Holding

The convictions were set aside because the prosecution’s case was unreliable and, where two versions are possible, the view favoring the accused must be adopted.

Summary

The appellants Raghunath and eight others were convicted under IPC sections 148, 149, 302, 323, 325, 436 and 452 for a violent incident in which the deceased Kundan Lal was killed. The Supreme Court examined contradictions in witness statements, the improbability of the prosecution’s version of the melee, the lack of explanation for injuries sustained by the accused, and the failure of the prosecution to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt. It held that when two plausible narratives exist, the one favoring the accused must be adopted, especially where the prosecution’s evidence is unreliable and the High Court affirmed the trial court without independent re‑appraisal. Consequently, the convictions and sentences were set aside and the appellants were acquitted.

Issues considered

Whether the prosecution proved the offences beyond reasonable doubt despite contradictions in witness testimony.
Whether the failure to explain injuries sustained by the accused undermines the prosecution’s case.
Whether the High Court erred in affirming the trial court’s findings without independent re‑appraisal of evidence.
Whether, in cases of competing versions, the view favoring the accused should be adopted.
Whether the reliance on interested or inimical witnesses affects the reliability of the prosecution’s case.

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 148, s. 149, s. 302, s. 323, s. 325, s. 436, s. 452

Subjects

criminal lawreasonable doubtprosecution evidenceinjuries to accusedSection 149 IPCjoint liabilityacquittalappellate jurisdictionforensic evidenceprivate defence

Judgment

A RAGHUNATH
v.
STATE OF HARYANA AND ORS.

NOVEMBER 13, 2002

B [Y.K. SABHARWAL AND H.K. SEMA, JJ.)

Penal Code, 1860-Sections 148, 302, 325, 323, 452 and 436 read
with Section 149-Conviction by trial Court-Upholding by High Court-On
C appeal held, since prosecution suppressed facts and failed to establish case
beyond reasonable doubt conviction and sentence of the accused set aside.

Criminal Trial-Failure to explain injuries on accused by prosecution-
Ejfect of-Discussed.

D Criminal Law-If two views are possible one in favour of accused and
other adversely against it, the view favouring the accused must be accepted.

Practice and procedure-Concurrent findings offact recorded by Courts
below-Interference with-Held: High Court without re-appraisal of evidence
merely affirming findings of trial court-Hence interference of Supreme Court
E is justified.

According to the prosecution, there was a rift between the
complainant and the accused group. On the fateful day accused armed
with lathi and stones entered the house of K by breaking open the door.
Accused A inflicted lathi blow on the head of K, while other accused
F injured the other members of complainant party. All this took place in
the ball of 6 feet radius. Prosecution witnesses also came there and two of
them recei".ed injuries when they tried to intervene. One of the accused
exhorted the other accused to burn the members of complainant party.
He was injured by complainant party in self-defence. Accused were
convicted under sections 148, 302, 325, 323, 452 and 436 IPC read with
.G section 149 IPC. High Court upheld the order. Hence the present appeal.

Appellants contended it was quite unusual that the complainant party
sitting in a Poli allowed the accused party to break open and let them enter
the house without any resistance from them, being mute spectators; that
H it was inherently improbable to accommodate complainant party
130
RAGHUNATHv. STATEOFHARYANA 131

numbering seven and accused party numbering nine in a hall of six feet A
radius and wielding the lathis of six feet long and raining blows at the
same time; that the conduct of complainant party \Vas unusual; that the
version of PW-2 before the Court was an irnprovement on the basis of
medical ~vidence.

Respondents contended that this Court would not interfere with the B
concurrent findings of fact recorded by trial court and upheld by High
Court.
J Allowing the appeals, the Court

HELD: I. In the facts and circumstances of the instant. case, C
prosecution did not come up with a true story. It suppressed the facts and
failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubt. It is now well settled
pri"nciple of law that if two vie,vs are possible, one in favour of accused
and the other adversely against it, the view favouring the accused must
be accepted. Therefore, the convictions and sentences of appellants are D
set aside. [149-A-B]

2.1. It would be inherently improbable that the accused nine in
number, wielded la this of six feet long and raining blows at the same time
in a hall within the radius of six feet with seven members of the
complainant party totaling 16 persons in the room. [137-C] E
2.2. The blood stain is of human blood is not conclusive evidence that
it belongs to the blood group of deceased since there is no evidence on
record to show that the blood stained earth removed from the hall, sent
for FSL, bears a certificate that the blood is a human blood and belongs
to a particular group same as blood group of deceased. Also there is F
defence version ·that accused No.I was kidnapped and taken inside the
house of deceased forcibly, wherein he was beaten up by complainant party
and received several _bodily injuries and as such the blood so collected
could be the blood of the accused. 1138-C-D]

2.3. It is in evidence that the accident took place in village and the G
two police stations fall on the way from village to the Hospital.
Comple.inant party did not stop at the police stations and proceeded
straight to the Hospital. In the ordinary circumstances, it is quite
imperative that complainant party could have stopped at the police station,
sought necessary help and also given the first hand information to the H
132 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A police. It is also the evidence of the doctor, that the injuries suffered by
complainant party were simple in nature except that of deceased.
Therefore, there were no mitigating circumstances for not reporting to
the police station at the first hour especially when the police stations were
on the way to the Hospital. 1139-D-G I

