Supreme Court of India
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESHversusSTATE OF AP.
- Citation
- 2009 INSC 944
- Decided
- 23 July 2009
- Disposal
- Dismissed
- Bench
- S B SINHA
Holding
The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of Accused No.1 on the basis of the totality of forensic and eyewitness evidence, and affirmed the acquittal of Accused No.2 due to insufficient proof of his involvement.
Summary
The case concerns the murder of MP Magunta Subbarama Reddy, his gunman, and injuries to two witnesses. Accused No.1, Pantangi Balarama Venkata Ganesh, a member of the Peoples War Group, was arrested on the day of the incident with a pistol, cartridges and a pink shirt bearing his blood. Eye‑witnesses, DNA profiling linking the blood on the shirt to the accused, and ballistic analysis matching the recovered pistol to the bullets fired were admitted as proof of his participation, leading to his conviction under multiple IPC sections and the Arms Act. Accused No.2 was alleged to have driven the getaway car, but the prosecution’s evidence (no identification parade, delayed arrest, and unreliable witness testimony) was deemed insufficient, and his acquittal was upheld. The Supreme Court held that the cumulative forensic and circumstantial evidence satisfied the burden of proof against No.1, while the evidence against No.2 did not, and dismissed both appeals.
Issues considered
- The adequacy of forensic (DNA and ballistic) evidence to sustain conviction under IPC sections 302, 120B, 449, 307, 149, 147, 148, 506, 397 and Arms Act 25(1‑A) for Accused No.1.
- Whether the prosecution proved the identity and participation of Accused No.2 beyond reasonable doubt.
- The admissibility and weight of DNA evidence described as ‘similar’ rather than ‘identical’.
- The necessity of an identification parade in the absence of other corroborative evidence.
Legislation cited
- Arms Acts. 25(1-A)
- Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 161
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 45
- Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 120B, s. 147, s. 148, s. 149, s. 302, s. 307, s. 397, s. 449, s. 506
Subjects
murderconspiracyDNA profilingballistic evidenceidentification paradeforensic evidenceArms ActIPC sectionspolitical assassinationPeoples War Group
Judgment
[2009] 11 S.C.R. 636
r
A PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH
v.
..." •
STATE OF AP.
(Criminal Appeal No. 174 of 2004)
JULY 23, 2009
8
[S.B. SINHA AND CYRIAC JOSEPH, JJ.]
Penal Code, 1860 - ss. 302, 1208, 449, 307, 149, 147,
c
148, 506, 397 - Fatal injuries to an MP, his gunmen and
injuries to two prosecution witnesses by armed accused -
••
Conviction of accused no. 1 u/ss. 302, 1208, 449, 3071149,
147, 148, 506, 397 ands. 25(1-A) of Arms Act and accused
no 2 ulss. 302, 1208, 3021149, 3071149, 397, 506, 147 and
s. 25(1-A) of Arms Act and sentenced accordingly - High
D Court upholding conviction of accused no 1 but setting aside
that of accused no 2 - On appeal-held: Presence of accused ·
no 1 as also his participation admitted - Identification of
accused with reference to pink colour shirt proved - He was
arrested immediately after the occurrence in an injured
E condition - Pistol and two cartridges recovered from him -
Evidence of DNA expert and ballistic expert sufficient to prove
his participation in the commission of the offence - As regard
accused no. 2 prosecution case suffers from infirmity - Thus,
order of High Court upheld.
F According to the prosecution case, accused persons 1o
armed with weapons caused fatal injuries to a member
of Parliament and his gunmen and injures to prosecution
witness 1 and 2. At the time of incident PW 1 to 3 and 13
were present. The gunmen allegedly fired shot and
G appellant sustained bullet injuries. Accused escaped in
a car bearing no. AAK-7041. A 1 was identified as a
person wearing pink shirt A 1 was arrested on the same 1-..,
day with a gunshot injury and was sent to the hospital.
Fifteen days later, A-2 was also arrested. FIR was lodged.
H 636
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 637
STATE OF A.P.
Bullets, cartridges of various caliber, blood etc. was A
recovered from the place of occurrence and were sent for
scientific examination. DNA test was conducted. Pink
shirt was recovered from the abandoned car. The blood
stains on the shirt was found matching with the blood
group of accused. Prosecution witnesses were B
examined. Trial court convicted A1 u/ss.302, 1208, 449,
.307/149, 147, 148, 506, 397 IPC ands. 25(1-A) of Arms Act
and A 2 u/ss. 302, 1208, 302/149, 307/149, 397, 506, 147
IPC and s. 25(1-A) of Arms Act and sentenced them
accordingly. High Court upheld the conviction of c
accused no. 1, however, acquitted accused no 2. Hence
the present appeals.
Dismissing the appeals, the Court
HELD: 1.1. There are four eye witnesses to the D
incident-PWs. 1, 2, 3 and 13. PW-1 stated about the travels
undertaken by the deceased. He categorically stated that
when they were just coming out from the bed room of MP,
he and the deceased saw 4-5 persons of the age of 25
years; one of them had fired at him and others. He could E
not identify the person fired at him but had stated that the
person who had fired at the MP was wearing pink
coloured shirt. He could not identify the pink c_oloured
shirt worn by one of the assailants. It is true that he did
not make any statement that pink coloured shirt was F
worn by the appellant in the FIR as also in his statement
recorded u/s.161 Cr.P.C., but the same is not of much
significance. FIR was lodged immediately after the
occurrence took place. PW 1 was grievously injured. At
that point of time it was not expected of him that he would G
be in a position to make a statement containing minutest
details. PW-2 was also examined on the same day. He
also received -injury and was taken to the Hospital. He
· was admittedly operated upon and a bullet was removed
H
638 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
.
