Holding

The Supreme Court upheld the convictions and death sentences, finding the circumstantial and forensic evidence conclusive and the case a "rarest of rare" deserving capital punishment.

Summary

Molai, a jail guard, and Santosh, a prisoner, were convicted of raping, strangling and murdering Naveen, the 16‑year‑old daughter of an assistant jailor, and disposing of her body in a septic tank. The prosecution relied on circumstantial evidence, forensic findings of human blood on a knife, and recovered clothing with blood and semen stains. The Supreme Court held that the chain of circumstances proved the guilt of both accused beyond reasonable doubt, that the forensic evidence was sufficient despite the absence of a blood group, and that no mitigating factors existed. Applying the "rarest of rare" doctrine, the Court affirmed that the case warranted capital punishment. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed and the death sentences were upheld.

Issues considered

The adequacy of circumstantial evidence to sustain conviction.
The evidentiary value of human blood on the weapon without blood group identification.
Whether the case qualifies as "rarest of rare" justifying the death penalty.
The presence or absence of mitigating circumstances.
The propriety of imposing capital punishment under Sections 376(2)(g), 302, 34 and 201 of the IPC.

Legislation cited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 27, s. 313
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 201, s. 302, s. 34, s. 376(2)(g)

Subjects

rapemurdercircumstantial evidencedeath penaltyrarest of rareforensic evidencecapital punishmentIPC sections 376, 302, 201Criminal Procedure CodeMadhya Pradesh

Judgment

MOLAi AND ANR.
11.
STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

' ' OCTOBER 26, 1999

B [S.P. KURDUKAR, K.T. THOMAS AND N. SANTOSH HEGDE, JJ.]

Criminal Law:
t
Penal Code, 1860: Sections 376(2)(g), 302134 and 201.
c Circumstantial evidence-Rarest. of rare case-Mitigating
circumstances-Absence of-First accused was working as a guard in the
Central Jail and second accused was a prisoner in the same jail undergoing
sentence for an offence-Deceased, daughter of an Assistant Jailor, resided
in the Jail premises-Accused raped the deceased when she was alone in the
D house-Thereafter, accused strangulated the deceased and threw the dead
body into a septic tank-Held: The accused exhibited criminality in their
conduct by throwing the dead body into the septic tank totally disregarding
respect for a human dead body-There are no mitigating circumstances
also-This case, therefore, squarely falls in the category of one of the rarest
E of rare cases-Hence, capital punishment to the accused is the only proper
punishment.

Criminal Trial:

Inciminating circumstance-Determination of-Blood on the weapon
F of offence found to be of human origin-Held: lt would be an incriminating
circumstance.

The appellants-accused were convicted by the trial court for offences
under Sections 376{2){g), 302/34 and 201 of the Penal Code, 1860 and were
awarded capital punishment subject to confirmation by the High Court. The
G High Court upheld the conviction and confirmed the death sentence of both
the appellants. Hence this appeal.

According to the prosecution, the first appellant, at the relevant time,
was working as a guard in the Central Jail. The second appellant was a
prisoner undergoing a sentence in the same Jail for an offence under Section
H 104
MOLAi v. STA TE OF MADHYA PRADESH 105
376 IPC. The deceased, daughter of an Assistant Jailor (PW-6), resided in A
the Jail premises. On the fateful day the appellants were sent to the house of
the said Assistant Jailor to look after the quarter and work in the garden.
Finding the deceased alone in the house the appellants raped her and,
thereafter, strangulated her and threw the dead body in the septic tank. The
appellants had given a false explanation to PW-1 when she visited the house B
that the deceased was not in the house and that she had gone out with her
friend on a cycle. The knife recovered at the instance of the first appellant
had human blood on it as certified by the Forensic Science Laboratory's report
but the blood group could not be determined.

On behalf of the accused persons i~ was contended that it would be unsafe C
to connect the knife with the crime in question in the absence of determination
of the blood group; and that this was not one of the rarest of rare cases and,
therefore, the capital punishment was uncalled for.

