Atbir Vs.
Govt. of N.C.T of Delhi [2010] INSC 613 (9 August 2010)
Judgment
IN THE
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 870
OF 2006 Atbir .... Appellant(s) Versus Govt. of N.C.T. of Delhi ....
Respondent(s) WITH CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 877 OF 2006
P.
Sathasivam, J.
1.
These appeals are directed against the final judgment and order
dated 13.01.2006 of the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi in Criminal Appeal No.
805 of 2004, Murder Reference No. 3 of 2004 and Criminal Appeal No. 876 of 2004
whereby the High Court dismissed the criminal appeals filed by the appellants
herein and confirmed the 1 sentence awarded by the learned Additional Sessions
Judge, Delhi in Murder reference.
2.
The case of the prosecution is as under:
a) Atbir,
the appellant in Criminal Appeal No. 870 of 2006 is the son of one Jaswant
Singh. Jaswant Singh had married accused Chandra @ Chandrawati, who is
absconding and from the said wedlock, three children, namely, Satbir, Atbir and
Anju were born to them.
Thereafter,
Jaswant Singh married Sheela Devi, the deceased and from their wedlock, one
daughter Sonu @ Savita and one son Manish @ Mannu - the deceased, were born.
Sheela Devi - the 2nd wife of Jaswant Singh was staying at Mukherjee Nagar,
Delhi, with her children.
They were
having dispute over the division of their properties.
(b) On
the afternoon of 22.01.1996, on receiving information of murder of a man and
that of one injured at N-33, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi, Inspector Virender Singh,
Addl. S.H.O., Mukherjee Nagar Police Station along with 2 ASI Kanwar Lal, Ct.
Manoj Kumar and Ct. Jogender Singh rushed to the place of occurrence and found
two dead bodies, one of female and other of a boy aged about 16 years in the
adjacent room on the ground floor of N-33, Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi. Both were
later identified as Smt. Sheela Devi, second wife of Jaswant Singh and her son
Manish @ Mannu. It was revealed at the spot that one injured, namely, Sonu @
Savita, daughter of Sheela Devi was removed to Hindu Rao Hospital in a PCR
Gypsy.
After
leaving ASI Kanwar Lal at the spot, Inspector Virender Singh along with his
team rushed to Hindu Rao Hospital and on endorsement given by Dr. Sharat
Chandra Jai Singh-PW 30 that "patient fit for statement", recorded
the statement given by Sonu @ Savita. In the statement, Sonu @ Savita alleged
that Chandra @ Chandrawati her step-mother, along with her son Atbir, one
Ashok-appellant herein in Crl. Appeal No. 877 of 2006 and one person whose name
she did not know entered their house and demanded money from her mother Sheela
3 Devi but she refused. Accused persons bolted the doors from inside and Atbir
took out a knife and stabbed Manish @ Mannu, who was held by Chandra @
Chandrawati, Ashok and another. Thereafter, Atbir stabbed Sheela Devi and then
Sonu @ Savita with knife. On the above statement, a case under Sections 307 and
302 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as "I.P.C.")
was registered at Mukherjee Nagar Police Station and investigation started. On
24.01.1996, Sonu @ Savita succumbed to her injuries and died at Hindu Rao
Hospital.
(c) On
completion of the formalities, the challan was filed in the Court of
Metropolitan Magistrate and after completion of committal proceedings, the case
was re- allocated to the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Delhi.
On
12.08.1997, a charge under Section 302 read with Section 34 I.P.C. was framed
against accused Atbir, Ashok and Chandra @ Chandrawati. On 24.08.1999, on
filing the supplementary challan against accused Arvind, the 4 charge was
re-framed against all the accused persons, namely, Atbir, Ashok, Arvind and
Chandra @ Chandrawati by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, to which they
pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. Prosecution examined as many as 41 witnesses
and their statements were recorded. The Additional Sessions Judge, vide order
dated 27.09.2004, convicted Atbir - appellant in Crl.A. No.870/2006 with death
penalty and Ashok- appellant in Crl. A. No. 877/2006 with life imprisonment and
acquitted Arvind. The accused Chandra @ Chandrawati remained absconding. Being
aggrieved by the order of the Additional Sessions Judge, Delhi, the appellants
herein filed appeal before the High Court. The murder reference was also sent
by the Sessions Court to the High Court.
The High
Court, by the impugned judgment and order dated 13.01.2006, confirmed the
findings recorded by the Additional Sessions Judge and upheld the conviction of
the appellants awarded by him. Against the said judgment, the appellants have
preferred these appeals by 5 way of special leave before this Court.
1.
2.
3.
Heard Mr. K.B. Sinha, learned senior counsel for the appellant in
Crl. Appeal No. 870 of 2006, Mr. A.T.M. Rangaramanujam, learned senior counsel
for the appellant in Crl. Appeal No. 877 of 2006 and Mr. J.S. Atri, learned
senior counsel for the respondent-State.
4.
