Supreme Court of India
HARI & ANR.versusTHE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
- Citation
- 2021 INSC 792
- Decided
- 26 November 2021
- Disposal
- Disposed off
- Bench
- L NAGESWARA RAO
Holding
Members of an unlawful assembly are vicariously liable under s.149 IPC for offences committed in prosecution of the common object, even if they did not personally perform overt acts, and the convictions and life sentences are upheld.
Summary
The case involved the brutal honour killing of a Jat girl, a Jatav boy and another Jatav youth who were tortured for twelve hours and murdered by a large group of villagers after the couple attempted an inter‑caste marriage. The trial court convicted 35 persons under IPC sections 147, 149, 302, 323, 324, 201 and s.3(3)(10) of the SC/ST Act, imposing death sentences on eight; the High Court commuted the death sentences to life imprisonment. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined the credibility of four eye‑witnesses, the doctrine of vicarious liability under s.149 IPC, and the admissibility of hostile witness testimony, concluding that the inconsistencies were trivial and the witnesses were reliable. The Court upheld the convictions and life sentences, dismissed the State's challenge, but acquitted three appellants where identity was ambiguous. It also reiterated the need for a robust witness‑protection scheme and issued directions to prevent honour killings and caste‑based violence.
Issues considered
- The credibility and admissibility of testimony from hostile eye‑witnesses.
- Whether the doctrine of vicarious liability under s.149 IPC applies to members of the unlawful assembly who did not personally commit overt acts.
- The requirement of at least two witnesses to convict under s.149 IPC in mass‑murder cases.
- The appropriateness of commuting death sentences to life imprisonment in the circumstances.
- The obligation of the State to provide witness protection in sensitive cases.
Legislation cited
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 313, s. 354(3)
- Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 147, s. 149, s. 201, s. 302, s. 323, s. 324
- Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989s. 3(3)(10)
Subjects
honour killingunlawful assemblySection 149 IPCvicarious liabilityhostile witnesswitness protectioncaste violenceSC/ST Actdeath sentence commutationcommon objectinter‑caste marriage
Judgment
1022 [2021]
SUPREME COURT 10 S.C.R. 1022
REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A HARI & ANR.
v.
THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH
(Criminal Appeal No. 186 of 2018)
B NOVEMBER 26, 2021
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, SANJIV KHANNA
AND B. R. GAVAI, JJ]
Penal Code, 1860:
ss. 147, 302/149, 323/149, 324/149 and 201/149 – Scheduled
C
Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989
– s. 3(3)(10) – Matter pertaining to honour killing – Jat girl wanted
to marry Jatav boy which infuriated the Jat community – Jat girl
and Jatav boy along with another Jatav boy who accompanied them,
physically assaulted for 12 hours and killed by accused for violating
D caste-ridden societal norms – 54 persons charged – Trial court
convicted 35 persons for the commission of offences u/ss. 147, 302/
149, 323/149, 324/149 and 201/149 and s. 3(3)(10) of the SC/ST
Act and imposed death sentence on eight of them – However, the
High Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment – On
appeal, held: From the evidence of four eye-witnesses, the medical
E
and scientific evidence, and documentary evidence it is proved that
the youngsters were tortured, then killed by hanging and thereafter,
their bodies were cremated – Testimonies of the four eye-witnesses
are credible – Inconsistencies and contradictions in their evidence
are trivial – Eye-witnesses’ account stating about the involvement
F of the accused and ascribed specific overt acts to some of them,
believed by the courts below – As regards those, not assigned any
active role or overt act, there is no doubt that they shared the common
object to punish the victims and kill them – Their presence in the
Panchayat continuously for nearly 12 hours without any protest
lends support to the prosecution version – Relevant portion of the
G
testimony of the hostile witness rightly relied upon by the High Court
– Informant not able to mention all the names of those involved due
to the trauma of witnessing an egregious crime, is accepted –
Recovery of clothes of deceased, recovery of half burnt body remains
support the prosecution’s version about the burning of the bodies
H of the victim – Thus, the murder established beyond doubt – Courts
1022
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1023
below committed no error in convicting the accused u/s. 302 with A
the aid of s. 149 – Entire incident squarely falls under the head of
anti-social and abhorrent nature of the crime – Thus, order passed
by the High Court is upheld, except for three who are acquitted in
view of the ambiguity in their identity – Evidence – Witnesses.
s. 149 – Unlawful assembly – Vicarious liability u/s. 149 – B
Held: s. 149 is declaratory of the vicarious liability of the members
of an unlawful assembly for acts done in prosecution of the common
object of that assembly or for such offences which the members
knew would be committed in prosecution of that object – Prosecution
need not prove each of the members’ involvement especially
regarding which or what act – While overt act and active C
participation may indicate common intention of the person
perpetrating the crime, the mere presence in the unlawful assembly
may fasten vicariously criminal liability u/s. 149.
s. 149 – Unlawful assembly – Common object of an assembly
– Held: Common object is different from common intention as it D
does not require a prior concert and a common meeting of minds
before the attack – It is enough if each has the same object in view
and their number is five or more and that they act as an assembly to
achieve that object – Common object of an assembly is to be
ascertained from the acts and language of the members composing E
it, from the surrounding circumstances and the course of conduct
adopted by the members.
Witnesses:
Hostile witness – Evidentiary value – Held: Part of the
evidence of the hostile witness which is creditworthy, can be acted F
upon – Criminal trial.
Protection of – Implementation of Witness Protection Scheme
– Need to formulate scheme/guidelines/programmes to safeguard
rights of the witnesses.
G
Constitution of India:
Art. 136 – Interference by this Court in a criminal appeal by
a Special Leave – Governing principles – Stated.
Art. 19(1)(a) and Art. 21 – Right to life – Right to life
guaranteed to the people also includes in its fold the right to live in H
1024 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A a society which is free from crime and fear, and the right of witnesses
to testify in courts in free and fair manner without fear or pressure
– If one is unable to testify in courts due to threats or other pressures,
it is a clear violation of Art. 19(1)(a) and Art. 21 – One of the main
reasons for witnesses to turn hostile is that they are not accorded
appropriate protection by the State – State to ensure the safety of
B
the witnesses irrespective of case, creed, religion, such that they
could safely depose the truth in the court at least in sensitive cases
involving those in power, political patronage.
Honour killings: Preventive steps, remedial and punitive
measures to combat honour crimes – Suggestion of, in Shakti Vahini’s
C case – Stated.
Casteism: Commission of atrocities in the name of castes –
Ghastly murders of three youngsters, by physically assaulting them
for nearly 12 hours for violating caste-ridden societal norms – Held:
Episodes of honour killing demonstrate that the casteism has not
D been annihilated even after 75 years of independence – Bigotry
perpetuated by such caste-based practices impedes the objective
of the Constitution of equality for all its citizens – High time for the
civil society to react and respond with strong disapproval about the
ghastly crimes committed in the name of caste.
E Administration of justice: Administration of criminal justice
– Racial and religiously motivated crimes, if to be treated as
aggravating factors for enhanced punishment – Foreign laws-United
Kingdom, Canada, United States vis-a-vis Indian laws – Discussed.
Disposing of the appeals, the Court
F
HELD: 1.1 Right to testify in courts in a free and fair manner
without any pressure and threat whatsoever is under serious
attack today. If one is unable to testify in courts due to threats or
other pressures, then it is a clear violation of Art. 19 (1) (a) and
Art. 21 of the Constitution. Right to life guaranteed to the people
G of this country also includes in its fold the right to live in a society
which is free from crime and fear and the right of witnesses to
testify in courts without fear or pressure. It needs to be
emphasised that one of the main reasons for witnesses to turn
hostile is that they are not accorded appropriate protection by
the State. It is a harsh reality, particularly, in those cases where
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1025
the accused persons/criminals are tried for heinous offences, or A
where the accused persons are influential persons or in a
dominating position that they make attempts to terrorise or
intimidate the witnesses because of which these witnesses either
avoid coming to courts or refrain from deposing truthfully. This
unfortunate situation prevails because of the reason that the State
B
has not undertaken any protective measures to ensure the safety
of these witnesses, commonly known as “witness protection”.
[Para 28][1046-B-E]
1.2 The State has a definite role to play in protecting the
witnesses, to start with, at least in sensitive cases involving those
in power, who have political patronage and could wield muscle C
and money power, to avert trial getting tainted and derailed and
truth becoming a casualty. As a protector of its citizens, it has to
ensure that during a trial in the court the witness could safely
depose the truth without any fear of being haunted by those against
whom the witness had deposed. Every State has a constitutional D
obligation and duty to protect the life and liberty of its citizens.
That is the fundamental requirement for observance of the rule
of law. There cannot be any deviation from this requirement
because of any extraneous factors like caste, creed, religion,
political belief or ideology. [Para 29][1046-F-H]
E
1.3 The instant case squarely falls under the situations
contemplated by this Court while necessitating the formulation
of scheme/guidelines/programmes for protection of witnesses.
Implementation of the Witness Protection Scheme at the time
when the witnesses were deposing in the present case, would
have prevented the prosecution witnesses from turning hostile. F
If the material witnesses were relocated from the village and
escorted to the courtroom, they would have deposed freely in
court. [Para 31][1047-C]
Mahender Chawla & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors.
(2019) 14 SCC 615 : [2018] 14 SCR 627; Zahira G
Habibullah Sheikh and Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Ors.
