Holding

The unsigned confessional statement under Section 164 is inadmissible, and without it there is insufficient proof to convict Al; her conviction is set aside while the convictions of A2 and A3 are upheld.

Summary

The Supreme Court examined the murder of an army officer allegedly orchestrated by his wife (Al) and her paramour (A2) with the help of two accomplices (A3, A4). The trial court convicted Al and A2 under Section 302 IPC, while acquitting A3 and A4; the High Court upheld Al and A2's convictions and convicted A3 and A4. On appeal, the Court held that the confessional statement of A4 recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C. without the accused’s signature was inadmissible, and without that statement there was no sufficient circumstantial evidence to prove Al’s participation in the murder. Consequently, Al’s conviction and sentence were set aside, whereas the convictions of A2 and A3 were affirmed. The Court emphasized the mandatory nature of statutory requirements for recording confessions and the need for a complete chain of circumstances in cases based on circumstantial evidence.

Issues considered

The admissibility of A4's unsigned confessional statement recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C.
Whether the circumstantial evidence established a complete chain to convict Al under Section 302 IPC read with Section 34
Whether the benefit of doubt should be granted to Al in the absence of a lawful confession
Whether the convictions of A2 and A3 were supported by sufficient evidence

Legislation cited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 164, s. 165, s. 281, s. 293, s. 313, s. 463
Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 27
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 302, s. 34

Subjects

murdercircumstantial evidenceconfessionSection 164 Cr.P.C.benefit of doubtlife imprisonmentcriminal conspiracyextramarital affairIndian Penal CodeCriminal Procedure Code

Judgment

DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. A
~

-1 "
STATE OF KARN ATAKA

MARCH 14, 2001

[K.T. THOMAS AND RP. SETHI, JJ.] B

Crirninal l.a1v :

/'ma/ Code, 1860-Sections 34 and 302-Murder ~f husband-IVife
accused along ivith other co-accused-L~fe imprisonment aivarded by /iigh
['ou11 lo all the accused-On appeal, lvife acquilled giving her !he benefit o.f c
doubt-Conviction of other accused upheld on basis of Ch1:u1nsfantial evi-
denr:e.

Ci: P.C.-Ss. 164, 281, 313 and 463.

Unsigned cu1~ft:ssionul statemtnt of a co-accused-Admiss;bility of- D
field, unsigned confessional staternenf inadmissible in evidence.

According to the Prosecution, decca.Scd's \'Vife Al \Vas having extra-
marital relations witft A2. A2 along with co-accused A3 and 4A murdered
the deceased and the wife (Al) handed over her gold jewellery to the
accused and played the role of a victim of armed rohhcry-cum-murder. E
~
Trial Court convicted Al and A2 under Section 302 I.P.C. and sentenced
them to life imprisonment and .acquitted A3 and A4 by giving them the
benefit or doubt. High Court dismissed the appeal of Al and A2 upholding
their conviction and sentence and allowed Ute appeal of the State. It also
held A3 and A4 guilty of offence under Section 302/34 l.P.C. and sentenced F
them to life imprisonment. Hence this appeal.

The Appellant-accused contended that the conviction and sentence
was against Jaw and !'acts; that the circumstantial evidence were insuffi-
cient to connect the accused with the commission of the crime; that impor-
tant links in the chain of circumstances were missing; and that the confcs- G
sional statement made by A4 was not signed by him and so it is not legally
admissible in evidence.

.. ..,. Disposing the appeals, the Court

HELD : J. A1 has heen convicted mainly on the ground of her heing H
399
t
400 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A last seen with the deceased and her involvement in the commission of the
crime on the basis of the confessional statement made by A4. The circnm-
stance of, Al being last seen with the deceased, though proved, cannot lead t>-
to the irresistible inference of her being guilty of the crime, because being
legally wedded wife of the deceased, she was supposed to be with him in his
house where the crime was committed. This circumstance can be used
B
against her only if there is any other circumstantial e'idence linking her
with the ghastly action committed in murdering the deceased. In the ab-
sence of the confessional statement it could he inferred that she was also
subjected to the crime of robbery and her husband was murdered. It
cannot be totally excluded that A2, after realising that his concubine has
c started living with her husband, got enraged and resolved to finish her
husband to facilitate his enjoying the extra-marital relations with Al. The
prosecution itself was not sure about the involvement of Al in the commis·
sion of the crime for which they· got herself medically examined to ascer·
tain the possibility of any sexual offence having been committed upon her.
D It is unfortunate that the investigating agency did not even think it proper
to allege the existence of a Lriminal conspiracy which, if proved against the
other accused, would have proved the commission of offence of murder by
Al also. [408-C-G]

2.1. The function of the Magistrate in recording confession under
E Section 164 Cr. P.C. is a very solemn act which he is obliged to perform by
taking due care to ensure that all the reqnirements of the Section are folly
satisfied. The Magistrate recording such a statement should not adopt a
casual approach as appears to have been shown in this ca.-e. Besides
ensuring that the confessional statement being made before him is volun-
F tary and without pressnre, the Magistrate must record the confession in
the manner laid down by the Section. Omission to comply the mandatory
provisions is likely to render the confessional statement inadmissible. The
words "shall be signed by the person making the confession" are manda-
tory in nature and the Magistrate recording the confession has no option.
Mere failure to get tile signature of the persori making the confession may
G
not be very material if the making of such statement is not disputed by the
accused but in cases where the making of the statement itself is in contro-
versy, the omission to get the signature is fatal. [409-H; 410-A-C]

2.2. Compliance of sub-section (4) of Section 165 Cr. P.C. is manda-
H tory and its non-compliance renders the confession not admissible or reli-
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE 401