Mr. K. B. Sinha, learned senior counsel, has raised the following
contentions:- (i) Whether the dying declaration made before the police officer
without there being any corroboration from any other independent witness in
itself is sufficient to convict the accused with capital punishment.
(ii) When
there was sufficient time for the Magistrate to be called for recording the
dying declaration, the statement made before the Investigating Officer can be
treated as dying declaration and the conviction of the accused with capital
punishment can be sustained.
(iii)
When the Doctor-PW 30, in whose presence the alleged statement "Dying
Declaration" was recorded, has 6 stated in his deposition that the trachea
of the deceased Sonu @ Savita was torn then whether the dying declaration made
before the Investigation Officer inspire the confidence to base the conviction
on the said sole statement.
(iv) When
all the injuries responsible for causing the death, as noted in the statement
of doctor C.B. Dabbas- PW 9, who conducted the post-mortem on the dead body,
were on the neck then whether the dying declaration made before the I.O. can be
relied on to base the conviction.
(v)
Whether no corroboration of any kind is required to the dying declaration and
the conviction can be based solely on the dying declaration.
(vi)
Whether the High Court is justified in holding that the lust for property was
the motive of the accused persons for committing the murder.
(vii)
Whether the courts below are justified in awarding death sentence in the facts
and circumstances of the case and principles laid down by this Court.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mr. Rangaramanujam, learned senior counsel for one of the
appellants reiterated very same contentions relating to recording of dying
declaration by the police officer when the Magistrate was very well available.
He also submitted that in the absence of any corroborative evidence, conviction
solely on the basis of dying declaration cannot be sustained. He further
submitted that though, the knife, which was said to be used and recovered,
prosecution has not established the ownership of the same.
6.
Mr. Atri, learned senior counsel for the State has submitted that
in view of the categorical statements by way of dying declaration by Sonu @
Savita, recorded by police officer after certifying that she was in a fit state
of mind to make a statement by the doctor coupled with the admissible portion
of Suresh Chauhan PW-2, Arvind Monga PW-4, Jaswant Singh PW-5, Ct. Kulvinder
Singh PW-8, Dr. C.B. Dabbas PW-9, Dr. Ruma Jain PW-26 and Dr. Sharat Chandra
Jai Singh PW-30, absolutely there is 8 no ground for interference. He also
highlighted that in view of aggravating circumstances, eliminating the entire family
and considering the brutality and exceptional depravity, the appellant-Atbir
deserves capital punishment. The life imprisonment imposed on the other
accused, namely, Ashok is also justifiable and there is no valid ground for
interference and prayed for dismissal of both the appeals.
7.
We have carefully considered the rival contentions and perused the
relevant materials.
8.
Among the various contentions raised by both the sides, major part
relates to two legal submissions:- a) Admissibility and reliability of the
dying declaration made by Sonu @ Savita before the Investigating officer.
b)
Whether death sentence insofar as Atbir and life sentence insofar as Ashok is
warranted.
(A)
"Dying Declaration".
It is
true that in the case on hand, conviction under Section 302 was based solely on
the dying declaration 9 made by Sonu @ Savita and recorded by Investigating
Officer in the presence of a Doctor. Since we have already narrated the case of
prosecution which led to three deaths, eliminating the second wife and the
children of one Jaswant Singh, there is no need to traverse the same once
again. This Court in a series of decisions enumerated and analyzed that while
recording the dying declaration, factors such as mental condition of the maker,
alertness of mind and memory, evidentiary value etc. have to be taken into
account.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
In Munnu Raja and Another vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh, (1976)
3 SCC 104, this Court held:- "....It is well settled that though a dying
declaration must be approached with caution for the reason that the maker of
the statement cannot be subject to cross- examination, there is neither a rule
of law nor a rule of prudence which has hardened into a rule of law that a
dying declaration cannot be acted upon unless it is corroborated...."
It is
true that in the same decision, it was held, since the Investigating Officers
are naturally interested in the success of the investigation and the practice
of the 10 Investigating Officer himself recording a dying declaration during
the course of an investigation ought not to have been encouraged.
10.
In Paras Yadav and Ors. vs. State of Bihar, (1999) 2 SCC 126, this
Court held that lapse on the part of the Investigation Officer in not bringing
the Magistrate to record the statement of the deceased should not be taken in
favour of the accused. This Court further held that a statement of the deceased
recorded by a police officer in a routine manner as a complaint and not as a
dying declaration can also be treated as dying declaration after the death of
the injured and relied upon if the evidence of the prosecution witnesses
clearly establishes that the deceased was conscious and was in a fit state of
health to make the statement.
11.
The effect of dying declaration not recorded by the Magistrate was
considered and reiterated in Balbir Singh 11 Paragraph 23 of the said judgment
is relevant which reads as under:
"23.