(2006) 3 SCC 374 : [2006] 2 SCR 1081; Ashwin Kumar
Upadhyay v. Union of India and Anr. (2020) SCC
OnLine SC 1228 – referred to.
H
1026 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 2.1 Section 149 IPC is declaratory of the vicarious liability
of the members of an unlawful assembly for acts done in
prosecution of the common object of that assembly or for such
offences as the members of the unlawful assembly knew would
be committed in prosecution of that object. If an unlawful assembly
is formed with the common object of committing an offence, and
B
if that offence is committed in prosecution of the object by any
member of the unlawful assembly, all the members of the assembly
will be vicariously liable for that offence even if one or more, but
not all committed the offence. Again, if an offence is committed
by a member of an unlawful assembly and that offence is one which
C the members of the unlawful assembly knew to be likely to be
committed in prosecution of the common object, every member
who had that knowledge will be guilty of the offence so committed.
It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove each of the
members’ involvement especially regarding which or what act.
While overt act and active participation may indicate common
D
intention of the person perpetrating the crime, the mere presence
in the unlawful assembly may fasten vicariously criminal liability
under Section 149. [Para 35][1048-C-F]
Masalti v. State of UP [1964] 8 SCR 133; Shambhu
Nath Singh v. State of Bihar AIR 1960 SC 725; Lalji v.
E State of U.P. (1989) 1 SCC 437 : [1989] 1 SCR 130 –
referred to.
2.2 Common object is different from common intention as
it does not require a prior concert and a common meeting of
minds before the attack. It is enough if each has the same object
F in view and their number is five or more and that they act as an
assembly to achieve that object. The common object of an
assembly is to be ascertained from the acts and language of the
members composing it, and from a consideration of all the
surrounding circumstances. It may be gathered from the course
G of conduct adopted by the members of the assembly.
[Para 36][1048-G; 1049-A]
Charan Singh v. State of U.P. (2004) 4 SCC 205 : [2004]
2 SCR 925; Kattukulangara Madhavan (dead) through
LRs. v. Majeed and Ors. (2017) 5 SCC 568 : [2017] 4
H SCR 658 – referred to.
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1027
3.1 The High Court found that the contradictions and A
inconsistencies indicated in the statements of the four eye-
witnesses were trivial in nature. The High Court ignored the
contradictions and inconsistencies which did not affect the
substratum of the prosecution’s case. The High Court
disapproved the approach of the Trial Court in discarding the
B
formula of at least two witnesses deposing the presence/overt
act of the accused in case where large numbers of accused are
involved. The High Court gave benefit of doubt to two persons
whose presence/involvement was spoken by only one witness.
Concurrent findings of fact pertaining to the commission of the
crime and involvement of the appellant cannot be subjected to C
further scrutiny by this Court, according to the well-established
law laid down by this Court. It is not necessary to undertake
fresh appraisal of the evidence as there is no inclination to
take a view different from the concurrent findings since the
appreciation of evidence by the Courts below is not erroneous.
D
[Para 20][1041-G-H; 1042-A-D]
State of MP v. Ramesh (2011) 4 SCC 786 : [2011] 5
SCR 1; Masalti v. State of UP [1964] 8 SCR 133; Kaur
Sain v. State of Punjab (1974) 3 SCC 649 : [1974] 2
SCR 393 – referred to.
E
3.2 From the evidence of PW-1, PW-13, PW-14 and PW-15
who are eye-witnesses, the medical and scientific evidence, and
documentary evidence it is proved that RK, V and R were tortured
and then were killed by hanging. Thereafter, their bodies were
cremated. The testimonies of the eye-witnesses are credible and
have been rightly accepted by the courts below. The recovery of F
clothes of deceased RK, recovery of clothes of V, recovery of
half burnt pieces of bones, ribs, spinal cord, parts of intestine
and burnt pieces of flesh support the prosecution’s version about
the burning of the bodies of the deceased. The murder of R, V
and RK is established beyond doubt. The eye-witnesses’ account G
of PW-1, PW-13, PW-14 and PW-15 was believed by the courts
below. They have stated about the involvement of the appellants
and ascribed specific overt acts to some of them. The role
assigned to each of the appellants by the witnesses is stated in
the chart. [Para 22][1044-E-G]
H
1028 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 3.3 The High Court was of the opinion that the evidence of
PW1 cannot be eschewed from consideration only on the ground
that they turned hostile. The relevant portion of their testimony
was rightly relied upon by the High Court after recording the
compelling reasons prompting the 12 prosecution witnesses,
including PW1, to turn hostile. [Para 23][1045-A-B]
B
3.4 The evidence of prosecution witnesses cannot be
rejected in toto merely because the prosecution chose to treat
them as hostile and cross- examined them. The evidence of such
witnesses cannot be treated as effaced or washed off the record
altogether but the same can be accepted to the extent that their
C version is found to be dependable on a careful scrutiny thereof.
It is for the judge of fact to consider in each case whether as a
result of such cross-examination and contradiction, the witness
stands thoroughly discredited or can still be believed in regard
to a part of his testimony. If the judge finds that in the process,
D the credit of the witness has not been completely shaken, he
may, after reading and considering the evidence of the witness,
as a whole, with due caution and care, accept, in the light of the
other evidence on the record, that part of testimony which he
finds to be creditworthy and act upon it. Even if the witnesses
have turned hostile, their evidence can be accepted, if they are
E natural and independent witnesses and have no reason to falsely
implicate the accused. [Paras 25, 26][1045-D-G]
Radha Mohan Singh v. State of UP (2006) 2 SCC 450 :
[2006] 1 SCR 519; Syad Akbar v. State of Karnataka
AIR 1979 SC 1848 : [1980] 1 SCR 95; Mrinal Das
F and Others v. State of Tripura (2011) 9 SCC 479 : [2011]
14 SCR 411 – referred to.
3.5 In the instant case, the evidence of PW1 finds complete
corroboration from the evidence of PW13, PW14, and PW15 who
are also the reliable eye-witnesses of the incident. The testimony
G of PW1 is unshaken and it was only after a long period of stay of
trail for 6 years, that she turned hostile. The courts below were
right in placing reliance on the testimony of PW 1, who is also a
reliable witness, for the conviction of the accused persons even
after she was declared hostile. [Para 27][1046-A-B]
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1029
4.1 The explanation given by the informant that he was not A
in a proper frame of mind when he gave the complaint and that he
was in the hospital for the next ten days, attending to his family
members who were physically assaulted and only after that he
could give the names of the rest of the accused, was rightly
accepted by the courts below. PW-15-informant managed to escape
B
the well-guarded boundaries of the village after witnessing a
prolonged torture of the deceased persons for nearly 12 hours
throughout the night and reached the police station to lodge the
complaint. He would not have been able to mention all the names
of those involved due to the trauma of witnessing an egregious
crime which resulted in the murder of his nephew and two other C
persons. [Para 32][1047-E-G]
4.2 On examination of the evidence of PW-1, PW-13, PW-
14 and PW-15 the holding by the Courts below that the all four
witnesses are reliable and the inconsistencies and contradictions
in their evidence are trivial is accepted. The ghastly crime was D
committed at four different places for a prolonged period of more
than 12 hours. Inconsistencies in the version of the witnesses
are natural, especially when a large number of persons are
involved. [Para 33][1047-G-H; 1048-A-B]
4.3 The harrowing torture of the three deceased which E
commenced at 9 pm at night and continued till 9 am on the next
day with the participation of the appellant in the Panchayat, was
proved by the testimony of the eye-witnesses. Specific overt acts
have been ascribed to some of the appellants - B, G, CS, P, M, J,
BC, K, RS, R for dragging the deceased from their houses to the
panchayat of M; appellants KS, RS for physically assaulting the F
deceased and their family members; appellants BC, K, R, M for
forcing the parents of the deceased to hang them; appellants N,
G, P, M, N, BT, J, BC, K, RS, SC for being involved in the hanging
of the deceased; appellants BT, J, for dragging the bodies of the
deceased to the cremation ground and appellants BT, J, BC, KS, G
S for lighting the fire to the bodies of the deceased at the cremation
ground. The courts below committed no error in convicting the
appellants under Section 302 with the aid of Section 149 IPC.
Even in respect of those who are not assigned any active role or
overt act, there is no doubt that they shared the common object
H
1030 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A to punish the deceased and kill them. Their presence in the
Panchayat continuously for nearly 12 hours without any protest
or any attempt made by them to stop the violence would lend
support to the prosecution version that all the appellants shared
the common object of murdering the deceased. [Para 38]
[1050-A-E]
B
5.1 Two young men and a woman were physically assaulted
for nearly 12 hours and killed by the accused for violating caste-
ridden societal norms. These episodes of caste-motivated
violence in the country demonstrate the fact that casteism has
not been annihilated even after 75 years of independence.