B 2.4. PW-2 stated in the FIR that accused A on entering the house
gave a lathi blow on the head of his fatber and the rest of the accused
started beating him and members of the family continuously whereas in
the court he deposed that accused A inflicted a lathi blow on the head of \_
his father followed by a lathi blow each by two accused on his father's
C head and another lathi blow by other accused on his father's shoulders.
It appears to be well an after thought after seeing the medical evidence.
This substantial contradiction in the FIR and in his deposition before the
Court makes a serious doubt of th" presence of complainant-PW2 at the
place where deceased was assaulted. [139-H]

D 2.5. PWI stated that none of the accused had received injuries
whereas PW2 stated that complainant party also caused injuries to accused
No.1 in self-defence. This material contradiction between PWs.1 and 2
would render their presence doubtful. This apart, there is also evidence
on record that except accused No.1 the rest of the accused did not sustain
E any injuries on their bodies. If the eye witness account of PWs.1 and 2
are to be believed, it is their specific statement that accused A caused the
first blow on the head of deceased. Normally, the exercise of right of
private defence is directed towards the assailants. Accused A, who stated
to have dealt with the first blow on the head of the deceased did not sustain
any injury. The rest of the accused also did not sustain any injuries. It is
F utterly unbelievable story of the prosecution that the right of private
defence is directed against only accused No.1 who has sustained as many
as six injuries on his body. At the same time, the nature of the injury
sustained by accused No.1 would disclose that the complainant party was
armed and had sufficient time to inflict the injuries. This circumstance
would lend support to the defence version that accused No.1 was
G kidnapped and forcibly lifted to the house of deceased and beaten up
mercilessly by complainant party. [141-C-FI

2.6. PW2 did not mention about the particulars of the injuries
suffered by him at the hands of accused, in the FIR. However, in his
H statement recorded and also while deposing before the Court he stated
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA 133

that the injuries caused by each of the accused in which there is substantial A
contradiction. No reliance can be placed on such a contrary statement.
These discrepancies would render prosecution story wholly unreliable
concocted and well an after thought. 1141-G-H; 142-AJ

2.7. Accused No.I sustained as many as six injuries. The rest of the
accused did not suffer any injury. There is no explanation by the B
prosecution as to how accused No. t received injuries except in the
statement of PW2 that injuries caused to accused No.I were in self-defence.
The fact that only accused No. I received injuries would disclose that
accused No.I alone was present at the place of incident. This would also
support the theory of defence that accused No. I was kidnapped by C
complainant party to the house of deceased and beaten up by them
mercilessly and not on account of right of private defence as projected by
the prosecution story. Jl42-E, FJ

2.8. Prosecution evidence consists of interested or inimical witnesses.
There is also the defence version which competes in probability with that D
of the prosecution. Therefor<, non-explanation of the injuries sustained
by the accused No. I, which are grievous in nature, renders the prosecution
story not wholly true. (143-H; 144-A]

Ram Sunder Yadav and Ors. v. State of Bihar, (1998] 7 SCC 365,
referred to. E
2.9. Out of the injured complainant party, only PWs.I and 2 were
cited as witnesses. Others were not examined. Nature of the injuries
sustained by complainant party would clearly suggest that such injuries
could be caused in a melee which is the defence version that injuries
sustained by deceased and other members of complainant party have been F
caused by a mob consisting of 300-350 while trying to rescue accused No. I.
Considering the nature of the injuries sustained by complainant party it
is quite probable that they sustained injuries accidentally while being
involved in a mob fight. Therefore, such injuries sustained by complainant
party·could not be attributed to accused. (148-F-H] G
3. While it is true that normally this Court would not interfere with
the concurrent findings of fact save in exceptional circumstances, where
legal process are disregarded or principles of natural justice are violated
or substantial and grave injustice has otherwise resulted. High Court is a
final court of appeal and normally this Court would not interfere, if the H
134 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A High Court on reappraisal of evidence confirms trial court judgment. But
in the instant case, going through the judgment of High Court, it is seen
that the High Court merely affirmed the findings of trial court without
reappraisal of the evidence on its own. I142-G-H; 143-AI

Balak Ram. v. State of UP., I I 9751 3 SCC 219, referred to.
B
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal Nb.
73 of 2002.

From the Judgment and Order dated 1.3.2001 of the Punjab and Haryana
High Court in Crl. A. No. 271-DB of 1999.
c
K.T.S. Tulsi, Sushi! Kumar, S.B. Sanyal, Suresh C. Gupta, A. Guneshwar
Sharma, Sanjay Pal, Kamal Mohan Gupta, Bhupender Yadav, S.S. Shamshery,
R.C. Kohli, Ms. Babita Yadav, Sarvesh Bisaria, Ms. Nidhi, K.R. Nagaraja,
J.P. Dhanda, Ms. Raj Rani Dhanda and Sunder Khatri for the appearing
D parties.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

SEMA, J. These two appeals arise out of a common judgment and
order passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Gurgaon, convicting
E the appellants in Sessions Case No. 32 of 1995 and sentenced them to suffer
Rigorous Imprisonment on the following Sections of law as under:-

Offence U/s Sentence awarded Amount of fine Sentence in default
Imposed of payment