"
A from his body. In the said situation it was not expected ~
....
of him that he would make a statement before the police
that accused no.1, who had fired at him, was wearing a
pink coloured shirt. He made such a statement before the
C.8.1. Officers. PW-3 was declared hostile as he went back
B from his earlier statement made before the Investigating
Officer. No reliance can be placed on his evidence. PW-
13 was also an eye witness. Although he could not
identify the accused, he categorically stated that the ,
assailant was wearing pink coloured shirt, marked as MO )
c 10. [Paras 15 to 30] [652-C-H; 653-A-F]
1.2. As regard the commission of snatching of the
car, PW 10-Police Constable was examined. He was a
witness to the attempt on the part of the assailants to
stop the Maruti car and being unsuccessful, stopped
D Ambassador Car. According to him, the driver of the said
car was threatened by showing revolver by one of the A,
miscreants. The passengers of the car as also the driver
left the car at that place. They carried an injured person
with them in car bearing No. AEE 2999 which was being
E driven by accused no.2. According to him, however,
accused no.2 was arrested on the same date but as it
,
appears from the record he was arrested after 15 days.
PW-11 was the owner of taxi which was snatched. He
also lodged FIR. He, however, could not identify the
F persons who snatched his car. PW-9 although was the f
-
landlady of the appellant, deposed that he and his friends
used to come by car and go back, the number whereof
was AAK 7041. It was a white Ambassador car. She saw
the driver of the vehicle. The vehicle was parked in front
G of the house. She identified accused no.2 as the driver
thereof. But in her cross-examination she could not
establish their identities. [Paras 31, 32 and 33] (653-F-H;
654-A-D] - ....
1.3. It is not in dispute that accused no.1 was a
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 639
STATE OF A.P.
>
member of Peoples War Group. His presence at the time A
of incident is also not in dispute. His statemE>nt before the
Magistrate which was treated to be a dying declaration
has not been disputed. The prosecution witnesses,
although were not declared hostile, except PW-3, it is
evident that for obvious reasons, before the Court, they B
did not intend to support the prosecution case fully.
... However, in a case of this nature the courts below, have
-j correctly considered the broad aspects of the matter. If
accused no.1 went to the deceased MP for recomme-
ndation of opening of a PG Centre, he should have c
proved the same. PW-58-lnvestigating Officer stated that
he visited the premises in question alongwith the
scientific experts from CFSL, New Delhi. He also proved
the collection of blood samples from the floor of the guest
room as well as floor of the bath room. Some fi_ngerprints
D
~J were also obtained. Another blood stained sample was
also recovered on the piece of 'dhoti' which was found
lying inside the car AAK 7041. He also took the specimen
handwriting of the accused with the assistance of Jail
doctor and Superintendent. He sent the same for
examination. He had recorded the statement of accused E
no.1. He was not cross-examined. Therefore, his evidence
stood admitted. [Paras 36 and 37) [655-A-E; 656-A]
-1 1.4. PW 46 conducted the ONA test. It stands
established that the blood samples of the shirt tallied with F
that of the appellant. PW 49 is a ballistic expert. The bullet
which was recovered from the person of PW 2 and the
features of. the weapon and the live cartridges seized from
the appellant were same, categorically goes to show that
the shots were fired from the pistol. [Paras 38 and 39) G
.,- :I- [656-B-D]
1.5. The medical evidence need not be referred as
has been brought on record by the prosecution through
PW-15 and PW-16-doctors who held the postmortem
H
640 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
A examinations which led to corroboration of the ocular
evidence to a great extent. The pistol recovered from the
appellant indisputably was not a licensed one. If the
appellant came to meet the deceased MP for
recommendation for opening of a PG Centre, it was not
B necessary for him to come with an unlicensed pistol.
Although the identity of A 2 could not be proved as being
the driver of car bearing No. AAK-7041, the fact that the
said car was used in the crime, cannot be doubted having
regard to the evidence of PW-10 and PW-11. [Paras 42
c and 43] [657-A-D]
1.6. Appellant's participation in the crime with
reference to the pink coloured shirt worn by him and his
arrest immediately after the occurrence in an injured
condition; recovery from him of the pistol and the two
D cartridges and the evidence of DNA Expert and the
Ballistic Expert, must be held to be sufficient to prove his
participation in the commission of the offence of murder
of the deceased, and his gunman, and causing injuries
to PW-1 and PW-3. [Para 45] [657-F-G]
E
1.7. There cannot be any doubt whatsoever that
there is a need of quality control. Precautions are required
to be taken to ensure preparation of high-molecular-
weight DNA complete digestion of the samples with
F appropriate enzymes, and perfect transfer and
hybridization of the blot to obtain distinct bands with
appropriate control. In the instant case, it cannot be said
' that the report of DNA should not be relied upon. There
is nothing to show that such precautions were not taken.