C According to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, inter-caste marriage is one
remedy to get rid of casteism in order to achieve equality. His
vision for ensuring justice and equality to all sections of the
society, especially to the repressed segments, is well enshrined
in the preamble of the Constitution. The bigotry perpetuated by
D such caste-based practices which are prevalent even today,
impedes this objective of the Constitution of equality for all its
citizens. Proposal of marriage by R who belongs to Jat community,
with V who is a Jatav, has resulted in their deaths. Though the
number is a tad less, honour killings have not stopped in this
country and it is high time that the civil society reacts and
E responds with strong disapproval about the ghastly crimes
committed in the name of caste. This Court issued several
directions to the administrative authorities and police officials to
take strong measures to prevent honour killings. Honour killings
pursuant to the decree of Khap Panchayats have been strongly
F criticized by this Court. Harsh punishment was recommended to
those brutal and feudal minded persons who commit atrocities in
the name of castes. The Law Commission of India in its 242nd
Report suggested the legal framework on Prevention of
Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances in the
name of Honour and Tradition. The Law Commission was of the
G opinion that there must be a threshold bar against congregation
or assembly for the purpose of objecting to and condemning the
conduct of young persons of marriageable age marrying according
to their choice, the ground of objection being that they belong to
the same gotra or to different castes or communities. The
H Panchayatdars or caste elders have no right to interfere with the
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1031
life and liberty of such young couples whose marriages are A
permitted by law and they cannot create a situation whereby such
couples are placed in a hostile environment in the village/locality
concerned and exposed to the risk of safety. The Law Commission
further recommended that the very assembly for an unlawful
purpose viz. disapproving the marriage which is otherwise within
B
the bounds of law and taking consequential action should be
treated as an offence as it has the potential to endanger the
lives and liberties of individuals concerned. [Para 39][1050-F-H;
1051-A-E]
Shakti Vahini v. Union of India and Ors. (2018) 7 SCC
192 : [2018] 3 SCR 770 - relied on. C
Arumugam Servai v. State of Tamil Nadu (2011) 6 SCC
405 : [2011] 5 SCR 488; – referred to.
5.2 The ghastly murders of three youngsters which are
honour killings squarely falls under the head of anti-social and D
abhorrent nature of the crime. [Para 46][1059-B]
Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab (1983) 3 SCC 470 :
[1983] 3 SCR 413 – referred to.
6.1 Appellants TS, K, S, BC, RS, R and K were sentenced
to death by the trial court for committing the gruesome murders E
of three youngsters in a barbaric manner. However, the High
Court converted the death sentence of the appellants to that of
life imprisonment till their last breath. The reasons given by the
High Court for converting the death sentence of the appellants
to life imprisonment are the advance age of some of the appellants, F
the passage of long time after the commission of crime and mental
sufferings that they have undergone. Keeping in view the facts
and circumstances of this case, the judgment of the High Court
insofar as the conversion of death sentence to life imprisonment
in respect of accused is upheld. [Para 47][1059-C-E]
G
6.2 The judgment of the High Court is upheld and affirm
the conviction and sentence imposed on the accused namely DH,
NT, SR, TJ, BC, KM, RM, RN, SR, MH, CH, PT, BT, JV, KR,
MN, GN, DH, BL, DR, MN, KS, DM. Accused namely H, LS and
G are acquitted in view of the ambiguity in their identity.
[Para 50][1060-D-F] H
1032 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A Dalbir Kaur v. State of Punjab (1976) 4 SCC 158:[1977]
1 SCR 280; Ramaniklal Gokaldas v. State of Gujarat
(1976) 1 SCC 6; Duli Chand v. Delhi Admn. (1975) 4
SCC 649; Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) 2
SCC 684; Masalti v. State of UP 1964 (8) SCR 133 –
referred to.
B
Wisconsin v. Mitchell [508 US 476 (1993)] – referred
to.
Case Law Reference
[1977] 1 SCR 280 referred to Para 18
C
(1976) 1 SCC 6 referred to Para 19
(1975) 4 SCC 649 referred to Para 19
[2011] 5 SCR 1 referred to Para 20
[1964] 8 SCR 133 referred to Para 20, 35, 48
D
[1974] 2 SCR 393 referred to Para 20
[2006] 1 SCR 519 referred to Para 25
[1980] 1 SCR 95 referred to Para 25
E [2011] 14 SCR 411 referred to Para 26
[2018] 14 SCR 627 referred to Para 28, 30
[2006] 2 SCR 1081 referred to Para 29
AIR 1960 SC 725 referred to Para 35
F [1989] 1 SCR 130 referred to Para 35
[2004] 2 SCR 925 referred to Para 36
[2017] 4 SCR 658 referred to Para 37
[2011] 5 SCR 488 referred to Para 39
G [2018] 3 SCR 770 relied on. Para 40, 41
(1980) 2 SCC 684 referred to Para 44
[1983] 3 SCR 413 referred to Para 45, 46
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1033
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal A
No.186 of 2018.
From the Judgment and Order dated 31.05.2016 of the High Court
of Judicature at Allahabad in Criminal Case No.7039 of 2011.
With
B
Criminal Appeal Nos.190-192, 188, 1553-1556, 189, 187 of 2018
And Criminal Appeal Nos. 1503 and 420 of 2021.
Mrs. Amita Gupta, Sanjay Kumar Tyagi, P. V. Yogeswaran, Ashish
Kumar Upadhyay, Vivek Tripathi, Y. Lokesh, Ms. V. Keerthana, Pankaj
Agarwal, C. S. N. Mohan Rao, Advs. for the Appellants. C
Ms. Garima Prashad, AAG, Vishnu Shankar Jain, Ms. Marbiang
N. Khongwir, Parth Yadav, Advs. for the Respondent.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.
D
1. Leave granted.
2. By a judgment dated 14.11.2011, the Trial Court held the
following persons guilty of the offences under Sections 147, 302 read
with 149, 323 read with 149, 324 read with Section 149 and 201 read
with Section 149 of Indian Penal Code (“IPC”) and Section 3(3)(10) of E
the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities)
Act, 1989 (“SC/ST Act”): -
Dhanni son of Ratan Singh, Tej Singh son of Kerori, Dharamveer
son of Kanhayalal, Shivcharan son of Maniram, Singh Ram son of Mani
Ram, Mahender son of Mangtu, Balli son of Kishanlal, Dharam son of F
Kallu, Nirto son of Bhavar Singh, Bacchu son of Nabli, Gopi son of
Hariom, Tulsi Ram son of Bhanwar Singh, Kamal son of Kanhaya, Ram
Singh son of Dayaram, Jeevan son of Bhaggo, Girraj son of Kamar,
Kashi son of Bhavar Singh, Chattar Singh son of Lal Singh, Karan son
of Dayaram, Naval Singh son of Narayan, Daya Ram son of Inder,
Harchand son of Leela, Mangtu son of Sunder Lal, Dayaram son of G
Bhavar Singh, Dharam son of Harchandi, Sirro son of Manni, Baato son
of Bhaggo, Pritam son of Naval, Shrichand son of Deepchand, Deepi
alias Deepchand son of Nathi, Harchandi son of Maharaj Singh, Hariram
son of Yadram, Gangaram son of Hiralal, Hari son of Govinda, and
Lalsingh son of Khushiram. H
1034 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 3. Appellants-Accused namely Dhanni son of Ratan Singh,
Dharamveer son of Kanhaya, Shivcharan son of Maniram, Singhram
son of Maniram, Balli son of Kishanlal, Mahendra son of Mangtu, Dharam
son of Kallu, Nirto son of Bhavarsingh, Gopi son of Hariom, Girraj son
of Govinda, Manni son of Natthi, Girraj son of Kamar, Kashi son of
Bhavar Singh, Chattar Singh son of Leele, Harchand son of Leele,
B
Dharam son of Harchandi, Pritam son of Naval, Gangaram son of Hiralal,
Hari son of Govinda, Lalsinghson of Khushiram, Mangtu son of Sunderlal,
Naval son of Narayan, Dayaram son of Bhavarsingh, Baato son of
Bhaggo, Shrichand son of Deepchand, Deepi alias Deepchand son of
Nathi, Jeevan son of Bhaggo were sentenced to life imprisonment under
C Section 302/149 of IPC, rigorous imprisonment for one year under Section
323/149 of IPC, 3 years under Section 324/149 of IPC, 7 years under
Section 201/149 of IPC and 3 years under Section 3 (3) 10 of the SC/ST
Act.
4. Appellants-accused namely Tej Singh son of Kirori, Bacchu
D son of Nabali, Tulsi Ram son of Bhavar Singh, Kamal son of Kanhaya,
Ram Singh son of Dayaram, Raman son of Roopi, Karan son of Dayaram,
Sirro son of Bhajni were sentenced to death under Section 302/149 of
IPC.
5. Criminal appeals were filed by the above-named convicted
E persons in which the conviction was upheld by the High Court. However,
the death sentence imposed on Tej Singh and 7 others was altered to
imprisonment for life. Aggrieved by their conviction and sentence, the
appellants have approached this Court by filing the above criminal
appeals.
F 6. Criminal Appeal Nos. 1553-1556 of 2018 have been filed by
the State of Uttar Pradesh against the commutation of death sentence
of Tej Singh son of Kirori, Bacchu son of Nabali, Tulsi ram son of Bhavar
Singh, Kamal son of Kanhaya, Ram Singh son of Dayaram, Raman son
of Roopi, Karan son of Dayaram, Sirro son of Bhajni to life imprisonment.
During the pendency of the appeals, Tulsi Ram son of Bhavar Singh
G passed away.
7. At 11.40 am on 27.03.1991, FIR was registered on the statement
made by Amichand (PW-15) at Police Station, Barsana. It was stated in
the complaint that Roshni daughter of Ganga Ram eloped with Vijendra
son of Shyama Jatav on 21.03.1991 and they were accompanied by
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1035
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
Ram Kishan son of Maharam. They returned back to the village on A
24.03.1991. At 9.00 pm on 26.03.1991, Mangtu S/o Sunder Lal, Pritam
S/o Nawal Singh, Chatar S/o Lal Singh, Girraj S/o Kanwar Singh Bagera
forcibly took Ram Kishan and Vijendra along with their family members
to attend the Panchayat. Roshni was a Jat and Vijendra and Ram Kishan
were Jatavs. Roshni stated that she wanted to marry Vijendra and live
B
with him, which infuriated persons belonging to the Jat community.