148 IPC Two years Nil
F
302 IPC Imprisonment Rs. 1000 Six months RI
r/wl49IPC for life

325 IPC Three years RI Rs. 300 Two months RI
r/w 149 IPC
G
323 IPC Six months RI Nil
rlw 149 IPC

452 IPC Three years RI Rs. 300 Two months RI
r/w 149 IPC
H-.
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [HK SEMA, !.] 135

436 IPC Seven years RI Rs. 700 Five months RI A
r/w 149 IPC
The substantive sentences were ordered to run concurrently. By the aforesaid
judgment all the nine accused have been convicted. The convictions and
sentences have been confirmed by the High Court. Criminal Appeal No. 73
of 2002 is preferred by accused Raghunath and Criminal Appeal No. 74 of B
2002 is preferred by the remaining eight accused, namely, Ram Kishan s/o
Ram Pat, Anil@ Ajay Kumar s/o Ram Kishan, Manohar Lal s/o Bohru, Desh
Raj s/o Ram Pat, Siri Chand s/o Bohru, Salish s/o Siri Chand, Sunil s/o Ram
Kishan and Jagmal s/o Ram Pat.

The complainant parties are close relatives of deceased Kundan Lal. C
The accused are also inter-related (accused Nos. 2 and 6 being the sons of
accused No. I Ram Kishan, accused Nos. 3 and 7 brothers of accused No.
I, accused Nos. 4 and 9 inter-se brothers, accused No. 5 being the son of
accused No. 4), except accused No. 8.

Before adverting to the points urged by counsel for the appellants we D
may, at this stage, notice that there is a rift between the two groups. While
considering the evidence of witnesses, particularly of PWs I and 2, one could
not loose sight that it is in the evidence of the prosecution that the deceased
Kundan Lal had contested the election of Sarpanch against accused Manohar
Lal earlier. It is also in the evidence of the prosecution that just a day after E
the date of incident Panchayat elections were to be held. The fight for the
post of Sarpanch was between Raj Singh and one Satbir. The complainant
party was supporting Raj Singh and the accused were the supporters of Satbir.
It is also in the evidence on record that both criminal and civil litigation was
pending between the complainant and the accused groups. Therefore, the rift
between the complainant and the accused groups was writ large prior to the F
date of the incident. In such a situation one should be cautious while
appreciating the evidence of the prosecution witnesses.

The prosecution case, as revealed in the FIR, was set in motion on
receipt of information received from Badshahpur Police Station through
wireless that there was a fight in village Teekli and the injured were admitted G
in the hospital. On the basis of the said information, AS! Bhup Singh had
noted the Farad Bayan. After recording the statement of the complainant
party, a prima facie case was found and a case under Sections 148, 323/302/
325/452/436/427 read with Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code was
registered. H
136 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A PW-2 complainant, Sumer Singh lodged the FIR stating that on
18.12.1994, at about 9.30 p.m., hi:; wife Smt. lndrawati, father Kundan Lal,
mother Smt. Premwati, brothers Sher Singh and Sunder Lal, and Smt. Munni
wife of Sher Singh were present in their house. Accused Ram Kishan, Sunil,
Anil, Deshraj, Jagmal, Raghunath, Siri Chand, Satish, Manohar Lal, lass with
B lath is and stones entered the house of the deceased Kundan Lal by breaking
the door open and on entering accused Anil Kumar inflicted a lathi blow
which fell on the head of Kundan Lal (deceased) father of the complainant,
as a result of which he fell on the ground. Thereafter, accused Ram Kishan,
Sunil, Deshraj, Jagmal, Raghunath, Siri Chand, Satish and Manohar Lal caused
injuries indiscriminately with lathis and stones to the complainant, his mother
C Smt. Parmeshwari, his wife Smt. Indira, his brothers Sunder Lal and Sher
Singh and brother's wife Smt. Munni Bai. On hearing a noise from the
members of the complainant party, Sube Singh son of Makhan Lal, Karan
• Singh son of Pyare Lal, Ram Khilari son of Ami Chand and Satbir Singh son
of Chhatter Singh, all resident of the same village, came to the spot when the
accused set on fire a heap of cow dung cakes (Bitoras) lying on the roof of
D the house and also the bundles of fodder lying near the chaff-cutting machine.
It is further stated that accused Ram Kishan gave a Lalkara exhorting that
members of the complainant party be burnt alive. Karan Singh and Sube
Singh when tried to intervene also sustained injuries from the accused. It is
further stated that the complainant party also caused injuries to Ram Kishan
E in self-defence. In course of the investigation, the IO found prima facie case
against the accused-appellants under the aforesaid Sections and submitted the
challan. The prosecution mainly relied on the evidence of two injured
witnesses, PW- I Karan Singh son of Pyare Lal and PW-2 Sumer Singh son
of deceased Kundan Lal. Injured Smt. Parmeshwari, Smt. Indira, Sunder Lal,
Sher Singh and Smt. Munibai were not examined.
F
Counsel for the appellants, seriously doubted ~he genesis of the
prosecution story with regard to the place of occurrence as revealed from the
sketch map (Exht.P5). It is contended by Mr. K.T.S. Tulsi, learned senior
counsel, appearing for the appellant in Crl. Appeal No. 73 of 2002 and Mr.
Sushi! Kumar, learned senior counsel, appearing for the appellants in
G Crl.A.No.74 of2002 that it is quite unusual that the complainant party namely
Karan Singh, Satbir Singh, Ram Khilari and Sube Singh, sitting in a Poli and
smoking Hukka, allowed the accused party to break the main gate of Poli and
saw them going into the house of Kundan Lal. But the complainant party
remained a mute spectators without any resistance. Similarly, it is argued that
H the hall, in which the accused party is stated to have assaulted the complainant
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [HK SEMA,J.] 137