- A
able. It is settled position of law that if a part of confession is excluded
under any provision of law, the entire confessional statement in all its
parts, including the admission of minor incriminating facts must he ex-
cluded unless proof of it is permitted by some other section, such as Section
27 of the Evidence Act. Had the Magistrate taken due care and applied his
mind by referring to the bare provisions of Section 164 Cr.P.C., such a
B
glaring illegality in recording the confessional statement would have been
avoided. In view of this finding, no reliance can be placed upon the judicial
confession allegedly made by A4, particularly against Al. [410-E-F; 411-FJ

Kehar Singh & Ors. v. State (Delhi Admn.), AIR (1988) SC 1883 and
State of Uttar Pradesh v. Singara Singh, AIR (1964) SC 358, relied on. C

Neharoo Mangtu Satnami v. Emperor, AIR (1937) Nagpur 220; Abdul
Razak Shaikh v. State of Maharashtra, (1988) Cr!. Law Journal 382; Sham/a
Hardeo Teli v. Emperor, AIR (1941) Nagpur 17 and Nazir Ahmad v. Emperor,
AIR (1936) PC 253, referred to.
D
Taylor v. Taylor, (1876) l Ch.D 426, referred to.

3.1. In the absence of legal proof of the conk"'ional statement of A4,
inadmissibility of the statement of A4 before the Magistrate to prove the
contents of that document as extra-judicial confession and the circum-
stance of Al being last seen with the deceased not being incriminatory, E
there is no evidence to hold that she has been proved to be guilty beyond
any reasonable doubt. Doubt and suspicion of_ her involvement in the
ghastly crime cannot be ruled out but suspicion, however, strong it may be
cannot take the place of proof. Lapses in investigation, failure of
the Judicial official to record the confessional statement in accordance F
with law and absence of corroborative e•idence leaves this Court with
no option but to give Al the benefit of doubt. Moral conviction regarding
the involvement of an accused in the commission of crime cannot be a
substitute for a legal verdict based upon facts and law. Though with regret
but bound by law, this Court has no option but. to set aside the judgments G
of the Trial Court and the High Court to the extent by which Al has been
convicted and sentenced for the commission of the offence of murder of
her husband. [413-A·CJ

·-I 4.1. In a _case based upon circumstantial evidence, the prosecution is
under a legal obligation to prove, firstly on facts the existence of such H
402 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.

' A circumstances and secondly that the circumstances form a complete chain
· which lead to the irresistible conclusion that the accused are guilty and
such circumstances are inconsistent with their innocence. On proof of the
aforesaid Cllnditions, the Court can convict the accused of the charges
-
framed against them. [418-D]

B 4.2. In the instant case, the evidence on record has fully established
the circumstances again~t A2 and A3. It has also further come in evidence
that A2, A3 and A4 were on friendly terms. This friendship is shown to
have prompted them to commit the crime for which they have been charged,
convicted and sentenced. [418-E]
c CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION Criminal Appeal No.
1000 of 1999.

From th" Judgment and Order dated 18.12.98 of the Karnataka High
Court in Crl. A No. 159 of 1998. , t-
D
WITH

Criminal Appeal No. 1001 of 1999.

\VITH
E Criminal Appeal No. 1146 of 1999.

Kushal Pal Singh, (A.C.) and Ramesh Chand Pandey for the Appellant
in Cd.A. No. 1000 and 1001/99.

R. Sundravardan and R.N. Keshwani for the Appellant in Cr!. A. No.
F
1146/99.

Sudhir Walia, Satya Mitra and Sanjay R. Hegde for the Respondent. ~

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

G SEIB!, J. This case speaks of the story of a despicable betrayal of
connubial trust by a wife against her husband. Sexual lust and extramarital
relations between the unfaithful wife and her paramour, put an end to the
blooming life of an unfortunate and innocent young husband, who at the
relevant time was serving the nation being in the employment of the >--
H Armed Forces. In this process of committing the crime, the wife became a
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 403
- marionette of her paramour. She and three killers, in order to liquidate her A
1 hnsband, displayed a drama in her bedroom on the fateful night. Aller her
husband was heinously murdered she played the role of a victim of armed
robbery and murder in her house and allowed herself to be gagged and
tethered down. What the outsiders saw on the next morning was her being
in the above condition and next to her was lying the beheaded body of her
B
husband.