8. Nawal S/o Narain, Purna S/o Chandan Singh, Deep Chand S/
o Sunder Lal, Dayaram S/o Sunderlal, Mangtu S/o Sunder Lal, Raman
S/o Roopi, Kamal S/o Kanehiya, Amar Singh S/o Daya Ram, Ram Singh
S/o Daya Ram, Dhanni S/o Rattan Singh, Hari S/o Yadu, Battari S/o
Nand Ram, Bal Kishan S/o Maan Singh, Deepi S/o Nathi, Bairam S/o C
Deep Chand, Bacchu S/o Nabali, Tej Singh S/o Karori, Ganga S/o Heera
Lal, Papu S/o Ganga Ram, Baato S/o Bhaggo, Jeevan S/o Bhaggo, Lal
Singh S/o Yadram, Ram Singh S/o Handoo, Dharamveer S/o Kanahiya,
Lala S/o Ramji Lal, Parmi S/o Ajinal, Daya Ram S/o Bhanwar Singh,
Harchand S/o Lal Singh, Pitam S/o Nawal, Girraj S/o Kunwar Singh, D
Harchandi S/o Maharaj Singh, Tulsi S/o Bhawar Singh, Bhawar Singh
S/o Lehri, Nirto S/o Bhanwar Singh, Chatar S/o Lal Singh, Gultia S/o
Nand Ram, etc. of Jat caste were present during the Panchayat. Mangtu,
Raman, Kamal, Bacchu, Baato, Gutia, and others physically assaulted
Vijendra and Ram Kishan during the Panchayat which was convened
on 26.03.1991 at 9 pm and continued till 5 am next day. Vijendra and E
Ram Kishan were hung upside down and their private parts were burnt.
Mangtu, Nawal, Harchandi, Tulsi and other members of the Panchayat
announced the unanimous view of the Panchayat that Vijendra and Ram
Kishan should be hanged to death. Vijendra, Ram Kishan and Roshni
were taken to ‘Banyan tree’ near the house of Radhey Shyam Jogi and F
the parents of the three youngsters were compelled to tighten the noose
around the neck of their children. Parents of Vijendra and Ram Kishan
were physically assaulted when they refused to hang their children and
were ultimately made to hang them forcefully by putting their hands on
the ropes and pulling it. The dead bodies of Vijendra, Ram Kishan and
Roshni were then taken to the cremation ground and were cremated G
between 8 am to 9 am on 27.03.1991. During the course of Panchayat
from 9 pm on 26.03.1991 to the next day morning on 27.03.1991 till the
cremation was concluded, nobody was allowed to leave the village.
Somehow, Amichand escaped from the village after the cremation and
reached the police station at Barsana to lodge the complaint. Upon lodging H
1036 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A of the complaint, PW-20, SI Kripal Singh Rathi, Police Station Barsana,
rushed to the place of occurrence and doused the pyre at the cremation
ground. He collected the remaining pieces of flesh and bones and
recovered a Loongi and watch of deceased Vijendra from the place of
cremation. On the basis of statement of PW 14 Hukam Singh, 15 accused
including Daya Ram and others were arrested and the injured family
B
members of the deceased Vijendra and Ram Kishan were sent for
medical examination.
9. 54 accused persons were charged under Sections 302/149 of
IPC. During the course of the trial, applications were filed for
consolidation of the cases in which the High Court stayed the trial in
C 1992 which subsisted till 1998. 20 witnesses were examined by the
prosecution and 4 witnesses were produced by the defence. When the
trial resumed in 1998, 12 out of the 20 prosecution witnesses turned
hostile.
10. PW-1 Shanti, mother of Ram Kishan, was initially examined
D on 09.04.1992. She stated that at 9 pm on 26.03.1991 Naval Singh, Pritam,
Girraj, Bhagantu, Dayaram, Ram Singh, Raman, Bacchu, Hari Ram,
Gutiya, Batesh, Lal, Ram Singh son of Handu, Daya Ram S/o Susse,
Billi, Chatar, Harchand, Rajendra, Harchandi, Bagle, Kamal came to
her house and forcibly took Ram Kishan. Her husband Maharam and
E her son Vijay Singh followed them. She also rushed to the room of Mangtu
where Daya Ram gave her a lathi blow due to which two of her teeth
broke. She deposed that Ram Kishan was hung upside down in the
room. Vijay Singh was also given two/three lathi blows due to which he
tried to run away but was caught and confined in the room of Mangtu.
Unable to see the torture of her children, PW-1 went back to her house.
F Next day morning, the son of her sister informed that the accused persons
were hanging Ram Kishan. She reached the Banyan tree where she
saw Pritam, Naval Singh, Mangtu, Daya Ram, Deep Chand, Amar Singh,
Ram Singh, Raman, Kamal, Dhani, Hari Ram, Gutiya, Bacchu, Jeevan,
Deepi, Ram Singh, S/o Handu, Daya Ram, Billi Chattar, Harchand,
G Dharam Chand, Parbhi. Mangtu and Naval Singh tightened a rope around
the neck of Ram Kishan which was pulled by Bato, Raman, Nirto,
Bacchu, Kamal and Amar. Vijendra and Roshni were also hanged to
death. Thereafter, Ram Kishan, Vijendra and Roshni were cremated.
She identified Mangtu, Deep Chand, Daya Ram S/o Amar Singh, Ram
Singh, Gudda, Bacchu, Nirto, Raman, Tulsi Ram, Hari Ram, Pappu, Ganga
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1037
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
Ram, Naval Singh, Pritam and Harchandi. After the interim order of A
stay granted by the High Court was vacated, her evidence was recorded
on 21.02.1998 during which she turned hostile.
11. PW-13, Vishram is the brother of Vijendra. He corroborated
the statement made by PW-1 Shanti relating to Ram Kishan and Vijendra
being taken to the Panchayat forcibly. He deposed that Roshni was also B
summoned to the Panchayat. He also mentioned the names of persons
and the active role played by Naval Singh, Poorna, Deep Chand, Mangtu,
Daya Ram, Kamal,Raman, Amar Singh, Ram Singh, Nathi,Gothari,
Harkishan, Deepu, Bairam, Bacchu, Ganga Ram, Pappu, Batu, Jeevan,
Ram Ji Lal, Ram Singh, Dharamveer, Duli, Daya Ram, Harchand, Pritam,
Girraj, Harchandi, Tulsi, Chatar, Bhanwar Singh, Neto, Gutiya, Shayam, C
Dharam, Kashi, S/o Manni, Hari S/o Kallu, Kanni S/o Natthi, Bharti,
Shreechand, Mahesh, Gopi, Balli, Lal Singh during the Panchayat. He
stated that Ram Kishan, Vijendra and Roshni were hung to death and
they were cremated later. He further stated that Vijendra did not die due
to hanging and was burnt alive. He deposed in the Court that he was D
also beaten up and categorically mentioned the names of Naval Singh,
Mangtu, Daya Ram, Harchandi, Baato, Gutiya, Ram Singh, Karan, Deepi,
Shreechand etc. who executed the hanging and Gutiya, Baato, Tej Singh,
Bacchu, Karan, Jeevan and Sirro for their active role in cremating the
bodies of Ram Kishan, Vijendra and Roshni. He stated that he was
made to sit through the incident for 12 hours and was not allowed to E
move even a single inch. During the course of recording of his evidence
PW-13 turned hostile. However, on being cross-examined again by the
defence, he deposed against the accused persons.
12. PW-14, Hukum is the son of Shyama and brother of deceased
Vijendra. He described the incident from 9 pm on 26.03.1991 till the F
next day morning and stated in detail about the hanging and cremation of
Ram Kishan, Vijendra and Roshni. He corroborated the evidence of
PW-1. He deposed before the Court about him being beaten up at his
home and at the panchayat and about the boundaries of the village being
guarded by the people belonging to the Jat caste who did not allow G
anybody to leave the village during the course of the incident.
13. PW-15, Amichand is the uncle of Ram Kishan and was the
first informant who gave a vivid description of the crime. He stated that
he came to village Mahrana to attend the Theravi Bhoj of Mangtu’s
mother. He gave the names of 35 persons in his complaint on 27.03.1991 H
1038 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A and later, names of 19 other persons were furnished by him on 04.04.1991.
In his evidence, PW 15 corroborated the evidence of PW-1 as well.
14. 54 persons were charged for offence under Sections 147,
302/149, 323/149, 324/149 and 201/149 of IPC and Section 3(3)(10) of
SC/ST Act. Some of them died and some accused were juveniles. 39
B accused were tried by the Trial Court. Out of the 39 accused, three of
them namely, Dayaram son of Inder, Harchandi son of Maharaj Singh
and Hari son of Yadram died after their statements were recorded under
Section 313 Cr.P.C. Except Balkishan son of Mansingh, and the 3 accused
who died, remaining 35 accused were convicted by the Trial Court.
C 15. Appeals were filed by these 35 convicts before the High Court.