party marked points A, B, C, D, F and G, within a radius of six feet is A
inherently improbable. It is their contention that complainant party numbering
seven and the accused party numbering nine totaling 16, armed with lathis of
six feet long, it will be inherently improbable to accommodate the complainant
party and the accused party in a hall within a radius of six feet and wielding
the lathis and raining blows at the same time. The hall of deceased Kundan B
Lal in which the accused party is said to have assaulted the complainant party
with the lathis and bricks is within the radius of six feet. According to the
prosecution story, the complainant party consisting of seven family members
and the accused party consisting of 9 in number, were assembled in the hall
of Kundan Lal. Having considered the submission with the ground reality
and after application of our mind, we are of the view that it would be inherently C
improbable that the accused nine in number, to have wielded and raining
blows at the same time with lathis of six feet long in a hall within the radius
of six feet with seven members of the complainant party totaling 16 persons
in the room.

Similarly, the blood stained earth, Muffler and lath is, said to have been D
taken in possession by the police in course of investigations were sent for
F.S.L. The result of F.S.L. is marked Exh. 8. It is reproduced as under:

"Forensic Science Laboratory Haryana, Madhuban (Kamal)

Report No. FSL(H) 94/B-3801 Dated 14.2.1996 E
Case FIR No. 972 Dated 19.12.1994
U/s 148/149/436/302/201 !PC P.S. Sdr. Gurgaon

Results of Serological Analysis of Blood
F
Ex ht No. Name of Exhibit Origin Group

I. Blood Stained Cotton Human Inconclusive
2. Muffler Human 'O'
3a. Pyjama Human Inconclusive G
3b. Underwear Human Inconclusive
4. Sample blood Human Inconclusive
5. Lat hi Human Inconclusive
6. Lathi Human Inconclusive H
138 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A 1. Lathi Human Inconclusive .-
8. Lathi Human Inconclusive
Material disintegrated

Sd/-
B Dr. M.K. Goyal
Asstt. Director (Biology)
Forensic Sc. Laboratory
(H) Madhuban (Kamal)"

There is no evidence on record to show that the blood stain sent for
C FSL bears a certificate that the blood is a human blood and it belongs to a
particular group which is the same blood group of the deceased Kundan Lal.
Therefore, the blood stain is of a human blood is not conclusive evidence that
it belongs to the blood group of decea~ed Kundan Lal. This also can be
examined in the background of the defence version that accused Ram Kishan
D was kidnapped and taken inside the house of Kundan Lal forcibly, wherein
he was beaten up by the complainant party and received several bodily injuries.
PW-4 Dr.B.B. Sharma had examined accused Ram Kishan on IS.12.1994 at
11.10 p.m. and found the following six injuries:

I. Abrasion on right eye-brow outer and 2 cm. x cm. surrounding
E area was swollen. Fresh clotted blood was present. X-ray was
advised.
2.

3.
I cm. x cm. lacerated wound. It was skin deep on left maxillary
prominence.
There was swelling below left elbow on fore-arm. It was 6 cm.
-
F x 4 cm. X-ray left elbow and forearm was advised.
4. Abrasions 6 cm. horizontal x 4 cm. on back of the left side chest.
Lower ribs outer part. X-ray chest was advised.

5 4 cm x I cm. x bone deep lacerated vertical wound on middle
part left leg was present. Fresh clotted blood was present. X-ray
G left leg was advised.

6. Lacerated wound cm x I cm. x muscle deep 2 cm. away. There
was l cm x cm x muscle deep on the front of the right leg
middle part ;surrounding area was swollen. X-ray right leg was
advised."
H
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [H.K. SEMA.l.) 139

P.W. 5 Dr. B. B. Aggarwal, who conducted X-ray examination of A
accused Rain Kishan stated as under:

"On 20.12.1994, I conducted X-ray examination of Ram Kishan son
of Ram Pat. 42 years, male r/o Teekli, vide MLR No. BBS/126/94
Ex. DB and found fracture olecranon process of left upper limb (elbow)
and fractures 8th, 9th and 10th ribs of left side chest." B
lt is pertinent to notice that the blood stained earth was removed from'
the point 'A', which is the hall of Kundan Lal. In the absence of certifying
a particular group of blood by FSL, the blood so collected from the point 'A'
inside the hall of Kundan Lal could be the blood of accused Ram Kishan
from which place he is reported to have been beaten up mercilessly by the C
complainant party.