However, in State of Karnataka v. Shariff, (2003) 2 SCC 473, this Court
categorically held that there was no requirement of law that a dying
declaration must necessarily be made before a Magistrate. This Court therein
noted its earlier decision in Ram Bihari Yadav v. State of Bihar, (1998) 4 SCC
517, wherein it was also held that the dying declaration need not be in the
form of questions and answers. (See also Laxman v. State of Maharashtra, (2002)
6 SCC 710)."
It is
clear that merely because the dying declaration was not recorded by the
Magistrate, by itself cannot be a ground to reject the whole prosecution case.
It also clarified that where the declaration is wholly inconsistent or
contradictory statements are made or if it appears from the records that the
dying declaration is not reliable, a question may arise as to why the
Magistrate was not called for, but ordinarily the same may not be insisted
upon. This Court further held that the statement of the injured, in event of
her death may also be treated as FIR.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
In State of Rajasthan vs. Wakteng, (2007) 14 SCC 550, the view in
Balbir Singh's case(supra) has been 12 reiterated. The following conclusions
are relevant which read as under:
"14.
Though conviction can be based solely on the dying declaration, without any
corroboration the same should not be suffering from any infirmity.
15. While
great solemnity and sanctity is attached to the words of a dying man because a
person on the verge of death is not likely to tell lie or to concoct a case so
as to implicate an innocent person but the court has to be careful to ensure
that the statement was not the result of either tutoring, prompting or a
product of the imagination. It is, therefore, essential that the court must be
satisfied that the deceased was in a fit state of mind to make the statement,
had clear capacity to observe and identify the assailant and that he was making
the statement without any influence or rancour.
Once the
court is satisfied that the dying declaration is true and voluntary it is
sufficient for the purpose of conviction."
13.
In Bijoy Das vs. State of West Bengal, (2008) 4 SCC 511, this
Court after quoting various earlier decisions, reiterated the same position.
Police,
T.N., (2005) 9 SCC 113, the following discussion and the ultimate conclusion
are relevant which read as under:
14.
"This is a case where the basis of conviction of the accused
is the dying declaration. The situation in which a person is on the deathbed is
so solemn and serene when he is dying that the grave position in which he is
placed, is the reason in law to accept veracity of his statement. It is for
this reason that the requirements of oath and cross-examination are dispensed
with.
13
Besides, should the dying declaration be excluded it will result in miscarriage
of justice because the victim being generally the only eyewitness in a serious
crime, the exclusion of the statement would leave the court without a scrap of
evidence.
15.
Though a dying declaration is entitled to great weight, it is worthwhile to
note that the accused has no power of cross- examination. Such a power is
essential for eliciting the truth as an obligation of oath could be. This is
the reason the court also insists that the dying declaration should be of such
a nature as to inspire full confidence of the court in its correctness. The
court has to be on guard that the statement of the deceased was not as a result
of either tutoring, or prompting or a product of imagination. The court must be
further satisfied that the deceased was in a fit state of mind after a clear
opportunity to observe and identify the assailant. Once the court is satisfied
that the declaration was true and voluntary, undoubtedly, it can base its
conviction without any further corroboration. It cannot be laid down as an
absolute rule of law that the dying declaration cannot form the sole basis of
conviction unless it is corroborated. The rule requiring corroboration is
merely a rule of prudence."
15.
The same view has been reiterated by a three Judge Bench decision
of this Court in Panneerselvam vs. State of Tamil Nadu, (2008) 17 SCC 190 and
also the principles governing the dying declaration as summed up in Paniben vs.
State of Gujarat , (1992) 2 SCC 474.
16.
The analysis of the above decisions clearly shows that, (i) Dying
declaration can be the sole basis of conviction if it inspires the full
confidence of the Court.
(ii) The
Court should be satisfied that the deceased was in a fit state of mind at the
time of making the 14 statement and that it was not the result of tutoring,
prompting or imagination.
(iii)
Where the Court is satisfied that the declaration is true and voluntary, it can
base its conviction without any further corroboration.
(iv) It
cannot be laid down as an absolute rule of law that the dying declaration
cannot form the sole basis of conviction unless it is corroborated. The rule
requiring corroboration is merely a rule of prudence.
(v) Where
dying declaration is suspicious, it should not be acted upon without
corroborative evidence.
(vi) A
dying declaration which suffers from infirmity such as the deceased was
unconscious and could never make any statement cannot form the basis of
conviction.
(vii)
Merely because a dying declaration does not contain all the details as to the
occurrence, it is not to be rejected.
(viii)
Even if it is a brief statement, it is not to be discarded.
(ix) When
the eye-witness affirms that the deceased was not in a fit and conscious state
to make the dying declaration, medical opinion cannot prevail.
(x) If
after careful scrutiny, the Court is satisfied that it is true and free from
any effort to induce the 15 deceased to make a false statement and if it is
coherent and consistent, there shall be no legal impediment to make it basis of
conviction, even if there is no corroboration.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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7.
8.
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14.
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16.
17.
