Holding

The right of private defence is unavailable to aggressors and cannot be invoked when the force used exceeds what is necessary, leading to conviction under Section 326/149 IPC.

Summary

The appellants, who owned a plot of land, removed wood that villagers had piled for Holika Dahan and chased a servant away. A confrontation ensued about 300 paces from the plot, during which the accused Jitendra fired a shot killing Nanhe. The trial court convicted the accused under Sections 302 and 149 IPC; the High Court affirmed, rejecting their claim of private defence. The Supreme Court held that the accused were the aggressors, that private defence is unavailable to aggressors and cannot be used to cause more harm than necessary, and that the incident constituted an unlawful assembly with a common object to cause grievous injury. Consequently, the convictions were altered to Section 326/149 IPC and the appeal was dismissed, with sentences modified accordingly.

Issues considered

The applicability of the right of private defence under Sections 99 and 100 IPC to the accused who were aggressors.
Whether the right of private defence can be claimed when the lethal act occurred 300 paces away from the disputed property.
The existence of an unlawful assembly and a common object under Section 149 IPC.
Whether unexplained injuries on the accused affect the prosecution's case.
The relevance of the number of shots fired to the claim of private defence.

Legislation cited

Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 100, s. 147, s. 149, s. 302, s. 307, s. 323, s. 326, s. 34, s. 352, s. 425, s. 99

Subjects

private defenceself-defenceunlawful assemblySection 149 IPCmurdergrievous hurtproperty disputeHolika DahanIndian Penal Code

Judgment

TRILOKI NATH AND ORS. A
v.
STATE OF U.P.

OCTOBER 28, 2005

[S.B. SINHA AND R.V. RAVEENDRAN, JJ.] B

Penal Code, 1860:

Section 99-Right of private defence-Exercise of-Extent-
Complainants piled up wood on the plot belonging to the accused on the C
occasion of 'Holika Dehan'-The complainants were chased away from the
plot-Accused, apprehending injury, killed the deceased-Incident took place
300 paces from the plot-Trial court convicted the accused under S. 302-
High Court affirmed the conviction rejecting the plea ofprivate defence raised
by the accused-Correctness of-Held: Accused must show the existence of D
grounds that death or grievous hurt would be caused to him-Even in such
cases the right of private defence could not be exceeded so as to cause more
harm than necessary-However, right of private defence is not available to
the aggressor-As the accused was the aggressor right of private defence
.. could not be claimed by him-Conviction upheld.
E
Section 149-Unlawfal assembly-Common object-Forming of-Basis-
He/d: For the purposes of attracting S. 149, it is not necessary that there
should be a pre-concert by way of a meeting of the persons of the unlawful
assembly as to the common object-If a common object is adopted by all the
persons and shared by them, it would serve the purpose.
F
Maxim:

"Falsus in uno, Falsus in ombibus ".-Meaning and applicabiliiy of

According to the prosecution, the plot in dispute was in the possession
of the accused. The complainants had piled up wood on the plot in dispute G
on the occasion of 'Holika Dehan' which was removed by the accused
persons after chasing them away from the plot. Two persons on the side
of the accused suffered lacerated wound on their heads. The said injuries
t were simple ones. The said incident took place about 300 paces from the
931 II
932 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A plot in dispute. One of the accused persons fired a shot at the deceased
who died on the Spot. PWs 2 and 3 had also suffered lacerated wounds on
their heads. The complainant and others who were accused in the counter
FIR had been acquitted and the judgment of acquittal had been affirmed
up to this court.

B The trial court convicted the accused persons for the offence under
Section 302 read with Section 149 of the Penal Code, 1860. The High Court
affirmed the conviction rejecting the plea of private defence raised by the
accused persons. Hence the appeal.