As already noticed, the FIR was lodged on l 9.12.94 at 2.30 a.m. for the
incident said to have taken place on 18.12.94 at about 9.30 p.m. An accident
which is stated to have taken place in the village Teekli, is stated to be at a D
distance of about 14 KM from Gurgaon. It is in the evidence on record that
Sadar Police Station, Gurgaon, and police post Badshahpur fall on the way
from village Teekli to General Hospital, Gurgaon. The complainant party did
not stop at the two police stations and proceeded straight to the General
Hospital, Gurgaon. It is urged that the conduct of the complainant party is
unusual and this has created doubt about genesis of the prosecution story. E
This contention has been rejected by the learned trial court that the complainant
party was busy in getting the first and immediate aid to the injured persons
r
of the family. We are of the view that in the ordinary circumstances, it is
quite imperative that the complainant party could have stopped at the police
station, sought necessary help from the police station and also given the first F
hand infom1ation to the police. From the evidence of P. W.4 Dr. 8.8. Sharma,
it appears that the injuries suffered by the complainant party are simple in
nature except that ofKundan Lal (deceased). In our view, therefore, there are
no mitigating circumstances for not reporting to the police station at the first
hour especially when the police stations are on the way to the General Hospital.
G

- Similarly, as noticed earlier, FIR was lodged on 19.12.1994 at 2.30
a.m. PW-4 examined the injured at 10.30 p.m. on 18.12.1994. In the FIR,
PW-2 has stated that "on entering our house, Anil Kumar gave a lathi blow
on the head of my father which he was holding in his hand, and my father
fell on the ground and Ram Kishan, Sunil, Desh Raj, Jagmal, Raghunath, Siri
Chand, Satish, Manohar Lal caused injuries with their respective lathis, brick H
'
140 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A bats to me, my wife Indira, Bhabhi Munni Bai, my mother Parmeshwari,
brother Sunder Lal and elder brother Sher Singh continuously."

PW-6 Dr.Vineeta Bhatnagar, conducted the post mortem examination
on the dead body of Kundan Lal on 19.12.1994 at 1.30 p.m. and found the
following injuries on his body:-
B
I. A bone deep lacerated wound of 5 x 2 ems size on scalp 1.5 cm
from the bridge of the nose in the mid line. Subcutaneous tissues
showed hemorrhage and haemotama formation and underlying bone
was found fractured. Meninges and brain matter found lacerated.

C 2. A bone deep lacerated wound of 2.5 x 2.5 ems size on the scalp.
6 cm. above and behind the tip of left ear. His subcutaneous tissue
shows hemorrhage and heamatoma underlying bone found fractured.
Meninges and brain matter was found lacerated.

3. A bone deep lacerated wound of size 4.5 x 1.5 ems on right side.
D 7 cm. above the tip of right ear. Subcutaneous tissue shows hemorrhage
meninges and brain matter was fo·md lacerated.
I,

4. An abrasion of 15 cm x 4 cm on the left upper arm just below the
shoulder on the lateral side. Subcutaneous tissues showed hemorrhage.
Bones were intact.
E
Dr. opined that "the death was due to hemorrhage and shock resulting
from ante-mortem injuries (Nos. I to 3) to brain, which were,
cumulatively as well as individually, sufficient to cause death in the
ordinary course of Nature".

F PW-2 Sumer Singh has deposed before the Court as under:-

"Accused Anil inflicted a lathi blow on head of his father Kundan,
followed by a lathi blow each by accused Ram Kishan and Manohar
Lal on his father's head and another lathi blow by accused Raghunath
on his (Kundan Lal's) shoulder".
G Counsel for the appellants, would argue that the version of PW-2
before the Court is an improvement on the basis of medical evidence
inasmuch as in the FIR he has stated that it was the accused Anil who
on entering the house gave a lathi blow on the head of his father and
the rest of the accused startt';d beating him and members of the family
H continuously. In our view, the particular part played by lathi blow
RAGHUNATH v STATE OF HARYANA [H.K. SEMA, J.] 141

each by accused Ram Kishan and Manohar Lal on his father's head A
and another lathi blow by accused Raghunath on his father's shoulder
stated by PW-2 in his deposition before the Court appears to be well
an after thought after seeing the 1nedical evidence. This substantial
contradiction in the FIR and in his deposition before the Court makes
a serious doubt of the presence of complainant PW-2 - Sumer Singh B
at the place of occurrence, where deceased Kundan Lal was assaulted.

Similarly, PW-2 also stated that the complainant party also caused
injuries to accused Ram Kishan in self-defence. PW-I Karan Singh, however,
stated categorically in his deposition before the Court that none of the accused
had received injuries. This material contradiction between the two injured C
eye-witnesses PWs-1 and 2 would render their presence doubtful. This apart,
there is also evidence on record that except accused No. I - Ram Kishan, the
rest of the accused did not sustain any injuries on their bodies. If the eye
witness account of PWs-1 and 2 are to be believed, it is their specific statement
that accused Anil caused the first blow on the head of deceased Kundan Lal.
Normally, the exercise of right of private defence is directed towards the D
assailants. Accused Anil, who stated to have dealt with the first blow on the
head of the deceased Kundan Lal, did not sustain any injury. The rest of the
accused also did not sustain any injuries. It is utterly unbelievable story of
the pro3ecution that the right of private defence is directed against only
accused Ram Kishan who has sustained as many as six injuries on his body, E
as described above. At the same time, the nature of the injury sustained by
accused Ram Kishan would disclose that the complainant party was armed
and had sufficient time to inflict the injuries. This circumstance would lend
support to the defence version that Ram Kishan was kidnapped and forcibly
lifted to the house of Kur.dan Lal and beaten up mercilessly by the complainant
party. F
Similarly, in the FIR PW-2 Sumer Singh did not mention about the
particulars of the injuries suffered by him at the hands of the accused. He
has, however, stated in his statement recorded under section 161on19.12.1994
that Desh Raj caused injury on his left shoulder by stone, accused Sunil
caused injury on his left ankle and left foot by lathi, accused Satish caused G
injury on his right ankle and below right knee by stone. This witness deposed
before the court that accused Desh Raj caused him injury on his right shoulder
and accused Sunil on the right ankle and accused Salish on left knee
respectively. This, in our view, is a substantial contradiction which is fatal to
the prosecution story. No reliance can be placed on such a contrary statement H
142 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A with regard to the injuries sustained by him caused by each of the accused.

