Holding

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction and converted the death sentence to life imprisonment.

Summary

The appellant, Manoj Suryavanshi, was accused of kidnapping and murdering three minor children of Shivlal after a personal enmity arising from his wife's elopement. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence: the children were last seen with the appellant, the bodies were recovered from locations he disclosed, and mobile call records linked him to the crime. The trial court convicted him under Sections 302 and 364 IPC and imposed the death penalty, which the High Court affirmed. On appeal, the Supreme Court held that the chain of circumstantial evidence was complete and that minor inconsistencies did not defeat the prosecution’s case. While confirming the conviction, the Court found that the mitigating factors—extreme emotional disturbance, lack of prior record, young age, and poverty—outweighed the sole aggravating factor of brutality, and that the sentencing complied with Section 235(2) CrPC. Consequently, the death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment without remission for 25 years.

Issues considered

The adequacy of the circumstantial evidence to sustain a conviction for murder and kidnapping.
Whether the death sentence was valid in view of the procedural requirements of Section 235(2) of the CrPC and the balance of aggravating and mitigating circumstances.
Whether the appellant is entitled to remission or commutation of the death sentence.

Legislation cited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 235(2), s. 313, s. 65B
Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 114(g)
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 302, s. 364

Subjects

murderkidnappingcircumstantial evidencedeath penaltycommutationmitigating circumstancesSection 235(2) CrPCIPC 302IPC 364

Judgment

[2020] 4 S.C.R. 1 1

MANOJ SURYAVANSHI A
v.
STATE OF CHHATTISGARH
(Criminal Appeal No. 388 of 2020)
MARCH 05, 2020 B
[UDAY UMESH LALIT, INDIRA BANERJEE
AND M. R. SHAH, JJ.]
Penal Code, 1860: ss.302, 364 – Murder of three minor
children – Case based on circumstantial evidence – Prosecution
C
case was that the complainant lodged missing report of his three
minor children aged about 8 years, 6 years and 4 years respectively
– During search, PW-8 stated that he saw the minor children along
with the appellant near their school – Appellant was not found in
his house and was missing even from the village – Thereafter
appellant was contacted on his mobile and he told that he was 60 D
Kms away – Police traced the location of mobile and found him in
the house of PW-13 – At the instance of appellant, dead bodies
along with the school bags were recovered – Conviction by courts
below – Held: Prosecution was able to prove beyond doubt that all
the three minors went to the school in the morning and thereafter
E
they left for the home at about 11.30 hours – That, thereafter, at
about 12.00 hours, the appellant was seen with all the three minor
children – There was a prior enmity between the appellant and the
complainant father of the deceased minor children as the wife of
the accused had eloped with the brother of the complainant-father
and the children of the accused were without their mother – F
Immediately after his arrest, the dead bodies were recovered/found
along with the school bags etc. from the place shown by the accused
himself – The phone-calls made to the accused was established and
proved by the prosecution by examining the Investigating Officer
and by producing the call details from the mobile company – These
G
chain of events led to the conclusion that the accused first kidnapped
the three minor children and thereafter killed all of them – No
interference with the order of conviction called for.
Sentence/Sentencing: Death sentence – Conviction and death
sentence for murder of three minor children – For deciding on the
H
1
2 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A issue of sentence, the aggravating circumstances and mitigating
circumstances must be located and the right balance must be adopted
– In the instant case, the mitigating factors/circumstances were that
the offence was committed under the influence of extreme mental or
emotional disturbance – Appellant was emotionally disturbed due
to the elopement of his wife with the uncle of the deceased and that
B
his children were suffering in absence of their mother; there were
no criminal antecedents; at the time of commission of the offence
the appellant was 28 years of age and his conduct in prison was
reported to be good; he belonged to a poor family and was the only
son of his parents, and his aged mother was taking care of his
C daughters – On the other hand, the only aggravating circumstance
pointed out by the State was the manner in which the incident took
place and three minors were brutally killed – Except this, no other
aggravating circumstances were pointed out on behalf of the State
– Therefore, striking the balance between aggravating circumstances
and mitigating circumstances, in the facts and circumstances of the
D
case, more particularly, the mental condition of the appellant at the
time of the commission of the offence, the mitigating circumstances
are in favour of the accused to convert the death sentence to life
imprisonment – Thus, the death sentence converted into the life
imprisonment – It is directed that the life means till the end of the
E life with the further observation and direction that there shall not
be any remission till the accused completes 25 years of imprisonment.
Evidence: Minor discrepancies and inconsistencies in
evidence – Held: The minor discrepancies and inconsistencies in
the statements of the prosecution witnesses and the minor lacuna in
F the investigation led by the police cannot be a reason for discarding
the entire prosecution case, if the evidence is otherwise sufficient
and inspiring to bring home the guilt of the accused.
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: s.235(2) – Object and
purpose – Held: The object and purpose of s.235(2) is that the
G accused must be given an opportunity to make a representation
against the sentence to be imposed on him – Sub-section (2) of
s.235 satisfies a dual purpose; it satisfies the rule of natural justice
by affording to the accused an opportunity of being heard on the
question of sentence and at the same time helps the court to choose
the sentence to be awarded – There is no absolute proposition of
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 3

law that in no case there can be conviction and sentence on the A
same day or that if the sentence is awarded on the very same day on
which the conviction was recorded, the sentencing would be vitiated.
Partly allowing the appeal, the Court
HELD: 1.1 The prosecution has been successful in
establishing and proving that the accused was having enmity with B
PW.18-father of the three deceased minor children. The same
has been established and proved by the prosecution by examining
P.W.18, P.W.20 and P.W.11. The prosecution has been successful
in proving that on 11.02.2011 all the minors deceased went to
the school from their house and at about 11.30 hours, the deceased C
minors left for home on foot; that the minors did not return to
their home. On 11.02.2011 at about 12.00 noon–1.00 pm, the
deceased were seen going with the accused in school uniform
with their school bags. Therefore, the accused was last seen
together with the deceased minors. [Para 16][26-D-F]
D
1.2 The next important evidence against the accused is the
recovery of dead bodies which were found from the places shown
by the accused after his arrest. During the course of the
investigation, the dead bodies were found from the places shown
by the accused, the places which the accused alone could have
known. Therefore, there is a recovery of the dead bodies along E
with the school dress and bags at the instance of the accused. It
has been established and proved from the disclosure memo.
Therefore, the said circumstance definitely goes against the
accused. [Para 18][28-D-E]
1.3 One another circumstance which goes against the F
accused is that after the incident of missing of three minor
children, the accused was not found in his house and even in the
village. Phone calls made at 11.00 pm on the mobile of the accused
in the night of 11.02.2011 has been established and proved by
the prosecution by producing the call details from the mobile G
company. The accused has failed to give any explanation on the
same in his statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. Non-examination
of the officer of the mobile company cannot be said to be fatal to
the case of the prosecution, more particularly, when the CDR

H
4 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A has been got exhibited, through the deposition of the Investigating
Officer and when the same was exhibited, no objection was raised
on behalf of the defence. Even otherwise, the mobile SIM was
seized from the accused at the time of his arrest. Therefore, the
prosecution has proved that the said mobile SIM belonged to
the accused. [Paras 19, 19.1][28-E; 29-A-C]
B
1.4 One other important evidence against the accused is
the deposition of P.W.13. The fact that the accused was found
from the house of P.W.13 has been established and proved, despite
P.W.13 has turned hostile. As per the settled proposition of law,
even the deposition of the hostile witness to the extent it supports
C the case of the prosecution can be relied upon. The accused has
failed to explain his conduct in his statement under Section 313
Cr.P.C. about his missing from the house and even the village
after the incident of kidnapping. He has also failed to explain the
reason why he was found from the house of P.W.13. It may be
D that there is some doubt created by the defence about the place
where the accused was arrested. However, the fact remains that
the accused was arrested from village Lakharam on 13.02.2011.
Immediately thereafter, during the course of the investigation
and as per the disclosure memo, the dead bodies of the deceased
minor children were recovered at the instance of the accused.
E [Para 20][29-D, F-H; 30-A-B]
2. Minor embellishment, there may be, but variations by
reason therefore should not render the evidence unbelievable.
Trivial discrepancies ought not to obliterate an otherwise
acceptable evidence. The Court shall have to bear in mind that
F different witnesses react differently under different situations:
whereas some become speechless; some start wailing while some
others run away from the scene and some who may come forward
with courage, conviction and belief that the wrong should be
remedied. There cannot be any set pattern or uniform rule of
G human reaction and to discard a piece of evidence on the ground
of his reaction not falling within a set pattern is unproductive.
Therefore, the so-called minor discrepancies/contradictions do
not ultimately affect the case of the prosecution. The benefit of
such minor discrepancies/ contradictions should not go to the
accused, more particularly, when from the other evidences on
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 5

record the guilt of the accused has been established and proved. A
[Para 21][31-C-F]
Leema Ram v. State of Haryana AIR 1999 SC 3717 :
[1999] 3 Suppl. SCR 435 – relied on.
3. The object and purpose of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. is that
the accused must be given an opportunity to make a representation B
against the sentence to be imposed on him. Sub-section (2) of
Section 235 satisfies a dual purpose; it satisfies the rule of natural
justice by affording to the accused an opportunity of being heard
on the question of sentence and at the same time helps the court
to choose the sentence to be awarded. There is no absolute C
proposition of law that in no case there can be conviction and
sentence on the same day. There is sufficient compliance of the
provisions of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. The Trial Court heard the
accused on the aspect of proposition of sentence separately. The
Trial Court had considered the mitigating circumstances pointed
out on behalf of the accused and also considered the aggravating D
circumstances which warranted the death sentence. Thus, it cannot
be said that the accused was not given any sufficient opportunity
to put forward his case on sentence. It also cannot be said that
the Trial Court has not given any special reasons while awarding
the death sentence. [Paras 23, 23.3][32-B-C; 34-G; 35-A-B] E
Accused ‘X’ v. State of Maharashtra (2019) 7 SCC 1;
Machhi Singh v. State of Punjab (1983) 3 SCC 470 :
[1983] 3 SCR 413 – relied on.
Santa Singh v. State of Punjab (1976) 4 SCC 190 :
[1977] 1 SCR 229; Allaudin Mian v. State of Bihar F
(1989) 3 SCC 5 : [1989] 2 SCR 498 – held inapplicable.
4.1 While awarding the capital punishment, it appears that
the brutality of the crime was considered to be one of the reasons
and not the sole reason. For deciding on the issue of sentence,
the aggravating circumstances and mitigating circumstances must G
be located and the right balance must be adopted. In the present
case, the following are the mitigating factors/circumstances: (i)
That the offence was committed under the influence of extreme
mental or emotional disturbance. The accused was emotionally
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6 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A disturbed due to the elopement of his wife with the uncle of the
deceased and that his children were suffering in absence of their
mother with them. The accused was so much disturbed and
troubled is also born out from the deposition of one of the
witnesses that on mobile the accused told how father of the
missing children is feeling without his children. (ii) There are no
B
criminal antecedents. (iii) At the time of commission of the offence
the accused was 28 years of age and his conduct in prison is
reported to be good. (iv) That he belongs to a poor family and is
the only son of his parents, and (v) That he has got an old aged
mother who is taking care of two daughters of the accused, out of
C which one is married now. [Paras 24, 25.4, 25.5][37-B-C; 40-G;
41-F-H; 42-A]
4.2 On the other hand, the only aggravating circumstance
pointed out by the State is that the manner in which the incident
took place and three minors were brutally killed. Except the
D above, no other aggravating circumstances are pointed out on
behalf of the State. Therefore, striking the balance between
aggravating circumstances and mitigating circumstances, in the
facts and circumstances of the case, more particularly, the mental
condition of the accused at the time of the commission of the
offence and that the accused was under extreme mental
E disturbance due to his wife eloped with the uncle of the deceased
and his children were deprived of the company of their mother,
the mitigating circumstances are in favour of the accused to
convert the death sentence to life imprisonment. It is true that
the court must respond to the cry of the society and to settle
F what would be the deterrent punishment for an abominable crime.
It is also equally true that a larger number of criminals go
unpunished thereby increasing criminals in the society and law
losing its deterrent effect. It is also true that the peculiar
circumstances of a given case often results in miscarriage of justice
and makes the justice delivery system a suspect; in the ultimate
G analysis, the society suffers and a criminal get encouraged. The
mitigating circumstances as observed by this Court in the case
of Bachan Singh and the mitigating circumstances in the present
case, if are considered cumulatively and more particularly, that
the accused was under the extreme mental disturbance, in the
H peculiar facts and circumstances of the case, the death penalty is
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 7