G The evidence of the experts is admissible in evidence in
terms of s. 45 of the Evidence Act, 1872. [Paras 46 and
47] [658-C-E]
Article of Lalji Singh, Centre for Cellular and Molecular
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 641
STATE OF A.P.
/
Biology, Hyderabad in DNA Profiling and its applications, A
referred to.
1.8. The experts used the term 'similar' and not
'identical'. The evidence of DNA Experts has not been
taken into consideration alone for the purpose of 8
recording a judgment of conviction. It has been
considered alongwith the other evidence. The
"~ prosecution case has been considered as a whole.
Cumulative effect of the evidences adduced before the
trial judge have been taken into consideration for the C
purpose of arriving at a finding of guilt against the
appellant. [Para 49] [659-A-B]
1.9. No identification parade was held but then the
fact remains that the appellant remained in the hospital
from 1.12.1995 till 13.12.995. Holding of identification D
parade, therefore, would not have served any purpose.
[Para 48) [658-G-H]
1.10. Regarding accused no.2, High Court, although
should have dealt with the matter at some more details, E
but keeping in view the fact that it recorded a judgment
of acquittal, it is difficult to opine that another view is not
-possible. He was arrested 15 days after the occurrence
from a railway platform. The fact that he was the driver
of the car was sought to be proved by PW-10 and 11. PW- F
10, however, stated that he was arrested on the same day
which was not a fact. PW-11 also could not testify the
identity of accused no.2. No identification parade was
held, which could have been held, unlike the case of
accused No.1. He was not in the hospital or at some other
place. No recovery has been made from him. The G
evidence of PW-9 is shaky as she stated that she had not
seen the tenants, whom the accused no.2 used to visit
by coming in an Ambassador car. [Para 50] [659-C-F]
H
642 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
A Vikramjit Singh v. State of Pµnjab (2006) 12 SCC 306,
referred to.
Case Law Reference:
(2006) 12 sec 301> Referred to. Para 44
B
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal
No. 174 of 2004.
From the Judgment & Order dated 31.3.2003 of the High
Court of Judicature Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in Criminal
C Appeal No. 1672 of 2000.
WITH
Crl. A No. 173 of 2004.
D A Sharan, ASG, Rajendra Sachchar, A. Dasharatha,
Naveen R. Nath, Lalit Mohini Bhat, Hetu Arora, P.K. Dey, Amit
Anand Tiwari, B.K. Prasad, P. Parmeswaran, Pramod Swarup
for the appearing parties.
E The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
S.B. SINHA, J. 1. Magunta Subbarama Reddy (for short
Subbarama Reddy) was a Member of Parliament from Ongole
Constituency in the State of Andhra Pradesh. He had a gun
man, named Ch. Venkataratnam. Subbarama Reddy was a
F Philanthropist. He established 24 Colleges in the Prakasam
and Nellore Districts of Andhra Pradesh. He otherwise donated
a huge amount to a number of institutions. He was a resident
of Bhagyanagar in the town on Ongole.
G 2. Subbarama Reddy reached Ongole on 1st December,
1995. He went to a place known as Markapur on the same date ~ ....
to attend a function. He was to attend two more functions in the
afternoon in the town of Ongole. PWs. 2 and 3 came to invite
him to attend the functions to be held at Islam pet in the town of
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 643
STATE OF A.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
):
Ongole. While he was in his bed room, PWs. 1to3 went inside A
the bedroom and at the same time PW 13 also went inside the
room. Ch. Venkataratnam, gunman, was standing outside the
door. While all of them were coming out from the bedroom of
" Subbarama Reddy, PW 1 found four-five persons having
pistols standing there. Pantangi Balarama Venkata Ganesh, A- B
1 was said to be having a gun in his hand. The assailants fired
at Subbarama Reddy and his gunman. PWs. 1 and 2 are also
said to have sustained bullet injuries. A-1 was identified as a
"~
person wearing pink coloured shirt. The gunman allegedly fired
c
a shot. Pursuant thereto appellant sustained bullet injuries. They
escaped in a white Ambassador Car bearing registration No.
AAK-7041.
3. One J. Srinivasa Rao, an Armed Police Constable, per
chance, came near the place of occurrence and witnessed the
assailants escaping in an Ambassador Car. However. the D
-..} assailants made their escape good.
4. Accused No.1 was arrested on the same day from a
cashew garden with a bullet injury in his stomach. He was
arrested and sent to hospital for treatment. E
5. Subbarama Reddy died at 1600 hours while his gunman
Ch. Venkatarantam died at 1800 hours on the same date i.e.
1st December, 1995. Accused No.2 was, however, arrested on
k 15th December, 1995 from Uppugunduru railway station.
F
6. FIR was lod_ged by PW-1, Tatirparthi Subba Reddy, on
1st December, 1995 at about 1800 hours.
7. Initially eight persons were made accused. Two of them
are said to have died. Four having absconded could not be put G
on trial.
.... - -~
8. After the arrest of accused No.1 he made a declaration
which was treated to be a dying declaration: the correctness
whereof is not in question.
H
644 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
'
A 9. It is also not in dispute that a pistol with two live rounds ~
were recovered from accused No.1.' They were sent for
scientific examination. D.N.A. test was conducted.