The defence raised serious contentions on the discrepancy of the injuries
described by PW-2, said to have been sustained by him from each of the
accused but the same has been rejected by the learned trial cou1t on tenuous
grounds. The aforesaid contention has been rejected by the learned trial Judge
B in paragraph 91 of his order as under:-

"In the totality of circumstances it is to be mentioned that it is not a
case of non-existence of injuries but while appearing as PW-2 Sumer
Singh instead of injuries No. I and 2 being mentioned on left shoulder
and left ankle, he mentioned the same on the right side. Similarly
c injury No.5 though is present on the right knee but was mentioned to
be on the left side. This slip, though exists, would not be a
circumstances to discredit the prosecution version. It may be a slip of
tongue or a bonafide mistake".

D In our view, the aforesaid discrepancies appearing in the statement of
PW-2 would render the prosecution story wholly unreliable, concocted and
well an after thought.

As"already noticed, accused Ram Kish~n sustained as many as six
injuries. The rest of the accused did not suffer any injury. There is no
E explanation by the prosecution how the accused Ram Kishan received injuries
except in the statement of PW-2 that injuries caused to Ram Kishan were in
self defence, which has already been discussed. The fact that only accused
Ram Kishan received injuries would disclose that accused Ram Kishan alone
was present at the place of incident. This would also support the theory of
defence that accused Ram Kishan was kidnapped by the complainant party
F to the house of deceased Kundan Lal and beaten up by them mercilessly and
not on account of right of private defence as projected by the prosecution
story.

Mr. J.P. Dhanda, learned counsel, appearing for the respondents urged
that this Court would not interfere with the concurrent findings of fact recorded
.G by the learned trial court Judge and affirmed by the High Court. While it is
true that normally this Court would not interfere with the concurrent findings
of fact save in exceptional circumstances, where legal process are disregarded
or principles of natural justice are violated or substantial and grave injustice
has otherwise resulted see Balak Ram v. State of U.P., [1975] 3 SCC 219.
H The High Court is a final Court of appeal and normally this Court would not
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [H.K. SEMA.J.] 143

interfere, if the High Court on the reappraisal of evidence confirms the trial A
court judg1nent. But in the present case, '"Oing through the judgment of the
High Court. with respect we may point out that the High Court merely affirmed
the findings of the trial Court without reappraisal of the evidence on its own.

As already pointed out, accused Rain Kishan sustained as many as six
injuries on his body, injury Nos.3 and 4 stated to be grievous in nature. Both B
the trial court and the High Court accepted the version of PW-2 that injuries
were caused in self-defence. We have already disbelieved the version of PW-
2. No explanation whatsoever has been afforded by the prosecution with
regard to the injuries on the person of the accused - Ram Kishan.

The question, whether prosecution is obliged to explain the injuries C
sustained by the accused in the same occurrence and failure to explain injuries
on the accused would construe that the prosecution has suppressed the truth
and also the origin and genesis of the occurrence, has been in controversy
before th is Court in a catena of decisions. A three-Judge Bench of this Court
in Ram Sunder Yadav and Ors. v. State of Bihar, [ 1998] 7 SCC 365, referred D
to another three-Judge Bench decision of this Court in Vijayee Singh v. State
of UP., (1990] 3 sec 190 at page 202 para IO, which held as under:

"In Mohar Rai case it is made clear that failure of the prosecution to
offer any explanation regarding the injuries found on the accused
may show that the evidence related to the incident is not true or at E
any rate not wholly true. Likewise in Lakshmi Singh case also it is
observed that any non-explanation of the injuries on the accused by
the prosecution may affect the prosecution case. But such a non-
explanation may assume greater importance where the evidence
consists of interested or inimical witnesses or where the defence gives
a version which competes in probability with that of the prosecution.
F
But where the evidence is clear, cogent and creditworthy and where
the court can distinguish the truth from falsehood the mere fact that
the injuries are not explained by the prosecution cannot by itself be
a sole basis to reject such evidence, and consequently the whole
case." G
In the present case, as noticed earlier, the prosecution evidence consists
of interested or inimical witnesses. Therefore, non-explanation of the injuries
sustained by Ram Kishan may assume greater importance. There is also the
defence version which competes in probability with that of the prosecution.
In our view, therefore, non-explanation of the injuries sustained by the accused H
144 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A Ram Kishan, which are grievous in nature, renders the prosecution story not
wholly true.

Regarding the injuries sustained by the complainant party, it is in the
evidence of PW-4 Dr. B.B. Sharma, Medical Officer, General Hospital,
Gurgaon that he examined PW-I Karan Singh, s/o Pyare Lal on 18.12.1994
B at about 10.30 P.M. and found the following injuries on his pE.rson:

I. "Lacerated wound horizontally placed 12 cm. x 2 cm. muscle
deep. It was on right parietal region. 8 cm. from right ear. Fresh
blood was coming. Surrounding area was swollen. X-ray skull was
advised.
c
2. 5 cm. x 2 cm. muscle deep lacerated wound on right side of fore-
arm near mid line. It was 4 cm. from injury No. I. It was horizontal.
X-ray skull was advised. .,

3. Oblique lacerated wound on right occipital region. It was 6 cm. x
D 1. cm. muscle deep. Fresh bleeding was present. Sunounding area
was swollen. X-ray skull was advised.