not warranted and the same be converted to life imprisonment. A
The Judgment and Order convicting the accused for the offences
punishable under Sections 302 and 364 IPC is hereby confirmed.
However, the death sentence imposed by the Trial Court,
confirmed by the High Court, is converted into the life
imprisonment. It is further observed and directed that the life
B
means till the end of the life with the further observation and
direction that there shall not be any remission till the accused
completes 25 years of imprisonment. [Paras 25.6, 26][42-B-G;
43-B]
Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 684;
Sushil Sharma v. State (NCT) of Delhi (2014) 4 SCC C
317 : [2013] 16 SCR 616; Absar Alam v. State of Bihar
(2012) 2 SCC 728 : [2012] 1 SCR 890 – relied on.
Mohd. Chaman v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2001) 2 SCC
28; Aloke Nath Dutta v. State of W.B. (2007) 12 SCC
230 : [2006] 10 Suppl. SCR 662; State of Punjab v. D
Manjit Singh (2009) 14 SCC 31 : [2009] 9 SCR 864;
Santosh Kumar Satishbhushan Bariyar v. State of
Maharashtra (2009) 6 SCC 498 : [2009] 9 SCR 90;
Sebastian v. State of Kerala (2010) 1 SCC 58; Ramesh
v. State of Rajasthan (2011) 3 SCC 685 : [2011] 4 SCR E
585; Mohinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2013) 3 SCC
294 : [2013] 3 SCR 90; Digamber Vaishnav v. State of
Chhattisgarh (2019) 4 SCC 522 : [2019] 2 SCR 844;
Anjan Kumar Sarma v. State of Assam (2017) 14 SCC
359 : [2017] SCR 991; Ganpat Singh v. State of
Madhya Pradesh (2017) 16 SCC 353 : [2017] 9 SCR F
706; Chhannu Lal Verma v. State of Chhattisgarh (2019)
12 SCC 438 : [2018] 14 SCR 355; Rajesh Kumar v.
State (NCT of Delhi) (2011) 13 SCC 706 : [2011] SCR
92; Ajay Pandit @ Jagdish v. State of Maharashtra
(2012) 8 SCC 43 : [2012] 10 SCR 70; Gurvail Singh v. G
State of Punjab (2013) 2 SCC 713 : [2013] 1 SCR 783;
Amit v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2012) 4 SCC 107 :
[2012] 1 SCR 1009; Kalu Ram v. State of Rajasthan
(2015) 16 SCC 492; Sudam v. State of Maharashtra
(2019) 9 SCC 388; Baba Vishwakarma v. State of M.P.
H
8 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A (2019) 9 SCC 689; Shaikh Ayub v. State of Maharashtra
(1998) 9 SCC 521; Dharmedrasinh v. State of Gujarat
(2002) 4 SCC 679: [2002] 3 SCR 193; Nemu Ram Bora
v. State of Assam & Nagaland (1975) 1 SCC 318;
Brajendra Singh v. State of M.P. (2012) 4 SCC 289 :
[2012] 3 SCR 599 – referred to.
B
Case Law Reference
[2019] 2 SCR 844 referred to Para 5.8
[2017] SCR 991 referred to Para 5.8

C [2017] 9 SCR 706 referred to Para 5.8
[2018] 14 SCR 355 referred to Para 7.1
[1977] 1 SCR 229 held inapplicable Para 7.1
[2011] SCR 92 referred to Para 7.1
D [2012] 10 SCR 70 referred to Para 7.1
(1980) 2 SCC 684 relied on Para 7.2
[2013] 1 SCR 783 referred to Para 7.4
[2012] 1 SCR 1009 referred to Para 7.5
E (2015) 16 SCC 492 referred to Para 7.5
(2019) 9 SCC 388 referred to Para 7.5
(2019) 9 SCC 689 referred to Para 7.5
(1998) 9 SCC 521 referred to Para 7.9
F [1989] 2 SCR 498 held inapplicable Para 7.9
[2002] 3 SCR 193 referred to Para 7.9
(1975) 1 SCC 318 referred to Para 7.9
[2012] 3 SCR 599 referred to Para 7.9
G
[1999] 3 Suppl. SCR 435 relied on Para 21
(2019) 7 SCC 1 referred to Para 22
[1983] 3 SCR 413 referred to Para 25.2
(2001) 2 SCC 28 referred to Para 25.2
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 9

[2006] 10 Suppl. SCR 662 referred to Para 25.2 A
[2009] 9 SCR 864 referred to Para 25.2
[2009] 9 SCR 90 referred to Para 25.2
(2010) 1 SCC 58 referred to Para 25.2
[2011] 4 SCR 585 referred to Para 25.2 B
[2013] 3 SCR 90 referred to Para 25.2
[2013] 16 SCR 616 relied on Para 25.2
[2012] 1 SCR 890 relied on Para 25.3
C
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No.
388 of 2020.
From the Judgment and Order dated 08.08.2013 of the High Court
of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur in Criminal Appeal No. 550 of 2013.
Shri Singh, Ms. Maneka Khanna, Amartya Kanjilal and Abhimanue D
Shrestha, Advs. for the Appellant.
Pranav Sachdeva, Ms. Neha Rathi and Jatin Bhardwaj, Advs. for
the Respondent.
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
E
M. R. SHAH, J.
1. Leave granted.
2. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment
and order dated 08.08.2013 passed by the Division Bench of the High
Court of Chhatisgarh at Bilaspur in Criminal Appeal No. 550 of 2013 F
and Criminal Reference No. 05 of 2013, by which the Division Bench of
the High Court has dismissed the said appeal preferred by the appellant-
original accused and has confirmed the judgment and order of conviction
and death sentence awarded by the learned Trial Court for the offences
punishable under Section 302 of the IPC for having killed the three minor
children of the complainant Shivlal – P.W.18 and also for the offences G
punishable under Section 364 of the IPC, the original accused has
preferred the present appeal.
3. As per the case of the prosecution, at 7.00 AM on 11.02.2011,
two sons of one Shivlal-original complainant – Vijay aged about 8 years,
H
10 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A Ajay aged about 6 years and Kumari Sakshi aged about 4 years left
their home in Darripara to attend the school at Karaihapara and reached
the school. On the school getting over at 11.30 AM, the three minors left
the school for home on foot. When they did not reach home, Shivlal-
P.W.18 looked for the children in the vicinity and went to school and
enquired about the children. On enquiry at the school, the teachers of
B
the minor children told Shivlal that the three minors had come to the
school and on the school getting over they had left the school for home
on foot. That, thereafter Shivlal and others looked for the three minors.
On not finding the three minor children, Shivlal-P.W.18 went to the police
station, Raipur and lodged the Missing Person Report. The missing person
C report was registered in the Daily Journal (Ex. P-18) by the Head
Constable Krishna Kumar Koshle-P.W.17. During the search of three
minor children, one Ashok Patel-P.W.8 stated that he had seen the minor
children along with the appellant-accused near the school. As per the
case of the prosecution, on 11.02.2011, Rameshwar-P.W.11 contacted
the accused on cell-phone and talked with him and the accused asked
D
Shivlal-P.W.18 how he was feeling when his children are missing.
According to the prosecution, the accused was working as labourer in
the house of Shivlal. It was alleged that the wife of the accused, namely
Sumrit Bai, eloped with the younger brother of the complainant, namely
Shivnath Dhiwar and with the view to take revenge, the appellant abducted
E the minors and thereafter killed them. The FIR-Ex.24 was lodged against
the accused initially for the offences under Sections 363 and 364 IPC.
According to the prosecution, after the FIR was lodged, the accused
was contacted on his mobile no. 9179484724. The accused received the
call and told that he was 60 kms away. The Investigating Officer-P.W.24
asked the Head Constable Hemant Aditya, Crime Branch to trace the
F
said mobile number and to tell its location. Then the Head Constable
Hemant Aditya traced the location of the said mobile and the location
was found near Village Lakhram. That, thereafter the Investigating team
went to the house of one Ashok Kumar Madhukar-P.W.13, a relative of
the accused. Initially, the accused was not in home. However, thereafter
G continuing the search, they again went to the house of the said Ashok
Kumar Madhukar. According to the case of the prosecution, thereafter
the accused was found and brought to the police station. He was
interrogated in the presence of the witnesses. A memorandum of
statement Ex.P.2 was recorded under Section 20 of the Evidence Act.
On the basis of the memorandum Ex.P.2 and at the instance of the
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 11
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