In the case on hand, the Additional Sessions Judge has found the
dying declaration credit worthy and has held the same to have been made by the
deceased in a fit mental state to depose. The English translation of the dying
declaration, as made by the deceased to Inspector V.S. Chauhan-PW-41 in the
presence of Dr. Sharat Chandra Jai Singh, PW-30 and as recorded by him, which
was registered as FIR reads thus:
Ms Sonu @
Savita, d/o Shri Jaswant Singh, aged 16 years, r/o - N-33, Mukherjee Nagar,
Delhi made the following statement:- "I reside at the aforesaid address.
My father's name is Jaswant Singh and that of my mother is Sheela. Today at
about 2:30 p.m. My mother Sheela, brother Mannu and myself were present in the
house and were doing our work.
At that
time, my step mother Chandra, her son Atbir, one Ashok and one more person,
whose name I do not know, entered our house and demanded money from my mother
whereupon, my mother told that she was not having money.
Thereafter,
Atbir took out a knife while my step mother Chandra, Ashok and the third one
caught hold of my brother Manish @ Mannu. Atbir, then stabbed upon my brother
and injured him badly. Then, they caught hold of my mother.
Atbir
also injured my mother badly. Thereafter they caught hold of me and gave
several knife blows upon me as a result 16 of which I also got badly injured. I
have witnessed the incidence. A. PCR Van has brought me (to the hospital).
Legal
action may be taken accordingly."
Sd/- Sonu
(In English) Attested Sd/- V.S. Chauhan (In English) Dt. 2.1.1996 S.H.O. P.S.
Mukherjee Nagar,Delhi `The statement has been taken in my presence. The patient
is in composed mentis.' Sd/- Sarat Chandra Jai Singh (In English) Dt. 22.1.1996
C.M.O.(5)"
After
making the above declaration she herself signed the same and it also carries an
endorsement by Dr. Sharat Chandra to the effect that she was in a fit mental
state. After careful analysis, the trial Judge as well as the High Court found
that there is total clarity in its contents and it is not a case where the
deceased was either rambling, unsure or had contradicted herself. We have
already adverted to the several decisions of this Court holding that there is
no compulsion that all dying declarations have to be made before the
Magistrate. In the case on hand, the incident occurred on 17 22.01.1996 at 2.30
p.m., the injured Sonu @ Savita was admitted in the hospital at 3.30 p.m. and
she made declaration at 4.05 p.m. on the same day. It is also relevant to note
that immediately after recording her statement, doctor referred her to
Emergency Ward to save her life. However, she died on 24.01.1996 at 12.30 p.m.
The Inspector who recorded the statement was cross-examined and the details and
his evidence was not shattered by the defence, in fact, not even a suggestion
to the Investigation Officer about the availability of Magistrate at the
relevant point of time. Since the statement of Sonu @ Savita was very brief as
to the circumstances and persons involved who caused brutal injuries on her
body as well as her mother and brother, in addition to the same, Dr.
Sharat
Chandra has also certified that at the relevant time she was in a fit mental
state and endorsed the same by putting his signatures near the signature of the
deponent Sonu @ Savita.
In such
circumstances, there is no reason to disbelieve the statement of Sonu @ Savita
implicating the three accused persons i.e. Atbir, Ashok (appellants herein) and
Chandra @ Chandrawati (absconding accused).
18.
Learned counsel appearing for the appellants, by pointing out the
nature of injuries on the neck of Sonu @ Savita and her medical report,
contended that it would be highly improbable to make such a statement after
sustaining such injuries. In order to meet the above contention, the
prosecution has heavily relied on the statements of Dr. C.B. Dabas-PW-9, Dr.
(Mrs.) Ruma Jain-PW-26 and Dr. Sharat Chandra-PW30.
19.
Dr. C.B. Dabas-PW-9, on 25.01.1995, conducted postmortem
examination on the body of the deceased Savita.
He noticed
21 external injuries. After internal examination, he found the following
injuries on the neck:
"Neck:
Wounds of the neck were further explode and it was observed that muscles of
neck on both sides were cut.
Under
injury No. 2, 4, 5 and 6. With evidence of surgical devridement and repair.
There was infusion of blood in neck tissues and blood rest and blood was still
oozing out from neck vessel of rt. Side. Both external jugular veins and left
facial artery were cut under injury No. 2 and 4 with surgical cultures present
in situ. Right carotid was partially cut under injury No. 6 alongwith the
muscles and smaller vessels of blood was still oozing out of the severed
vessels.
There was
a stitched wound on tracheal thyroid. Traches was patent. Other neck structure
were intact."
19 Since
emphasis was about damage to carotid cartridge, there is no need to refer his
examination about chest, abdomen and head. It is also relevant to note question
and answer and cross-examination about damage to carotid artery.
"Que:
Kindly name the blood vessel which had been severed in injury No. 6? Ans.
Mainly it was right common carotid cartridge and other small vessels.
It is
correct that injuries no. 2, 4 and 5 external jugular veins and left facial
arteries were cut. It is correct that jugular and carotid artery are major
blood vessels.
Carotid
artery supplies blood to the brain. Carotid artery was partially cut. It is
correct that with this partial cut in the carotid artery the blood supply to
the brain will be reduced.