On behalf of the accused persons, it was contended that the injuries
C sustained by the accused were not explained; that the accused had caused
the deceased's death in the exercise of his right of private defence and that
as the entire incident took place within 2 to 3 minutes, there was hardly
any occasion to form an unlawful assembly and a common object on the
spot.
D
Dismissing the appeal, the Court

HELD: I. 'Falsus in uno, Falsus in ombibus' is not a rule of evidence
in criminal trial and it is the duty of the court to disengage the truth from
falsehood, to sift the grain from the chaff. [945-C]
...
E
2. rt is essential for an accused to show that there were circumstances
giving rise to reasonable grounds for apprehending that either death or
grievous hurt would be caused to him, burden wherefor lies on him.
(945-F)

F 3. It is true that while exercising the right of private defence a person
is not expected to weigh in golden scales on the spur of the moment and
in the heat of circumstances, the number of injuries required to disarm
the assailant who is armed with weapons; but it is also true that the right
of private defence cannot be exceeded so as to cause more harm than
G necessary. Circumstances, thus, are required to be viewed, with
pragmatism. It is also well-settled that a right of private defence is
unavailable to the aggressor. The need to act must not have been created
by the conduct of the accused in the immediate context of the incident
which was likely or intended to give rise to that need. (945-G, H; 946-AI

H Bishna@Bhiswadeb Mahala v. State of West Bengal, (Criminal Appeal '
TR!LOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. 933
Nos. 1430-1431 of 2003), relied on. A
4. I. The Appellants being in possession of the disputed land were
entitled to protect it but having regard to the past practice of performing
'Holika Dehan' on the land in question on the eve of 'Holi' which takes
place once in a year, the complainants party evidently did not want to
dispossess the accused persons permanently. In law, however, the accused B
persons could resist trespass. Even if a trespass has been committed, in
certain situations, right of private defence can be used to eject the
trespassers. [946-C, DL

4.2. In this case, however, the incident took place 300 paces away C
from the land in question. PW-3 had gone to chakk. At the time of
occurrence he was coming back from his chakk. It is. Therefore, not
correct to contend that he had sent the servant to the plot in question with
a view to tease the appellants and was waiting at some distance with others.
He, therefore, could not have known any part of the occurrence which
took place till then. [946-E] D

5.1. By the time PW-1 reached near the land, the appellants were
already in possession of the land as they had removed the wood, which
had been placed on the land by the complainant party. The right of private
defence in the aforementioned situation could not have been exercised for E
preventing trespass into the property or for evicting the trespassers.
[947-E]

5.2. The claim of private defence was, thus, not available to the
appellants as: (i) occurrence had taken place 300 paces away from the
disputed plot; (ii) the appellants were aggressors; and (iii) all of them were F
armed and in particular one of the accused was having a gun. [953-C]

Munney Khan v. State of MP. [1971] I SCR 943, A. C. Gangadhar v.
State ofKarnataka AIR (1998) SC 23811, Rajesh Kumarv. Dharamvir [1997]
4 SCC 496 and Mannu v. State of U.P., AIR (1979) SC 1230, relied on.
G
Harish Kumar v. State of MP. [1996] 9 SCC 667, Yogendra Morarji v.
State of Gujarat, [1980] 2 SCC 218, Moti Singh v. State of Maharashtra,
[2000] 9 SCC 494, Mahabir Choudhary v. State of Bihar (1996( 5 SCC 107,
State of UP. v. Ram Niranjan Singh, (1972] 3 SCC 66 and Subramani v.
State ofT.N. (2002] 7 sec 210, referred to. H
934 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A 6.1. It is not the law that the prosecution case shall fail only because ·
injuries on the person of the accused have not been explained. In certain
situation it is not necessary to explain the injuries on the person of the
accused. [955-8)

Laxman Singh v. Poonam Singh, [2004] to SCC 94, Chacko alias
B Aniyan Kunju v. State of Kera/a, [2004[ 12 SCC 269, Kashiram v. State of
MP., (2002) 1SCC71 and Vajrapu Sambayya Naidu v. State ofA.P., (2004)
to sec 152, relied on.