accused, in the barren land in Karaihapara – in the field of one Damodar A
Beldar, the dead bodies of the three minors were recovered from the
spot of site. The Investigating Officer collected the incriminating materials
during the course of the investigation. The mobile of the accused was
also seized. The Investigating Officer conducted the Panchnama of the
dead bodies of the three minors. The dead bodies were sent for post-
mortem. One Dr. A.M. Srivastava-P.W.23 conducted the post-mortem. B
The cause of death of the three minors was strangulation and the deaths
were found to be homicidal. During the investigation, the Investigating
Officer received the call details – Ex.P.30 of the mobile phone of the
accused. During the investigation, the Investigating Officer recorded
the statement of the witnesses, including the statement of the original
complainant Shivlal and others. That the accused was arrested as per C
the memorandum dated 13.02.2011. After conclusion of the investigation,
it was found that the accused had first abducted and thereafter killed the
three minors to take the revenge as his wife eloped with the brother of
the complainant Shivlal and thereby committing the offences punishable
under Section 302 and Section 364 IPC. The Investigating Officer filed
the charge-sheet against the accused for the aforesaid offences. The D
case was committed to the Court of Sessions. The accused pleaded not
guilty and therefore he came to be tried for the aforesaid offences.
4. To prove the charges against the accused, the prosecution
examined as many as 24 witnesses as under:
P.W. NO. NAME AND DATE OF E
DEPOSITION
P.W.1 Preetam Dhiwar Witness who seen the minor
15.06.2011 children with the accused for
the last time.
P.W.2 Hafiz Ali Independent witness
16.06.2011 F
P.W.3 Frukh Khan Independent witness
16.06.2011
P.W.4 Pooja Tiwari Witness of minors leaving the
16.06.2011 school together for home on
foot after the school getting
over.
G
P.W.5 Jilani Baig Witness of minors leaving the
17.06.2011 school together for home on
foot after the school getting
over.
P.W.6 Krishna Kumar Yadav Witness of seizure of Registers
17.06.2011 concerning the attendance of
the minors in school. H
12 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A P .W .7 Damodar Singh W itness of recording the
08.08.2011 st atements of the prosecution
witnesses under Section 161
Cr.P.C.
P .W .8 Ashok Patel W itness who seen the minor
08.08.2011 children with the accused for the
last time.
B P .W .9 Imrat Singh Maternal uncle of the minor
11.08.2011 children.
P .W .10 Shweta Tiwari W itness of minors leaving the
12.08.2011 school together for home on foot
after the school getting over.
P .W .11 Rameshwar Independent witness
12.08.2011
C P .W .12 Ashish Kum ar Gupta W itness who conducted the
20.9.2011 photography of the dead bodies of
the m inors.
P .W .13 Ashok Kumar Madhukar W itness of t he presence of the
20.09.2011 accused in hi s house situated in
Lakhram and of his being hidden.
P .W .14 Bharat Lal Dewangan W itness of the preparation of map
D 21.09.2011 of the spot of inci dent.
P .W .15 Anil Shitl ani W itness of seizure of mobile
21.09.2011 phone of the accused.
P .W .16 Bharat Lal Chandravansi W itness of the dead bodies of the
22.09.2011 minors bei ng taken to the doctor
for post-mortem
P .W .17 Krishna Kumar Koshle The Head-Const able who
E 22.09.2011 registered the missing report in
the Daily Journal
P .W .18 Shivlal Dhimar Father of the minor children.
16.11.2011
P .W .19 Santosh Kumar Yadav W itness of recording of
17.11.2011 st atements during investigation of
missing report.
F
P .W .20 |Smit Manisha Dhimar Mot her of the deceased minor
17.11.2011 children.
P .W .21 Dr. A.K. Shrivastava Doct or who conducted the post-
18.11.2011 mortem and gave the post-
mortem report.
P .W .22 Lav Kush Kashyap W itness of recording the
G 09.01.2012 st atements of the prosecution
witnesses under Section 161
Cr.P.C.
P .W .23 Dr. A.M. Srivastava Doct or who conducted the post-
17.02.2012 mortem and gave the post-
mortem report.
P .W .24 B. Kujur The Investigating Officer
H 17.02.2012
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 13
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

4.1 During the trial, the prosecution brought on record as many as A
41 documentary evidences. The relevant evidences are as under:
SL. NO. DESCRIPTION EX. NO.
4. Seizure Memo of the attendance register of t he deceased dated Ex.P1
17.02.2011 at 3.30 pm
5. Memorandum of accused dated 13.02.2011 Ex.P2
8. Seizure memo of school bags, plastic bottle and soil from where Ex.P5
Ajay’s body has been found. B
10. Inquest / Panchnama of deceased Ajay Ex.P7
12. Inquest / Panchnama of deceased Vijay Ex.P9
14. Inquest / Panchnama of deceased Sakshi Ex.P11
18. Site Map prepared by Patwari Ex.P12
19. Panchnama of Site Map in presence of witnesses Ex.P13
20. Seizure Memo of mobile phone of accused Ex.P14
23. Missing Person Complaint dated 12.02.2011 filed by PW18, Ex.P16
Shivlal C
24. Roznamcha Ex.18C
31. FIR No. 64/2011 under Section 363, 364 IPC registered by PS Ex.P25
Ratanpur
34. Arrest Memo dated 13.02.2011 Ex.P28
35. Intimation of arrest of relative Ex.P29
36. CDR Ex. P30
39. Report received from FSL Raipur Ex.P33
41 Village Map Art. A D

4.2 After closure of the evidence by the prosecution, further
statement of the accused under Section 313 CrPC was recorded. The
case of the accused was of a total denial. He did not examine any witness
in support of his defence. That, thereafter, on appreciation of evidence
and giving the fullest opportunity to the accused, the learned Trial Court E
held the accused guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 302
and 364 IPC. After considering the aggravating and mitigating
circumstances and after having heard the accused on the quantum of
sentence, the learned Trial Court awarded the death sentence, which
was numbered as Reference No. 05 of 2013 before the High Court. F
Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the judgment and order of
conviction passed by the learned Trial Court, the original accused also
preferred an appeal before the High Court, being Criminal Appeal No.
550 of 2013. Both, the appeal preferred by the accused as well as the
reference case were heard together by the High Court. By the impugned
judgment and order, the High Court has dismissed the appeal preferred G
by the accused and has confirmed the conviction and the death sentence
awarded by the learned Trial Court. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied
with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court in
dismissing the appeal preferred by the accused and also confirming the
death sentence awarded by the learned Trial Court, the original accused H
has preferred the present appeal.
14 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 5. Shri Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant-
original accused has vehemently submitted that in the facts and
circumstances of the case both, the learned Trial Court and the High
Court have committed grave error in holding the appellant-original
accused guilty for the offences punishable for the offences under Section
302 and Section 364 IPC.
B
5.1 It is further submitted on behalf of the appellant-original
accused that both the Courts below ought to have appreciated that there
was no eye-witness to the incident and the whole conviction was based
on the circumstantial evidence. It is submitted that, in a case of
circumstantial evidence, unless the entire chain of events is complete,
C which leads to the only conclusion that it is the accused only who has
committed the offence, a person cannot be convicted. It is submitted
that in the present case the prosecution has failed to form a complete
chain of circumstances and the instance which leads exclusively to the
conclusion that the appellant only was guilty of committing the offence.
D 5.2 It is further submitted on behalf of the appellant-original
accused that both the Courts below have materially erred in holding the
appellant-original accused guilty for the offences punishable under
Sections 302 and Section 364 IPC for having killed the three minor children
relying upon the prosecution witnesses, more particularly, P.W.1, P.W.8,
E P.W.13, P.W.18 and P.W.24 and other eye-witnesses.
5.3 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant-original accused that the case against the appellant
is based on three sets of circumstances: (i) last seen evidence; (ii)
recovery of bodies pursuant to a disclosure memo and (iii) alleged calls
F made to the appellant during the search for the missing children. It is
further submitted that the prosecution has sought to use the calls made
to the appellant and the testimony of P.W.13 as an extra-judicial
confession made by the appellant. It is submitted that such an extra-
judicial concession is not admissible in law.

G 5.4 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant-original accused that to establish and prove the
last seen evidence, the prosecution has relied upon the depositions of
P.W.1 and P.W.8, whose evidences are full of material contradictions.
It is submitted that as such both the Courts below have materially erred
in heavily relying upon the depositions of P.W.1 and P.W.8, insofar as
H last seen evidence is concerned.
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 15
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

5.5 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on A
behalf of the appellant-original accused that so far as P.W.1 is concerned,
he has specifically stated that he was stating the material evidence for
the first time in the court. It is submitted that though another witness –
Surya Pratap Dhimar was present with P.W.1 on 11.02.2011, the
prosecution had chosen not to examine the said witness. It is submitted
B
that P.W.1 is neither credible nor reliable. It is submitted that dropping of
a cited witness Surya Pratap Dhimar has been unexplained by the
prosecution. It is submitted that this circumstance will operate as a
presumption against the prosecution in terms of Section 114(g) of the
Indian Evidence Act.
5.6 Now, so far as the reliance placed upon the deposition of C
P.W.8, who is the second last seen witness is concerned, it is submitted
that P.W.8 states that he communicated that he has seen the accused
with the deceased to P.W.9-Imrat Singh @ Mungi Lal. It is submitted
that, however, P.W.9 has categorically denied knowing any person named
as Ashok, where he resides. It is submitted that he has affirmed that he D
had no conversation with Ashok.
It is further submitted that as per the prosecution P.W.8
communicated his sighting of the missing children to P.W.18 and his
friends - P.W.2 and P.W.3. It is submitted that P.W.2 states that they
met Ashok Patel at about 6/6.30 pm near Dholpara, but in his cross, has E
denied knowing Ashok Patel or having any conversation with him. It is
submitted that P.W.18 claimed that he met P.W.8 near Darriparra prior
to meeting P.W.2 and P.W.3. It is submitted that though P.W.3 maintains
that he met P.W.8 and Dholpara, the testimony of P.W.18 belies the
testimony of P.W.3. It is submitted that the testimony of P.W.2, P.W.3
and P.W.18 that they met P.W.8 is belied by P.W.8 himself who has F
unequivocally affirmed that P.W.18 and his friends did not come to him
searching for the children. It is submitted that therefore it is not safe to
rely the testimony of P.W.8 also.
5.7 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant-original accused that the prosecution has not G
proved geographical proximity between the alleged sighting of the
appellant and the place of residence of the children; their school or the
location where the bodies were recovered. It is submitted that there is
no evidence on record to suggest that the fields where the bodies were
found were in the same direction as the children were walking when H
they had been allegedly sighted.
16 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 5.8 It is further submitted that furthermore the medical evidence
concludes that the time of death of the children was between 12 noon on
11.02.2011 and midnight of the intervening night of 11/12.02.2011. It is
submitted that therefore an alleged sighting in the beginning of this period
is not proximate to the time of death. It is further submitted that even the
missing person complaint dated 11.02.2011 does not refer to last seen
B
evidence. It is submitted that it was entered on the Roznamcha at 9.40
am on 12.02.2011. It is submitted that the Roznamcha is silent on the
suspicion of kidnapping by the appellant. It is submitted that neither the
complaint nor the Roznamcha contain any last seen evidence or evidence
with respect to the alleged calls between the appellant and P.W.18. It is
C submitted that the FIR that is lodged on 12.02.2011 at 11.40 pm has a
mention of P.W.8. It is submitted that therefore the last seen evidence of
P.W.8 is recorded for the first time only on the intervening of
12-13.02.2011, which is also the time of the appellant’s arrest. It is
submitted that it is the settled law that the circumstance of last seen
together cannot by itself form the basis of conviction and can only be an
D
incriminating circumstance. In support thereof, the learned counsel for
the appellant has relied upon the decisions of this Court in the cases of
Digamber Vaishnav v. State of Chhattisgarh (2019) 4 SCC 522, Anjan
Kumar Sarma v. State of Assam (2017) 14 SCC 359 and Ganpat
Singh v. State of Madhya Pradesh (2017) 16 SCC 353. It is submitted
E that in light of the principles stated in the aforesaid decisions, the testimony
of P.W.8 does not inspire confidence and cannot be relied upon as last
seen evidence.
5.9 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant that another circumstances considered by the
F Courts below against the appellant is the calls and extra-judicial
confession.
5.10 It is submitted that the evidence against the appellant refers
to two calls involving the appellant. The first call is between the appellant
and P.W.11 and the second call is between the appellant and P.W.18. It
G is submitted that with respect to P.W.11’s call, P.W.11 categorically states
that the call was on 12.02.2011 at night which is when the appellant was
in the custody of the police. It is submitted that he further improved his
version when he was re-examined by the Trial Court. It is submitted that
neither P.W.2 nor P.W.18 has testified to this call. It is submitted that
neither the fact nor the contents of this call were put to the appellant
H during his examination under Section 313 Cr.P.C.
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 17
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