4. Left leg was swollen lower I/3rd. Angulation of the bone was
present. It was 12 cm. from the ankle joint. Lacerated wound on
anterior size 2cm. x lcm. It was bone deep. I 0 cm. above ankle joint.
E Underlying bone was present. X-ray left leg was advised.

5. Left index and middle fingers were swollen. Advised X-ray, index
and middle fingers.

6. Right fore-arm was swollen in the middle part. X-ray right fcre-
F arm was advised.
'·
Injury No. 4 was declared grievous and injury Nos. I, 2, 3, 5 and 6
were kept under observations. After seeing the X-ray report No. MLX-
1284 dated 19.12.1994 injury No. I was dangerous to life. Injuries
No. 4 and 5 grievous. Rest were simple in nature.
G The weapon used was blunt and injury No~ 4, it was penetrating
weapon. It was within 24 hours. The duration between the injuries
and the MLR within 24 hours."

On the same day, Dr. B.B. Sharma examined Sunder Lal s/o Kundan
H Lal and found the following injuries on his person.
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [H.K. SEMA.J.] 145

I. "Horizontal lacerated \vound 6 cn1. x 1hc1n. into muscle deep. lt A
was 8 c1n. fro1n left ear on parietal region. Fresh clotted blood \Vas
present. X-ray skull was advised.

2. Lacerated wound on left side fore-head. Oblique from mid line to
left side. It was 4 cm. x I cm. It was muscle deep. Fresh clotted blood
was present. X-ray skull was advised. B
3. Lacerated wound 3 cm. x I cm. into muscle deep right side of
parietal region near mid line. It was vertically placed. It was 2 cm.
posterior to injury No. 2. X-ray skull was advised.

4. On front of right leg anterior side there was 4 lacerated wounds. C
(a) IO cm. below knee. 1-112 cm. x I cm. x muscle deep (b) 3 cm.
' below injury No. A. 2 cm. x I cm. x muscle deep (c) 6 cm. below
injury No. B. 4 cm. x I cm. into muscle deep. It "as vertically placed
(d) 7 cm. below injury No. C. 2 cm. x Y,cm. into skin deep. X-ray
right leg was advised.
D
5. Lacerated wounds on front left leg. Fresh clotted blood was present.
5-A (I cm. x Y,cm. into muscle deep. It was vertical and 8 cm. below
5-B) J-112 cm. x Y,cm. x muscle deep it was 8 cm. below injury No.
5-A. (5-C) 1-Y,cm. x Y,cm. into skin deep. It was 8 cm. from injury
No. 58. X-ray left leg was advised.
E
6. On the left fore-arm there was fibrasion. On the posterior size

....
I
Midale part 2 cm. %x cm. was vertically placed. Adjoining area was
swollen. X-ray left fore-arm was advised.

7. Right fore-arm was swollen in middle and upper I/3rd. Advised X-
ray right fore-arm. Abrasion on posterior aspect 3 cm. below elbow. F
It was 2 cm. x 1/icm.

8. Abrasions on the back of right index finger first phalanx posterior
size I cm. x %cm. X-ray right index finger was advised.

9. Swelling on angle of left jaw 5 cm. x 4 cm. It was red in colour. G
X-ray left jaw was advised.

I 0. Pattern contusion elongated in shape on middle part of abdomen
3 cm. above umbilicus the margins were echymosed. It was oblique,
t'1e rounded and was towards left and upper.

11. Pattern oblique contdsion on back of \he left side of chest extending H
146 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A from mid line towards outer and lower side upto costal margins. It
was 16 cm. x 2 cm. The margin was ecchymosed. X-ray chest was
advised.

B
12. Defused red swelling on anterior and outer aspect of left shoulder.
It was 12 cm. x 8 to 10 cm. in size. X-ray left shoulder was advised. •
Injuries No. 1 to 12 were kept under observations. The duration
between the injuries and examination was within 24 hours. The injuries
were caused by blunt weapon.

After seeing the X-ray report No. M.L.X.-1285 dated 19.12.1994.
c Injury No. l, 2, 3 were kept under observations and the opinion of
treating Doctor is required. Injury No. 4 was simple in nature, injury
No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, IO and 12 were simple in nature. The injury No. 11
I

repeated X-ray was advised, en definite opinion can be given after
seeing the X-ray report repeated."

D On the same day at about 11.40 P.M., Dr. B.B. Sharma examined
Indira w/o Sumer Singh and found the following injuries on her person:

I. "There was oblique lacerated wound on right parietal occipital
region 13 cm. x 1-1/2 cm. x muscle deep extending from mid line
towards right side. Occipital region. Surrounding area was swollen.
E Fresh clotted blood was present. X-ray skull was advised.
•'
2. Right thumb was swollen. More in proximal part movement were
painful. X-ray right thumb was advised. (
3. Slight swelling on palmer side of left hand near thumb.
F The nature of injuries are as follows:

Injury No. 3 is simple in nature, however injury No. 1 and 2 were
kept under observations.