6.2. The injuries on the accused have sufficiently been explained and,
C thus, it was not necessary for the prosecution to adduce any further
evidence. (955-D)

Takhaji Hiraji v. Thakore Kubersing Chamanasing, (200116 SCC 145,
relied on.

D 7.1. For the purpose of attracting Section 149 Penal Code, 1860 it is
not necessary that there should be a pre-concert by way of a meeting of
the persons of the unlawful assembly as to the common object. If a
common object is adopted by all the persons and shared by them, it would
serve the purpose. [955-FI

E Mizaji v. State of UP. (19591 Supp. 1 SCR 940, Masalti v. State of
UP. (1964) 8 SCR 133, Baladin v. State UP., AIR (1956) SC 181, Bhajan
Singh v. State of UP., (1974[ 4 SCC 568, Shri Gopal v. Subhash, JT (2004)
2 SC 158, Ram Taha/ v. State of UP., (1972) 1 SCC 136 and Vaijayanti v.
State of Maharashtra, (Criminal Appeal No. 1100 of 2004 decided by SC
on 22.9.2005), relied on.
F
7.2. The appellants and the other accused cannot be said to have /

formed a common object to kill any person, or to make an attempt in that
behalf in view of the manner in which the occurrence took place. Their
common object appears to be to teach PW-3 and others a lesson for
making attempts to burn 'Holika' by causing grievous injuries to them.
G (959-FJ

8. The appellants were not entitled to raise the plea of self-defence
both in respect of the property as also the person being themselves
aggressors. The fact that the prosecution in the counter-case lodged by
H the accused has resulted in acquittal of the complainant party would also
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 935
have some bearing in the matter. The injuries on the person of the accused A
persons had sufficiently been explained. The injuries on the person of the
accused persons, therefore, lose all significance. 1958-H; 959-A)

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 1150
of 2004.
B
From the Judgment and Order dated 22.4.2004 of the Allahabad High
Court in Crl.A. No. 660 of I 981.

WITH

Crl.A. Nos. I I 71, I I 72 and I I 73 of 2004. c
S.R. Bajawa, Sushi! Kr. Jain, S.Z.A. Warsi, Ms. Pratibha Jain and Ram
Niwas, for B.K. Satija, K.S. Rana, Vijay Singh and David Rao for
Khwarirakpam Nobin Singh, R.K. Kapoor and M.K. Verma, for Sudarsh
Menon for the Appellants.
D
N.S. Gahlout and Prashant Chaudhary for Jatinder Kumar Bhatia for
the Respondent.

M.N. Krishnamani, Shakil Ahmed Syed and Mohd. Taiyab Khan for
the Respondent.
-E
The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

S.B. SINHA, J. These appeals arising out of a common judgment and
order dated 22nd April, 2004 passed by the High Court of Judicature at
Allahabad in Crl. Appeal No. 660 of 1981 and Crl. Appeal No.668 of 1981
were taken up for hearing together and are being disposed of by this common F
judgment. Criminal Appeal No. I 150 of 2004 is by Triloki Nath, Krishna
Chandra Singh, Shashi Kant and Sahdev (Accused Nos.6, 5, 7 and 8
respectively). Criminal Appeal Nos.1173, 1172 and 1173 of 2004 are
respectively by Kunwar Prahald Singh (Accused No. I), Jitendra alias Mister
(Accused No.2) and Gopal (Accused No.3). One of the eight accused namely, G
Chhanga has not filed any appeal.

BACKGROUND FACT:

The residents of village Devanand Pur had been performing "Holika
Dehan" for a long time on Plot No. 399, which is said to be a banjar land. H
936 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A Kunwar Prahlad Singh became the owner of the said plot. He tried to enclose
the said plot by a 'Mend' (Fence). An objection thereto was raised by the
villagers including Laxmi Shankar Srivastava (PW-3); a complaint wherefor
was made pursuant whereto an intervention was made by the police.