5.11 It is further submitted that the prosecution has relied upon A
the extracts of the appellant’s CDR-Ex.P30 (Call Details Report), which
does not contain any call made or received on 12.02.2011. It is submitted
that even otherwise the production of CDR is through the Investigating
Officer who in turn receives it from the Head Constable Hemant Aditya.
It is submitted that there is no material on record to show the manner in
B
which the CDR was obtained. It is submitted that even the CDR is not
accompanied by a certificate under Section 65-B of the Evidence Act.
It is submitted that therefore the calls/call details contained in the CDR-
Ex.P30 are neither believable nor has been proved by the prosecution.
5.12 It is further submitted that so far as P.W.18 is concerned, he
has alleged a call made by him to the appellant on 11.2.2011. It is submitted C
that the said call has not been corroborated by any other witness. It is
submitted that even it does not find mention in the complaint, Roznamcha
or the FIR, which are dated 11.2.2011. It is submitted that there remains
a discrepancy in P.W.18’s version of when he lodged the missing person
complaint. D
5.13 It is further submitted that the prosecution has not seized the
phone, SIM card or any material with respect to P.W.18’s phone records
which would have proved the veracity of P.W.18’s statement. It is
submitted that even there is no material on record to prove the phone
number of P.W.18. E
5.14 It is further submitted that so far as the confession made by
P.W.13-Ashok Kumar Madhukar is concerned, no other document or
witness mentions his presence during the alleged recovery proceedings.
It is submitted that the statement made by the appellant do not amount to
a confession of the offence as a whole, or of any inculpatory fact. It is F
submitted that since the appellant was in police custody at that time, any
confession made by him would be inadmissible in terms of Section 26 of
the Evidence Act, irrespective of whom the alleged confession was made
to. It is submitted that therefore both, the Trial Court and the High Court
have materially erred in convicting the appellant on the basis of such call
details and/or the alleged confessions made to the respective witnesses. G
6. Now, so far as the conviction based upon the recovery of dead
bodies of the deceased minors is concerned, it is submitted that the said
recovery was made from an open area that had been searched previously.
It is submitted that as per the settled preposition of law the recovery
H
18 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A made from an open place, accessible to all and which is not in the
exclusive knowledge of the accused cannot be the basis of conviction.
It is submitted that therefore the recovery of the bodies at the instance
of the appellant is full of suspicion.
6.1 It is further submitted that neither PW.7 nor P.W.22 who are
B the independent witnesses to the disclosure memorandum and all other
documents relating to recovery proceedings on the intervening night of
11.01.2011 and 12.1.2011, lend support to the recovery. It is submitted
that P.W.7 has specifically stated that he signed on blank papers on the
asking of the police and that he did not know about the case. It is
submitted that he has further stated that the documents were not read
C over to him by the police and that no notice/summons were given by the
police to remain present for seizures.
6.2 It is further submitted that P.W.22 also does not remember
the date on which the alleged events took place.
D 6.3 It is further submitted that all recovery related proceedings
are ante-dated and the same is proved from the evidence of P.W.22
himself. It is submitted that P.W.22 states that the interrogation of accused
continued till 9.00 pm on 12.02.2011 and that they went to the field at
10.30-11.00 pm. It is submitted that even P.W.18 and P.W.22 testify that
all documentation with respect to the recovery was done the next day at
E 9.00 pm. It is further submitted that even there is a discrepancy with
respect to the time and place of arrest of the appellant which renders
the recovery doubtful. It is submitted that therefore on the basis of the
alleged recovery, the appellant could not have been convicted.
6.4 It is further submitted that even the recovery cannot be said
F to be voluntary as the appellant was detained in custody without any
formal arrest.
6.5 It is further submitted that even the medical and forensic
examination does not support the recovery. It is submitted that the post-
mortem reports of the victims indicate the presence of incised wounds
G on the bodies caused by a hard and sharp/blunt object. It is submitted
that, however, no such weapon was recovered at the instance of the
appellant. It is submitted that the prosecution has not put forth any
evidence to show how such wounds were caused by the appellant. It is
submitted that there are so many lacunas at the time of the alleged
recovery at the instance of the appellant, which creates a serious doubt
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 19
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

on the credibility of the recovery. It is submitted that therefore it is not A
safe to convict the appellant on the basis of such recovery.
7. It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant that the Courts below have committed grave
error in convicting the appellant solely based on (i) last seen evidence;
(ii) recovery of bodies pursuant to a disclosure memo and (iii) alleged B
calls made to the appellant during the search for the missing children
and the so-called extra-judicial confession made by the appellant, more
particularly, when it is a case of circumstantial evidence. It is submitted
that in a case of circumstantial evidence, even if one link is missing and
the chain is not complete which leads to the only conclusion that it is the
appellant-accused alone who has committed the offence, the appellant C
could not have been convicted.
7.1 Now, so far as the judgment and order passed by the learned
Trial Court awarding the death sentence and confirmed by the High
Court is concerned, it is submitted that both the Courts below have not
appreciated and/or considered the mitigating and aggravating factors D
while awarding the death sentence. It is submitted that even the learned
Trial Court imposed the death penalty/award of sentence on the same
day on which the appellant was convicted. It is submitted that after the
decision relating to his conviction was given, the learned Trial Court held
the hearing of the sentence on the same day when the conviction was E
recorded i.e. 04.05.2013, thereby violating the right of the accused to be
given ample opportunity to adduce the evidence of mitigation and to be
heard on the question of quantum of sentence as provided under Section
235(2) Cr.P.C. It is submitted that it has been consistently held by this
Court that sufficient time must be given to the accused on the question
of sentence, to show the grounds on which he may show that sentence F
of life imprisonment may be awarded and not the death penalty. In support
thereof, the learned counsel for the appellant has relied upon a recent
judgment of this Court in the case of Chhannu Lal Verma v. State of
Chhattisgarh (2019) 12 SCC 438. It is submitted that the absence of
providing a separate hearing for sentence vitiates the sentencing process. G
It is submitted that under these circumstances this Court has previously
commuted the sentence of death to one of imprisonment for life. In
support, reliance has been placed upon the decisions of this Court in the
cases of Santa Singh v. State of Punjab (1976) 4 SCC 190, Rajesh
Kumar v. State (NCT of Delhi) (2011) 13 SCC 706 and Ajay Pandit @
Jagdish v. State of Maharashtra (2012) 8 SCC 43. H
20 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 7.2 It is further submitted that even otherwise the death sentence
awarded by the learned Trial Court and affirmed by the High Court is
not sustainable. It is submitted that the learned Trial Court has solely
looked to the brutality of the crime to impose the death penalty. It is
submitted that this Court has rejected the contention that the death penalty
can be imposed on the basis of the crime alone. It is submitted that
B
consideration of the brutality or the circumstances surrounding the crime
alone renders meaningless the objective of the sentencing exercise
envisaged in death penalty cases. Reliance has been placed upon the
case of Bachan Singh v. State of Punjab (1980) 2 SCC 684.
7.3 It is submitted that so far as the High Court is concerned, the
C High Court has also committed a grave error in confirming the death
sentence. It is submitted that the High Court has not properly appreciated
the mitigating circumstances, such as the fact that the accused can be
rehabilitated in the society and is capable of being reformed. It is submitted
that as held by this Court in the case of Ajay Pandit (supra), there is a
D duty on the High Court to elicit the relevant facts while considering
mitigating circumstances and awarding sentence.
7.4 It is submitted that both the Courts below have not appreciated
and considered the fact that there was no criminal antecedents. It is
submitted that the High Court has also not considered the fact that there
E is a possibility of the appellant being reformed. It is further submitted
that at the time when the alleged offence was committed, the appellant
was of a young age of 28 years. It is submitted that the young age of the
appellant at the time of commission of the offence has not been considered
as the relevant mitigating circumstance by the learned Trial Court as
well as the High Court, which ought to have been considered, as held by
F this Court in the cases of Gurvail Singh v. State of Punjab (2013) 2
SCC 713 and Amit v. State of Uttar Pradesh (2012) 4 SCC 107.
7.5 It is further submitted that even otherwise in a case of
circumstantial evidence, as held by this Court in the case of Kalu Ram
v. State of Rajasthan [2015] 16 SCC 492, the doctrine of prudence
G requires that a sentence of life be imposed, and ordinarily death penalty
should not be awarded. It is further submitted that this Court in several
judgments has commuted the death sentence based on the doctrine of
“residual doubt”. Reliance is placed on the decisions of this Court in the
cases of Sudam v. State of Maharashtra (2019) 9 SCC 388 and Baba
H Vishwakarma v. State of M.P. (2019) 9 SCC 689.
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 21
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