Out of the 35 convicts, the High Court acquitted two – namely Shivcharan
son of Maniram and Singhram son of Maniram. The conviction of the
remaining convicts was upheld by the High Court. However, the death
sentence awarded to the 8 accused was commuted to life imprisonment
till the end of natural life.
D
16. Against this judgement of the High Court, the following persons
have filed Criminal Appeals before this Court:
In Criminal Appeal No. 186 of 2018
1. Hari son of Govinda
E
2. Lal Singh son of Khushi Singh
In Criminal Appeal No. 187 of 2018
3. Karan Singh son of Daya Ram
In Criminal Appeal No. 188 of 2018
F
4. Chattar Singh son of Lal Singh
5. Daya Ram son of Bhanwar Singh
6. Pritam son of Naval
7. Baato son of Bhambhu
G
8. Jeewan son of Bhaggo
9. Deepi alias Deep Chand son of Natthi
In Criminal Appeal No. 189 of 2018
H 10. Dharmvir son of Kanhaiya
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1039
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
11. Balli son of Kishan A
12. Dharm son of Kallu
13. Gopi son of Hair
14. Girraj son of Govinda
15. Manni son of Natthi B
16. Kashi son of Bhanwar Singh
17. Dharm son of Harchand
In Criminal Appeal Nos. 190-192 of 2018
C
18. Dhanni son of Ratan Singh
19. Nirto son of Bhanwar Singh
20. Girraj son of Kamar
21. Shrichand son of Deepchand
D
22. Tej Singh son of Karodi
23. Bachchu son of Nabali
24. Kamal son of Kanhaiya
25. Ram Singh son of Dayaram
E
26. Raman son of Roopi
27. Sirro son of Bhajini
28. Mahender son of Mantu
In SLP (Crl.) No. 1975 of 2018 F
29. Mangtu son of Sunder Lal
In Criminal Appeal No. 420 of 2021
30. Ganga Ram son of Heera Lal
In addition to the above Criminal Appeals, Criminal Appeal G
Nos.1553-1556 of 2018 have been filed by the State against the
commutation of death sentence awarded to eight accused to life
imprisonment.
17. We are informed by the learned counsel for the Appellant that
during the pendency of these appeals, 4 Appellants namely, Dayaram H
1040 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A son of Bhanwar Singh (Appellant 2 in Crl. A. 188 of 2018), Deepi alias
Deep Chand son of Natthi (Appellant 6 in Crl. A. 188 of 2018), Gopi son
of Hari Om (Appellant 4 in Crl. A. 189 of 2018) and Girraj son of Kamar
(Appellant 3 in Crl. A. 190-192 of 2018) died. At present, we are
concerned with 26 Appellants.
B 18. The principles governing the interference by this Court in a
criminal appeal by a special leave have been laid down by this Court in
Dalbir Kaur v. State of Punjab1 which are as follows: -
8. Thus the principles governing interference by this Court
in a criminal appeal by special leave may be summarized as
C follows:
“(1) that this Court would not interfere with the concurrent
finding of fact based on pure appreciation of evidence even
if it were to take a different view on the evidence;
(2) that the Court will not normally enter into a reappraisement
D or review of the evidence, unless the assessment of the High
Court is vitiated by an error of law or procedure or is based
on error of record, misreading of evidence or is inconsistent
with the evidence, for instance, where the ocular evidence is
totally inconsistent with the medical evidence and so on;
E (3) that the Court would not enter into credibility of the
evidence with a view to substitute its own opinion for that of
the High Court;
(4) that the Court would interfere where the High Court has
arrived at a finding of fact in disregard of a judicial process,
F principles of natural justice or a fair hearing or has acted in
violation of a mandatory provision of law or procedure
resulting in serious prejudice or injustice to the accused;
(5) this Court might also interfere where on the proved facts
wrong inferences of law have been drawn or where the
G conclusions of the High Court are manifestly perverse and
based on no evidence.”
It is very difficult to lay down a rule of universal application,
but the principles mentioned above and those adumbrated in
the authorities of this Court cited supra provide sufficient
1
H (1976) 4 SCC 158
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1041
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
guidelines for this Court to decide criminal appeals by special A
leave. Thus, in a criminal appeal by special leave, this Court
at the hearing examines the evidence and the judgment of the
High Court with the limited purpose of determining whether
or not the High Court has followed the principles enunciated
above. Where the Court finds that the High Court has
B
committed no violation of the various principles laid down by
this Court and has made a correct approach and has not
ignored or overlooked striking features in the evidence which
demolish the prosecution case, the findings of fact arrived at
by the High Court on an appreciation of the evidence in the
circumstances of the case would not be disturbed. C
19. In the said judgment, this Court observed that the evidence
and the judgment of the High Court is examined for the limited purpose
for determining whether or not the High Court has followed the
aforementioned principles. If the High Court has committed no error or
violation of the said principles and has not ignored or overlooked striking D
features of the evidence which demolish the prosecution case, the findings
of fact arrived at by the High Court on an appreciation of the evidence
in the circumstances of the case would not be disturbed. Article 136 of
the Constitution of India is an extraordinary jurisdiction which this Court
exercises when it entertains an appeal by special leave and this jurisdiction,
by its very nature, is exercisable only when this Court is satisfied that it E
is necessary to interfere in order to prevent grave or serious miscarriage
of justice. Mere errors in appreciation of the evidence are not enough to
attract this invigilatory jurisdiction2. It is not the practice of this Court to
reappreciate the evidence for the purpose of examining whether the
finding of fact concurrently arrived at by the High Court and the F
subordinate courts is correct or not. It is only in rare and exceptional
cases where there is some manifest illegality or grave and serious
miscarriage of justice that this Court would interfere with such finding
of fact3.
20. Regarding the argument on behalf of the accused persons G
with respect the contradictions and inconsistencies in the evidence of
the eye-witnesses, the High Court found that the contradictions and
inconsistencies indicated in the statements of the four eye-witnesses
2
Ramaniklal Gokaldas v. State of Gujarat, (1976) 1 SCC 6
3
Duli Chand v. Delhi Admn., (1975) 4 SCC 649
H
1042 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A were trivial in nature. Following the law laid down by this Court in State
of MP v. Ramesh4, the High Court ignored the contradictions and
inconsistencies which did not affect the substratum of the prosecution’s
case. The High Court disapproved the approach of the Trial Court in
discarding the formula of at least two witnesses deposing the presence/
overt act of the accused in case where large numbers of accused are
B
involved. The High Court followed the rule laid down by this Court in
Masalti v. State of UP5, that in cases of mob violence, it would be safe
to examine that at least two persons depose about the presence of an
accused. The High Court gave benefit of doubt to Shiv Charan and
Singh Ram whose presence/involvement was spoken by only one witness.
C Concurrent findings of fact pertaining to the commission of the crime
and involvement of the appellant cannot be subjected to further scrutiny
by this Court, according to the well-established law laid down by this
Court. It is not necessary to undertake fresh appraisal of the evidence
as we are not inclined to take a view different from the concurrent
findings since the appreciation of evidence by the Courts below is not
D
erroneous6.
21. The evidence of the four eye-witnesses was summarised by
the High Court by a chart which forms part of its judgment and is
reproduced as follows: -
“…Before giving the chart we would like to clarify that we
E have compartmentalized the events comprising the occurrence
into five parts, these read as under:
1. Calling of the deceased Ram Kishan and Vijender from
their houses, briefly referred as ‘to call’ in the table.
2. Participation in the Panchayat briefly referred to as
F panchayat
3. Hanging by the tree, briefly indicated as place of execution
and supplement by their specific acts.
4. Dragging the dead bodies to the marethan and briefly
indicated by word ‘dragged’.
G
5. Burning the dead bodies after putting them on pyre, briefly-
referred by word ‘fire’.
4
(2011) 4 SCC 786
5
1964 (8) SCR 133
6
Kaur Sain v. State of Punjab, (1974) 3 SCC 649
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1043
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
1044 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A
B
C
D
22. From the evidence of PW-1, PW-13, PW-14 and PW-15 who
are eye-witnesses, the medical and scientific evidence, and documentary
evidence it is proved that Ram Kishan, Vijendra and Roshni were tortured
E and then were killed by hanging. Thereafter, their bodies were cremated.
We are of the opinion that the testimonies of the eye-witnesses are
credible and have been rightly accepted by the Courts below. The
recovery of white Tahmad and clothes of deceased Ram Kishan, recovery
of clothes of Vijendra, recovery of half burnt pieces of bones, ribs, spinal
cord, parts of intestine and burnt pieces of flesh support the prosecution’s
F
version about the burning of the bodies of the deceased. The murder of
Roshni, Vijendra and Ram Kishan is established beyond doubt. The
question that falls for our consideration is the culpability of the Appellants.
The eye-witnesses’ account of PW-1 Shanti, PW-13, PW-14 and PW-
15 was believed by the Courts below. They have stated about the
G involvement of the appellants and ascribed specific overt acts to some
of them. The role assigned to each of the appellants by the witnesses is
found in the chart referred to above.
23. No reliance can be placed on the evidence of the eye-witness
PW-1 Shanti who has turned hostile, according to the Appellants.
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1045
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
Rejecting this contention, the High Court was of the opinion that the A
evidence of PW1 cannot be eschewed from consideration only on the
ground that they turned hostile. The relevant portion of their testimony
was rightly relied upon by the High Court after recording the compelling
reasons prompting the 12 prosecution witnesses, including PW1, to turn
hostile.