Dr. G.V. Rao, who was examined as PW-46, submitted a
report, opining:-
B
"Result of examination :
The DNA profile of exhibits 1, 2, 3 & 11 were tallying with ~
each other and are from one and the same source. Exhibits
t
c 1, 2, 3 & 11 do not tally with the rest of the exhibits.
Exhibits 4, 5, 6, & 7 were tallying with each other and are
from and the same source. Exhibits 4, 5, 6 & 7 do not ally
with the rest of the exhibits.
D Exhibits 13, 14 & 15 are tallying with each other and are
from one and the same source. +-
Exhibits 16 & 17 are tallying with each other and are from
one and the same source."
E
10. A pink colour shirt was seized from the abandoned car.
Th·e blood stains on the shirt was found to be matching with the
blood group of accused No.1.
11. One Shri G. Raj Gopal Reddy, an Assistant Director
;.
F of State Forensic Science Lab carried out an investigation in
respect of the pistol and the cartridges seized, which were
marked as MO 16 and MO 17. He stated that catridge cases
item 6 (MO 18) and spent bullets of item 7 and 35 (MO 19 and
16) must have been fired from item 1 (MO 23).
G
12. Accused No.2 was said to be the owner of
Ambassador Car No. AAG-8300. He allegedly had changed
~-.
the number plate of the car to AAK - 7041 which was said to
have been used by the accused for the purpose of escape. PW-
9, N. Subbayamma; PW-10. Ch.Laxminarsimhan, PW-11,
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 645
STATE OF A.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
} Vada Srinivasa Rao and PW-58, V. Chellathurai were A
examined by the prosecution to show that accused No.2 not
only changed the number of the car ; he was driving the same.
However, as the said car had broken down, the accused tried
to hijack another car. They were, however, not successful in
doing so. A taxi bearing No. AEE-2999 driven by PW-11, Vada B
Srinivasa Rao, was stopped and the said taxi was used for
making good of their escape. PW-11, the driver of the taxi,
stated that at gun-point he was threatened to get down from
" 4 the car. The other persons, who were in.the car, also were asked
to get down. At gun point, the taxi, which belonged to him, was c
taken away.
13. Before'the learned trial Judge 58 prosecution
witnesses were examined; 117 documents were exhibited; 167
material objects were produced. Some documents were also
brought on record on behalf of the defence which were marked D
-+ as D-1 to D-6.
14. Both the accused were found to be guilty by the trial
Judge. Accused No.1 was sentenced to life imprisonment for
the offences under Sections 302, 120-B as also under Sections E
449, 307 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code and
Section 27(2) of the Arms Act. He was also sentenced to
undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year for the offence
. -· ... under Section 147 of the Indian Penal Code ; rigorous
imprisonment for two years each for the offences under Section F
148 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code ; rigorous imprisonment
for seven years for the offences under Section 397 of the Indian
Penal Code and rigorous imprisonment for five years for the
offence punishable under Section-25(1-A) of the Arms Act.
15. Accused No.2 was also found guilty of the offences and G
sentenced to life each for the offencces under Sections 302 ;
..- ,_ 120-8, 302 read with Section 149; 307 read with Section 149
of the Indian Penal Code; rigorous imprisonment for seven
years for the offence under Section 397 of Indian Penal Code;
rigorous imprisonment for two years for the offences under H
646 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 11 S.C.R.
A Sections 506 of the Indian Penal C.ode; rigorous imprisonment
for one year for the offence punishable under Section 147 of
the Indian Penal Code and rigorous imprisonment for five years
for the offence punishable under Section 25(1-A) of the Arms
Act.
8
All sentences were, however, directed to run concurrently.
16. Aggrieved by and dissatisfied with the said judgment
of conviction and sentence, an appeal was preferred by the ~
~
accused before the High Court of Andhra Pradesh. Whereas
c the appeal of accused No.1 was dismissed but that of the
accused No.2 was allowed.
17. Before us Accused No.1 is the appellant in Criminal
Appeal No.174 of 2004. The State through Central Bureau of
D Investigation has preferred Criminal Appeal No.173 of 2004
against the judgment of acquittal passed in favour of accused
No.2 - Vistaria Prakash. +-
18. Mr. Rajinder Sachar, learned senior counsel appearing
on behalf of accused No.1 principally raised the following
E contentions :--
(1) Appellant, although does not deny or dispute that
he was present at the scene of occurrence, but
came only for the purpose of persuading
Subbarama Reddy to recommend opening of a PG - ..
F >
Centre.
(2) As. from the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, ·
it would appear that firing took place only on the
corridor; the prosecution did not explain as to how
G blood was also found in the bath room.
(3) Prosecution witnesses having not participated· in .
the Test Identification Parade and they having
-\ ..
identified the accused for the first time in Court, no
H reliance. thereupon could have been placed by the
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 647
STATE OF A.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
}
courts below. A
(4) Identification of the appellant with reference to pink
shirt, allegedly worn by him, cannot be said to have
been proved as PW .1 did not refer that accused
No.1 had on his person a pink shirt either in the
B
First Information Report or in his statement under
Section 161 of the-Code of Criminal Procedure.