7.6 It is further submitted that even the conduct of the appellant A
in the prison is very good, which is also a relevant consideration to
commute the death sentence to that of the life imprisonment.
7.7 It is further submitted that the emotional disturbance of the
appellant at the time of the offence is a relevant consideration not to
award the death sentence. It is submitted that at the relevant time the B
appellant was emotionally disturbed due to the elopement of his wife
with the uncle of the deceased minors. It is submitted that the appellant’s
acts were not the product of a long period of cold blooded planning, but
were instead actions committed during a period of extreme emotional
turmoil and disturbance after he had come back from Chandigarh to
Darripara after trying to find out his wife. It is submitted that the aforesaid C
aspect has not been considered by the Courts below.
7.8 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the appellant that, unfortunately, subsequently the wife of the
appellant has died and the liability to maintain the children was/is upon
his old aged mother. It is submitted that the appellant’s mother is no D
longer capable of working and the entire family survives on Rs.300/- of
old-age pension that she receives. It is submitted that the daughter of
the appellant was forced to drop the school after class IX due to poverty.
It is submitted that his one daughter is married and the appellant has
another daughter Sanjana aged about 16 years. It is submitted that if the E
death sentence of the appellant is converted to life, in that case, the
appellant would be in a position to work in the jail and earn something
which would be helpful to his mother and daughter. It is submitted that
while the death sentence is continued, the appellant would not be in a
position to do any work in Jail.
F
7.9 Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant has
further submitted that in many cases this Court has commuted the death
sentence imposed for heinous crimes. Reliance is placed upon the
decisions of this Court in the cases of Shaikh Ayub v. State of
Maharashtra (1998) 9 SCC 521, Allaudin Mian v. State of Bihar
(1989) 3 SCC 5, Dharmedrasinh v. State of Gujarat (2002) 4 SCC G
679, Nemu Ram Bora v. State of Assam & Nagaland (1975) 1 SC
318, Rajesh Kumar (supra) and Brajendra Singh v. State of M.P.
(2012) 4 SCC 289.
7.10 Making the above submissions, it is prayed to allow the present
appeal and acquit the appellant-accused for the offences for which he H
22 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A was tired. In the alternative, it is prayed to convert the death sentence
into the life imprisonment.
8. The present appeal is vehemently opposed by Shri Pranav
Sachdeva, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent-State.
8.1 It is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel appearing
B on behalf of the respondent-State that in the facts and circumstances of
the case both, the learned Trial Court and the High Court have rightly
convicted the accused for the offence punishable under Section 302
IPC for having killed the three minor children of the complainant and
both the Courts below have rightly awarded the death sentence.
C 8.2 It is vehemently submitted by the learned counsel appearing
on behalf of the respondent-State that the impugned judgment and order
passed by the High Court is a well-reasoned and has been passed after
hearing the parties and considering the entire facts and circumstances
and therefore the same is not required to be interfered with by this Court
D in exercise of powers under Article 136 of the Constitution of India.
8.3 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that though the present case is based on
circumstantial evidence, however, the prosecution has been successful
in completing the chain of events which lead to the only conclusion that
E it is the accused alone who had killed the three innocent children.
8.4 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that in the present case the prosecution
has been successful in proving the motive for the accused to take revenge
and killing three minor children of the complainant Shivlal-P.W.18.
F 8.5 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that thereafter the prosecution has been
successful in establishing and proving that the accused was last seen
together with the three minor children whose dead bodies were found
subsequently at the instance of the accused.
G 8.6 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that there are three relevant and material
circumstances against the accused, namely, (i) last seen evidence; (ii)
recovery of dead bodies pursuant to a disclosure memorandum at the
instance of the accused and (iii) call details made to the accused. It is
submitted that therefore the aforesaid three sets of circumstances are
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 23
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

proved by the prosecution against the accused by examining P.W.1, P.W.8, A
P.W.13, P.W.16, P.W.18 and P.W.24.
8.7 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that by examining P.W.2, P.W.5 and P.W.10
the prosecution has been successful in proving that all the three deceased-
three minor children had gone to the school on that day and thereafter B
after the school was over, they left the school together for home. It is
submitted that the same is supported by the relevant documentary
evidence.
8.8 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that the minor children were last seen C
together with the accused, has been established and proved by the
prosecution by examining P.W.1 and P.W.8.
8.9 It is submitted that the dead bodies of minors – Ajay, Vijay
and Kumari Sakshi – were recovered on the basis of the disclosure
memorandum Ex.P-2. It is submitted that Ex.P-2 and the recovery of D
the dead bodies at the instance of the accused has been established and
proved by the prosecution beyond doubt, more particularly, by examining
P.W.7, P.W.22 and P.W.24.
8.10 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that during the course of the investigation E
there were phone calls with the accused and the conversation has been
established and proved by Ex-P-30 – Phone Call Details. It is submitted
that the same have not been explained by the accused.
8.11 It is further submitted by the learned counsel appearing on
behalf of the respondent-State that in the present case even the conduct F
on the part of the accused, more particularly, his absence from the date
of missing of the minor children till he was arrested from the house of
witness Ashok Kumar Madhukar-P.W.13 is a relevant factor. It is
submitted that the accused has failed to explain his absence from the
village and from his house.
G
8.12 It is submitted that in fact the accused was found in the
house of his relative Ashok Kumar Madhukar-P.W.13. It is submitted
that therefore it is established and proved that after committing the offence
the accused had taken the shelter in the house of his relative Ashok
Kumar Madhukar-P.W.13. It is submitted that even there was an extra-
judicial confession by the accused before Ashok Kumar Madhukar- H
24 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A P.W.13 which has been established and proved from the deposition of
Ashok Kumar Madhukar-P.W.13.
8.13 It is further submitted that the death of the three minors was
homicidal deaths, which has been established and proved by examining
the doctors who conducted the post-mortem.
B 8.14 It is submitted that therefore the prosecution has been
successful in completing the chain of events. It is submitted that therefore
both the Courts below have rightly convicted the accused for having
killed the three minor children.
9. Now, so far as the submission on behalf of the accused that
C there are material contradictions in the depositions of P.W.1, P.W.8,
P.W.18 and other witnesses is concerned, it is submitted by the learned
counsel for the respondent-State that the alleged contradictions do not
affect the case of the prosecution. It is submitted that the aforesaid
contradictions cannot be said to be the material contradictions for which
D the benefit of doubt should be given to the accused. It is submitted that
most of the witnesses are consistent with their statements under Section
161 Cr.P.C. recorded by the Investigating Officer during the investigation.
It is submitted that there are no much improvements. It is further submitted
by the learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State that the so-
called/alleged contradictions in any way do not affect the case of the
E prosecution and the material evidence with respect to the last seen
evidence; recovery of the dead bodies as per the disclosure memorandum
at the instance of the accused and the phone call details with the accused
and even the motive for the accused to commit the offence.
10. Now, so far as the submission on behalf of the accused that
F the incriminating circumstances against the accused from the deposition
of P.W.1 has not been put to the accused while recording his statement
under Section 313 Cr.P.C. is concerned, it is submitted by the learned
counsel appearing for the respondent-State that, as such, the said
irregularity shall not affect the ultimate case against the accused. It is
G submitted that in any case the case of the accused in his statement
under Section 313 Cr.P.C. is that of total denial. It is submitted that on
the aforesaid ground the accused cannot be acquitted.
11. Now, so far as the submission on behalf of the accused that
sufficient opportunity was not given to the accused on the sentence
inasmuch as the accused was heard on the sentence on the very same
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 25
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

day he was convicted is concerned, it is submitted that on the aforesaid A
ground the judgment and order passed by the learned Trial Court on
sentence and confirmed by the High Court is not required to be interfered
with. It is submitted that after the accused was held guilty, fullest
opportunity was given to the accused on sentence. It is submitted that
elaborate submissions were made by the learned Advocate appearing
B
on behalf of the accused on sentence and even on the death sentence
also. It is submitted that therefore as such no prejudice has been caused
to the accused.
12. Now, so far as the submission on behalf of the accused not to
confirm the death sentence and to convert the death sentence into the
life imprisonment is concerned, it is submitted by the learned counsel C
appearing for the respondent-State that on striking the balance between
the aggravating circumstances and the mitigating circumstances and
considering the fact that the accused killed the three minor children after
abducting them, no sympathy should be shown to such an accused. It is
submitted that, therefore, as such this is a fit case to award the death D
sentence and the case would fall into the rarest of rare cases. Therefore,
it is prayed to dismiss the present appeal and confirm the death sentence.
13. Heard the learned counsel appearing for the respective parties
at length. We have also gone through and considered in detail the Judgment
and order passed by the learned Trial Court as well as the impugned E
judgment and order passed by the High Court convicting and accused
for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 364 IPC. We have
also gone through and considered in detail the evidence on record - both
oral and documentary.
13.1 The appellant-accused has been held guilty for having F
committed the murder/killing of three minor children aged about 8 years,
6 years and 4 years respectively and has been convicted by both the
Courts below for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 364
IPC. The learned Trial Court, after having held the appellant-accused
guilty for the aforesaid offences, has imposed the death sentence, which
has been confirmed by the High Court by the impugned judgment and G
order.
14. We are conscious of the fact that it is a case of circumstantial
evidence and therefore before convicting the accused on the basis of
circumstantial evidence, the prosecution has to prove beyond doubt and
complete the chain of events which lead to the conclusion that it is the H
26 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A accused alone who has committed the offence. Therefore, in the facts
and circumstances of the case, it is required to be considered whether
the prosecution has been successful in establishing the complete chain
of events which lead to the conclusion that it is the appellant-accused
alone who has committed the offence?
B 15. Having gone through the impugned judgment and order passed
by the High Court as well as the judgment and order of conviction passed
by the learned Trial Court and the case of the prosecution, the appellant-
accused has been convicted mainly based on three sets of circumstances:
(i) last seen evidence; (ii) recovery of bodies pursuant to a disclosure
memo and (iii) alleged calls made to the appellant during the search for
C the missing children.
16. Before considering the submissions made on behalf of the
accused, few findings recorded by the learned Trial Court and confirmed
by the High Court, are required to be first referred to. The prosecution
has been successful in establishing and proving that the accused was
D having enmity with Shivlal-father of the three deceased minor children.
The same has been established and proved by the prosecution by
examining Shivlal-P.W.18, Manisha-P.W.20 and Rameshwar-P.W.11.
The prosecution has been successful in proving that on 11.02.2011 all
the minors deceased Ajay, Vijay and Kumari Sakshi went to the school
E from their house. The prosecution has also been successful in establishing
and proving that on 11.02.2011 at about 11.30 hours the deceased minors
left for home on foot; that the minors did not return to their home. On
11.02.2011 at about 12.00 noon – 1.00 pm, the deceased were seen
going with the accused in school uniform with their school bags.
Therefore, the accused was last seen together with the deceased minors.
F That, after the incident, the accused was not found at his house and was
missing even from the village. During the search by Shivlal-P.W.18 and
others and after the accused was not found in the village, there were
phone calls on the mobile of the accused. That, thereafter, the accused
was found from the house of his relative Ashok Kumar Madhukar-
G P.W.13. Immediately after his arrest, the dead bodies were recovered/
found along with the school bags etc. from the place shown by the
accused himself. The aforesaid are the chain of events which led to the
conclusion that the accused first kidnapped the three minor children and
thereafter killed all of them. The phone-calls made to the accused has
been established and proved by the prosecution by examining the
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 27
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