Dismissing the appeal, the Court
D
HELD : 1. The Forensic Science Laboratory's report has clearly certified
that the blood found on the knife was of human origin. It would be an
incriminating circumstance if blood on the weapon of offence we're found to
be of human origin. [116-C)

State of Rajasthan v. Teja Ram, [1999)3 SCC 507, relied on. E
2. False explanation was given by the appellants when PW-1 went to the
house of the deceased, they told her that the deceased had gone along with
her friend on a cycle. The same false information was also given to PW-3
when she returned from the school. This false explanation itself is a
circumstance, which can be used against the appellants. The courts below F
have rightly taken this circumstance as proved against both the accused.
[lll-A)

3. The first appellant was posted as a guard at the quarter of PW-6 and
was supposed to protect the person and property. He has totally committed the G
breach of confidence, which was reposed in him by PW-6. The second appellant
was then serving a sentence for the offence of rape. He was working in the
garden. Both the accused took the undue advantage of the situation knowing
fully well that the deceased was alone in the house. Both the accused had every
opportunity to commit the crime in question and they had done a most brutal,
~- heinous &nd shameful act by committing rape on the deceased, then "H
106 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A strangulating the deceased and throwing the dead body in the septic tank with
an intention to cause disappearance of evidence. The courts below have very
carefully scrutinised the material on record and awarded the 1:apital
punishment to both the accused. It is a case where no leniency in the matter
of sentence could be shown inasmuch as neither of the accused had brought
B on record any mitigating circumstance, which would justify reduction in the
sentence. (118-G, H; 119-A, BJ

4.1. It cannot be overlooked that the accused took advantage of the
deceased being alone in the house and committed a most shameful act of rape.
The accused did not stop there but they strangulated her and exhibited the
C criminality in their conduct by throw.ing the dead body into the septic tank
totally disregarding the respect for a human dead body. The accused
(appellants) could not point out any mitigating circumstance to jusHfy the
reduction of sentence of either of the accused. In a case of this nature the
capital punishment to both the accused is the only proper punishment and
there is no reason for this Court to take a different view than the one taken
D by the courts below. (119-D, E, F]

4.2 The present case squarely falls in the category of one of the rarest
of rare case5, and if this be so, the courts below have committed no error in
awarding capital punishment to each of the accused. (118-E]

E CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No.
678 of 1999.

· From the Judgment and Order dated 9.12.98 of the Madhya Pradesh
High Court in Crl. Ref. No. 3/97, 4/97 and Crl. A. NO. 525 of 1997.

F K.N. Shukla, Shiv Sagar Tiwari and Ms. Sushila Shukia, (A.S. Pundir)
(A.C.) for the Appellants.

R. Sandhir Jain, Naveen Kr. Singh and Uma Nath Singh for the
Respondent.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
G
S.P. KURDUKAR, J. This criminal appeal is filed by the two appellants
challenging the legality and correctness of the judgment and order of
conviction and sentence passed by the High Court on 9.12.98 in Criminal
References Nos. 3/97, 4/97 and Criminal Appeal No. 52S/97 upholding
convictions and sentence passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Reeva,
H for offences punishable under Sections 376(2)(g), 302/34 and 201 of the: Indian
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.] 107

Penal Code. Trial Court awarded Capital Punishment to both the appellants ·A
subject to confirmation by the High Court. The High Court of Madhya
Pradesh vide its judgment and order dated 9.12.98 upheld the conviction and
confirmed death sentence of both the appellants.

The first appellant Molai (A-2) at the relevant time was working as a
guard in Central Jail, Reeva. The second appellant, Santosh (A-1) was a B
prisoner undergoing a sentence for an offence under Section 376 I.P.C. and
was kept in Central Jail, Reeva.

The prosecution case unfolded at the trial is as under :

R.S. Somvanshi (PW 6) was posted as an Assistant Jailor at C
Central Jail, Reeva. He was having his quarter in the Jail compound
and was staying alongwith his wife, two daughters, namely, Naveen
aged about 16 years (since deceased), Pratibha (PW 3) aged about 12
years and a son. Some more jail officers were also staying in the same
jail compound. The adjoining quarter no. 3, was occupied by Mr.
R.K. Mishra, Assistant Jailor and was residing with his wife Shobha D
Mishra (PW 2) and a daughter Ruchi Mishra (PW I). Another
neighbouring quarter was occupied by Assistant Jailor Shyamji
Singh (PW 7). Krishna Kumar Pathak, who also happened to be the
Assistant Jailor attached to the Central Jail, Reeva was residing in. the
same campus.
E
The incident in question took place on February 20, 1996 between
IO and 11 a.m. Mr. R.S. Somvanshi (PW 6) had left his house on that
day at about 9 a.m. for his official duty whereas Pratibha (PW 3) had
left for her school at about 7.30 a.m. Naveen was studying in I 0th
standard and as she had finished her practical examination, she was F
staying at home and preparing for annual examination. The wife of
Mr. Somvanshi (PW 6) had gone to her parents house along with her
son. Resultantly Naveen at the relevant time was alone in the quarter.
On the day of incident, Molai (A 2) was sent by Somvanshi (PW 6)
to look after his quarter and alsoeto do the house job. Santosh (A I)
who was undergoing a sentence, was also sent to the quarter of G
Somvanshi (PW 6) to do the work in garden attached to the said
quarter. This is how both the appellants Al and A2 were working at
the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) between 9 a.m. and I p.m. on
w-:',
February 20, 1996. · · '