Que:
Whether this reduced blood supply to the brain will adversely affect the
functioning of the brain and will induce coma? Ans. It will depend upon the
amount of blood oozing out of cut in common carotid artery.
I have
not given the dimension of the cut in the common carotid artery as described.
The bigger the size of the cut in the artery it will speed up the process of
affecting the brain function."
It is
clear that according to PW-9, right carotid was partially cut. Trachea was
patent and other neck structures were intact. He has reiterated the same in
cross-examination also.
Inasmuch
as the injury on the carotid was partial coupled 20 with opinion of Dr. Sharat
Chandra PW-30, it cannot be claimed that she was fully disabled from making any
statement.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
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9.
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20.
Dr. (Mrs.) Ruma Jain, PW-26, attached to Hindu Rao Hospital as
CMO, on the date of the incident i.e. on 22.01.1996, in her evidence deposed
that on that day at about 3.30 PM Savita was brought by ASI Shanti. She
medically examined her. Though she found her general condition was not
satisfactory she had stated that she was conscious and responding to verbal
command. She also noted various injuries including the injury on the neck.
Though during cross-examination, she has stated that the drowsiness was
excessive but in respect of a specific question by the Public Prosecutor, she
answered that "I did not indicate the extent of drowsiness in the MLC
Ex.PW26/A. What was mentioned by me was drowsiness and responding to verbal
command." She also clarified that before signing her statement before re-
examination she had stated that the word excessive appearing in the
cross-examination should not have been there. If we analyze the evidence of
PW-26, which also makes it clear that 21 at the time when Sonu @ Savita was
admitted in the hospital at 3.30 PM though there was indication of drowsiness,
the fact remains that she was responding to verbal command and able to make a
statement.
21.
The other doctor examined by the prosecution is Dr. Sarat Chandra
Jai Singh PW-30. In his evidence, he deposed that on 22.01.1996, he was posted
in Hindu Rao Hospital as Superintendent of Surgery. On that day injured Sonu
was brought to the hospital and she was medically examined by Dr. Tomar,
Casualty Medical Officer and he had opined injured to be fit for statement on
the MLC Ex.PW-26/A. His further statement and assertion are as follows:-
"On that day Insp. V.S. Chauhan had met me at MLC Ward and he had told me
that a dying declaration was to be recorded by him (by the Insp.). On the
request of Insp. Chauhan I medically examined injured Ms. Sonu. She was
mentally fit to maker her statement i.e. she could understand the questions and
could answer the questions put to her. After I certified the injured to be
medically fit for statement Insp. V.S. Chauhan had recorded the statement of
injured Ms. Sonu Ex. PW4/A in my presence and I made my endorsement Ex. PW-30/A
to the erect that the statement had been taken in presence and the patient was in
composed mentis and the endorsement bears my signatures at point P. Insp.
Chauhan had read over statement Ex. PW 4/A to the injured Ms. Sonu and she
signed statement at point Q in token of correctness of her statement."
In the
cross-examination, he deposed that:
22
"When Insp. Chauhan was recording the statement of Ms. Sonu I heard her
statement and then after the recording of this statement was over, Insp.
Chauhan read over the statement to me and at that time Ms. Sonu was also there
and then I signed this statement by giving my endorsement.
It is
correct that I did not mention in my endorsement Ex. PQ 30/A that Insp. Chauhan
read over this statement. To me and Ms. Sonu. During this time, Ms. Sonu was in
surgical emergency ward. Patient had stab injuries and the injuries were
pleading profusely."
PW-30
also asserted that immediately after her statement, Sonu was taken to surgical
emergency ward, since she had stab injuries and was bleeding profusely. It was
in evidence that she was continuously in the emergency ward and ultimately died
on 24.01.1996 at 12.30 PM. This was the reason that because of her critical
position after admission and making her statement, the Magistrate could not be
secured to record her statement.
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22.
The evidence of PW-26 and PW-30, who had treated Sonu, indicate
that immediately after admission in the hospital at 3.30 PM on 22.01.1996 and
at the time of making statement at 4.05 PM she was in a fit condition. It is
also clear that immediately after her statement because of the injuries she was
taken to emergency ward and she was kept therein till her death on 24.01.1996.
It is also clear that in 23 respect of injury on the carotid in view of the
fact that it was only partially cut and able to speak and inform what had
happened at 2.30 PM, her statement to Inspector P.S.Chauhan PW-41 in the
presence of Dr. Sarat Chandra Jai Singh PW-30 is legally permissible and
admissible in evidence. The learned trial Judge has rightly relied on those
materials and the High Court correctly approved the same. We accept the said
conclusion and reject the contentions raised by Mr. Sinha and Mr.
Rangaramanujam.