B
24. The evidence of PW-1 was initially recorded on 09.04.1992.
She has narrated the sequence of events and the involvement of the
accused in the crime. Thereafter, due to an interim order passed by the
High Court, the trial was stayed for a period of six years. When she was
recalled to depose in Court on 21.02.1998, she turned hostile. The reasons
for PW-1 turning hostile are understandable as she comes from a lower- C
strata of the society, living in a village dominated by the caste to which
the accused persons belong. She deposed about the incident and the
involvement of the Appellants in detail and was later declared hostile
along with 11 other prosecution witnesses.
25. It is well settled that the evidence of prosecution witnesses D
cannot be rejected in toto merely because the prosecution chose to treat
them as hostile and cross-examined them. The evidence of such witnesses
cannot be treated as effaced or washed off the record altogether but the
same can be accepted to the extent that their version is found to be
dependable on a careful scrutiny thereof7. It is for the Judge of fact to E
consider in each case whether as a result of such cross-examination
and contradiction, the witness stands thoroughly discredited or can still
be believed in regard to a part of his testimony. If the Judge finds that in
the process, the credit of the witness has not been completely shaken,
he may, after reading and considering the evidence of the witness, as a
whole, with due caution and care, accept, in the light of the other evidence F
on the record, that part of testimony which he finds to be creditworthy
and act upon it8.
26. Even if the witnesses have turned hostile, their evidence can
be accepted, if they are natural and independent witnesses and have no
reason to falsely implicate the accused. In Mrinal Das and Others v. G
State of Tripura9 this Court observed that credible evidence even of a
hostile witnesses can form the basis for conviction in a criminal trial.
7
Radha Mohan Singh v. State of UP, (2006) 2 SCC 450
8
Syad Akbar v. State of Karnataka, AIR 1979 SC 1848
9
(2011) 9 SCC 479 H
1046 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 27. In the present case, the evidence of PW1 finds complete
corroboration from the evidence of PW13, PW14, and PW15 who are
also the reliable eye-witnesses of the incident. The testimony of PW1 is
unshaken and it was only after a long period of stay of trail for 6 years,
that she turned hostile. The Courts below were right in placing reliance
on the testimony of PW 1, who is also a reliable witness, for the conviction
B
of the accused persons even after she was declared hostile.
28. Right to testify in Courts in a free and fair manner without any
pressure and threat whatsoever is under serious attack today. If one is
unable to testify in Courts due to threats or other pressures, then it is a
clear violation of Article 19 (1) (a) and Article 21 of the Constitution.
C Right to life guaranteed to the people of this country also includes in its
fold the right to live in a society which is free from crime and fear and
the right of witnesses to testify in Courts without fear or pressure. It
needs to be emphasised that one of the main reasons for witnesses to
turn hostile is that they are not accorded appropriate protection by the
D State. It is a harsh reality, particularly, in those cases where the accused
persons/criminals are tried for heinous offences, or where the accused
persons are influential persons or in a dominating position that they make
attempts to terrorise or intimidate the witnesses because of which these
witnesses either avoid coming to Courts or refrain from deposing
truthfully. This unfortunate situation prevails because of the reason that
E the State has not undertaken any protective measures to ensure the
safety of these witnesses, commonly known as “witness protection” 10.
29. The State has a definite role to play in protecting the witnesses,
to start with, at least in sensitive cases involving those in power, who
have political patronage and could wield muscle and money power, to
F avert trial getting tainted and derailed and truth becoming a casualty. As
a protector of its citizens, it has to ensure that during a trial in the court
the witness could safely depose the truth without any fear of being haunted
by those against whom the witness had deposed. Every State has a
constitutional obligation and duty to protect the life and liberty of its
G citizens. That is the fundamental requirement for observance of the rule
of law. There cannot be any deviation from this requirement because of
any extraneous factors like caste, creed, religion, political belief or
ideology.11
10
Mahender Chawla & Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (2019) 14 SCC 615
11
H Zahira Habibullah Sheikh and Anr. v. State of Gujarat & Ors. (2006) 3 SCC 374
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1047
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
30. While taking note of these exigencies with respect to A
safeguarding the rights of the witnesses deposing before a court, the
Witness Protection Scheme, 2018 which was drafted by the Ministry of
Home Affairs was approved by this Court in Mahender Chawla &
Ors. v. Union of India & Ors. (supra). Thereafter, in Ashwin Kumar
Upadhyay v. Union of India and Anr.,12 a direction was given by this
B
Court to the Union of India and the State Governments to strictly enforce
the Witness Protection Scheme, 2018.
31. The present case squarely falls under the situations
contemplated by this Court while necessitating the formulation of scheme/
guidelines/programmes for protection of witnesses. Implementation of
the Witness Protection Scheme at the time when the witnesses were C
deposing in the present case, would have prevented the prosecution
witnesses from turning hostile. If the material witnesses were relocated
from the village and escorted to the courtroom, they would have deposed
freely in court.
32. The next contention on behalf of the appellants is that the D
informant Amichand initially mentioned the names of only 35 persons on
29.03.1991. 10 days thereafter, he implicated 19 other persons. The
Appellants contended that 19 persons who were made accused 10 days
after the registration of the FIR are falsely implicated after deliberations.
The explanation given by the informant Amichand that he was not in a E
proper frame of mind when he gave the complaint on 27.03.1991 and
that he was in the hospital for the next ten days, attending to his family
members who were physically assaulted and only after that he could
give the names of the rest of the accused on 04.04.1992, was rightly
accepted by the Courts below. PW-15 Amichand managed to escape
the well-guarded boundaries of the village after witnessing a prolonged F
torture of the deceased persons for nearly 12 hours throughout the night
and reached the police station to lodge the complaint. He would not
have been able to mention all the names of those involved due to the
trauma of witnessing an egregious crime which resulted in the murder
of his nephew and two other persons. G
33. The Appellants submitted that the testimonies of the eye-
witnesses suffer from contradictions and inconsistencies and deserve to
be rejected. We have carefully examined the evidence of PW-1, PW-
13, PW-14 and PW-15 and we are in agreement with the Courts below
12
(2020) SCC OnLine SC 1228 H
1048 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A that the all four witnesses are reliable and the inconsistencies and
contradictions in their evidence are trivial. The ghastly crime was
committed at four different places for a prolonged period of more than
12 hours. Inconsistencies in the version of the witnesses are natural,
especially when a large number of persons are involved.
B 34. Ms. Amita Gupta, learned counsel for the Appellants argued
that some of the Appellants have not been assigned any active role in
the commission of the offence and their conviction for being members
of the unlawful assembly is unsustainable. She stated that they are mere
onlookers or by standers and they cannot be stated to be members of an
unlawful assembly.
C
35. Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code is declaratory of the
vicarious liability of the members of an unlawful assembly for acts done
in prosecution of the common object of that assembly or for such offences
as the members of the unlawful assembly knew would be committed in
prosecution of that object. If an unlawful assembly is formed with the
D common object of committing an offence, and if that offence is committed
in prosecution of the object by any member of the unlawful assembly, all
the members of the assembly will be vicariously liable for that offence
even if one or more, but not all committed the offence. Again, if an
offence is committed by a member of an unlawful assembly and that
E offence is one which the members of the unlawful assembly knew to be
likely to be committed in prosecution of the common object, every
member who had that knowledge will be guilty of the offence so
committed13. It is not necessary for the prosecution to prove each of the
members’ involvement especially regarding which or what act (Masalti
supra). While overt act and active participation may indicate common
F intention of the person perpetrating the crime, the mere presence in the
unlawful assembly may fasten vicariously criminal liability under Section
14914.
36. Common object is different from common intention as it does
not require a prior concert and a common meeting of minds before the
G attack. It is enough if each has the same object in view and their number
is five or more and that they act as an assembly to achieve that object.
The common object of an assembly is to be ascertained from the acts
and language of the members composing it, and from a consideration of
13
Shambhu Nath Singh v. State of Bihar, AIR 1960 SC 725
14
H Lalji v. State of U.P. (1989) 1 SCC 437
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1049
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
all the surrounding circumstances. It may be gathered from the course A
of conduct adopted by the members of the assembly15.
37. In Kattukulangara Madhavan (dead) through LRs. v.
Majeed and Ors.16, this Court held as follows: -
“23. In the first place, the presence of an accused as part of
an unlawful assembly, when not as a curious onlooker or a B
bystander, suggests his participation in the object of the
assembly. When the prosecution establishes such presence,
then it is the conduct of the accused that would determine
whether he continued to participate in the unlawful assembly
with the intention to fulfil the object of the assembly, or not. It
could well be that an accused had no intention to participate C
in the object of the assembly. For example, if the object of the
assembly is to murder someone, it is possible that the accused
as a particular member of the assembly had no knowledge of
the intention of the other members whose object was to murder,
unless of course the evidence to the contrary shows such D
knowledge. But having participated and gone along with the
others, an inference whether inculpatory or exculpatory can
be drawn from the conduct of such an accused. The following
questions arise with regard to the conduct of such an accused:
1. What was the point of time at which he discovered that the
E
assembly intended to kill the victim?
2. Having discovered that, did he make any attempt to stop
the assembly from pursuing the object?
3. If he did, and failed, did he dissociate himself from the
assembly by getting away?
F
The answer to these questions would determine whether an
accused shared the common object in the assembly. Without
evidence that the accused had no knowledge of the unlawful
object of the assembly or without evidence that after having
gained knowledge, he attempted to prevent the assembly from
accomplishing the unlawful object, and without evidence that G
after having failed to do so, the accused disassociated himself
from the assembly, the mere participation of an accused in
such an assembly would be inculpatory.