At about IO a.m. a shriek was heard by Ruchi Mishra (PW I) and H
101! SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A Shobha Mishra (PW 2) coming from the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6). Both
of them came out of their quarter to find out the reason thereof. But nothing
suspicious was found from outside. The door was however found close:d. At
about 11 a.m. Ruchi Mishra (PW I) went to return a cassette to Naveen and
when she gave a call to Naveen there was no reply. She then noticed that
B both the accused were standing outside the quarter and they told Ruchi
Mishra (PW I) that Naveen was not in the house and that she had gone along
with her friend. At about the same time Shailendra (PW 4) and his friends
were playing cricket near the quarters of the jail officers ·and it so happened
that cricket ball went towards the quarters of Somvanshi (PW 6). When he
was searching the ball he noticed both the accused standing in front of the
C quarter. After some time Ruchi Mishra (PW I) came out of her quarter and
noticed that Santosh (A I) was taking away the cycle of Naveen towards the
back side of the quarter.

At about 12 noon Pratibha (PW 3) returned home from the school and
found that her sister was not there. She, therefore, enquired with the accused
D who told her that she had gone on cycle along with her friend. At about
12.30 p.m. Molai (A 2) told Pratibha (PW 3) that some snacks were ke:pt for
her and she may eat the same. At about l p.m. Molai (A 2) left the house.
Somvanshi (PW 6) returned to his house from his duty at 1.30 p.m. and
found that Naveen was not there. He enquired from Pratibha (PW 3), who
E told him that the accused persons had told her that Naveen had gone with
her friend on a cycle. Somvanshi (PW 6) at about 3 p.m. went to his office
and returned at 6 p.m. Somvanshi (PW 6) again enquired as to whether
Naveen had come back but Pratibha (PW 3) told him that she had not returned
so far. At that time both the accused had come back to do the work and they
also told Mr. Somvanshi (PW 6) that Naveen had gone on a cycle along with
F her friend. This caused a great anxiety to Somvanshi (PW 6), who then started
searching Naveen. He also enquired with Naveen's friends but they told that
she had not come to their house. In the evening both the accused returned
to their respective barracks.
•
On 21.2.96 when Somvanshi went to the cattle shed, which is outside
G
the quarter and near the septic tank, he noticed that the cover of the said tank
was displaced and a blue colour frock of Naveen was floating in the said
tank. He, therefore, went to the police station and lodged a report Exh. P-
l. Police party then arrived at the spot and after removing the cover of the
septic tank the dead body of Naveen was taken out. After making the inquest
H panchnama, the body was sent to the hospital for post mortem examiination.
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.] 109
:>
During the investigation they suspected Santosh (A 1) and Molai (A 2) A
might be the offenders and, therefore, they were taken into custody on
21.2. 96. During the investigation Santosh (A 1) made a statement under
Section 27 of the Evidence Act which led to the recovery of a cycle from
the septic tank. One Toulia of white khadi, one handkerchierf, cotton
underwear of khadi, and a piece of khadi cloth (white) were also recovered
which were concealed in the Parchhi (where the cow fodder was stored). B
Molai (A 2) also made a disclosure statement under Section 27 of the
Evidence Act, which led to the recovery of piece of Pajji, one bed-sheet and
a Pajji, which were concealed in the fodder in the Parchhi. A knife, which
was concealed in the heep of cow dung cakes was also recovered. Santosh
(A 1), who had some injuries on his person, was sent for medical examination C
and was accordingly examined. The incriminating articles recovered at the
instance of both the accused were sent to F.S.L. Sagar for examination. After
receipt of the report and on completion of the investigation a charge sheet
came to be filed against both the accused for offences punishable under
Section 376, 302/34 and 20 I of the Indian Penal Code. The criminal case
was then committed to the Sessions Court for trial. D

The Additional Ses~ions Judge framed the charges against appellants
for the offences mentioned hereinabove. Both the appellants (accused)
pleaded not guilty to the aforesaid charges and pleaded that they are innocent
and were falsely implicated. Molai (A 2) pleaded that on 20.2.96 he was E
posted at cloth godown, which was under the supervision of Somvanshi (PW
6) and was working there from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. and after closing the
godown he went to the court as he was to appear before Shri Srivastava
Magistrate, and after attending the court he left for his village at 12.30 p.m.
He also produced certified copy of the Roznama dated 20.2.1996 (Ex. D-9).
Thus both the accused prayed that they be acquitted. F