JI, The prosecution case, as unfolded during the trial, is that the deceased
Amar Nath who was in the Army service was married to Ms.Vanaja (here-
inafter referred to as "Al") on 11.3.1992 at Naganakotai in Cbittoor District
of Andhra Pradesh. To the misfortune cf the deceased, Al prior to her C
marriage with lhe deceased v;as having illicit marital relations with Dhanajaya
Reddy (hereinafter referred to as "A2"). Both were serving together as
teachers at Gnanodaya English School at Madanappalli. Nagaraj (hereinafter
.,., referred to as "A3") and Snbramani (liereinafter referred to as "A4") were
!he associates of A2 in the commission of crime of murder of Amar Nath.
After her maniage Al stayed with the deceased for abont four days. She
D
declined to go with him to Delhi where the deceased was serving. In the
absence of the deceased Al and A2 not only continued to be serving as
teachers in the school but also freely indulged in quenching lhe sexual lust
of each other. Al had written letters to the deceased on his Delhi address
....,. acknowledging therein the factum of her having illicit relation.s with A2 and E
abusing the deceased in a fiithy language. To resolve the controversy of
marital relations between the deceased and Al, a Panchayat was held in the
parents house of the wife in which besides others, Rajanna (PW3), the father
of the deceased, Krishna Reddy (PW7), another relative of the deceased and
Varna Reddy, (PW33), paternal uncle of Al were present. It was resolved in F
the Panchayat that Al should abandon her job and join the deceased.
-f Thereafter, on his transfe1; the deceased came dovm from Delhi to Bangalore
in the monlh of March, 1993 to work as Technician in the Madras Engineer-
ing Group Centre, a Military establishment at Marntisevanagar, Bangalore.
His place of work was al a distanoe of about 2 kilometers from the house
which he took on rent in Bangalore bea.ring No.655, at Subbaiahanapalya G
Extension, Banaswadi. PWs 3 and 7 brought Al to Bangalore whereafter she
started living with the deceased. It is alleged that before coming to Bangalore
-.\ Al wrote three incriminating inland letters dated 5.4.1993, 9.4.1993 and
19.4.1993 marked as M.O.s 21, 22 and 23 to her husband. In those letters
she not only used filthy language but even went to the extent of disowning H
A
404 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2001] 2 S.C.R.
the deceased as her husband calling him as impotent. In one of the letters
she even threatened the deceased stating that she would be joining his
company only to take revenge.
-
Though the accused No.I apparently started living with the deceased
at Banswadi at Bangalore, yet she was in constant contact with A2 at
B Madanapalli. Al and A2 are stated to have planned together to murder the
deceased and for that purpose, as already noticed, A2 procured the assistance
and services of A3 and A4. In furtherance of his plan, A2 had sent A3 in
advance to Bangalore on 28.8.1993 and thereafter A2 and A4 engaged a car
bearing Registration No. AP:03 B/2349, which was driven by Narayan
c (PW20) along with his 'cleaner Shabir Basha (PW38). Both A2 and A4 along
with PWs 20 and 38 left Madanapalli at about 5.30 or 6.00 p.m. on 28.8.1993.
They reached Mukunda Theatre at Banswadi, Bangalore at about 9.30 or
10.00 p.m. where A3 joined them as per pre-planned. A2 and A4 along with
PW20, driver of the car had their drinks and meals at Sarnbaram Bar located
near Banswadi, the place where the deceased, along with his wife, Al were
D
living. During that period PW38, Cleaner of the car, stayed back in the car.
PWIS Chennappa served food and drinks to A2, A3 and A4. After taking
their drinks and meals, the trio visited the nearby Beetle-leaf shop of
Vinayaka, PW45 wberefrom they purchased beetles and cigarettes. Later the
aforesaid accused persons joined PW38 in the car. A2 to A4 told the driver
E of the Car PW20 and Cleaner PW38 that they were going to attend a marriage
function and would be joining the aforesaid witnesses later. From Mukunda
Theatre all the three accused persons went towards the house of Al wherefrom
A2 fetched from Al a key of the newly constructed house· of Nagaraja (PWS)
where they are alleged to have stayed till the commission of the crime. It may
F be noticed that PWS who had constructed tl1e house opposite the apartment
where A I and the deceased were living had handed-over tlte key to tlie Al
)·
on the presentation to her that if any prospective tenant desired to see the
house to take on lease in his absence, Al might show the house to such
person. During all this period, the deceased was away on his duty on a night
shift which was to end at 2.00 a.m. After leaving A3 and A4 in the house
G of PWS, A2 stayed wiL'1 Al in her house. He returned to A3 and A4 in the
house of PWS at about l.30 a.m.

The deceased returned from his duty on a cycle at about 2.30 a.m. Aller
,,..
half an hour or sci Al came out of her house and alerted the other accused
H persons that her husband, the deceased, had gone into sleep. After her
-
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 405
intimation all the three accused persons entered the house of the deceased and A
"i committed his murder in a most heinous and barbarous manner. Al flashed
torch-light on the deceased while he was asleep on the co~ upon which A2
closed his mouth. A3 held the legs of deceased Amar Nath. A2 then stabbed
the neck of the deceased. Exhibiting their brutality A3 cut off the penis of
the deceased into pieces and threw it away in the room. A3 stabbed the back
B
and all over the body of the deceased. The neck part of the body of the
deceased was pierced with a knife. Amarnath, the unfortunate husband of Al
immediate died on the spot. After accomplishing the intended crime, the
accused persons, with leisure, attempted to create evidence for their safety.
Al handed-over her all gold jewellery including Mangalsutra to A2 and sat
on the floor of the kitchen facilitating A3 to tie her hands and legs with a c
rope. The jewellery was distributed by A2 to A4 and Al was tied down to
show that the occurrence was that of murder and robbery committed by some
unknown persons. All the accused persons kept the door of the house ajar
and left the place of occurrence.

After washing their hands and destroying other incriminating evidence D
they came back to the car at about 3.30 a.m., where PWs20 and 38 were asked
by them to wai~ apparently by assuring them that the accused persons had
gone to attend some marriage party. They left Banswadi where the car was

., parked and reached back Madanapalli at about 6 a.m. or 6.30 a.m. on
29.8.1993. After reaching Madanapalli all the three accused dispersed. A2 E
and A3 went to their houses and A4 returned to his room in Hotel Picnic
at Madanapalli.

On 29.8.1993 at about 8 a.m. PW! Nanjundappa. ASJ received a phone
message from the Police Control Room with regard to the incident of murder
where he reached along with police constable No.3172 and found a number F
of people collected in front of the house of the deceased. On entering the
~
house, they found the neck of the deceased cut which was lying with his face
downward in the miq of pool of blood. They also found his legs tied with
the rope and a towel. Al was found tied in the kitchen. When her legs and
hands were untied and towel removed from the mouth she did not give any G
of the reply to the queries made by PW!.