" ... (5) Although, according to PW-2, Channaredy Penchal,
accused No.1 had fired at all the four people,
namely two deceased; Ratnam and him, however, c
from the evidence of the Ballistic Expert, it is evident
that two fire arms were used therefor and, thus, his
evidence could not have been relied upon,
particularly when PW-3 did not indicate as to who
had actually fired the shot. D
(6) It is unusual that no bullet was recovered from the
body of the deceased and if the fire arm was used
by accused No.1 for killing two persons and
causing injures to others, it has not been explained
E
as to why only two bullets were recovered.
(7) No reliance could be placed on the evidence of
PW-58, the investigating officer as regards
\ collection of blood stains.
F
(8) · The correctness of DNA test, even according to
expert being 96.4 % correct and four people having
not been arrested at all, no reliance could be placed
thereupon.
(9) In any event as the report suggests that the blood G
~f group of the appellant and the one which was found
on the pink shirt was similar and not identical; no
reliance could be placed thereon.
19. Mr. Arnarendra Sharan, learned Additional Solicitor' H
648 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
A General appearing on behalf of the Central Bureau of
c
Investigation, on the other hand, would contend :-
(1) That the prosecution has proved its case not only
through cogent ocular evidence but also by
examining the DNA and Ballistic experts.
B
(2) Indisputably the accused No.1 was arrested from
a cashew garden in an injured condition with a
revolver and his presence at the scene of
._ "
occurrence being admitted as also the fact that he
c was a member of Peoples War Group, sufficient
evidence must be held to have been brought on
record to prove his guilt.
(3) The High Court committed a serious error in
..
recording a judgment of acquittal so far as accused
D
No.2 was concerned in so far as it failed to take ~-
into consideration not only the evidence of PW-10,
a police constable who had proved his presence
but also the taxi driver, PW-11 and Sm!. Nagineni
Subbayamma, PW-9, the landlady of one of the
E
conspirators, as also several documents proved on
behalf of the prosecution which categorically show
that accused No.2 was the owner of the car and he
had changed the colour thereof.
F 20. Mr. Pamod Swarup, learned amicus curiae, appearing •
on behalf of accused No.2, contended:-
(1) The name of accused No.2 having not been
mentioned in the first information report, and as
PW-1 and PW-2 could not identify him; the
G
judgment of the High Court does not suffer from any
infirmity. 1 ....
(2) The only evidence against accused No. 2 being that
of PW-9, PW-10 and PW-11, which having not
H been found reliable and as the said witnesses could
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 649
STATE OF ~.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
).
not identify him, no interference with the impugned A
judgment is warranted.
21. The fact that two persons had lost their lives and PW-
1 and PW-2 suffered injuries at the hands of some miscreants
at about 1400 hours on 1st December, 1995 is not in dispute.
8
It is also not in dispute that immediately after the occurrence a
search was carried out. Accused No.1 was arrested on the
same day from a cashew garden with a gun shot injury in his
stomach.
22. It is also not in dispute that a car bearing No. AEE 2999 c
was found abandoned near Kadavakuduri. There is also no in
dispute that recovery of several articles was effected from the
place of occurrence including bullets, cartridges of various
caliber; blood etc. It has also not been disputed that a car
bearing No.AAK 7041 was found at the Kurnool bye pass D
--+.. Junction, Ongole at about 1930 hours. The appellant was
admitted in the Trauma Hospital for treatment of his injury. As
indicated heretobefore, he made a statement before the Vlth
Additional Magistrate, Guntur.
E
Following questions were put to him by the learned
Magistrate so as. to satisfy himself that he was in a fit condition
to make the statement:-
"(1) What is your name?
•, F
Ans. Panthangi Ganesh.
(4) What do you do?
Ans. I am an unemployed. Presently working as activist
in Ganapathi Group of Peoples War Group. G
.,.-f (5) Where do you reside?
Ans. Working for public and for our party in Bellamkonda
and Atchampeta Mandals of Sathenapalli Taluqa.
H
650 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
,,
(
A (6) Can you tell as to how did you sustain these
injuries?
Ans. !will.
(7) I am the VI Additional Court Magistrate of Guntur. I
B came to record your statement as to how did you
si;stain these injuries. Do you understand?
Ans. I understand as you said it. ,
t·
c {8) Then, are you in a position to reveal as to how did
you sustain these injuries?
Ans. Yes, I will reveal.
(9) · Then, tell me.
D
Ans. As per the instructions of our party, I went to Ongole .,.__
on 1.12.95 in the after noon at about 1.30 hours to
know the movements of Magunta Subbaramireddy
at his residence and as to how close he is moving
with the public. There at about 1.30 hours to 2.00
E hours, I sustained one Bullet injury to my stomach.
I do not know, who fired the Bullet and from where
it had come. Soon after sustaining Bullet injury I fell
down and lost my consciousness. After one or one
and half hour, I re-gained my consciousness. When
F I regained my consciousness, I was in a Cashewnut •
Garden. Probably our Activists might have taken
me to that place. The police came there and caught
cne The police caught me at the time between 3.00
'hours to 3.30 hours. Thereafter duly interrogating me
G they brought me to Guntur Hospital and admitted
me herein. This is what all happened."
-1 -...
23. The First Information Report which was lodged by PW-
1, Tatirparthi Subba Reddy, reads as under:-
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 651
STATE OF AP. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
'),.
