in the same and it somehow missed. In that view of the matter we are of the considered opinion that the High Court has rightly convicted the appellant under Section 304 Part-I I.P.C.

Mr. Shanti Bhushan in course of his arguments brought to our notice an affidavit filed in this Court by Shri D.N. Patil an advocate of Alibag, District - Raigad, Maharashtra. The said affidavit is nothing but character certificate in respect of the accused and in our view ought not to have been filed by senior lawyer of which obviously no use can be made. In the aforesaid premises we do not find any merits in this appeal which is accordingly dismissed.

Coming to the State appeal, in view of our conclusions arrived hereinbefore, we do not find any merit in the same. No doubt the conten-H tion of Mr. Shah the learned senior. counsel appearing for the State on the

question of sentence has some substance as ordinarily for conviction under Section 304 Part-I sentence of 5 years can be held to be not proper. But having considered the facts and circumstances of the case and reasons advanced by the High Court in giving such sentence we are not inclined to interfere with the same. The appeal arising out of the SLP filed by the State accordingly also is dismissed.

In the net result, therefore, both the appeals are dismissed. The bail bond furnished by the accused - appellant stands cancelled and appellant is directed to surrender to serve balance period of sentence.

Appeals dismissed.