15
Charan Singh v. State of U.P., (2004) 4 SCC 205
16
(2017) 5 SCC 568 H
1050 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 38. The harrowing torture of the three deceased which commenced
at 9 pm on 26.03.1991 and continued till 9 am on the next day i.e.,
27.03.1991 with the participation of the Appellants in the Panchayat,
was proved by the testimony of the eye-witnesses. Specific overt acts
have been ascribed to some of the appellants - Balli, Girraj, Chatar Singh,
Preetam, Mangtu, Jeevan, Bachchu, Kamal, Ram Singh, Raman for
B
dragging the deceased from their houses to the panchayat of Mangtu;
appellants Karan Singh, Ram Singh for physically assaulting the deceased
and their family members; appellants Bacchu, Kamal, Raman, Mangtu
for forcing the parents of the deceased to hang them; appellants Nirto,
Girraj, Preetam, Mangtu, Naval, Baato, Jeevan, Bachchu, Kamal, Ram
C Singh, Srichand for being involved in the hanging of the deceased;
appellants Baato, Jeevan, for dragging the bodies of the deceased to the
cremation ground and appellants Baato, Jeevan, Bachchu, Karan Singh,
Sirro for lighting the fire to the bodies of the deceased at the cremation
ground. Following the well settled principles laid down by this Court, we
are satisfied that the Courts below committed no error in convicting the
D
appellants under Section 302 with the aid of Section 149 IPC. Even in
respect of those who are not assigned any active role or overt act, there
is no doubt that they shared the common object to punish the deceased
and kill them. Their presence in the Panchayat continuously for nearly
12 hours without any protest or any attempt made by them to stop the
E violence would lend support to the prosecution version that all the
appellants shared the common object of murdering the deceased.
39. Two young men and a woman were physically assaulted for
nearly 12 hours and killed by the accused for violating caste-ridden societal
norms. These episodes of caste-motivated violence in the country
F demonstrate the fact that casteism has not been annihilated even after
75 years of independence. According to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, inter-
caste marriage is one remedy to get rid of casteism in order to achieve
equality. His vision for ensuring justice and equality to all sections of the
society, especially to the repressed segments, is well enshrined in the
preamble of the Constitution. The bigotry perpetuated by such caste-
G based practices which are prevalent even today, impedes this objective
of the Constitution of equality for all its citizens. Proposal of marriage by
Roshni who belongs to Jat community, with Vijendra who is a Jatav, has
resulted in their deaths. Though the number is a tad less, honour killings
have not stopped in this country and it is high time that the civil society
H reacts and responds with strong disapproval about the ghastly crimes
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1051
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
committed in the name of caste. This Court issued several directions to A
the administrative authorities and police officials to take strong measures
to prevent honour killings. Honour killings pursuant to the decree of Khap
Panchayats have been strongly criticized by this Court in Arumugam
Servai v. State of Tamil Nadu17. Harsh punishment was recommended
to those brutal and feudal minded persons who commit atrocities in the
B
name of castes. The Law Commission of India in its 242nd Report
suggested the legal framework on Prevention of Interference with the
Freedom of Matrimonial Alliances in the name of Honour and Tradition.
The Law Commission was of the opinion that there must be a threshold
bar against congregation or assembly for the purpose of objecting to and
condemning the conduct of young persons of marriageable age marrying C
according to their choice, the ground of objection being that they belong
to the same gotra or to different castes or communities. The
Panchayatdars or caste elders have no right to interfere with the life and
liberty of such young couples whose marriages are permitted by law
and they cannot create a situation whereby such couples are placed in a
D
hostile environment in the village/locality concerned and exposed to the
risk of safety. The Law Commission further recommended that the very
assembly for an unlawful purpose viz. disapproving the marriage which
is otherwise within the bounds of law and taking consequential action
should be treated as an offence as it has the potential to endanger the
lives and liberties of individuals concerned. E
40. In Shakti Vahini v. Union of India and Ors.18, this Court
directed the Union of India and the State Governments to take preventive
steps to combat honour crimes, to submit a National Plan of Action and
State Plan of Action to curb crimes of the said nature. The State
Governments were directed to constitute special cells in each district F
which could be approached by the couples for their safety and well-
being. This Court suggested preventive steps, remedial measures and
punitive measures as follows: -
“55.1. Preventive steps
55.1.1. The State Governments should forthwith identify G
districts, sub-divisions and/or villages where instances of
honour killing or assembly of khap panchayats have been
reported in the recent past, e.g., in the last five years.
17
(2011) 6 SCC 405
18
(2018) 7 SCC 192 H
1052 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 55.1.2. The Secretary, Home Department of the States
concerned shall issue directives/advisories to the
Superintendent of Police of the districts concerned for
ensuring that the officer in charge of the police stations of
the identified areas are extra cautious if any instance of inter-
caste or inter-religious marriage within their jurisdiction comes
B
to their notice.
55.1.3. If information about any proposed gathering of a
khap panchayat comes to the knowledge of any police officer
or any officer of the District Administration, he shall forthwith
inform his immediate superior officer and also simultaneously
C intimate the jurisdictional Deputy Superintendent of Police
and Superintendent of Police.
55.2 Remedial measures
55.2.1. Despite the preventive measures taken by the State
D Police, if it comes to the notice of the local police that the
khap panchayat has taken place and it has passed any diktat
to take action against a couple/family of an inter-caste or
inter-religious marriage (or any other marriage which does
not meet their acceptance), the jurisdictional police official
shall cause to immediately lodge an FIR under the appropriate
E provisions of the Penal Code including Sections 141, 143,
503 read with Section 506 IPC.
55.2.2. Upon registration of FIR, intimation shall be
simultaneously given to the Superintendent of Police/Deputy
Superintendent of Police who, in turn, shall ensure that
F effective investigation of the crime is done and taken to its
logical end with promptitude.
55.2.3. Additionally, immediate steps should be taken to
provide security to the couple/family and, if necessary, to
remove them to a safe house within the same district or
G elsewhere keeping in mind their safety and threat perception.
The State Government may consider of establishing a safe
house at each District Headquarter for that purpose. Such
safe houses can cater to accommodate:
(i) young bachelor-bachelorette couples whose relationship
H is being opposed by their families/local community/khaps, and
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1053
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
(ii) young married couples (of an inter-caste or inter-religious A
or any other marriage being opposed by their families/local
community/khaps).
Such safe houses may be placed under the supervision of the
jurisdictional District Magistrate and Superintendent of
Police. B
55.2.4. The District Magistrate/Superintendent of Police must
deal with the complaint regarding threat administered to such
couple/family with utmost sensitivity. It should be first
ascertained whether the bachelor-bachelorette are capable
adults. Thereafter, if necessary, they may be provided logistical C
support for solemnising their marriage and/or for being duly
registered under police protection, if they so desire. After the
marriage, if the couple so desire, they can be provided
accommodation on payment of nominal charges in the safe
house initially for a period of one month to be extended on
monthly basis but not exceeding one year in aggregate, D
depending on their threat assessment on case-to-case basis.
55.2.5. The initial inquiry regarding the complaint received
from the couple (bachelor-bachelorette or a young married
couple) or upon receiving information from an independent
source that the relationship/marriage of such couple is E
opposed by their family members/local community/khaps shall
be entrusted by the District Magistrate/Superintendent of
Police to an officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent
of Police. He shall conduct a preliminary inquiry and ascertain
the authenticity, nature and gravity of threat perception. On F
being satisfied as to the authenticity of such threats, he shall
immediately submit a report to the Superintendent of Police
in not later than one week.
55.2.6. The District Superintendent of Police, upon receipt
of such report, shall direct the Deputy Superintendent of G
Police in charge of the sub-division concerned to cause to
register an FIR against the persons threatening the couple(s)
and, if necessary, invoke Section 151 CrPC Additionally, the
Deputy Superintendent of Police shall personally supervise
the progress of investigation and ensure that the same is
H
1054 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A completed and taken to its logical end with promptitude. In
the course of investigation, the persons concerned shall be
booked without any exception including the members who
have participated in the assembly. If the involvement of the
members of khap panchayat comes to the fore, they shall also
be charged for the offence of conspiracy or abetment, as the
B
case may be.
55.3 Punitive measures
55.3.1. Any failure by either the police or district officer/
officials to comply with the aforesaid directions shall be
C considered as an act of deliberate negligence and/or
misconduct for which departmental action must be taken under
the service rules. The departmental action shall be initiated
and taken to its logical end, preferably not exceeding six
months, by the authority of the first instance.
D 55.3.2. In terms of the ruling of this Court in Arumugam
Servai [Arumugam Servai v. State of T.N., (2011) 6 SCC 405
: (2011) 2 SCC (Cri) 993] , the States are directed to take
disciplinary action against the officials concerned if it is
found that:
E (i) such official(s) did not prevent the incident, despite having
prior knowledge of it, or
(ii) where the incident had already occurred, such official(s)
did not promptly apprehend and institute criminal proceedings
against the culprits.
F 55.3.3. The State Governments shall create Special Cells in
every district comprising of the Superintendent of Police, the
District Social Welfare Officer and District Adi-Dravidar
Welfare Officer to receive petitions/complaints of harassment
of and threat to couples of inter-caste marriage.