The prosecution case soly rested on circumstantial evidence and in
order to bring home the guilt of both the appellants (accused) the prosecution
at the trial relied upon the following circumstances :-

(1) On 20.2.1996 Molai (A 2) was working in the house of Somvanshi G
(PW 6) when Ku. Naveen was alone inside the house. Santosh
(A 1) was working in the garden around the quarter of Somvanshi
(PW 6). They came at about 9 a.m.
(2) Shrieks were heard at about IO a.m. by Ruchi Mishra (PW!),
Shobha Mishra, PW 2 and Shailender (PW 4). H
..
110 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A (3) Both accused falsely told to Ku. Ruchi Mishra (PW I) and . ,.
Shailender Singh (PW 4) at about 11 a.m. that Ku. Naveen had
. gone with her friend on cycle.

(4) At about 11.30 a.m. Santosh (A I) was seen by Ruchi Mishra
(PW 1) taking cycle of Naveen towards the back side of her
B house. Both the accuse~ thus made a false statement as regards .
whereabouts of Ku. Naveen and her cycle to these two witnesses.
(5) At about 12 noon when Pratibha (PW 3) returned from her
school, both the accused falsely told her that Naveen had gone
.on cycle with her friend
c (6) Both the accused had an opportunity to commit the offences.
(7) Santosh (Al) was having nail injuries on his person.

(8) . Medical evidence on record has proved that Ku. Naveen was
raped and thereafter she was strangulated and stabbed.

D (9) Recovery of certain incrimination articles pursuant to the
disclosure statement recorded under Section 27 of the Evidence
Act of A-1 and A-2. Some of these articles were identified to
· be of Naveen which had blood and semen stains.
(IO) The plea of alibi taken by both the accused was found to be
false.
E
The circumstances mentioned at SI. Nos. I to 4 could be taken together
since the witnesses in this behalf are common. As regards the first circumstance
Mr. Somvanshi (PW 6), who was the Assistant Jailor has stated that he had
asked Molai (A 2)° to go to his quarter and do the work in his house. He stated
F that Santosh (Al) was also doing the work in the garden when he left. He
refers to the practice followed in that jail where the prisoners were sent to
do such work in the garden around the quarters. This evidence also gets
corroboration from the defence witness Ramraj Saundhia (DW I), who was
working as a Head Constable at the Central Jail Reeva. He stated that Molai
(A 2) was working as a guard and he had taken 5 prisoners, one of them being
G Santosh (i\ I) to work in garden No. 5-6. Ruchi Mishra (PW I), Shobha
Mishra (PW 2) and Shailender (PW 4) in their evidence have also stated that
Molai (A 2) was working in the house whereas Santosh (A I) was working
in the garden. Thus the presence of both accused at the relevant time stands
established.

H The three other circumstances, namely, hearing of shriek at about 10
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.) 111

a.m., both the accused falsely telling Ruchi (PW I) and Shailender (PW 4) A
that Naveen had gone with her friend on cycle and the same falsehood was
repeated to Pratibha (PW 3) when she came from her school at about 12
noon .. Ruchi Mishra (PW I) in her evidence has stated that when she was
sitting in the verandah she heard shrieks coming from the house of Somvanshi
(PW 6). Shobha Mishra (PW 2) is the mother of Ruchi Mishra (PW 1) who B
was then working in .the kitchen also heard shrieks. Both of them went
towards the house of Somvanshi (PW 6) but they did not notice anything
unusual and therefore, they came back to their quarter. They also heard the
barking of a dog. Shailender (PW 4), who was playing cricket with his
friends in front of his quarter also heard shrieks and when he came near the
quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) he did not see anybody around the quarter of C
Somvanshi (PW 6) and, therefore, he came back and started playing the
cricket. All these three witnesses were cross-examined on behalf of defence
but there is nothing in the evidence to discredit them on any score. Minor
omissions, namely, that Ruchi (PW 1) and Shobha Mishra (PW 2) did not
state before the police that after hearing the shrieks they came out of their
quarter. The courts below have attached no importance to this omission and D
in our opinion rightly because both these witnesses as wen as Shailender
Singh (PW 4) have consistently stated that they heard shrieks coming from
the house of Somvnshi (PW 6) at about 10 a.m.