F!Rs RELATING TO INCIDENT:
B
On the Basant Panchami day, the villagers allegedly fixed 'Dhah' as a
symbol of Holi on the said plot and started collecting fuel wood thereupon.
On the said day at about 12 noon, Khuddey, PW-4 while going to the flour
mill found the Appellants herein removing the wood. The accused Jitendra
C armed with a gun and the remaining accused armed with lathis were present.
Khuddey, PW-4, servant of Laxmi Shankar Srivastava, allegedly forbade
them from doing so whereupon he was chased. Near the Hata of Pran, Laxmi
Shankar Srivastava (PW-3), Sahjadey Jeevanlal (PW-2) Shabbir and other
persons of the village arrived. Laxmi Shankar Srivastava allegedly had asked
the accused as to why they have been chasing his servant. Triloki Nath
D exhorted his companions saying 'Maro Sale Ko' whereupon Gopal hurled a
lathi blow on PW-3's head. Shashi Kant accused gave the second lathi blow
on his wrist. Kunwar Prahlad Singh and Sahdev also assaulted him with
lathis. Chhanga and Krishna assaulted Sahjadey. Khuddey (PW-4) is said to
have hurled lathi blow in defence of Laxmi Shankar Srivastava (PW-3). He
thereafter raised hue and cry which attracted Nanhe (the deceased), and others.
E Nanhe raised alarm saying that Lala (thereby meaning Laxmi Shankar
Srivastava) was being killed whereupon Triloki Nath exhorted Jitendra asking
him to kill him as he professes himself to be a great helper of Laxmi Shankar.
Responding thereto Jitendra fired a shot at Nanhe. He fell down and died.

F A First Information Report was lodged by Dinesh Kumar Srivastava
(PW-I) at about 2 p.m. on the same day.

A First Information Report was also lodged by Kunwar Prahlad Singh
Srivastava (Accused No. I) at about 4.30 p.m. against Shahjadey, Bansidhar,
Khuddey Chamar, Nanhe Chamar, Hira Passy, Shabbir and Laxmi Shankar
G purported to be for commission of an offence under Section 147/323/352 of
the Indian Penal Code alleging that Dinesh Kumar under the pretext of
performing Holika Dahan placed some waste wood at Plot No. 399 and kept
on adding thereto. He went to the said plot along with his sons Mister alias
Jitendra and Gopal at about I I a.m. and removed the said waste wood from
his land. When they were returning, Dinesh Kumar came on his motorcycle
H with a child. He allegedly stopped his motorcycle and called his servant as
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 937

also Shahjaddey and Bansi Brahman and exhorted "Jane na paye, mar pit A
low" whereupon they ran towards their house. On the way, Khuddey Chamar,
Nanhe Chamar, Hira Passi, Shabbir, etc. came from the side of the east and
south and surrounded him. The accused persons attacked Triloki. Sahdev and
other persons ran towards him for his rescue and when they had been running
to save their lives, they heard a sound of gun-fire from behind.
B
INJURIES ON THE ACCUSED.·

Injuries suffered by Triloki Nath in the said incident are as under:

"(!) Lacerated wound, 6 cm x Y, cm x scalp deep on the left side of
scalp, 6 cm above ear. c
(2) Abraded contusion, 6 cm x 3 cm on the back of right shoulder."

Injuries suffered by Sahdev are as under:

, "(I) Lacerated wound, 2.5 cm x Y, cm x scalp deep, 3 cm behind
left~. D
(2) Abrasion, 1 cm x 1.5 cm on the front of left knee."

Before we advert to the submissions made by the learned counsel for
the parties, we may notice some of the findings of the Trial Court and the
High Court respectively. E
FINDINGS OF TRIAL COURT:

(i) " ...... Kunwar Prahlad Singh accused had enough cause of
grievance against Laxmi Shanker Srivastava P.W.3 and Dinesh
Kumar Srivastava P.W.l. Undisputedly Kunwar Prahlad Singh F
accused had his possession over plot No. 399 in dispute and the
same had also been proved by the Khasra entries for the period
preceding the date of occurrence, and such Khasra entries show
the crop also of Kunwar Prahlad Singh accused in the plot in
dispute."