"I belong to 3rd Line of Bhagyanagaram, Ongole, I am A
eking out my livelihood by doing agriculture. I am
sympathizer of Congress Party. I move closely with the
Ongole M.P., Sri Magunta Subbarami Reddy, Whenever I
come Ongole, I used to meet him. Today i.e. 1.12.95 in the
After Noon at 1.50 hours, the Ongole M.P.Sri Magunta B
Subba Rami Reddy, Kandukur Ex. MLA Sri Maheedhara
Reddy and myself, after discussing party issues i.e., about
..... the Programme of that evening, first of all the M.P., started
-i
to go out of the Bed Room, behind him myself and
Maheedhar Reddy following us, and when the M.P. were c
crossing the Bed Room, we listened fire from Revolver. On
listening the said noise, I came in front of the M.P.; one
person from out side the room fired the pistol in his hand
towards the M.P., and. when I plunged between them, I
sustained bullet injury to my right hand wrist. Thereafter the
D
said person fired Bullets on the M.P., and the M.P. fallen
-+ down. Then the M.P.'s Gunman Venkatarathnam fired
bullets on the said person and the said person returned
fire on Venkata Rathnam, the Gun man sustained bullets
and fell down. The said person also fired on Chennareddy
E
Penchala Reddy who was behind me. He also.sustained
bleeding injury. The person who fired bullets on us, left
alongwith the five persons accompanying him and while
running away, they fired their pistols into air and created
panic among the people present thereat, and they ran
\.
away in a white ambassador car bearing No. AAK 7041. F
The said persons are of the age group of 20-25 years.
When this incident occurred the M.P.'s P.A. Mr.
NagabhushE!nam, Ongole Municipality Chairman Mr.
Mantri Srinivasa Rao, Vice Chairman Sikhakollu Ravi,
Aiyinabathina Ghana Syam, Balineni Venkateswara reddy G
and some more people witnessed. I .can identify the
..,-/> persons who fired bullets on us. Immediately, the second
Gun Man of the M.P., Srinivasa Rao and some others have
brought us the injured in Cars to Ongole Government
Hospital for treatment and admitted us. While the doctors H
652 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
(
A are giving treatment to us the M.P. lost consciousness he
has been taking treatment in the Hospital. As you came
and enquired I have revealed what happened. I have gone
through my statement. You have mentioned exactly what I
said. As I sustained bullet injury to my right wrist, I have
B affixed my left Thumb Impression. L.T.I. of Tatiparthi Subha
Reddy."
24. Although initially the investigation was entrusted to
~·
.
C.B.C.l.D. of the State of Andhra Pradesh; on or about 12th
January, )996 it was transferred to the Central Bureau of
c Investigation (C.8.1.).
25. There are four eye witnesses to the incident, i.e., PWs.
1, 2, 3 and 1.3.
0 PW-1, T. Subba Reddy, was examined-in-chief on 1st
April, 1999. He stated in details about the travels undertaken ,,..._
by the deceased Subba Reddy from the time of his arrival at
Ongole in the morning of 1st December, 1995 till he returned
to Ongole from Markapur. He categorically stated that when they
were just coming out from the bed room of the MP, Subba
E
Reddy, he saw 4 -5 persons of the age of 25 or so years; one
of them had fired at him and others. He could not identify the
person fired at him but had stated that who had fired at the MP
was wearing pink coloured shirt. He furthermore stated he could
not identify the pink coloured shirt worn by one of the assailants. ~
F
26 .. it is true that he did not make any statement that pink
coloured shirt was worn by the appellant in the first information
report as also in his statement recorded under Section 161 of
the Cod~ of Criminal Procedure (for short 'the Code'), but the
G same in our opinion is not of much significance.
27. The first information report was lodged immediately -I . ,,,
after the occurrence took place, namely at 1400 hours. PW-1
was grievously injured. At that point of time it was not expected
of him that he would be in a position to make a statement
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 653
STATE OF AP. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
" containing minutest details. His statement under Section. 161
of the Code must have also been recorded immediately
A
thereafter.
28. PW-2, Channareddy Panchal was also examined on
1st April, 1999. He also received injury. Admittedly he was first 8
taken to the Government Hospital,· Ongole and thereafter he was
shifted to Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad. He was admittedly
.... operated upon and a bullet was removed from his body on 4th
-i
December, 1995. In the aforementioned situation it was not
expected of him that he would make a statement before the
police that accused No.1, who had fired at him, was wearing a
c
pink coloured shirt. He made such a statement before the C.8.1.
Officers. It is interesting to note that it was suggested to him
that he was at the door of the guest room while the MP was
proceeding towards the hall near the curtain.
D
29. Manthri Srinivasa Rao examined himself as PW-3. He
· was declared hostile as he went back from his earlier statement
made before the Investigating Officer. No reliance can be
placed on his evidence.
E
30. One Manugunta Maheedhara Reddy examined himself
as PW-13. He was also an eye witness. Although he could not
identify the accused, he categorically stated that the assailant
was wearing pink coloured shirt which was marked as MO 10.