Investigating Officer and by producing the call details from the mobile A
company as Ex.P.30.
17. Now, so far as the evidence of the accused having last seen
together with the deceased is concerned, the prosecution has heavily
relied upon the depositions of P.W.1 and P.W.8. So far as the reliance
placed upon the deposition of P.W.1 is concerned, it is the case on behalf B
of the accused that while recording his statement under Section 313
Cr.P.C., the incriminating material on the basis of the deposition of P.W.1
that he saw the accused with the deceased minors at around 1.00 pm on
the afternoon of 11.02.2011, was not put to him and therefore, to that
extent, the deposition of P.W.1 cannot be relied upon. However, it is
required to be noted that while recording the statement of the accused C
under Section 313 Cr.PC., the deposition of P.W.1 was specifically
referred to. Therefore, not asking a specific question arising out of the
deposition of P.W.1, in the facts and circumstances of the case, cannot
be said to be fatal to the case of the prosecution. Even otherwise, the
accused was last seen together with the deceased minors has been D
established and proved by the prosecution by examining P.W.8-Ashok
Patel. P.W.8-Ashok Patel in his deposition has specifically stated that he
saw the accused with all the three minors deceased at around 12.00
hours on 11.02.2011. He has identified/recognized the accused present
in the court. He has also stated that he knew the complainant Shivlal and
he recognized all the three minor children of Shivlal. The said witness E
has been thoroughly cross-examined by the defence. However, from
the cross-examination, the defence has failed to make out any case
which may doubt either the credibility and/or what the said witness has
stated in his examination-in-chief. He is an independent witness on the
evidence of last seen together. We see no reason to doubt the same. F
There may be some contradictions, but according to us, those
contradictions are not material contradictions, which may doubt the
credibility of the said witness and/or may be fatal to the case of the
prosecution. Thus, the prosecution has been successful in establishing
and proving that the accused was last seen together with all the three
minor children at about 12.00 noon on 11.02.2011 after they left the G
school.
17.1 At this stage, it is required to be noted that the prosecution
has proved beyond doubt that all the three minors went to the school in
the morning of 11.02.2011 and thereafter they left for the home at about
H
28 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 11.30 hours. That, thereafter, at about 12.00 hours, the accused was
seen with all the three minor children. At this stage, it is required to be
noted that after Ashok Patel disclosed to Shivlal-P.W.18 and others that
he had seen the accused with the three minor children on 11.02.2011 at
about 11.30 hours, the name of the accused was specifically mentioned
in the missing report given by Shivlal on 11.02.2011 and the same was
B
also mentioned in the FIR. In the FIR, it was specifically mentioned that
during the investigation of missing person No. 3/11, he had enquired the
complainant and Ashok Patel and Ashok Patel told that he saw the minor
children with the accused. Thus, considering the entire evidence on record,
we see no reason to doubt the credibility of P.W.8-Ashok Patel. He is an
C independent witness and no mala-fides are alleged against him on behalf
of the accused.
18. Now, the next important evidence against the accused is the
recovery of dead bodies which were found from the places shown by
the accused after his arrest. During the course of the investigation, the
D dead bodies were found from the places shown by the accused, the
places which the accused alone could have known. Therefore, there is a
recovery of the dead bodies along with the school dress and bags at the
instance of the accused. It has been established and proved from the
disclosure memo. The disclosure memo has been exhibited. Therefore,
the aforesaid circumstance definitely goes against the accused.
E
19. One another circumstance which goes against the accused is
that after the incident of missing of three minor children, the accused
was not found in his house and even in the village. He was contacted on
his mobile phone. Initially when he was tried to be contacted, his mobile
phone was found switched-off. However, thereafter, he could be
F contacted on mobile when Rameshwar-P.W.11 phoned the accused
Manoj on 12.2.2011 at about 11.00 p.m. As per the said witness, at about
11.00 p.m. he phoned the accused Manoj and asked him “Where are
you” and the accused told that he is present in his house. According to
the said witness, the accused also told when he was asked whether any
G information about the where-about of Shivlal’s children was received,
initially the accused replied that he do not know. But, thereafter, he told
that “When my children are crying Guddu @ Shivlal was enjoying, now
when his children are missing how is he feeling”.
19.1 However, it is required to be noted that the accused was not
H present in his house at all. From the evidence on record, it appears that
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 29
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

the concerned witnesses – Shivlal and others found that the accused A
Manoj was not in his house. Phone calls made at 11.00 pm on the mobile
of the accused in the night of 11.02.2011 has been established and proved
by the prosecution by producing the call details from the mobile company
(produced as Ex.P.30). The accused has failed to give any explanation
on the same in his statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. Non-examination
B
of the officer of the mobile company cannot be said to be fatal to the
case of the prosecution, more particularly, when the CDR has been got
exhibited, through the deposition of the Investigating Officer and when
the same was exhibited, no objection was raised on behalf of the defence.
Even otherwise, it is required to be noted that the mobile SIM No.
9179484724 was seized from the accused at the time of his arrest and C
which is proved as per the seizure memo. Therefore, the prosecution
has proved that the mobile SIM No. 9179484724 belonged to the accused.
20. One other important evidence against the accused is the
deposition of P.W.13-Ashok Kumar Madhukar. The accused was found
hiding in the house of said Ashok Kumar Madhukar situated at village D
Lakharam which is 5-6 kilometers away. It is true that the said witness
has turned hostile. However, in the cross-examination by the prosecution,
P.W. 13 has specifically stated that the accused Manoj told him that the
children of Shivlal had gone missing and Shivlal has lodged a report
against him and the police is looking for him. He has specifically stated
in the cross-examination that he engaged the accused Manoj in E
conversation and thereafter the police came and took Manoj after
arresting him. Therefore, the fact that the accused was found from the
house of said Ashok Kumar Madhukar from village Lakharam has been
established and proved, despite the said Ashok Kumar Madhukar has
turned hostile. As per the settled proposition of law, even the deposition F
of the hostile witness to the extent it supports the case of the prosecution
can be relied upon. The accused has failed to explain his conduct in his
statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. about his missing from the house
and even the village after the incident of kidnapping. He has also failed
to explain the reason why he was found from the house of Ashok Kumar
Madhukar. It may be that there is some doubt created by the defence G
about the place where the accused was arrested. However, the fact
remains that the accused was arrested from village Lakharam on
13.02.2011. According to the defence, the accsued was arrested on
12.02.2011 evening. But the same is not established and proved from
the evidence. On the contrary, as per the deposition of Ashok Kumar H
30 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A Madhukar, he was arrested on 13.02.2011. Even as per the arrest memo,
the accused was arrested on 13.02.2011. Immediately thereafter, during
the course of the investigation and as per the disclosure memo, the dead
bodies of the deceased minor children were recovered at the instance of
the accused. Therefore, as such, the chain of events established and
proved by the prosecution as under:
B
(1) That all the three minor children went to the school in the
morning of 11.02.2011;
(2) That all three minor children left the school at about 11.30
a.m. on 11.02.2011;
C (3) That the accused was last seen together with the deceased
minors at about 12.00 hours – 1.00 p.m. on 11.02.2011;
(4) That there was a prior enmity between the accused and the
complainant Shivlal-father of the deceased minor children as the wife of
the accused ran away with the brother of Shivlal and that the children of
D the accused were without their mother and therefore he took the revenge
how Shivlal would feel if his children are missing;
(5) That the accused was missing from his house and even the
village from the time of the incident of kidnapping;
(6) There were phone calls with the accused on his mobile no.
E
9179484724 on the night of 11.02.2011;
(7) That he was hiding in the house of Ashok Kumar Madhukar
and he was arrested from village Lakharam from the house of Ashok
Kumar Madhukar on 13.02.2011 and/or at least from Village Lakharam;
F (8) Recovery of dead bodies of the minor children from the place
shown by the accused, which are recovered from the place/places for
which the accused alone could have the knowledge; and
(9) That the death of the minors were homicidal death.
21. As per the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the accused,
G there are contradictions in the depositions of various witnesses, more
particularly, P.W.1 and P.W.8 having told that they had seen the accused
with the minor children on 11.02.2011 and even with respect to the
telephonic calls and having talked with the accused after 11.02.2011.
However, having considered the so-called contradictions pointed out by
H the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the accused and other
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 31
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

evidences, we are of the opinion that those contradictions are not material A
contradictions which may ultimately affect the case of the prosecution
as a whole. The minor discrepancies and inconsistencies in the statements
of the prosecution witnesses and the minor lacuna in the investigation
led by the police cannot be a reason for discarding the entire prosecution
case, if the evidence is otherwise sufficient and inspiring to bring home
B
the guilt of the accused. As observed by this Court in the case of Leema
Ram v. State of Haryana [AIR 1999 SC 3717], there are bound to be
some discrepancies between the narrations of different witnesses, when
they speak on details, and unless the contradictions are of a material
dimension, the same should not be used to jettison the evidence in its
entirety. It is further observed that corroboration of evidence with C
mathematical niceties cannot be expected in criminal cases. Minor
embellishment, there may be, but variations by reason therefore should
not render the evidence unbelievable. Trivial discrepancies ought not to
obliterate an otherwise acceptable evidence. The Court shall have to
bear in mind that different witnesses react differently under different
D
situations: whereas some become speechless; some start wailing while
some others run away from the scene and yet there are some who may
come forward with courage, conviction and belief that the wrong should
be remedied. So it depends upon individuals and individuals. There cannot
be any set pattern or uniform rule of human reaction and to discard a
piece of evidence on the ground of his reaction not falling within a set E
pattern is unproductive. Therefore, we are of the opinion that the so-
called minor discrepancies/contradictions do not ultimately affect the
case of the prosecution. The benefit of such minor discrepancies/
contradictions should not go to the accused, more particularly, when
from the other evidences on record the guilt of the accused has been
F
established and proved.
22. Thus, for the reasons sated above, we are of the opinion that
the High Court has not committed any error in upholding the conviction
of the accused for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 364
IPC. We are in complete agreement with the view taken by the learned
Trial Court as well as the High Court in so far as convicting the accused G
for the offences punishable under Section 302 and 364 IPC for having
killed three minor children aged about 8 years, 6 years and 4 years
respectively.
23. Now, so far as the capital punishment imposed by the learned
Trial Court and confirmed by the High Court is concerned, it is the case H
32 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A on behalf of the appellant-accused that as the learned Trial Court heard
the accused on sentence the very same day on which the conviction
was recorded and as such an error has been committed by the learned
Trial Court and therefore it vitiates the award of sentence, reliance has
been placed upon the decisions of this Court in the cases of Santa Singh
(supra), Allaudin Mian (supra), Rajesh Kumar (supra), Ajay Pandit
B
@ Jagdish (supra) and a recent decision of this Court in Chhannu Lal
Verma (supra). While considering the aforesaid submissions, the object
of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. is required to be considered. The object and
purpose of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. is that the accused must be given an
opportunity to make a representation against the sentence to be imposed
C on him. Sub-section (2) of Section 235 satisfies a dual purpose; it satisfies
the rule of natural justice by affording to the accused an opportunity of
being heard on the question of sentence and at the same time helps the
court to choose the sentence to be awarded. So, what is required to be
considered is whether at the time of awarding of sentence, sufficient
and proper opportunity has been given to the accused or not and when
D
the capital punishment is awarded, whether the accused has been given
the opportunity to point out the aggravating and mitigating circumstances
or not? An identical question came to be considered by this Court in a
recent decision of this Court in the case of Accused ‘X’ v. State of
Maharashtra in Review Petition (Criminal) No. 301 of 2008 in Criminal
E Appeal No. 680 of 2007 dated 12.04.2019. Before this Court the very
decisions on which the reliance has been placed now by the learned
counsel appearing on behalf of the accused, which are referred to
hereinabove, were pressed into service. This Court had the occasion to
consider the very submissions made on behalf of the accused, more
particularly, the conviction and the sentence on the very day on which
F
the conviction was recorded. In paragraphs 29 to 34, this Court has
observed and held as under:
“29. Two recent three- Judge Bench decisions of this Court on
this aspect merit our consideration. Firstly, in the decision dated
28.11.2018 in Chhannu Lal Verma v. State of Chhattisgarh
G (Criminal Appeal Nos. 1482-1483 of 2018), this Court observed
that not having a separate hearing at the stage of trial was a
procedural impropriety. Noting that a bifurcated hearing for
conviction and sentencing was a necessary condition laid down in
Santosh Kumar Satishbhushan Bariyar, (2009) 6 SCC 498, the
H Court held that by conducting the hearing for sentencing on the
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 33
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