(B)
"Motive"
The
prosecution has also proved motive. It is abundantly clear from the evidence of
Jaswant Singh, PW-5 that when Satbir and his brother Atbir demanded 25-26
Bighas of agricultural land in Bulandshahar, U.P. though agreed but executed a
Will (Ex. PW-5/D) bequeathing those lands in their favour but the same was not
acceptable by his sons, particularly Atbir and he apprehended that because of
the presence of his step-mother and her children, he may not get 24 properties
of his father, both movable and immovable, at once.
Since
this was in his mind and in consultation with his mother Chandra @ Chandawati,
he planned to eliminate the entire family of Sheela. These aspects have been
amply projected by the prosecution and rightly accepted by the trial Court and
the High Court.
(C) Death
sentence 24) When the constitutional validity of death penalty for murder
provided in Section 302 of the Penal Code and sentencing procedure embodied in
sub-section (3) of Section 354 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, was
questioned, the Constitution Bench of this Court in Bachan Singh v. State of
Punjab, (1980) 2 SCC 684, after thorough discussion, rejected the challenge to
the constitutionality of the said provisions and ruled that "life
imprisonment is the rule and death sentence an exception". It has also
noted that "Aggravating as well as "Mitigating Circumstances" to
be considered for imposition of sentence of death.
"Aggravating
Circumstances 25 (a) If the murder has been committed after previous planning
and involves extreme brutality; or (b) If the murder involves exceptional
depravity; or (c) If the murder is of a member of any of the armed forces of
the Union or of a member of any police force or of any public servant and was
committed:- (i) While such member or public servant was on duty; or (ii) In
consequence of anything done or attempted to be done by such member or public
servant in the lawful discharge of his duty as such member or public servant
whether at the time of murder he was such member or public servant, as the case
may be, or had ceased to be such member or public servant; or (d) If the murder
is of a person who had acted in the lawful discharge of his duty under Section
43 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or who had rendered assistance to a
Magistrate or a police officer after demanding his aid or requiring his
assistance under Section 37 and Section 129 of the said Code."
"Mitigating
Circumstances"
(1) That
the offence was committed under the influence of extreme mental or emotional
disturbance.
(2) The
age of the accused. If the accused is young or old, he shall not be sentenced
to death.
26 (3)
The probability that the accused would not commit criminal acts of violence as
would constitute a continuing threat to society.
(4) The
probability that the accused can be reformed and rehabilitated.
The State
shall by evidence prove that the accused does not satisfy the conditions (3)
and (4) above.
(5) That
in the facts and circumstances of the case the accused believed that he was
morally justified in committing the offence.
(6) That
the accused acted under the duress or domination of another person.
(7) That
the condition of the accused showed that he was mentally defective and that the
said defect impaired his capacity to appreciate the criminality of his
conduct."
25) A
three-Judge Bench in Machhi Singh vs. State of Punjab, (1983) 3 SCC 470 after analyzing
the Constitution Bench decision in Bachan Singh (supra), held the following
propositions for determination of rarest of rare cases:- "Death Sentence
32. The
reasons why the community as a whole does not endorse the humanistic approach
reflected in `death sentence-in-no-case' doctrine are not far to seek. In the
first place, the very humanistic edifice is constructed on the foundation of
`reverence for life' principle. When a member of the community violates this
very principle by killing another member, the society may not feel itself bound
by the shackles of this doctrine. Secondly, it has to be realised that every
member of the community is able to live with safety 27 without his or her own
life being endangered because of the protective arm of the community and on
account of the rule of law enforced by it. The very existence of the rule of
law and the fear of being brought to book operates as a deterrent for those who
have no scruples in killing others if it suits their ends. Every member of the community
owes a debt to the community for this protection. When ingratitude is shown
instead of gratitude by `killing' a member of the community which protects the
murderer himself from being killed, or when the community feels that for the
sake of self- preservation the killer has to be killed, the community may well
withdraw the protection by sanctioning the death penalty. But the community
will not do so in every case. It may do so `in rarest of rare cases' when its
collective conscience is so shocked that it will expect the holders of the
judicial power centre to inflict death penalty irrespective of their personal
opinion as regards desirability or otherwise of retaining death penalty. The
community may entertain such a sentiment when the crime is viewed from the
platform of the motive for, or the manner of commission of the crime, or the
anti-social or abhorrent nature of the crime, such as for instance:
I. Manner
of commission of murder
33. When
the murder is committed in an extremely brutal, grotesque, diabolical,
revolting or dastardly manner so as to arouse intense and extreme indignation
of the community.
For
instance, (i) when the house of the victim is set aflame with the end in view
to roast him alive in the house;
(ii) when
the victim is subjected to inhuman acts of torture or cruelty in order to bring
about his or her death;
(iii)
when the body of the victim is cut into pieces or his body is dismembered in a
fiendish manner;
II.
Motive for commission of murder
34. When
the murder is committed for a motive which evinces total depravity and
meanness. For instance when (a) a hired assassin commits murder for the sake of
money or reward (b) a cold-blooded murder is committed with a deliberate design
in order to inherit property or to gain control over property of a ward or a
person under the control of the murderer or vis-`-vis whom the murderer is in a
dominating position or in a position of trust, or (c) a murder is committed in
the course of betrayal of the motherland.