(ii) "Thus, the defence case that the accused Triloki and Sahdeo had
G
also received injuries in the same occurrence is also proved
beyond doubt."

(iii) "As such, I find that the cause of grievance lay with the accused
. ; and not with the prosecution and it is quite probable that the H
938 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A accused Kunwar Prahlad Singh might have collected at the land
in dispute fully anned with a view to effectively remove the fuel
wood of Holi on the plot in dispute and to meet all resistance
against it."

FINDINGS OF HIGH COURT :
B
(i) "From the very inception the only logical inference is that those
accused had gone well prepared with lathies and fire arm to deal
with the other side who were resisting removal of holika woods
and they knew well that the consequences may be of death merely
because other accused did not have deadly weapon and except
C lathi, which is also one of the deadly weapon and is capable of
causing death, it is none other was caused death merely a chance
or incident..."

(ii) " .... .It was found that the plot No. 399 was in possession of
Kunwar Prahlad Singh on the preceding day of occurrence and
D he had grudge against these people who were acting against his
interest by keeping Holika. According to prosecution witnesses
P.W.l to P.W.4 it is evident that fuel woods for Holi had been
stocked on the said plot. There cannot be any grievance of P.W.l
D.K. Srivastava regarding this as neither P.W. l nor P.W.3 claimed
this land adversely against their personal rights. Their only role
E was that P.W.l D.K. Srivastava and P.W.3 L.S. Srivastava were
playing leading role in burning of Holi. Therefore, it was the
land-holder who had felt aggrieved. There is also no suggestion
that the woods were stocked at the time of incident nor th,ere is
any case that Laxmi Shankar Srivastava, P.W. 3 and his associates
F had collected arms to resist such removal of Holi. There is
probability that the defence side had collected anns to take
revenue (sic) or with a view of removal of fuel wood ofHoli and
to meet the resistance against it."

(iii) "Learned trial court has held that if Nanhe was killed in the
G occurrence and the same was in the light of private defence, such
contention of the learned counsel for the accused is absolutely
false firstly because there is no case that the occurrence took
place on or near the land in dispute to take possession over it
place of Holi or Nanhey had gone near the land to take possession.
Secondly, the fight had taken place not at the plot in dispute but
H
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA. J.] 939
at a place the distance of which has been stated by Khuddey, A
P. W.4 by an uncontroverted testimony, at 300 paces away from
the disputed land. Thirdly, it comes out from the evidence that
Kunwar Prahlad Singh accused had already thrown away fuel
woods from the plot in dispute before the occurrence took place
and according to his defence version he was proceeding from B
that place to his house and, therefore, finding of the trial court
has sufficient reasons that the accused have not acted in their
self-defence."

Upon completion of the trial, Jitnedra with other seven accused were
found guilty of commission of the offence under Section 302/149 for C
commission of murder of Nanhe, under Section 307 /I 49 for causing injury
to Laxmi Shankar Srivastava and under Section 14 7 of the Indian Penal Code
for rioting.

The Trial judge by an order dated 17.9.1981 convicted and sentenced
the accused to imprisonment for life for the offence of murder. The said D
judgment has been upheld by the High Court.

SUBMISSIONS:

Mr. S.R. Bajawa, learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the
Appellants at the outset drew our attention to the fact that the injuries received E
by Laxmi Shankar Srivastava and Sahjadey are more or less similar to those
received by Triloki Nath and Sahdev. Such injuries received by the said
Appellants, it was contended, must have given rise to an apprehension in
their minds that one of them may be killed and as such the accused had
rightly exercised their right of private defence. Exercise of such right of
private defence could not have been denied to the accused persons on the F
reasonings of the High Court, it was submitted, in view of the fact that
although the place of occurrence was 300 paces away from the plot in question,
both the incidents of removal of trespass from Plot No. 399 as also the
occurrence in question took place as a part of the same transaction.