Ruchi (PW I) and Shobha (PW 2) have asserted that when they went E
near the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) they did not see either of the accused
and the door of the quarter was closed. The evidence of Shailender (PW 4)
also corroborates the evidence of Ruchi Mishra (PW I) and Shobha Mishra
(PW 2) in this behalf. He has stated that when he was playing a cricket he
heard the shrieks at about IO a.m. and after some time when he went to
search his ball near· the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) both the accused were F
not seen in the compound and the door was closed. It was suggested to
Shailender Singh (PW 4) that he was not playing the cricket at the relevant
time and he was responsible for the present crime. He denied the said
suggestion. There is nothing in the evidence of Shailender Singh (PW 4)
which would persuade us to disbelieve his evidence. Thus the evidence of G
all these three witnesses unerringly establishes that about 10 a.m. shrieks
were heard by them. Santosh (A I) was not in the garden, Molai (A2) was
working in the house and the door of the quarter was clpsed.

In continuation of the above chain of circumstances Ruchi Mishra (PW
I) and Shailender Singh (PW 4) have stated that when they asked A-I and H
112 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A A-2 about Naveen they told them falsely that Naveen had gone with her •'(
friend on cycle. Evidence ofRuchi Mishra (PW 1) is quite clear and emphatic
that when she had gone to the'house of Naveen to return her cassette, both
the accused falsely told her that Naveen had gone along with her friend on
cycle. Thus the first three circumstances were rightly held proved by the
B courts below.

At about 11.30 a.m. Ruchi Mishra (PW I) saw Santosh (A I) taking the
cycle of Naveen towards the back side of her house. This has significance
because both the accused had told Ruchi Mishra (PW !), at about 111 a.m.
that Naveen had gone along with her friend on cycle. The evidence of Ruchi
C Mishra (PW I) clearly proves that both the accused gave false information
in this behalf. This clearly shows that Naveen had not gone with her friend
on cycle but it was very much there.

The next circumstance that when Pratiblia (PW 3) returned to her house
from her school at about 12 noon she asked the whereabouts of Naveen to
D accused persons. Thereupon both of them had told her that she had gone
along with her friend on cycle. Molai (A 2) told her that Naveen had kept
some snacks and she may take the same.

The above set of circumstances thus clearly indicates that Naveen was
alone in the house when Molai (A 2) was working in the house at about 9
E a.m. and thereafter Santosh (A 1) had come to work in the garden. They were
together till 12 noon and during this period A-1 and A-2 had an opportunity
to commit the present crime.

Both the accused did not dispute that Naveen had met with a homicidal
F death. The medical evidence in the present case assumes a great importance
because it supports the prosecution case as regards the rape, strangulation
and thereafter causing a stab injury on the person ofNaveen. Dr. B.K. Sharma
(PW 10), who was attached to Forensic Medicine Department, Medical
College, Reeva, in his evidence has stated that dead body of Ku. Navee:n was
brought to the Medical College Hospital on 21.2.96 at about 12.45 p.m. He
G along with Dr. D.S. Kapoor and Dr. Neeta Mishra, performed the autopsy on
the dead body and found the following injuries :

(i) "A bruise with abrasion on the right maxillary and cheek area
crescent shape looking to be from deep kissing with intermittent
marks of teeth size 2 cm. X 2 cm. I have shown its picture in
H post-mortem report.
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.) 113

(ii) Abrasion of right mandibular region 4 cm. right to the medial A
line sized Y. cm. xY. cm.
(fu) Abrasion with bruise present just below the left lower eye lid in

.. lateral aspect 1 cm. x Y. cm .
(iv) Stab wound present JO cm. below the xiphoid process, on the
upper portion on stomach upto the depth of stomach a cut B
wound 18 cm. in length on the wall of the stomach. The intestines
had been cut. Peritonium had been cut Undigested food was
coming out from the wound.
(v) A brown colour piece of underwear was tightly tied on the neck
over the thyroid cartiledge. This cloth was horizontal and two c
ordinary knots were tied in it which in the front of the neck. One
part of the cloth was elastic and main cloth was synthetic. This
... cloth had been taken out and preserved ......
,,

All these injuries were ante-mortem.
D
Dr. Sharma noticed the following injuries on the private part of.
Ku. Naveen:

"There were bruise marks on libia majora and libia minora. The
hymen was found tom at 6 to 4 and there was bleeding from the
vagina with some blood mixed matter on the vagina of which slides E
were prepared. Advise was given for its examination so that it could
be known whether sperms were present or not."

Dr. Sharma then noted that as vaginal discharge was coming from her
vagina, he prepared a slide of this discharge and forwarded it to the chemical F
analyser for his opinion and report. The report of the chemical analyser is
at Ex. P-29, wherein it is stated that blood with semen and human sperms
were found on the slide.