G 55.3.4. These Special Cells shall create a 24-hour helpline to
receive and register such complaints and to provide necessary
assistance/advice and protection to the couple.
55.3.5. The criminal cases pertaining to honour killing or
violence to the couple(s) shall be tried before the designated
H court/fast track court earmarked for that purpose. The trial
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1055
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
must proceed on day-to-day basis to be concluded preferably A
within six months from the date of taking cognizance of the
offence. We may hasten to add that this direction shall apply
even to pending cases. The District Judge concerned shall
assign those cases, as far as possible, to one jurisdictional
court so as to ensure expeditious disposal thereof.”
B
41. In order to implement the recommendations of the Law
Commission in its 242nd Report, the State of Rajasthan has enacted the
Rajasthan Prohibition of Interference with the Freedom of Matrimonial
Alliances in the Name of Honour and Tradition Act, 2019 on the same
lines. In the interest of liberty and dignity of young men and women in
choosing their life partners and in the interest of peace, tranquillity and C
equality in the society, it is imminently necessary that the directions issued
by this Court in Shakti Vahini v. Union of India and Ors. (supra)
should also be carried out by the State Governments without any further
delay.
42. In United Kingdom and Canada, racial and religiously motivated D
crimes are treated as aggravating factors for enhanced punishment.
Section 145 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2003 (UK) provides that the
Court must treat an offence which was racial or religiously incensed as
an aggravating factor. In Canada, Courts are guided by the following
principles while imposing the sentence: - E
“Other sentencing principles
718.2 A court that imposes a sentence shall also take into
consideration the following principles:
(a) a sentence should be increased or reduced to account for F
any relevant aggravating or mitigating circumstances relating
to the offence or the offender, and, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing,
(i) evidence that the offence was motivated by bias, prejudice
or hate based on race, national or ethnic origin, language,
G
colour, religious, sex, age, mental or physical disability, sexual
orientation, or gender identity or expression, or on any other
similar factor,
(ii)…..(vi)
Shall be deemed to be aggravating circumstances;” H
1056 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A 43. Though racial/religiously motivated actions are not codified to
be an aggravating circumstance for enhancement of penalties for a crime,
the principle is well recognized by the Supreme Court of US as held in
Wisconsin v. Mitchell19. In that case, Mitchell was convicted for
aggravated battery by the Circuit Court of Kenosha County, Wisconsin
and sentenced to imprisonment for a period of four years when the
B
maximum sentence for the offense was two years. The enhanced
sentence was based on the Hate Crimes Statues of Wisconsin which
provided for a longer maximum sentence. The enhanced sentence was
upheld by Wisconsin Court of Appeals which was reversed by the
Wisconsin Supreme Court. The Supreme Court of US set aside the
C findings of the Wisconsin Supreme Court and held that Mitchell’s First
Amendment freedom of speech and association rights were not violated
by the application of the penalty-enhancement sentencing provision. The
Supreme Court referred to Blackstone who said, “it is but reasonable
that among crimes of different natures those should be most severely
punished, which are the most destructive of the public safety and
D
happiness.”
44. In India, imposition of death sentence can be only after special
reasons are recorded as per Section 354 (3) of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1973. In Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab20, this Court
held that while ascertaining the existence or absence of the special
E reasons, the Court must pay due regard both to the crime and criminal.
Relative weightage has to be given to the aggravating and mitigating
factors depending upon the facts and circumstances of each case.
Accepting the suggestions of Dr. Chitale, this Court held the following
factors as indicators of aggravating circumstances: -
F “202. Drawing upon the penal statutes of the States in U.S.A.
framed after Furman v. Georgia [33 L Ed 2d 346 : 408 US
238 (1972)] , in general, and clauses 2 (a), (b), (c) and (d) of
the Penal Code, 1860 (Amendment) Bill passed in 1978 by
the Rajya Sabha, in particular, Dr. Chitale has suggested these
G “aggravating circumstances”:
“Aggravating circumstances: A court may, however, in the
following cases impose the penalty of death in its discretion:
19
[508 US 476 (1993)]
20
H (1980) 2 SCC 684
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1057
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
(a) if the murder has been committed after previous planning A
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— B
(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 C
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 D
Procedure, 1973, or who had rendered assistance to a
Magistrate or a police officer demanding his aid or requiring
his assistance under Section 37 and Section 129 of the said
Code.”
45. This Court made it clear that judicial discretion was not being E
fettered by making an attempt to have an exhaustive enumeration. In
Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab21 this Court summed up the factors
that may be taken into account by the Court for imposition of death
sentence: -
I. Manner of commission of murder
F
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 G
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.
21
(1983) 3 SCC 470 H
1058 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A (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
B 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-a-vis whom the murderer is in a dominating position or in
C a position of trust, or (c) a murder is committed in the course
for 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
D but in circumstances which arouse social wrath. For instance
when such a crime is committed in order to terrorize 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 reverse past injustices
E 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.
F 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.
G 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
H
HARI & ANR. v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH 1059
[L. NAGESWARA RAO, J.]
victim is a person vis-a-vis whom the murderer is in a position A
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.
46. The ghastly murders of three youngsters which are honour B
killings squarely falls under the head of anti-social and abhorrent nature
of the crime as mentioned in Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab (supra).
47. Appellants Tej Singh s/o Karodi, Kamal s/o Kanyaiya, Sirro
s/o Bhanji, Bachchu s/o Nawali, Ram Singh s/o Dayaram, Raman s/o
Roopi and Karan s/o Dayaram were sentenced to death by the Trial C
Court for committing the gruesome murders of three youngsters in a
barbaric manner. However, the High Court converted the death sentence
of the above Appellants to that of life imprisonment till their last breath.
The reasons given by the High Court for converting the death sentence
of the above Appellants to life imprisonment are the advance age of
some of the Appellants, the passage of long time after the commission D
of crime and mental sufferings that they have undergone. Keeping in
view the facts and circumstances of this case, we uphold the judgment
of the High Court insofar as the conversion of death sentence to life
imprisonment in respect of accused Tej Singh s/o Karodi, Kamal s/o
Kanyaiya, Sirro s/o Bhanji, Bachchu s/o Nawali, Ram Singh s/o Dayaram, E
Raman s/o Roopi and Karan s/o Dayaram. The Criminal Appeal Nos.
1553-1556 of 2018 filed by the State of Uttar Pradesh are, therefore,
dismissed.
48. Insofar as the Appellant Hari son of Govinda is concerned, his
name was mentioned by PW-13 who deposed that he was present at the F
Panchayat. PW-1 and PW-15 referred to the name of Hari Ram, who
also happens to be one of the accused with the name Hariram son of
Yadram. The High Court followed the suggestion given by this Court in
Masalti’s case and held that conviction with the aid of Section 149 IPC
can be only in case where at least two witnesses speak about the
involvement of person. Regarding the presence of Hari son of Govinda G
which was mentioned only by PW-13, we are of the considered view
that he is entitled for acquittal. PW-13 also deposed that Lal Singh son
of Khushi was also present at the Panchayat. PW-1 testified in the Court
that one Lal arrived at her door with a lathi. PW-15 also mentioned the
presence of Lala in the Panchayat. In addition to Lal Singh, one Lala H
1060 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2021] 10 S.C.R.
A son of Ramji Lal was also one of the accused. As only one witness
spoke about the presence of Lal Singh son of Khushi, he is also entitled
for acquittal.
49. There are two persons with the same name. One is the
Appellant before this Court who is Girraj son of Govinda and the other is
B Girraj son of Kamar who passed away during the pendency of the
proceedings in this Court. The eye-witnesses mentioned the name of
Girraj without giving the name of his father. In such circumstances, it is
not clear whether Girraj son of Kamar or Girraj son of Govinda was
involved. In such circumstances, Appellant Girraj son of Govinda is
entitled for the benefit of doubt in view of the confusion in his identity
C and presence during the crime. For the aforesaid reasons, Hari son of
Govinda (Appellant No. 1 in Crl. A. No. 186 of 2018), Lal Singh son of
Khushi Singh (Appellant No. 2 in Crl. A. No. 186 of 2018) and Girraj
son of Govinda (Appellant No. 5 in Crl. A. No. 189 of 2018) are acquitted.
50. For the aforementioned reasons, we uphold the judgment of
D the High Court and affirm the conviction and sentence imposed on the
accused namely Dhanni s/o Ratan Singh, Nitro s/o Bhanwar Singh,
Srichand s/o Deep Chand, Tej Singh s/o Karodi, Bachchu s/o Nabali,
Kamal s/o Kanhaiya, Ram Singh s/o Dayaram, Raman s/o Roopi, Sirro
s/o Bhajni, Mahender s/o Mangtu, Chattar Singh s/o Leelay, Pitam s/o
E Naval, Bato s/o Bhaggo, Jivan s/o Bhaggo, Karan Singh s/o Dayaram,
Mangtu s/o Sunder Lal, Ganga Ram s/o Heeralal, Dharamvir s/o
Kanhaiya, Balli s/o Kishan Lal, Dharam s/o Kallu, Manni s/o Natthi,
Kashi s/o Bhanwar Singh and Dharam s/o Harchand. Accused namely
Hari s/o Govinda, Lal Singh s/o Khushi Ram and Giriraj s/o Govinda are
acquitted in view of the ambiguity in their identity.
F
51. In view of the above, the Criminal Appeals are disposed of.
Nidhi Jain Appeals disposed of.
G
H
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