The injuries were caused within 24 hours of the examination. All the
G injuries were caused by blunt weapon.

I have seen X-ray report No. MLX 1287 dated 19.12.1994, I declared
injury No. 2 grievous in nature and opinion about injury No. 1 can
be given after treating the record of the doctor."

H On 19.12.1994, at 12.15 A.M. Dr. B.B. Sharma examined Smt. Muni
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [HK SEMA,J.] 147
\v/o Sher Singh and found the following injuries on her person: A
I. Vertical lacerated wound in front of parietal region near 1nid line
right side. It was 8 c111. x I c1n. It was a muscle deep. Fresh clotted
blood was present. Surrounding area \Vas swollen. X-ray skull \Vas
advised.
B
2. Complained of pain on back of left side of the chest. No apparent
injury was seen. X-ray chest was advised.

Injuries No. I and 2 were kept under observations. The duration
of the injuries was within 24 hours of the examination. The injuries
were caused by blunt weapon." C
On 19.12.1994, at 12.35 AM, Dr. B.B. Sharma examined Sube Singh
slo Makhan Lal and found the following injuries on his person:
1

!. Contusion on the back of left fore-arm below elbow. 8 cm. x 6 cm.
in the centre of the contusion. There was abrasion with fresh clotted D
blood 1 cm. x ~; cm. X-ray left fore-arm was advised.

2. Defused contusion on the outer side of right shoulder upper part
IO cm. x 6 cm.

3. Abrasion on front of left knee joint 2 cm. x 2 cm. Fresh clotted
blood was present. E
Injury No. l was kept under observation, however, injury No. 2 and
3 were declared simple in nature. The probable duration of the injuries
are within 24 hours. The injuries were caused by blunt weapon.

On the same day, at about 1.00 AM, Dr. B.B. Sharma examined Sumer F
Singh s/o Kundan Lal and found the following injuries on his person:

I. 2 adjacent abrasions on outer aspect of left shoulder I cm. x '!.cm.
1 cm. x Y.cm. 8 cm. from upper border of shoulder joint. Fresh
clotted blood was present.
G
2. On inner maleolus of left ankle Yz cm. x I cm. abrasion was
present. Fresh clotted blood was present. Surrounding area was
swollen.

3. Right big toe was swollen more on the dorsal side. Advised X-ray
~~~ H
148 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2002) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A 4. 3 abrasions on inner aspect of right ankle joint.

4-A. I cm. x 3/.icm. on centre of maleolus for injury No. 4-B.

4-B. I cm. x Y:zcm. on ankle joint. It is 4 cm. from injury No. 4-A
towards heal.
B
4-C. Y:zcm. x 1.2 ·cm. abrasion. It was 3 cm. above injury No. 4-A.

5. Abrasion on front of middle part of right leg 1 cm. x %cm. fresh
clotted blood was present.

c Injury No. l, 2, 4, 5 were simple in nature however, injuries No. 3
was kept under observation for X-ray. The probable duration of all
the injuries was within 24 hours. for examination. The injuries were
caused by blunt weapon."

Doctor opined that "the injury No.5 of Sumer Singh (PW-2) having
D been caused by a fall on a hard surface can not be ruled out. Similarly, injury
No.3 on the person of Sube Singh having been caused by a fall on a hard
surface can not be ruled out. The injury No.2 on Muni Devi is only a complaint
of pain and I can not give its duration and the weapon used. The injury No.3
on the person of Indira, having been caused by a fall on the hard surface can
E not be ruled out. The injury No. 6 and 8 on the person of Sunder Lal having
been caused by a fall on the hard surface can not be ruled out.

As already noticed, out of the injured complainant party, only Karan
Singh_PW-1 and Sumer Singh PW-2 have been cited as witnesses. The others
were not examined. The nature of the injuries sustained by the complainant
F party would clearly suggest that such injuries could be caused in a melee
which is the version of the defence that injuries sustained by deceased Kundan
Lal and other ml!mbers of the complainant party have been caused by a mob
consisting of 300-350 while trying to rescue the accused Ram Kishan.
Considering the nature of the injuries sustained by the complainant party it
G is quite probable that they sustained injuries accidentally while being involved
in a mob fight. We are clearly of the view that the nature of the injuries
sustained by the complainant party would clearly suggest that such injuries
could only be caused in a melee wherein the mob of 300-350 gathered at the
place as projected by the defence. Such injuries sustained by the complainant
party could not be attributed to the accused in the circumstances as explained
H above.
RAGHUNATH v. STATE OF HARYANA [HK SEMA.J.] 149

In the fact and circumstances recited above, we are clearly of the view, A
that the prosecution has not come up with a true story. It has suppressed the
facts. If that be the case, the whole prosecution story would stand on a quick
sand. The prosecution has failed to establish its case beyond reasonable doubts.
It is now well settled principle of law that if two views are possible, one in
favour of the accused and the other adversely against it, the view favouring B
the accused must be accepted.

In the result, these appeals are allowed, the convictions and sentences
passed on the appellants are set aside and all the appellants are acquitted of
the charges framed against them. The appellants are in jail. They are directed
to be set at liberty forthwith, if not required in connection with any other C
case. The impleadment application is dismissed.

NJ. Appeals allowed.