Dr. Sharma opined that rape on Naveen must have been committed first
and thereafter she was strangulated followed by a stab injury. All these G
injuries were ante-mortem. The cause of death was failure of cardiac and
blood circulation as a result of strangulation. Dr. Sharma opined that death
must have occurred within 18-36 hours before the post-mortem. Thus the
medical evidence on record clearly establishes that Ku. Naveen was subjected
to rape and thereafter she was strangulated as ligature marks were present
around her neck and then followed by an assault by sharp edged weapon. H
114 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A Thl!s the prosecution has proved that before committing the murder of Ku.
Naveen she was subjected to rape, strangulation and then injury by sharp
edged weapon. We accordingly confirm the finding in this behalf recorded by
the courts below.

The next circumstances relied upon by the prosecution relates to the ..
B nail injuries on the person ofSantosh (A 1). Dr. R.P. Shrivastava, (PW 8) who
was attached to Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Reeva, examined Santosh (A l)
on 21.2.96 and recorded the following injuries :

"Small scratch injuries in right and left side of neck, which were 1 cm.
x 5 cm. and above the mastoid bone behind the right ear and left ear
c and three scratch injuries were present on his right forearm towards
front side."

Dr. Srivastava described them as nail injuries and stated that thi:y
might have been caused within 36 hours of examination. He further examined
..
D Santosh Kumar (A 1), who was found to be capable of sexual intercourse.
There is nothing in the evidence to discard his evidence. The explanation
·given by the accused is that he was subjected to ill treatment by the
investigating officer causing injuries to him. Courts below have rightly
discarded this explanation. The only legitimate inference in this behalf is that
Ku. Naveen must have resisted sexual assault and in that process the accused
E had sustained nail injuries. We may also add here that Dr. B.K. Sharma, who
performed that autopsy on the dead body had also noticed an injury on the
cheek of Naveen and according to him having regard to the size and shape
of the said injury it could have been caused when the assailant tried to have
a deep kiss.
F We may now take up a very importance circumstance which relates to
the recovery of various incriminating articles - some of which were the clothes
of Naveen. During the course of investigation Santosh (A I) on 21.2.96 at
about 2.30 p.m. made a disclosure statement under Section 27 of the Evidence
Act. Memorandum is at Exh. 6. He disclosed that he had hidden the clothes
G in the Parchhi (cow shed). He further stated that he would produce Naveen's
cycle which he had thrown into septic tank .
• ...
Molai (A 2) was separately interrogated and he made a disclosure
statement under Section 27 of the Evidence Act stating that he had concealed ·
a knife in the heep of cow dung cakes. He then stated he had concealed a
H piece of underwear, one bed sheet and one Pajji in the fodder room near the
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.] 115

septic tank and he would produce the same. The memorandum is at Ex. P-7. A,
Both these memorandums were drawn in the presence of two witnesses,
Mirza Safdar Beg and Shyamji Singh (PW 7). Both the accused then led the
panch witnesses and the investigating team separately to the respective
places and produced these various incriminating articles. Santosh Kumar (A

.. l) produced the following items, which came to be seized vide panchnamas B
Ex. P-8 and P-9. The items mentioned therein are :

(i) one white khadi cloth stained with blood at two places;

(ii) one handkershief and an underwear, which were having blood
and s_emen stains; and c
(iii) one white khadi cloth.

-· Santosh (A 1) then took the panch witnesses and the investigating
officer to the septic tank from where a cycle belonging to Naveen was
recovered.
D
Molai (A 2) then took the panch witnesses and the investigating officer
towards the heep of the cow dung cakes near the septic tank from where he
took out a knife which was stained with blood. Molai (A 2) then produced
an underwear, a bed sheet and one pajji, which were concealed in The fodder
room near the septic tank. All these items were seized under the Panchnama E
(Ex. P-10 & P-11).