III.
Anti-social or socially abhorrent nature of the crime
35. (a)
When murder of a member of a Scheduled Caste or minority community, etc. is
committed not for personal reasons but in circumstances which arouse social
wrath. For instance when such a crime is committed in order to terrorise such
persons and frighten them into fleeing from a place or in order to deprive them
of, or make them surrender, lands or benefits conferred on them with a view to
28 reverse past injustices and in order to restore the social balance.
(b) In
cases of `bride burning' and what are known as `dowry deaths' or when murder is
committed in order to remarry for the sake of extracting dowry once again or to
marry another woman on account of infatuation.
IV.
Magnitude of crime
36. When
the crime is enormous in proportion. For instance when multiple murders say of
all or almost all the members of a family or a large number of persons of a
particular caste, community, or locality, are committed.
V.
Personality of victim of murder
37. When
the victim of murder is (a) an innocent child who could not have or has not
provided even an excuse, much less a provocation, for murder (b) a helpless
woman or a person rendered helpless by old age or infirmity (c) when the victim
is a person vis-`-vis whom the murderer is in a position of domination or trust
(d) when the victim is a public figure generally loved and respected by the
community for the services rendered by him and the murder is committed for
political or similar reasons other than personal reasons."
26) In
this background, the guidelines indicated in Bachan Singh's case (supra) have
to be culled out and applied to the facts of each individual case where the
question of imposing of death sentence arises. The following propositions
emerge from Bachan Singh's case:
"(i)
The extreme penalty of death need not be inflicted except in gravest cases of
extreme culpability.
(ii)
Before opting for the death penalty the circumstances of the `offender' also
require to be taken into consideration along with the circumstances of the
`crime'.
(iii)
Life imprisonment is the rule and death sentence is an exception. In other
words death sentence must be imposed only when life imprisonment appears to be
an 29 altogether inadequate punishment having regard to the relevant
circumstances of the crime, and provided, and only provided, the option to
impose sentence of imprisonment for life cannot be conscientiously exercised
having regard to the nature and circumstances of the crime and all the relevant
circumstances.
(iv) A
balance sheet of aggravating and mitigating circumstances has to be drawn up
and in doing so the mitigating circumstances have to be accorded full weightage
and a just balance has to be struck between the aggravating and the mitigating
circumstances before the option is exercised."
In order
to apply these guidelines, inter alia, the following questions may be asked and
answered:
"(a)
Is there something uncommon about the crime which renders sentence of
imprisonment for life inadequate and calls for a death sentence? (b) Are the
circumstances of the crime such that there is no alternative but to impose
death sentence even after according maximum weightage to the mitigating
circumstances which speak in favour of the offender?"
If upon
taking an overall global view of all the circumstances in the light of the
aforesaid proposition and taking into account the answers to the questions
posed hereinabove, the circumstances of the case are such that death sentence
is warranted, the Court would proceed to do so.
27) In
view of the principles culled out from the earlier decisions, let us find out
whether the present case would fall in the category of rarest of the rare case
warranting death sentence.
30 28) It
is seen from the evidence of Jaswant Singh, PW-5 that he had married one
Chandra @ Chandrawati in the year 1963.
Three
children, namely, Satbir, Atbir and Anju were born to them. However, in 1971
Jawant Singh had deserted his wife Chandra and in 1973 he married Sheela Devi,
the deceased, as his second wife. Two children, namely, Sonu @ Savita and
Manish @ Manu were born from the second wife. It is further seen from the
evidence of Jaswant Singh that his first wife's son Satbir visited him and demanded
transfer of agricultural land of 25-26 bighas in Bulandshahar, U.P. in favour
of himself and Atbir. Though Jaswant Singh agreed to the request but executed a
Will (Ex. PW-5/D) in 1995 bequeathing those lands in favour of Satbir and
Atbir. It is further seen that these two sons, namely, Satbir and Atbir were
insisting on immediate transfer by way of a registered document. In addition to
the same, they also demanded a house in Mathura or share in House No. N-33
Mukherjee Nagar, Delhi. It is the categorical stand of Jaswant Singh that
Atbir, Satbir and Chandra used to demand money. They also threatened that if he
fails to pay the money as demanded, they would kill him.
31 The
fact that Atbir was not in a position to enjoy the lands as demanded and his father
refused to pay money made Atbir and her mother to take some drastic steps. It
is also their grievance and in their mind that because his father wants to part
with major properties in favour of Sheela, second wife, and their children Sonu
@ Savita and Manish @ Mannu, it is in their mind that so long as the second
wife and her children were alive, he and his brother may not get anything and
decided to do away with the family of Sheela. In other words, all the accused
persons including Atbir felt that they would not get their legitimate share in
the property as long as Sheela and her children are alive and, therefore, they
should do away with. As rightly observed by the trial Court and the High Court,
this could provide a strong motive to the accused persons for committing the
crime.