same day, the Trial Court failed to provide necessary time to the A
appellant therein to furnish evidence relevant to sentencing and
mitigation. We find that this cannot be taken to mean that this
Court intended to lay down, as a proposition of law, that hearing
the accused for sentencing on the same day as for conviction
would vitiate the trial. On the contrary, in the said case, it was
B
found on facts that the same was a procedural impropriety because
the accused was not given sufficient time to furnish evidence
relevant to sentencing and mitigation.
30. Secondly, in the decision dated 12.12.2018 in Rajendra
Prahladrao Wasnik v. State of Maharashtra, (Review Petition
(Crl.) Nos. 306-307 of 2013), this Court made a general observation C
that in cases where the death penalty may be awarded, the Trial
Court should give an opportunity to the accused after conviction
which is adequate for the production of relevant material on the
question of the propriety of the death sentence. This is evidently
at best directory in nature and cannot be taken to mean that a D
pre--sentence hearing on a separate date is mandatory.
31. It may also be noted that in the older three-Judge Bench
decision of this Court in Malkiat Singh Case (1991) 4 SCC 341,
the Court observed that keeping in mind the two--Judge Bench
decisions in Allauddin Mian Case (supra) and Auguswamy v. State E
of Tamil Nadu, (1989) 3 SCC 33, wherein it had been laid down
that a sentence awarded on the same day as the finding of guilt is
not in accordance with law, the normal course of action in case of
violation of such procedure would be remand for further evidence.
However, on a perusal of these two decisions we find that their
import has not been correctly appreciated in Malkiat Singh Case F
(supra), since the observations in Allauddin Mian Case (supra),
as relied upon in Anguswamy Case (supra), regarding conduct of
hearings on separate dates, were only directory. Be that as it
may, it must be noted that the effect of Malkiat Singh Case (supra)
has already been considered by this Court in Vasanta Sampat G
Dupare v. State of Maharashtra (2017) 6 SCC 631, wherein it
was already noted that the mere non-conduct of the pre-sentence
hearing on a separate date would not per se vitiate the trial if the
accused has been afforded sufficient time to place relevant
material on record.
H
34 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 32. It may not be out of context to note that in case the minimum
sentence is proposed to be imposed upon the accused, the question
of providing an opportunity under Section 235(2) would not arise.
(See Tarlok Singh v. State of Punjab, (1977) 3 SCC 218; Ramdeo
Chauhan v. State of Assam, (2001) 5 SCC 714).
B 33. There cannot be any doubt that at the stage of hearing on
sentence, generally, the accused argues based on the mitigating
circumstances in his favour for imposition of lesser sentence. On
the other hand, the State/the complainant would argue based on
the aggravating circumstances against the accused to support the
contention relating to imposition of higher sentence. The object
C of Section 235 (2) of the Cr.P.C is to provide an opportunity for
accused to adduce mitigating circumstances. This does not mean,
however, that the Trial Court can fulfill the requirements of Section
235(2) of the Cr.P.C. only by adjourning the matter for one or two
days to hear the parties on sentence. If the accused is ready to
D submit his arguments on this aspect on the very day of
pronouncement of the judgment of conviction, it is open for the
Trial Court to hear the parties on sentence on the same day after
passing the judgment of conviction. In a given case, based on
facts and circumstances, the Trial Court may choose to hear the
parties on the next day or after two days as well.
E
34. In light of the above discussion, we are of the opinion that as
long as the spirit and purpose of Section 235(2) is met, inasmuch
as the accused is afforded a real and effective opportunity to
plead his case with respect to sentencing, whether simply by way
of oral submissions or by also bringing pertinent material on record,
F there is no bar on the pre-sentencing hearing taking place on the
same day as the pre-conviction hearing. Depending on the facts
and circumstances, a separate date may be required for hearing
on sentence, but it is equally permissible to argue on the question
of sentence on the same day if the parties wish to do so.”
G Thus, there is no absolute proposition of law that in no case there
can be conviction and sentence on the same day. There is no absolute
proposition of law laid down by this Court in any of the decisions that if
the sentence is awarded on the very same day on which the conviction
was recorded, the sentencing would be vitiated.
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 35
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

23.1 So far as the reliance placed upon by the learned counsel A
appearing on behalf the appellant upon the decision of this Court in the
case of Santa Singh (supra) is concerned, on considering the entire
judgment and the facts in that case, we are of the opinion that the said
decision shall not be applicable to the facts of the case on hand and/or
the same shall not be of any assistance to the accused. In that case
B
before this Court, it was found that the learned Trial Court did not give
the accused an opportunity to be heard in regard to the sentence to be
imposed on him and by one single judgment convicted the accused and
also sentenced him to death.
23.2 Similarly, the decision of this Court in the case of Allaudin
Mian (supra) also shall not be applicable to the facts of the case on C
hand. In the case before this Court, it was found that the death sentence
was imposed by the Trial Court without affording proper opportunity of
hearing as contemplated under Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. No reasons were
recorded for awarding the death sentence which as such were mandatory
and thereafter on merits this Court found that the death sentence was D
no warranted.
23.3 Applying the law laid down by this Court in the aforesaid
decisions, more particularly, in the case of Accused ‘X’ (supra) to the
facts of the case on hand and on considering the reasoning given by the
learned Trial Court as well as the High Court, we are of the opinion that E
there is sufficient compliance of the provisions of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C.
The learned Trial Court heard the accused on the aspect of proposition
of sentence separately which is clear from paragraphs 76 to 82 of the
judgment of the learned Trial Court. Hence, based on the material on
record, we are satisfied that the learned Trial Court fully complied with
the requirements of Section 235(2) Cr.P.C. The learned Trial Court had F
considered the mitigating circumstances pointed out on behalf of the
accused and also considered the aggravating circumstances which
warranted the death sentence. Thus, it cannot be said that the accused
was not given any sufficient opportunity to put forward his case on
sentence. It also cannot be said that the learned Trial Court has not G
given any special reasons while awarding the death sentence. After
considering the aggravating circumstances and the crime i.e. the
magnitude and the manner of the commission of the crime in the form of
kidnapping and thereafter murdering three minor children, while awarding
the death sentence the learned Trial Court has considered the following
aggravating circumstances against the accused: H
36 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A “A. This point is not disputed that the accused was annoyed with
Shivlal (PW-18) because 10 days prior to the incident his
wife Sumrit Bai eloped or got eloped by the brother of Shivlal
(PW-18) as there was a love affair between Sumrit Bai and
uncle of the minors deceased Ajay, Vijay and Sakshi. In this
regard evidence is also available on record.
B
B. As well as this point is also considerable that being
acquaintance with the accused and having faith on accused
all the three minors innocent Ajay, Vijay and Sakshi left the
school with the accused and were missing. Hence, breaching
the faith of all the three innocent minors the accused has
C committed the offence of kidnapping.
C. It is also considerable that the accused has committed culpable
homicide of all the three minors Ajay, Vijay and Sakshi whose
age was in between 4 to 8 years. There was 10 days sufficient
time gap between the incident of eloping accused’s wife with
D Shivnath, the uncle of the minors and the date of committing
culpable homicide of the minors. Hence, the act of the accused
is not the act committed under grave and sudden provocation.
On the basis of evidence available on record the act of the
accused is afterthought with planned manner.
E D. It is also considerable that accused has brutally committed
homicidal death of all three minors Ajay, Vijay and Sakshi by
processing their neck forcefully who have no concern with
the matter of eloping his wife Sumrit Bai.
E. It is also considerable that accused has brutally, mercilessly
F and cowardly committed murder of all three minors Ajay,
Vijay and Sakshi who were tender age of 4-8 years and were
completely unable to resist and defend themselves at the time
of incident.
F. At the time of committing the said act accused had two
G children thinking over it the accused did not have to do the
said act. In the light of the said act committed by the accused
the question of maintaining their minor children is secondary.
G. It is also considerable that the said act of the accused is the
act which gives challenge to the social security of the society.”
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 37
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

Thus, the submission on behalf of the accused that as the sentence A
was recorded on the same day on which the conviction was recorded
and therefore it has vitiated the award of sentence, cannot be accepted.
As observed hereinabove, there is a total compliance of the provisions
of Section 235 (2) as well as Section 354 Cr.P.C.
24. Now, so far as the submission on behalf of the accused that B
while awarding the capital punishment the learned Trial Court has solely
looked to the brutality of the crime is concerned, it is factually incorrect.
On considering the rival discussions as well as the reasons given by the
learned Trial Court while awarding the capital punishment, it appears
that the brutality of the crime was considered to be one of the reasons
and not the sole reason. C