In order to prove this recovery at the instance of A I and A2, the
prosecution examined Shyamji Singh s/o Rajbhan Singh, (PW 7). In his
evidence he has given all minute details as to how the disclosure statements
came to be recorded under Section 27 of the Evidence Act and how all these F
incriminating articles were recovered at the instance of A I and A2. This
witness has been searchingly cross-examined by the learned advocates
appe~ing for the respective accused but we do not find any material on
record which would discredit his evidence. The evidence of Shyamji Singh
(PW 7) was accepted by the trial court as well as by the High Court and Mr. G
Shukla, the learned senior counsel appearing for the accused could not
persuade us to reject his evidence. Thus the prosecution has established the
recovery of .various incriminating articles of which some belonged to Naveen.
All these articles were sent to F.S.L. Sagar for its report. The F.S.L's report
is Ex. P-30. The findings of the F.S.L. are that the under-garments ofNaveen
had blood stains as well as semen stains. The under-garments and other H
116 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (1999] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A articles which do not belong to Naveen also contained blood and semen
stains except cycle. As far as the knife recovered at the instance of Molai
(A-2), it did have the human blood but the blood group could not be
determined. These incriminating articles connect the accused with the crime
in question. Mr. Shukla, the learned senior counsel, however, urged that it
B would be unsafe to connect the said knife with the crime in question and
attribute the use of the same by the accused persons in the absence of
determination of the blood group. This argument does not appeal to us
because the FLS' s report has clearly certified that the blood found on the
knife was human origin. This question fell for consideration in State of
Rajasthan v. Teja Ram and Ors., [1999] 3 SCC 507, and this Court held that
C it would be an incriminating circumstance if blood on the weapon was found
to be of human origin. Mr. Shukla while assailing the findings as regards the
recovery of various incriminating articles urged that the prosecution ought
to have examined other panch witnesses to corroborate the evidence of
Shyamji Singh (PW 7). No such contention was raised in the courts below
and we do not think it proper to entertain at this late stage. In addition to
D this, it is not necessary to examine both the panch witnesses. If the accused
wanted the other panch witness for cross examination, certainly he could
have taken proper recourse during the trial. The trial court as well as the High
Court accepted the evidence of Shyamji Singh (PW 7), who has proved
'
recovery of articles pursuant to the disclosure statements (Ex. P-6 and P-7)
E and the recovery thereof vide Exs. P-8, P-9, P-10 and P-11. The prosecution
in our opinion has successfully proved this circumstance beyond every
reasonable doubt.

Coming to the next circumstance that both the accused had an
opportunity to commit the offence need not detain us any longer. The
F evidence of Ruchi Mishra (PW I), Shobha Mishra (PW 2) and Shailender
(PW 4) unmistakably point out that A-1 was working in the garden where
as A-2 was working in the house of Somvanshi (PW 6) at about 9 or IO A.M.
when Naveen alone was inside the house. When these witnesses heard the
shriek they went near the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) but they could not
G see either of the accused in the garden and the door was closed. Thus Santosh
(A I) and Molai (A2) had full opportunity to commit the crime in question.
It cannot be disputed that Molai (A2) was a Guard working at the quarter
of Somvanshi' (PW 6), who had reposed full confidence in him as regards
..
safety and security of Naveen. Santosh Kumar (A I) was working in the
garden as he was then undergoing a sentence for the offence of rape. Mr.
H Shukla, learned senior counsel, however, informed us that the High Court has
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH (S.P. KURDUKAR, J.] 117
acquitted A-I of the said charge. Both the accused in our opinion have totally A
misused the confidence reposed by Somvanshi (PW 6) and behaved in a most
shameful, barbaric and a brutal manner by committing rape and murder of

- Naveen. This circumstance is also proved by the prosecution beyond any
pale of doubt.

The next circumstances relied upon by the prosecution is ~e injuries
on Santosh Kumar (A I). Dr. R.P. Srivastava (PW 8) examined Santosh Kumar
B
(A I) on 21.2.1996 and he found small scratch/injuries on his right and left
side of the neck and above the mastoid bone behind the right ear and left
ear and three scratch injuries on his right forearm towards front side. According
to him, these injuries could be caused with nails and they were within 36 C
hours of examination. The explanation given by Santosh Kumar (A I) in his
statement recorded u/s 313 Cr. P.C. is that because of scratching by himself
he got these injuries. This explanation is untenable. The only legal inference
that must follow from these injuries is that Naveen must have resisted sexual
assault and in that process A I had received these injuries. However, it needs
to be noted at this stage that no injuries were found on the person of Molai D
(A 2). The c;ourts below, in our opinion, were right in drawing a legitimate
conclusion that Naveen must have resisted the sexual assault committed by
accused persons and in that process A-I had sustained these injuries. This
circumstance clearly shows the complicity of A-1 in the present crime.
E
The next circumstance, namely, the false explanation given by A-I and
A-2 when Ruchi Mishra (PW I) went to return the cassette to Naveen at her
quarter, they told her that Naveen had gone along with her1Tiend on a cycle.
The same false information was also given to Pratibha (PW 3), the sister of
Naveen, when she returned from the school at about 12 noon. This false
explanation itself is a circumstances which can be used against A-1 and A- F
2. The courts below have rightly taken this circumstance as proved against
both the accused.