29) As
argued before the Courts below, learned counsel for the appellant has raised a
similar contention stating that Atbir was a young man of 25 years and already
spent ten years in jail, that itself is a sufficient punishment for the crime.
He also highlighted that he had no past history of any crime and 32 it cannot
be claimed that it is impossible to change his state of mind in the future. He
also pointed out that Atbir's main aim was to grab the property of his father immediately
that too without giving a share to anyone. By pointing out these mitigating
circumstances and the legal principles as formulated in Bachan Singh's case and
Machhi Singh's case, prayed for leniency and according to him, punishment of
death sentence is not warranted.
30) It is
relevant to mention that Jaswant Singh, father of Atbir deserted his first wife
and their children in 1971. Atbir and his brother Satbir had some grievance
about their father for deserting their mother and living with Sheela Devi -
second wife and her children. Apart from the same, Atbir demanded land and
house property and money immediately, though his father Jaswant Singh agreed
and executed a Will. Since the properties would come to his hands only after
the demise of his father, Atbir along with other accused persons committed this
ghastly crime. As rightly observed by the courts below, among the three
accused, Atbir planned for the crime which was executed in a brutal manner and
decided to wipe out the 33 entire family so that his father would leave all the
properties and money in their favour.
31) The
manner in which three persons were brutally murdered shocks the conscience. The
aggravated accused, under the leadership of Atbir, reached the house of Sheela
Devi and initially demanded money and bolted the door from inside and,
thereafter, inflicted 11 cut injuries on Manish @Mannu by Atbir when the others
caught hold of him. After finishing him, Atbir inflicted 5 grievous injuries on
deceased Sheela mercilessly. He also inflicted another 21 injuries on the
deceased Sonu @ Savita ignoring her tender age. The manner in which Atbir first
stabbed Manish @ Mannu followed by Sheela and then Sonu @ Savita showed that
there was a determination to finish the entire family so that he and his
brother enjoy the entire property and money immediately.
32)
Another aggravating circumstance is that the crime had been committed and
executed after closing the doors with all the three deceased being left
helpless and unarmed. Closing of the door and bolting it from inside clearly
shows the determination to complete the crime and take away the life of 34 all
the three. Among them, two of them were in the young age and they could not be
provoked and instigated in any manner.
33) It is
seen from the evidence of the Doctors particularly, Post-mortem Doctor, that
the accused Atbir inflicted as many as 37 knife injuries on the body of three
innocent persons. A perusal of the post-mortem reports of the three deceased
clearly shows the nature of the injuries inflicted on all the vital parts and
the accused Atbir continued his action mercilessly till all the three lost
their breath. Fortunately, before the death of Sonu @ Savita, she was taken to
the hospital where she made a statement to the effect that how they were killed
by the accused particularly, by Atbir. She categorically mentioned that it was
Atbir who took out the knife and inflicted stab blows on all the three
deceased. We have already mentioned the fact that Atbir inflicted 37 knife
blows which resulted in the death of three persons.
34) After
analyzing all the relevant materials let in by the prosecution and in the light
of the well established principles including aggravating and mitigating
circumstances as laid by the Constitution Bench in Bachan Singh's case (supra)
and 35 explained in Machhi Singh's case (supra), we conclude the murders
committed by Atbir is extremely brutal and diabolical one. The cold blooded
murder is committed with deliberate design in order to inherit the entire property
of Jaswant Singh without waiting for his death. The magnitude of the crime is
also enormous in proportion since Atbir, with the assistance of his mother and
brother, committed multiple murders of all the members of the family. Apart
from this, the victims are none else than his step-mother, brother and sister.
The victims are innocent who could not have or has not provided even an excuse
much less a provocation for murder. Further, the victims were unaware of the
sudden entry of Atbir and others and after bolting the door from inside, they
have no other way to go out or resist except subjecting themselves to the
wishes of Atbir. Though the accused Atbir was also at the age of 25 at the
relevant point of time considering his hunger and lust for property killing his
own family members when they had no occasion to provoke or resist and causing
37 knife blows on vital parts of all the three persons, we conclude that it is
a gravest case of extreme culpability and rarest of rare case and 36 death
sentence alone would be proper and adequate. We have already noted that the
accused had no justifiable ground for his action. We are also satisfied that
the victims were helpless and undefended. Taking into consideration of all the
facts and materials, it is crystal clear that the entire act of Atbir amounts
to a barbaric and inhuman behaviour of the highest order. The manner in which
the murder was carried out in the present case is extremely brutal, gruesome,
diabolical, and revolting as to shock the collective conscience of the
community.
35) In
the light of the above discussion, we confirm the conviction and sentence of
death imposed on Atbir and the same shall be executed in accordance with law.
We also confirm the conviction and sentence of life imprisonment imposed on
Ashok.
36)
Consequently, both the appeals are dismissed.
..........................................J. (P. SATHASIVAM)
..........................................J. (DR. B.S. CHAUHAN)
NEW DELHI;
AUGUST 9, 2010.
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