~
31. So far as the second stage of the commission of F
offence is concerned. namely snatching of the car. PW-10,
Cheukuri Laxmi Naersimham, a Police Constable was
examined. He was a witness to the attempt on the part of the
assailants to stop the Maruti car and being unsuccessful,
stopped an Ambassador Car. According to him, the driver of G
the said car was threatened by showing revolver by one of the
.,-f miscreants. The passengers of the car as also the driver left
the car at that place. According to him they carried an injured
person with them in car bearing No. AEE 2999 which was being
driven by accused No.2. According to him, however, accused H
654 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 11 S.C.R.
A No.2 was arrested on the same date but as it appears from
the record he was arrested after 15 days. We will deal with this
aspect of the matter a little later.
32. Yada Srinivas Rao, PW-11, was the owner of taxi
which was snatched. He also lodged the first information report
8
Ext.P-9. He, however, could not identify the persons who
snatched his car.
33. PW-9 Nagineni Subbayamma, although was the
landlady of the appellant, deposed that he and his friends used
C to come by car and go back, the number whereof was AAK
7041. It was a white Ambassador car. She saw the driver of
the vehicle at 10.00 a.m. on 1st December, 1995. The vehicle
was parked in front of the house. She identified accused No.2
as the driver thereof. But in her cross-examination she stated
D that the people to whom she let out the house were not seen
by her. She could not establish their identities.
34. Mr. Sharan has drawn our attention to some documents
exhibited before the learned trial Judge to contend that accused
E No.2 purchased the car in question. The said exhibits are as
under:-
"Ex. P-99 - Residence Certificate of Accused No.2 issued
by MRO.
F Ex. P-100 - Affidavit of Accused No.2 (Notarised)
Ex. P-101 Form 32 for purchase of vehicle AAG 8300
Ex. P-102 Delivery order in respect of Vehicle AAG 8300
G Ex. P-103 Sale order in respect of AAG 8300"
35. It, however, does not appear that the notary before ~ -..
whom the affidavit was sworn was examined. The said
documents were not proved in accordance with law. We,
H
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 655
STATE OF A.P. [S.S. SINHA, J.]
therefore, do not intend to place any reliance thereon. A
36. The fact that accused No.1 was a member of Peoples
War Group is not in dispute. His presence at the time of incident
is also not in dispute. His statement before the learned
Magistrate which was treated to be a dying declaration has not
B
been disputed. The prosecution witnesses, although were not
declared hostile, except PW-3, it is evident that for obvious
reasons, before the Court, they did not intend to support the
.... prosecution case fully. However, in a case of this nature the
' ·>
courts below, in our opinion, have correctly considered the
broad aspects of the matter. If accused No.1 went to the
c
deceased M.P. for recommendation of opening of a PG Centre,
he should have proved the same. PW-58, Y. Challadurai,
Investigating Officer stated that he visited the premises in
question on 14th January, 1996 alongwith the scientific experts
from CFSL, New Delhi. He also proved the collection of blood D
-Jc
samples from the floor of the guest room as well as floor of the
bath room. Some fingerprints were also obtained. Another blood
stained sample was also recovered on the piece of 'dhoti'
marked as M0-47 which was found lying inside the car AAK
7041. He also took the blood samples, finger prints and E
specimen handwriting of the accused with the assistance of Jail
doctor and Jail Superintendent. He also sent the blood samples
to CCMB, Hyderabad. He also wrote a letter to Director
CCMB, Hyderabad requesting him to give DNA Finger Print
-~ Opinion based on the blood samples of the accused and other F
objects vis-a-vis the blood samples which were sent to him from
Director, FSL. He, on their advice, also obtained fresh blood
samples of the accused on 15th February, 1996.
37. He proved that blood samples of PW-2 was taken at
G
his inst~nee.by PW-47. Similarly blood samples of PW-1 was
taken byl?VV-48. It was also proved that M0-10 was the subject
-:- J matter of1DNA finger print examination. Sh. C.B. Satyanarayana,
Judicial First Class Magistrate, examined himself as PW-55.
He deposed that on requisiflon 'from the Casualty Medical
H
656 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 11 S.C.R.
A Officer of Govt. General Hospital, Guntur he had recorded the
statement of accused No.1 which was marked as Ex. P-96. He
was not cross-examined. His evidence, therefore stood
admitted.
38. Dr. G.V. Rao, PW-46, conducted the D.N.A. Test.
B
Indisputably blood stains on a pink colour shirt and other
material objects, in view of his report (Ext.86) it stands
established that the blood samples of the shirt tallied with that ...
of the appellant. \
c 39. PW-49, G. Rajagopal Reddy, is a ballistic expert. He
examined the pistol which is of 0.45 inch caliber seized from
the possession of accused No.1. It was marked as M.O. 23. In
the opinion of PW-49 the bullet removed from the body of PW-
2 was released from a 0.45 inch caliber pistol and it was fired
D from M.O. 23. The live cartridges which were seized from the
appellant being also of 0.44 inch caliber could be fired from J.--
the pistol belonging to the appellant. The exhibits of entry on
M.O. 9 and M.O. 10, according to the said witness were also
caused by 0.45 inch caliber bullet. The fact that the bullet which
E was recovered from the person of PW-2 and the features of
the weapon and the live cartridges seized from the appellant
were same, categorically goes to show that the shots were
fired from the pistol marked M.O. 23.