The next circumstance which has also got a bearing on the complicity
of accused person is when Ruchi Mishra (PW I) saw Santosh Kumar (A I) G
taking cycle of Naveen at about 11.30 a.m. towards the back side of her
house. It is therefore clear that the information given by A-I and A-2 that
Naveen had gone along with her friend on a cycle was false and misleading
to cover-up the crime.

Coming to the last circumstances, namely, the plea of alibi taken by both H
118 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [1999] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A the accused. Molai (A 2) has produced a certified copy of the proceeding
sheet in Crl. Case No. 764/92, from the court of Shri S.K. Srivastava, Ist Class
Magistrate, Reeva. Relying upon this document, Mr. Shukla, learned senior
counsel urged that this document clearly indicates that on 20th of Fc:bruary,

B
1996 (the date of incident) Molai (A 2) had gone and attended the court and
if this be so his complicity in the present crime is totally ruled out and at any
...
rate A2 is entitled for benefit of doubt. We see no substance in this contention
because the other evidence on record has positively established that Molai
(A 2) was working in the house of Somvanshi (PW 6) and he was there till
Pratibha (PW 3) came from the school at about 12 noon. The incident in
question had occurred between l 0 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. The proceeding sheet,
C Ex. D-9 produced on record does not even remotely suggest at what point
of time Molai (A 2) had gone to the Magistrate's court. This document in our
opinion does not help Molai (A 2) to show even primafacie his absence from
the place of occurrence. The defence witness examined on behalf of the
accused also does not take the defence case any further.

D Thus after taking into account the oral and documentary evidence on
record, we are satisfied that the court below have committed no <error in
convicting both the accused for offences punishable under Sections 302, 376
and 20 I read with 34 I.P.C.

Coming to the question of sentence, Mr. Shukla, the learned senior
E counsel urged that the courts 1:-elow have committed an error while awarding
death sentence to both the accused. He urged that the prosecution hais failed '
to establish that the present case is one of the rarest of rare cases and
therefore the capital punishment was uncalled for. He then contended that
the courts below have failed to consider the various decisions of this Court
F on the question of capital sentence in proper perspective and resultantly
committed a serious error while awarding the death sentence.
Learned counsel for the State of Madhya Pradesh, however, urged that
Molai, A-2 was posted as a Guard at the quarter of Somvanshi (PW 6) and
was supposed to protect the person and property. He has totally committed
G the breach of confidence which was reposed in him by Somvanshi (PW 6).
Santosh Kumar (A-1) was then serving a sentence for the offence of rape. He
was working in the garden. Both the accused took the undue advantage of
the situation knowingly full well that Naveen was alone in the house and
her father Somvanshi (PW 6) would not return before the lunch break as also
Pratibha (PW 3), sister, would not come before l l.30 a.m. Both the accused
H had every opportunity to commit the crime in question and they had done
MOLAi v. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH [S.P. KURDUKAR, J.] 119

a most brutal, heinous and shameful act by committing rape on Naveen, then A
strangulated and thereafter caused stab injuries and threw her body into the
septic tank with the cycle with an intention to cause disappearance of evidence.
Counsel further urged that the courts below have very carefully scrutinised
the material on record and after following the decisions of this Court, which
were also discussed threadbare in their judgments; awarded capital punishment B
to both the accused. It is a case where no leniency in the matter of sentence
be shown inasmuch as neither of the accused had brought on record any
mitigating circumstances which would justify reduction in the sentence.

We have very carefully considered the contentions raised on behalf of
the parties. We have also gone through various decisions of this Court relied C
upon by the parties in the courts below as well as before us and in our
opinion the present case squarely falls in the category of one of the rarest
of rare cases, and if this be so, the courts below have committed no error in
awarding capital punishment to each of the accused. It cannot be overlooked
that Naveen, a 16 year old girl, was preparing for her I 0th examination at her
house and· suddenly both the accused took advantage of she being alone in D
the house and committed a most shameful act of rape. The accused did not
stop there but they strangulated her by using her under-garment and thereafter
took her to the septic tank alongwith the cycle and caused injuries with a
sharp edged weapon. The accused did not even stop there but they exhibited
the criminality in their conduct by throwing the dead body into the septic tank E
totally disregarding the respect for a human dead body. Learned counsel for
the accused (appellants) could not point any mitigating circumstances from
the record of the case to justify the reduction of sentence of either of the
accused. In a case of this nature, in our considered view, the capital punishment
to both the accused is the only proper punishment and we see no reason to
take a different view than the one taken by the courts below. F
In the result Criminal Appeal No. 678 of 1999 is dismissed. The conviction
of the appellants on all counts as well as the death sentence awarded by the
courts below are upheld.

v.s.s. Appeal dismissed. G