On the complaint lodged by PW! FIR Exhibit P-61 was registered and
"' investigation commenced by PW48, the Investigating Officer. The IO visited
the spot togetl1er with dog squad and photographer. He conducted the inquest
Panchanarna Exhibit P2 and recorded the statements of PWs 3, 4, 6, 29, 30 H
406 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2001] 2 S.C.R.
A and other witnesses. On the spot, the IO collected Mos I to 20 which were
seized vide mahzar Exhibit P-62. On 31.8.1993 the relatives of the deceased
including PWs 3 and 7 reached Bangalore after knowing about the death of
-
Amarnath through news item which was published in the local newspaper at
Madanapalli. During investigation, the extra-marital relations of Al and A2
came to light. A2 was apprehended on 5.9.1993. During his interrogation A2
B
made a voluntary statement Exhibit P-64 in consequence of which the police
seized gold Thali and Thali Gundus and his blood stained clothes besides
inland letters M.O.s 42 to 48 vide Panchanarna Exhibit P-17. A2 led the
police party to Picnic Hotel where A4 was arrested. In the course of his
interrogation A4 made his voluntary statement Exhibit P- 65 and produced
c gold ring, M.0.50, his blood stained clothes_ M.0.s 52 and 53 and Cigarette
M.0.51. A pair of shoes M.0.49 belonging to A4 were also seized. Both the
accused thereafter led the police to Katirangana Kotai to the house of A3
where he was also arrested. A3 too made a voluntary statement Exhibit
P-66 and produced M.0.54, a gold chain. He further led the police party to
his brother's house at Madanapalli where he produced his blood stained
D
clothes M.O.s 55 and 56 and a torch M.0.54 which was seized vide
Panchanama Exhibit P-20. Immediately thereafter Al was also taken into
custody. She also gave a voluntary statement Exhibit P-67 but no incriminat-
ing article connecting the accused with the commission of the crime was
recovered in consequence thereof.
E
When the investigation was pending, A4 volunteered to make a con-
fessional statement which was recorded by Sharnbulingappa (PW50), a
Judicial Magistrate on 20.9.1993 after ensuring that A4 was free from any
influence .and that he was produced before him from judicial custody where
he was sent by tl1e Magistrate on 16.9.1993.
F
On completion of the detailed investigation, the police filed a charge-
sheet against all the accused persons for the conm1ission of the otfence
punishable under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code.
On committal, the Sessions Judge, after examining 50 \\'itnesses, convicted
G Al and A2 under Section 302 IPC and taking their age into consideration,
awarded them life imprisonment. A3 and A4 were acquitted by giving them
the benefit of doubt.

Not satisfied with the conviction and sentence awarded to them, Al and ,_
A2 filed Criminal Appeal No.159 of 1998 in the High Court of Kamataka.
H Being aggrieved by the order of acquittal relating to A3 and A4, the State
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETffi, J .] 407
of Karuataka filed Criminal Appeal No.430 of 1998. Both the appeals were A
heard together and disposed of by a common judgment which is impugned
in these appeals. The High Court upheld the conviction and sentence awarded
to Al and A2 and dismissed their appeal. However, the appeal filed by the
State was allowed and A3 and A4 were held guilty of offence punishable
under Section 302, read with Section 34 !PC. As the principal accused being
B
Al and A2 were awarded imprisonment for life by the trial court, the High
Court in its discretion sentenced A3 and A4 also to life imprisonment.

The present appeals have been preferred by Al to A3 only. A4
Subramani, who was convicted under Section 302 !PC and sentenced to life
imprisonment has opted not to file any appeal. c
The conviction and sentences awarded to Al to A3 have been assailed
on various grounds canvassed before us by learned counsel who appeared for
them. It was contended that the j"'J.dgment of conviction and sentehce was
against law and facts. As the case of the prosecution is based upon circum-
stantial evidence, it was argued that the circumstances were insulticient to D
connect the accused \Vith the commission of the crime. The circumstances
alleged against the appellants are stated to have not been proved on facts and
even if proved, did not connect them with the commission of crime as,
according to the learned counsel for the accused, important links in the chain
of circumstances are missing.
E
The substance of the circmnstances relied upon by the prosecution
against all or some of the accused persons can be summarised as under:

(1) Existence of illicit sexual relations between Al and A2.

(2) After her marriage Al wanted to get rid of her deceased husband F
as she did not acknowledge the factutn of ma1Tiage with him and considered
herself to be the wife of A2.

(3) On the date of occmrence A2 and A4 left Madanapalli for Bangalore
in a car which was driven by PW20 in the company of PW38, who was the
G
cleaner. A-3 joined them at Bangalore as per their plan.

(4) On the date of occurrence A2, A3 and A4 were seen in Bangalore
near the house of the deceased.

(5) The deceased was killed on the intervening night of 28th and 29th
Angnst, 1993 between 2 a.m. and 2.30 a.m. H
408 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2001] 2 S.C.R.
A (6) A2, A3 and A4 altogether reached the car parked at some distance
from the house of the deceased, at about 3.30 a.m. 0,1 29.8.1993 and left r
Bangalore for Madanapalli where they reached at about 5.30 or 6.30 a.m ..

(7) Confessional statement Exhibit P-77 made by A4.

B (8) Al was last seen with the deceased in their how;e when he was
alive.

(9) Voluntary disclosure statements made by A2, A3 and A4 and
consequent recoveries of the incriminating ruticles thereafter.

c Al, the betrayer wife of the deceased has been convicted mainly on
the {round of her being last seen with tl1e deceased and her involvement in
the commission of the crime on the basis of the confessional statement made
by A4. The circumstance of Al being last seen with the deceased, though
proved, yet carmot lead to the irresistible inference of her being guilty of the +
crime, because being legally wedded wife of the deceased, she was supposed
D to be with him in his house where the crime was committed. This circmn-
stance can be used against her only if there is any other circumstantial
evidence linking her with the ghastly action committed in murdering the
deceased.

In the abseilce of the confessional statement it could be inferred that
E
she was also subjected to the crime of robbery and her husband was
murdered. It canuot be totally excluded that A2, after realising that his
concubine has started living with her husband, got emaged and resolved to
finish her husband to facilitate his enjoying the extra- marital relations with
Al. It appears that the prosecution itself was not sure about the involvement
F of Al in the commission of the crime for which they got herself medically
examined to asce1tain the possibility of any sexual offence having been
committed upon her. It is unfortunate that in a case like this, the investigating
agency did not even think it proper to allege the existence of a criminal
conspiracy which, if proved against the other accused, would have proved the
G commission of offence of murder by Al also. In the absence of a charge for
criminal conspiracy we are left only with the confessional statement Exhibit
P-77 made by A4. If the aforesaid confessional statement is held not made
properly or legally admissible in evidence, Al has to be given the benefit of
the legal flaws .and investigational lapses.