40. Drawing attention to paragraph 14 of the judgment of J
F the learned trial court, it was urged by Mr. Sachar that therein
it has been incorrectly recorded that the bullet was recovered
from the body of deceased Subbarama Reddy. It is so but while
discussing the evidence the learned Judge categorically
noticed that the said bullet was recovered from the body of PW-
G 2.
41. As the bullet from the body of PW-2 was recovered ~ ...
by the doctor of Apollo Hospital at Hyderabad, who was also
examined by the prosecution as PW-14, viz., Dr. H.
H Anganatham, there cannot be any doubt whatsoever that the
PANTANGI BALJXRAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 657
STATE OF A.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
~- bullet in question was sent for opinion of the scientific expert. A
42. We need not refer to the medical evidence as has been
brought on record by the prosecution through PW-15, Dr. M.
Ramchander Rao, and PW-16, Dr. Chandrasekhar Reddy, who
held the postmortem examinations which led to corroboration 8
of the ocular evidence to a great extent. The pistol recovered
from the appellant indisputably was not a licensed one. If the
appellant came to meet the deceased M.P. for
recommendation for opening of a PG Centre, it was not
necessary for him to come with an unlicensed pistol.
c
43. Furthermore although the identity of accused No.2 could
not be proved as being the driver of car bearing No. MK -
7041, the fact that the said car was used in the crime, cannot
be doubted having regard to the evidence of PW-10 and PW-
11. D
44. Mr. Sachar has relied upon the decision of this Court
in VikramjitSingh v. State of Punjab, [ (2006) 12 SCC 306 ],
at page 314 wherein inter alia it has been held that a strong
suspicion or that in all probabilities the accused was guilty of E
commission of heinous offence, would by itself not a substitute
for proof.
45. In this case not only the appellant's presence has been
admitted, the fact that he is a member of Peoples War Group
also remains undisputed. His participation in the crime with F
reference to the pink coloured shirt worn by him and his arrest
immediately after the occurrence in an injured condition;
recovery from him of the pistol and the two cartridges and the
evidence of DNA Expert and the Ballistic Expert, must be held
to be sufficient to prove his participation in the commission of G
the offence of murder of the deceased, namely Subbarama
Reddy and his gunman Ch. Venkatarantam, and causing
injuries to PW-1 and PW-3.
46. Submission of Mr. Sachar that the report of DNA H
658 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 11 S.C.R.
A should not be relied upon, cannot be accepted. What is DNA?
It means:-
"(Deoxyribonucleic Acid), which is found in the
chromosomes of the cells of living beings is the blueprint
of an individual. DNA decides the characteristics of the
B
person such as the colour of the skin, type of hair, nails
and so on. Using this genetic fingerprinting identification
of an individual is done like in the traditional method of
identifying fingerprints of offenders. The identification is
hundred percent precise, experts opine."
c
There cannot be any doubt whatsoever that there is a need
of quality control. Precautions are required to be taken to
ensure preparation of high-molecular-weight DNA complete
. digestion of the samples with appropriate enzymes, and perfect
D transfer and hybridization of the blot to obtain distinCt bands with
appropriate control. (See Article of Lalji Singh, Centre for
Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad in DNA Profiling and
its applications)
E 47. But in this case there is nothing to show that such
precautions were not taken. Indisputably the evidence of the
experts is admissible in evidence in terms of Section 45 of the
Evidence Act, 1872. In cross-examination PW-46 had stated
as under:-
F "If the DNA fingerprint of a person matches with that of a
sample, it means that the sample has come from that
person only. The probability of two persons except identical
twins having the same DNA fingerprint is around 1 in 30
billion world population."
G
48. It is true that no identification parade was held but then
£he fact remains that the appellant remained in the hospital from
1st December, 1995 till 13th December, 1995. Holding of
identification parade, therefore, would not have served any
H purpose.
PANTANGI BALARAMA VENKATA GANESH v. 659
STATE OF A.P. [S.B. SINHA, J.]
'\ 49. We are not oblivious of the fact that the experts used A
the term 'similar' and not 'identical'. For the purpose of this case
it may not be of much consequence as this court has not taken
into consideration the evidence of DNA Experts alone for the
purpose of recording a judgment of conviction. It has been
considered alongwith the other evidence. The prosecution case B
has been considered as a whole. Cumulative effect of the
evidences adduced before the learned trial judge have been
..... taken into consideration for the purpose of arriving at a finding
./ of guilt against the appellant.
50. So far as accused No.2 is concerned, we are of the
c
opinion that that the High Court, although should have dealt with
the matter at some more details, but keeping in view the fact
that it recorded a judgment of acquittal, it is difficult to opine
that another view is not possible. He was arrested 15 days after
the occurrence from a railway platform. The fact that he was D
the driver of the car was sought to be proved by PW-10 and
~.""""
PW-11. PW-10, however, stated that he was arrested on the
same day which was not a fact. PW-11 also could not testify
the identity of accused No.2. No identification parade was held,
which could have been held, unlike the case of accused No.1. E
He was not in the hospital or at some other place. No recovery
has been made from him. The evidence of PW-9 Nagineni
Subbayamma is shaky as she stated that she had not seen the
_, tenants, whom the accused No.2 used to visit by coming in an
~ Ambassador car. F
51. We, therefore, are of the opinion that both the appeals
are liable to be dismissed. They are dismissed accordingly.
N.J. Appeals dismissed.
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