25. However, at the same time, the prayer on behalf of the accused
not to impose the death penalty and to convert the same into life
imprisonment, in the facts and circumstances of the case, requires
consideration. Therefore, now the question which is posed for
consideration of this Court is whether, in the facts and circumstances of D
the case, the death sentence is warranted?
25.1 While answering the aforesaid questions, few decisions of
this Court on when the death sentence is warranted are required to be
referred to and considered.
E
25.2 After analyzing many decisions of this Court on imposition of
death sentence, namely, Bachan Singh (supra); Machhi Singh v. State
of Punjab (1983) 3 SCC 470; Mohd. Chaman v. State (NCT of Delhi)
(2001) 2 SCC 28; Aloke Nath Dutta v. State of W.B. (2007) 12 SCC
230; State of Punjab v. Manjit Singh (2009) 14 SCC 31; Santosh Kumar
Satishbhushan Bariyar v. State of Maharashtra (2009) 6 SCC 498; F
Sebastian v. State of Kerala (2010) 1 SCC 58; Rajesh Kumar (supra);
Ramesh v. State of Rajasthan (2011) 3 SCC 685; Amit (supra); and
Mohinder Singh v. State of Punjab (2013) 3 SCC 294, the decisions
which were relied upon on behalf of the accused and after considering
few decisions of this Court involving death sentence which were relied G
upon on behalf of the State, ultimately, this Court in the case of Sushil
Sharma v. State (NCT) of Delhi (2014) 4 SCC 317 in paragraphs 100-
104 has observed and held as under:
“100. In light of the above judgments, we would now
ascertain what factors which we need to take into consideration
H
38 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A while deciding the question of sentence. Undoubtedly, we must
locate the aggravating and mitigating circumstances in this case
and strike the right balance. We must also consider whether there
is anything uncommon in this case which renders the sentence to
life imprisonment inadequate and calls for death sentence. It is
also necessary to see whether the circumstances of the crime
B
are such that there is no alternative but to impose death sentence
even after according maximum weightage to the mitigating
circumstances which speak in favour of the offender.
101. We notice from the above judgments that mere brutality
of the murder or the number of persons killed or the manner in
C which the body is disposed of has not always persuaded this Court
to impose death penalty. Similarly, at times, in the peculiar factual
matrix, this Court has not thought it fit to award death penalty in
cases, which rested on circumstantial evidence or solely on
approver’s evidence. Where murder, though brutal, is committed
D driven by extreme emotional disturbance and it does not have
enormous proportion, the option of life imprisonment has been
exercised in certain cases. Extreme poverty and social status has
also been taken into account amongst other circumstances for
not awarding death sentence. In few cases, time spent by the
accused in death cell has been taken into consideration along with
E other circumstances, to commute death sentence into life
imprisonment. Where the accused had no criminal antecedents;
where the State had not led any evidence to show that the accused
is beyond reformation and rehabilitation or that he would revert to
similar crimes in future, this Court has leaned in favour of life
F imprisonment. In such cases, doctrine of proportionality and the
theory of deterrence have taken a back seat. The theory of
reformation and rehabilitation has prevailed over the idea of
retribution.
102. On the other hand, rape followed by a cold-blooded
G murder of a minor girl and further followed by disrespect to the
body of the victim has been often held to be an offence attracting
death penalty. At times, cases exhibiting premeditation and
meticulous execution of the plan to murder by levelling a calculated
attack on the victim to annihilate him, have been held to be fit
cases for imposing death penalty. Where innocent minor children,
H
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 39
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

unarmed persons, hapless women and old and infirm persons have A
been killed in a brutal manner by persons in dominating position,
and where after ghastly murder displaying depraved mentality,
the accused have shown no remorse, death penalty has been
imposed. Where it is established that the accused is a confirmed
criminal and has committed murder in a diabolical manner and
B
where it is felt that reformation and rehabilitation of such a person
is impossible and if let free, he would be a menace to the society,
this Court has not hesitated to confirm death sentence. Many a
time, in cases of brutal murder, exhibiting depravity and sick mind,
this Court has acknowledged the need to send a deterrent message
to those who may embark on such crimes in future. In some cases C
involving brutal murders, society’s cry for justice has been taken
note of by this Court, amongst other relevant factors. But, one
thing is certain that while deciding whether death penalty should
be awarded or not, this Court has in each case realising the
irreversible nature of the sentence, pondered over the issue many
D
times over. This Court has always kept in mind the caution sounded
by the Constitution Bench in Bachan Singh [Bachan
Singh v. State of Punjab, (1980) 2 SCC 684 : 1980 SCC (Cri)
580] that Judges should never be bloodthirsty but has wherever
necessary in the interest of society located the rarest of the rare
case and exercised the tougher option of death penalty. E
103. In the nature of things, there can be no hard-and-fast
rules which the court can follow while considering whether an
accused should be awarded death sentence or not. The core of a
criminal case is its facts and, the facts differ from case to case.
Therefore, the various factors like the age of the criminal, his F
social status, his background, whether he is a confirmed criminal
or not, whether he had any antecedents, whether there is any
possibility of his reformation and rehabilitation or whether it is a
case where the reformation is impossible and the accused is likely
to revert to such crimes in future and become a threat to the
society are factors which the criminal court will have to examine G
independently in each case. Decision whether to impose death
penalty or not must be taken in the light of guiding principles laid
down in several authoritative pronouncements of this Court in the
facts and attendant circumstances of each case.
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40 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A 104. We must also bear in mind that though, the judicial
proceedings do take a long time in attaining finality, that would not
be a ground for commuting the death sentence to life
imprisonment. Law in this behalf has been well settled
in Triveniben [Triveniben v. State of Gujarat, (1989) 1 SCC 678
: 1989 SCC (Cri) 248] . The time taken by the courts till the final
B
verdict is pronounced cannot come to the aid of the accused in
canvassing commutation of death sentence to life imprisonment.
In Triveniben [Triveniben v. State of Gujarat, (1989) 1 SCC 678
: 1989 SCC (Cri) 248] , the Constitution Bench made it clear that
though ordinarily, it is expected that even in this Court, the matters
C where the capital punishment is involved, will be given top priority
and shall be heard and disposed of as expeditiously as possible
but it could not be doubted that so long as the matter is pending in
any court, before final adjudication, even the person who has been
condemned or who has been sentenced to death has a ray of
hope. It, therefore, could not be contended that he suffers that
D
mental torture which a person suffers when he knows that he is
to be hanged but waits for the doomsday. Therefore, the appellant
cannot draw any support from the fact that from the day of the
crime till the final verdict, a long time has elapsed. It must be
remembered that fair trial is the right of an accused. Fair trial
E involves following the correct procedure and giving opportunity to
the accused to probabilise his defence. In a matter such as this,
hurried decision may not be in the interest of the appellant.”
25.3 In the case of Absar Alam v. State of Bihar (2012) 2 SCC
728, it is observed and held by this Court that the mental condition of the
F accused, which led to assault, cannot be lost sight of. It is further observed
that the mental condition or state of mind of accused is one of the factors
that can be taken into account in considering the question of sentence.
25.4 Thus, from the catena of decisions of this Court, more
particularly, the decisions referred to hereinabove, for deciding on the
G issue of sentence, the aggravating circumstances and mitigating
circumstances must be located and the right balance must be adopted.
What can be said to be the mitigating circumstances has been dealt with
and considered by this Court in the case of Bachan Singh (supra). As
observed by this Court in the case of Bachan Singh (supra), the following
can be said to be the mitigating circumstances which are required to be
H considered while deciding on the issue of death sentence.
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 41
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

“(1) That the offence was committed under the influence A
of extreme mental or emotional disturbance.
(2) The age of the accused. If the accused is young or old,
he shall not be sentenced to death.
(3) The probability that the accused would not commit
criminal acts of violence as would constitute a continuing threat B
to society.
(4) The probability that the accused can be reformed and
rehabilitated.
The State shall by evidence prove that the accused does C
not satisfy Conditions (3) and (4) above.
(5) That in the facts and circumstances of the case the
accused believed that he was morally justified in committing the
offence.
(6) That the accused acted under the duress or domination D
of another person.
(7) That the condition of the accused showed that he was
mentally defective and that the said defect impaired his capacity
to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.”
25.5 In light of the above judgments, we would now ascertain the E
factors which we need to take into consideration while deciding on the
question of sentence. We must locate the aggravating and mitigating
circumstances in this case and strike a right balance. In the present
case, the following are the mitigating factors/circumstances:
(i) That the offence was committed under the influence of extreme F
mental or emotional disturbance. The accused was emotionally disturbed
due to the elopement of his wife with the uncle of the deceased and that
his children were suffering in absence of their mother with them. The
accused was so much disturbed and troubled is also born out from the
deposition of one of the witnesses that on mobile the accused told how G
Shivlal is feeling without his children.
(ii) There are no criminal antecedents.
(iii) At the time of commission of the offence the accused was 28
years of age and his conduct in prison is reported to be good.
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42 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2020] 4 S.C.R.

A (iv) That he belongs to a poor family and is the only son of his
parents, and
(v) That he has got an old aged mother who is taking care of two
daughters of the accused, out of which one is married now.
25.6 On the other hand, the only aggravating circumstance pointed
B out by the State is that the manner in which the incident took place and
three minors were brutally killed. Except the above, no other aggravating
circumstances are pointed out on behalf of the State. Therefore, striking
the balance between aggravating circumstances and mitigating
circumstances, we are of the opinion that in the facts and circumstances
C of the case, more particularly, the mental condition of the accused at the
time of the commission of the offence and that the accused was under
extreme mental disturbance due to his wife eloped with the uncle of the
deceased and his children were deprived of the company of their mother,
the mitigating circumstances are in favour of the accused to convert the
death sentence to life imprisonment. It is true that the court must respond
D to the cry of the society and to settle what would be the deterrent
punishment for an abominable crime. It is also equally true that a larger
number of criminals go unpunished thereby increasing criminals in the
society and law losing its deterrent effect. It is also true that the peculiar
circumstances of a given case often results in miscarriage of justice and
E makes the justice delivery system a suspect; in the ultimate analysis, the
society suffers and a criminal get encouraged. Sometimes it is stated
that only rights of criminals are kept in mind, the victims are forgotten.
However, at the same time, while imposing the rarest of rare punishment,
i.e. death penalty, the Court must balance the mitigating and aggravating
circumstances of the crime and it would depend upon particular and
F peculiar facts and circumstances of each case. The mitigating
circumstances as observed by this Court in the case of Bachan Singh
(supra) and the mitigating circumstances in the present case, if are
considered cumulatively and more particularly, that the accused was
under the extreme mental disturbance because of the reasons stated
G hereinabove, we are of the opinion that, in the peculiar facts and
circumstances of the case, the death penalty is not warranted and the
same be converted to life imprisonment.
26. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, the
present appeal succeeds in part. The Judgment and Order passed by the
H learned Trial Court and confirmed by the High Court convicting the
MANOJ SURYAVANSHI v. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH 43
[M. R. SHAH, J.]

accused for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 364 IPC is A
hereby confirmed. However, the death sentence imposed by the learned
Trial Court, confirmed by the High Court, is converted into the life
imprisonment. It is further observed and directed that the life means till
the end of the life with the further observation and direction that there
shall not be any remission till the accused completes 25 years of
B
imprisonment.
The present appeal is partly allowed to the aforesaid extent.

Devika Gujral Appeal partly allowed.
C

D

E

F

G

H