H Before ascertaining the legality and admissibility of Exhibit P- 77 it has
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 409
to be borne in mind that the confessional statement of A4 which was recorded A
by Shambulingappa (PW50), the then CJM, Bangalore has not been signed
by the said accused. The High Court also fmmd that: "we do hold that the
same was not recorded by him in strict compliance of Section 164". It bas
further to be noticed that the confessional statement was made by A4 in Tamil
language which was recorded in Kannada script by PW50 with the assistance
B
of his Stenographer who knew both Tamil and Kannada languages. The
aforesaid Stenographer, however, has not been examined as a witness. Before
recording his statement, the Magistrate appears to have put some questions
to him to satisfy as to whether the statement being made was voluntary or
not. After being satisfied about the voluntary nature of the confessional
statement, PW50 recorded the statement which was admittedly not got signed c
by A4. Learned counsel, appearing for the accused persons, have admitted
the compliance of all the provisions of Section 164 of the Cr.P.C. except the
alleged violation of not getting the signature of the accused on his confes-
sional statement. It is worth noticing that in the statement recorded under
Section 313 of the Cr.P.C., A4 denied of having made the confessional
D
statement Exhibit P- 77.

Sub-section (4) of Section 164 of the Cr.P.C. mandates:

"Section 164(4): Any such confessional shall be recorded in the
malUler provided in· section 281 for recording the examination of an E
accused person and shall be signed by the person making the
·confession; and the Magistrate shall make a memorandum at the foot
of such record to the following effect:

I have explained to (name) that he is not bound to make a confession
and that, if he does so, any confession he may make may be used as F
evidence against him and I believe that this confession was voluntar-
ily made. It was taken in my presence and hearing and was read over
to the person making it and admitte<l by him tu be correct, ~nd it
contains a full and true account of the statement made by him."
G
Section 281 of the said Code prescribes the mode of th~ examination
of accused. Sub-section (5) thereof provides " ... .it shall thereafter be signed
·1'
by the accused and by the Magistrate or Presiding Judge ...... ".

The function of the Magistrate in recording confession under Section
164 of the Code is a very solemn act which he is obliged to perlorm by taking H
410 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A due care to ensure that all the requirements of Section 164 are fully satisfied.
The Magistrate recording such a statement should not adopt a casual approach
as appears to have been shown by Shamb1tlingappa (PW50) in this case.
Besides ensuring that the confessional statement being made before him is
voluntary and withput pressure, the Magistrate must record the confession in
the manner laid down by the section. Omission to comply the mandatory
B
provisions, one of such beilig as incorporated in sub-section (4) of Section
164 is likely to render the confessional statement inadmissible. The words
"shall be signed by the person making the confession", are mandatory in
nature and the Magistrate recording the confession has no option. Mere
failure to get the signature of tl1e person making the confession may not be
C very material if the making of such statement is not disputed by the accused
but in cases where the making of the statement itself is in controversy, the
omission to get the signature is fatal.

Dealing witl1 a case where the Magistrate was found to have not
complied with the mandate of sub-section (2) of Section 164 of the Code,
D this Court in Kehar Singh & Ors. v. State (Delhi Admn.), AIR (1988) SC
1883, held tliat the compliance of the sub-section being mandatory and
imperative, its non co1npliance renders the confession inadmissible in evi-
dence. Such a defect cann<ft be cured under Section 463 of the Cr.PC. We
have no hesitation to hold that compliance of sub-section (4) of Section 164
E of the Code is mandatory and. its non- compliance renders tl1e confession not
admissible or reliable. It is settled position of law that if a part of confession
is excluded under any provision of law. rhe entire confessional statement in
all its parts, including the admission of minor incriminating facts must be
excluded unless proof of it is permitted by some other section, such as Section
27 of the Evidence Act. After referring to a judgment in Nehamo Mangtu
Satnami v. Emperor, AIR (1937) Nag. 220, a Division Bench of the Bombay
High Court in Abdul Razak Shaikh v. State of Maharashtra, (1988) Cr!. Law
Journal 382 held:

"It is to be considered whether non-obtaining of signature of the
accused on the confessiona] statement recorded by the Magistrate
G
under S.164, Cr.P.C. is an irregularity which can be cured by invoking
the provisions of S.463, Cr.P.C. reproduced above. The language used
in sub-clause (4) of S.164 and sub-sec. (5) of S.281, Cr.P.C. repro-
duced above indicates that it is mandatory on the part of the
Magistrate recording confession to obtain signature of the person
H whose confession he has recorded. The omission in that behalf cannot
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 411
be cured by examining the Magistrate under S.463 Cr.P.C. The A
Magistrate when examined touching the confession he has recorded
the confession, but by such examination the omission to obtain his
signature cannot be supplied. It appears to us that the provision that
the Magistrate after recording confession should obtain the signature
of the accused thereon is a salutary provision and has been specially
B
provided for, for safeguarding the interest of the accused and,
therefore, it is maodatory."

To the same effect is the judgment in Shamla Hardeo Teli v. Emperor,
AIR (1941) Nagpur 17 with a rider that mere inadvertent omission to obtain
signature of the accused to statement under Section 164 would not vitiate C
confession where the accused himself has admitted that he made that particu-
lar state1nent.

It is settled principle of Jaw that where a power is given to do a certain
thing in a certain manner, the thing must be done in that way or not at all.
This Court in State of Uttar Pradesh v. Sing hara Singh, AIR (1964) SC 358 D
held "a Magistrate, therefore, cannot, in the course of investigation, record
a confession except in the marmer laid down in Section 164. The power to
record the e-onfession had obviously been given so that the confession might
be proved by the record of it made in the manner laid down''.

Looking to the facts of the case we are at pains to note that E
Shambulingappa (PW50) failed in tl1e performance of his statutory obligations
which has resulted in excluding the otherwise voluntary confessional state-
ment Exhibit P-77 made by A4. Had the said Magistrate taken due care and
applied his mind by refening to the bare· provisions of Section 164 of the
Code, such a glaring illegality in recording the confessional statement would F
have been avoided. In view of this finding, no reliaoce can be placed upon
the judicial confession Exhibit P-77, allegedly made by A4, particularly
against Al.

We examined the matter with a different angle as well by considering
to see the admissibility of said confessional statement not as a judicial G
confession but as extra judicial confession made to PWSO. We found it
difficult to treat Exhibit P-77 as extra-judicial confession of A4 made to
PWSO. Confessions in criminal law have been categorised to be either judicial
or extra-judicial. The prosecution is obliged to refer and rely on the alleged
confession of the accused in aoy one of the aforesaid categories. As extra- H
412 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A judicial confession cannot be treated as judicial confession, similarly an
alleged judicial confession proved to have not been legally recorded cannot
be used as extra-judicial confession. Otherwise also such an approach would
result in dragging the judicial officers into uncalled for and unnecessary
controversies. In Nazir Ahmad v. Emperor, AIR (1936) PC 253 it was
observed, which we approve, that:
B
" ... .it would be particularly llil.fortunate if Magistrates were asked at
all generally to act rather as police officers than as judicial persons;
to be by reason of their position freed from the disability that attaches
to police officers under S.162 of the Code; and to be at the same time
c freed, notwithstanding their position as Magistrates, from any obliga-
tion to make records under S.164. In the result they would indeed be
relegated to the position of ordinary citizens as witnesses and then
would be required to depose to matters transacted by them in their
official capacity unregulated by any statutory rules of procedure or

D
conduct whatever.'' +
Relying upon Nazir Ahmad's case and applying the principles laid
do\Vn in Taylor v. Taylor (1876] I Ch.D 426, this Court in Singhara Singh's
case (supra) held:

"The rule adopted in Taylor v. Taylor, [1876] 1 Ch.D 426, is weU
E recognised and is founded on sound principle. Its result is that if a
statute has conferred a power to do an act and has laid down the
method in which that power has to be exercised, it necessarily
prohibits the doing of the act in any other manner than that which has
been prescribed. The principle behind the rule is "that if this were not
F so, the statutory provision might as well not have been enacted. A
magistrate~ therefore, cannot in the course Of investigation record a
confession except in the manner laid down in S.164. The power to
record the confession had obviously been given so that the confession
might be proved by the record of it made in the manner laid down.
If proof of the confession by other means was permissible, the whole
G
provision of S.164 including the safeguards contained in it for the
protection . of accused persons would be rendered nugatory. The
section, therefore, by conferring on magistrates the power to record
statements or confessions, by necessary implication, prohibited a
magistrate from giving oral evidence of the statements or confession
H made to him."
DHANANJAYAREDDYETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 413
In the absence of the legal proof of Exhibit P-77, inadmissibility of the A
statement of A4 before. Shambulingappa (PW50) to prove the contents of thai
document as extra-judicial confession and the circumstance of Al being last
seen with the deceased not being incriminatory, there is no evidence to hold
that she has been proved to be guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. Doubt
and suspicion of her involvement in the ghastly crime cannot be ruled out
B
but suspicion, however, strong it may be, cannot take the place of proof.
Lapses in. investigation, failure ~[ the judicial officer to record the confes-
sional statement in accordance with law and absence of corroborative evi-
dence leaves us with no option but to give Al the benefit of doubt. Moral
conviction regarding the involvement of an accused in the commission of
crime cannot be a substitute for a legal verdict based upon facts and law. c
Though with regret, but bound by law, we have no option but to set aside
the judgments of the trial as well as High Court to the extent by which Al
has been convicted and sentenced for the commission of the offence of
murder of A.'llarnath, her husband.

Upon critical analysis of the evidence led in the case we find that the D
prosecution has succeeded in establishing the circumstances Nos.1,2,3,4,5,6
and 9, noted by us in the earlier part of this judgment. Those circumstances
form a complete chain to connect the other accused with the t..:ornmission of
the crime and are inconsistent with their innocence.
E
Learned counsel appearing for Accused Nos.2 and 3 have, however,
vehemently submitted that the aforesaid circumstances; firstly are not proved
on facts and secondly, even if held proved, are not sufficient to entail
conviction and sentence for their clients.

So far as Circumstance No. l is concerned, it has come in evidence that F
Al and A2 were teachers, working as such in Ganaondaya School during the
year 1992-93. Subsequently A2 left that school and went to Vidbya Bharti
School in Madanapalli. It is in the evidence of PW s 23, 33 and 34 that Al
was working as a teacher at Madanapalli. PW9 Ramakrishna Reddy deposed
in the trial court that while Al and A2 were working as teachers at
Madanapalli, he had seen them going together to Cinema Theatre and other
G
places. He informed of their illegal relations to PW3, the father of the
deceased. There was a Panchyat between their relatives which was attended

- by the said witness wherein A I declined to go to Delhi to live with deceased.
PW9 had seen the aforesaid two accused persons togetl1er even after the
marriage of Al. Evidence of PW9 corroborates the testimony of PWs 3 and H
414 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A 7 regarding holding of the Panchayat for settlement of the matrimonial
disputes between Al and Amarnath. Despite her maniage on 11.3.1992, Al
.,...-
continued to work as Assistant Teacher at Madanapalli from 9.8.1992 till
April, 1993 as deposed by PW14. The prosecution has successfully proved
the writing of three letters M.0.s 21, 22 and 23 by Al. In those letters Al
intimated the deceased that she was breaking her relations with him. She also
B
described him as impotent and threatened that if he \>.Tote any letter in future
to her, he will have to face its consequences. In those letters Al has even
•
admitted her extra-marital relationship with A2. The authenticity of the letters
)..._
having been written by Al has been established by the prosecntion with the
report of the hand-writing expert PW54. On the basis of the evidence
c produced before it regarding this circumstance, the trial conrt held:

"The above contents of the letters goes to show that at no point of
time she had foved her husband Amarna!h. She wanted divorce from
him. She thought that Amarnath is impotent and she felt ashamed to

D
address him as her husband and she has challenged saying if time +
comes she want to see his end in the life. She has stated that name
Reddy annexed to hex name is of a.person whom she loves and given
her heart. These words of challenge and hatredness towards her
husband Amarnath goes to show her mental attitude towards said
Arnamath.,,
E
The court further observed that "all these circumstances unequivocally go to
show that Al Vanaja had developed batredness towards her husband Amarnath
and was having revengeful attitude towards hin;i. She joined said Amarnath
not because of her love towards him". Circl\mstance of Jove and hate
relationship of Al with A2 and the deceased respectively has also not been
F very seriously contested by the learned counsel appearing for the appellants.

So far as Circumstance No.2 is concerned, the same stands proved from
M.O.s 22A and 23A. ln M.0.22A she wrote lo the deceased " ..... why are yon
still destroying my peace of mind? .... My parents have written a Jetter that I
have changed but it is their madness. For them .... Good Bye Good Bye. Do
G not remember me even in your dreams. Try to give me divorce at the earliest''.
In M.0.23A she has proved to have written to the deceased: " .... why are you.
still playing in my life. I know all your drama. If you want, you marry again.
If this is also not possible you divorce me and you be there only.... .! have •
,»
removed and thrown the thali tied by you 15 days back itself. ... To tell you
H the fact I have a doubt whether yon are a human being. I have taken divorce
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 415
as I hesitated to accept you as my husband .... Do you know why I was A
removed from school? Because I was with someoue-else .... I will not believe
in your female like petence .... If such situation arises I will see your end and
I will achieve that. ....This name Reddy is not yours, it is of that person to
whom I have given my heart." It may be remembered that Reddy is none
else than A2. There is no doubt in our mind that Al and A2 had extra-marital
B
relations even after the maniage of A I and that they wanted to get rid of
the deceased in case he did not divorce Al. This circumstance may not be
). relevant so far as Al is concerned, particularly when she started living with
the deceased in April, 1993 but is an important link in the chain of the
circumstances to connect A2 and his associates with the commission of the
crime suggesting a cause, occasion and motive. c
So far as Circumstance No.3 is concerned, there is preponderance of
evidence produced by the prosecution to show that Al and A4 left Madanapalli
for Bangalore on the date of occurrence for which they hired a car which
was driven by PW20. PW38 who was the Cleaner of the car accompanied
them. Learned counsel for the appellants could not assign ·any reason D
to disbelieve the testimony of PWs 20 and 38. PW21 stated that he is a
taxi car driver at Madanapalli. On 28:8.1993 at about 5.00 p.m. A2 and
A4 came to him, sought for a car on rent to go to Bangalore. As his vehicle
was under repairs, he took them to PW20 and settled the car for Rs.400.
A2 and A4 were known to him as he has been plying his taxi in Madanapalli E
for about IO years. The testimony of PWs 20, 21 and 38 inspires

- the confidence of the court to hold the Circumstance No.3 to have been
proved by the prosecution.

Similarly Circumstance No.4 stands proved by the prosecution, 'beyond
doubt by the evidence of various witnesses including PWs 20 and 38. PW26, F
who is a hotelier at Chintamani Bus Stand has stated that on the date of
occurrence A2 and A4 had come to his hotel at about 6 or 6.30 p.m. and
took tiffin. Chennappa (PW15), who is a supplier in Sambrama Bar at
Banswadi has stated that all the three accused A2, A3 and A4 had come to
his bar along with another person on that day. They had taken meals and G
drinks and A2 paid the bill. Similarly Vmayaka (PW45) who is a Bidi
Shopkeeper stated that A2, A3 and A4 had come to his shop which is located
near the house of the deceased and took beetle-leaves and cigarettes for which
A2 paid the amount. Krishnappa (PW4) who is the owner of the house in
which Amamath, deceased along with his wife A I were residing, has stated
that on 28.8.1993 at about 11 to 11.30 p.m. he had seen a car from the State H
416 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A of Andhra Pradesh in front of Kodaramma Temple near his house. He .
identified the car when shown to him. The testimony of PWs 4, 15, 20, 21, ~
..
38 and 45 leave no doubt in our inind to come to the conclusion that the
prosecution has successfully proved the aforesaid circumstance.

So far as Circumstance No.5 is concerned, it is not seriously disputed
B that the deceased was killed on the intervening night of 28th and 29th August,
1993 between 2 a.m. to 2.30 a.m. The time of homicidal death of the deceased
stands established by the testimony of Dr.L.Thimnavkarasu (PW17) who has
deposed that while conducting the post-mortem on the body of the deceased
he found 20 injuries on his person. Many of the injuries were chopped and
c deep cut injuries. The throat was found cut in front of the neck. Injury No. JO
showed that penis scrotum and testis on both sides were found with clean
cut.

From the evidence of Chinnappan (PW41) and Prabhu (PW43) it is
established that the deceased left his place of work at about 2 a.m. for his -t
D home on a· cycle. It has also come in evidence that the deceased could reach
his rented house from the place of his duty within 15 minutes on cycle. Any
of the accused, particularly Al who was concededly with the deceased has
not disputed the facrum of the death of her husband on the intervening night
of 28th and 29th August, 1993.
E Circumstance No.6 stands fully established by the evidence of PWs 20

-
J
and 38. Narayana (PW20) had deposed that after taking drinks and meals,
all the three accused directed him to stop the vehicle there itself, i.e.
Banswadi, Mukunda Theatre and told that if anybody asked about them, to
say that they had gone to a marriage. A2, A3 and A4 thereafter went away
F informing the witnesses that if they returned earlier to the car they will go
to Madanapalli. The witness PW20 along with cleaner slept in the car and
at about 3.30 a.m. all the aforesaid three accused came to the car and asked
him to drive them back to Madanapalli. After they had travelled about 5
kilometers, the accused told the driver that they wanted to go to urinal for
which the car was directed to be stopped. They reached Madanapalli at about
G
5.30 or 6.30 a.m. To the some effect is the statement of Shabir Bas~ (PW38).

Learned counsel appearing for the accused have canvassed before us
that the aforesaid witnesses should not be believed because they had allegedly
>-.
been detained by the police for some time on suspicion of being involved
H in the commission of the crime. The submission cannot be accepted for two
DHANANJAYA REDDY ETC. v. STATE [SETHI, J .] 417
reasons, firstly it is not established that any one of the accused had been A
.- arrested by the police in connection with the commission of the crime and
> secondly, even if they were subjected to interrogation by the police, the
reasons are obvious as the investigating agency on facts might have reason-
ably suspected them also to be involved in the crime. PW20 has only stated
that immediately after receiving the documents from the owner, the police
B
took him to Chintamani "on the next day I was taken near the Mukunda
Theatre. On the next day I was asked to be in the police station itself'. The
mere fact lhat he was told to be in the police station does not sugges~ much
less prove that the witness was an accused person involved in the crime . In
reply to a question in cross-examination, the witness has specifically stated:
"it is false to say that I was detained in police station for 15 days saying that c
I am connected to the said crime". Similarly PW38 has stated that he, along
with PW20, was taken by the IO to the police station along with the car from
Madanapalli. In cross-examination he too categorically stated "It is false to
say that I was kept in police custody for 15 days on suspicion on my
involvement in tl1is case. It is false to say that my uncle got me released from
D
police". The defence miserably failed to show any enmity of the aforesaid
witnesses with the accused or suggest any other reason for their allegedly
making false statements. After minutely and critically exaniining their depo-
sitions we have come to the conclusion that both the trial as well as the High
Court were justified in relying upon their testimony. Acceptance of their
evidence would prove Circumstances 3, 4, 5 and 6. E
~
So far as Circumstance No.9 is concerned, the prosecution has success- ·
> fully proved the making of voluntary statement Exhibit P-64 by A2 and
consequent recoveries of incriminating articles seized vide Panchanama Exhibit
P-17. Similarly A4 is proved to have made voluntary statement Exhibit-65.
It is also proved that he produced gold ring M.0.50, his blood stained clothes F
M.Os. 52 and 53 and Cigarettes M.0.51 along with a pair of shoes M.0.49
which were seized vide Panchnama. The disclosure statement Exhibit P-55
by A3 is also proved along with Panchanama Exhibit P-20 by which the
incriminating articles including his blood stained clothes were seized. The
disclosure statements and the Panchanamas stand duly proved by the testi- G
mony of the investigating officer and other Panch witnesses.

Consequent to the disclosure statement and during investigation, the
jewellery produced by the accused persons has been proved to be belonging
to Al. None of the accused has given any explanation regarding their
possession over the jewe'.lery of Al. It has also come in evidence that clothes H
418 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2001] 2 S.C.R.
A produced by lhe accused persons which !hey were wearing on lhe date of
occurrence were stained wilh blood. The seriologist report Exhibit 87 proves
!hat lhe stains found on lhe clolhes of lhe deceased and lhe accused were of -f
human blood. It has also come in lhe report !hat lhe blood group of lhe
deceased was "B" and lhe origin of lhe blood group found on lhe clolhes of
lhe accused was also "B". The accused have not given any explanation as
B
to how !heir clolhes were stained wilh human blood of "B" group which was
lhe blood group of lhe deceased. Learned counsel appearing for the appellants
made vain attempt to impress upon us !hat lhe serologist report was not
produced at lhe trial court, which we do not accept in view of lhe fact that
lhe said report is shown to have been admitted in evidence and marked
c Exhibit 87. Olherwise also lhe report of the Serologist can be used as
evidence without any formal proof under Section 293 of the Cr.P.C.

In a case based upon circumstantial evidence, the prosecution is under
a legal obligation to prove, firstly on facts the existence of such circumstances
and secondly that the circumstances form a complete chain which lead to the
D irresistible conclusion that the accused are guilty and such circumstances are
inconsistent with their innocence. On proof of the aforesaid conditions, the
court can convict the accused of the charges framed against them. It is rightly
said that witnesses may lie but the circumstances cannot.

The evidence on record in this case has fully established the Circum-
E
stances Nos.1,2, 3,4,5,6 and 9 against A2 and Circumstance Nos.3,4,5,6 and
9 against A3. It has also further come in evidence that A2, A3 and A4 were
on friendly terms. This friendship is shown to have prompted them to commit
the crime for which they have been charged, convicted and sentenced.

F Under the circum.stances, giving her the benefit of doubt, the appeal
filed by Al is allowed and the conviction and sentence, in so far as they relate
to her, are set aside. She is directed to set at liberty forthwith, if not required
in any other case. There is no merit in the appeals filed by A2 and A3 which
are accordingly dismissed by confirrning that part of the judgment of the High
Court by which they have been convicted under Section 302/34 !PC and
G sentenced to life imprisonment.

B.S. Appeals disposed of.