The learned counsel furthermore drew our attention to the post-mortem G
report and submitted on the basis thereof that as blackening and tattooing and
scorching were found, the same could not have been caused from a double
barrel muzzle loaded gun which is said to be the weapon of offence.
'f
Mr. Bajawa would submit that the impugned judgments of conviction H
940 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A of sentence are unsustainable as:
(i) Witnesses have come up with half truth.
(ii) The actual reason for putting the woods on the plot in question
was not disclosed. The land was not lying fallow as wheat crop
was grown thereon and, thus, the accused could not have been
B dispossessed therefrom.
(iii) The complainants sent Khuddey to tease the accused and they
had been waiting at some distance.
•
(iv) The accused had a right to remove the wood piled on their land.
c (v) They had no animus against Nanhe, deceased and, thus, they
could not have been convicted under Section 302/149 of the
Indian Penal Code.
(vi) There was no triggering point for firing at Nanhe except his so-
called shouting that the accused persons would kill Lala meaning
D thereby Laxmi Shankar Srivastava. which cannot be relied upon.
(vii) Only one shot was fired from the gun as of necessity, as two of
the accused persons were seriously injured.
(viii)PW-2, the only independent witness, is not at all reliable.
E (ix) Admittedly, Khudday had also come with a lathi which established
that the complainant party was the aggressor.
(x) Khudday did not suffer any injury which shows that the accused
persons were not the aggressors.
(xi) Unless Khudday was assaulted, no unlawful assembly could have
F been caused.
~
(xii) In any view of the matter, the entire incident took place at the
spur of the moment.

Mr. R.K. Kapoor, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the Appellant
G in Criminal Appeal Nos. 1171 and 1172 of2004 supplemented the submissions
of Mr. Bajawa urging:

(i) The accused persons were not having any grudge against the
deceased.
(ii) There was no motive for killing. ~ ~'
H
TRILOKINATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, l.] 941
... (iii) The complainants were only chased from the land, which by A
itself did not constitute an offence.

(iv) Kunwar Prahlad Singh and Gopal did not give any exhortation
'for the death ofNanhe and as such their conviction under Section
3021149 is wholly unsustainable.

(v) The occurrence took place because of the interference with B
possession of the Appellants in plot in question by Khuddey. As
the entire incident took place within 2-3 minutes, there was hardly
any occasion to form an unlawful assembly and a common object
on the spot.

(vi) There was no intention to kill Nanhe and as such for his death, c
others are not liable.

Mr. Vijay Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of Shashikant in
Criminal Appeal No. I 150 of 2004 drew our attention to the fact that he
allegedly gave a lathi blow on the left wrist of Laxmi Shankar Srivastava
whereas in his cross-examination he stated that such injury was caused by D
Gopal and submitted that in that view of the matter he could not have been
held guilty. He further submitted that sufficient material had been brought on
"" records to show that an election dispute was going on between the parties.

Mr. N.S. Gahlout, learned counsel appearing in behalf of the State, on E
the other hand, submitted that : (i) having regard to the statements made in
First Information Reports lodged by both the parties, the time of occurrence
as well as the place of occurrence must be held to have been admitted; (ii)
the death of Nanhe and the injuries suffered by Laxmi Shankar Srivastava
and Sahjaddey being not denied and disputed, it was for the Appellants to
show that the defence version was probable; (iii) in view of the fact that both F
Khuddey and Laxmi Kant Srivastava were injured witnesses, their presence
at the place of occurrence cannot be disputed and in that view of the matter
there is no reason as to why their testimonies should not be relied upon; and
(iv) that from the First Information Report lodged by Kunwar Prahlad Singh,
it would appear that the firing from a gun was admitted which being wholly G
unnatural would lead to an inference that the Appellants were the aggressors.
Our attention in this behalf has also been drawn to setting up of another story
by the Appellants in paragraph 9 of the S.L.P. which reads as under:

" ..... As an altercation ensued, Khuddey attacked petitioner No. I and
4. Petitioner No. I and 4 wielded lathi in their defence and a free H
942 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A fight ensued. Prahlad Singh tried to escape by running away from the
scene of occurrence but from one side, Dinesh Kumar aimed his gun
at Prahlad Singh and from the other side, the brother of Khuddey
namely Nanhe confronted him. Prahlad Singh sat down to avoid the
bullet fearing a shot from the gun of Dinesh Kumar and the bullet
fired by Dinesh Kumar hit Nanhe and Nanhe died on the spot."
B
It w_as submitted on the aforementioned premise that the Appellants
have raised defences which are mutually destructive.

Drawing our attention to the findings of the learned Trial Judge as also
the High Court, it was argued that !t is apparent that the accused persons
C were the aggressors and in that view of the matter they cannot claim any right
of private defence and in particular having regard to the fact that :

(i) from the plot in question, wood had already been remvved.
(ii) place of occurrence is not the land in question but 300 paces
D away therefrom.
(iii) If the version of the accused persons is to be accepted that
somebody has fired from behind, it cannot be said that they have
done so in self-defence.
(iv) Such statements being vague oo positive case of self-defence has
E been made out.

It was submitted that in villages normally the servants carry a lathi and
in that view of the matter it cannot be said that the accused persons came
heavily armed. Drawing our attention to the statements of Khuddey, PW-4
wherein he categorically admitted that Triloki and Sahdev received injuries
F from the lathi which he used in defence, it was submitted that in that view
of the matter it could be said that the prosecution did not come out with the
truth.

As regard, formation of common object, the learned counsel would
G submit that the same can be formed on the spot.
ADMITTED FACTS:

The admitted facts ar-e:

(i) That the plot in dispute was in possession of accused Kunwar
H Prahlad Singh.
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 943
(ii) There are two factions in the village. A
(iii) The complainants were piling up wood on the occasion of Holi
which was removed by the accused persons.

(iv) Two persons on the side of the accused, viz., Triloki Nath, Sahdev
suffered lacerated wound on their heads. The said injuries were
simple ones. B
(v) Nanhe died out of a gun shot injury. Laxmi Shankar Srivastava
and Sahjadey also suffered lacerated wounds on their heads.

(vi) The complainant and others who were accused in the counter
FIR have been acquitted and the judgment of acquittal has been
affirmed upto this Court.
c
ANALYSIS:

The submissions of the learned counsel for the parties are required to
be considered in the backdrop of the aforem.entioned admitted facts. D
The Appellants at no stage disputed the correctness or otherwise of the
autopsy report in respect of the deceased Nanhe and injuries sustained by
Laxmi Shankar Srivastava and Sahjadey .. The relevant portion of the autopsy
report reads as under:
E
"*** *** ***
(I) Multiple fire arm wounds of entry, in an area of 10 cm x 7 cm
on the front of neck and upper part of chest in middle, smallest being
2/10 cm x 2/10 cm and biggest being'!. cm x % cm. Blackening and
tattooing present searching (sic) present.
F
*** *** ***
( c) Laryex, Trachea and Trachea and larvex ruptured at
Broachi places 4 pallets recovered.

( d) Right Lung Ruptured at apex & contains G
haematones 3 pallets recovered

(e) Left Lung Ruptured atapex & contains
haematomes 3 pallets
) recovered.
H
*** *** ***
944 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A (h) Large vessels Injuries on both sides ruptured
in neck. Jugular weni on (L)
side ruptured 5 pellets
recovered."

Laxmi Shankar Srivastava at the time of incident was about 74-75
B years old. From the medico-legal evidence, it appears that he received a
lacerated wound 6 cm x Yi cm x bone deep on the top of skull, 12.5 cm above
nasion and he had a fracture on the outer side of forearm 2 cm above wrist
joint and abrasion on the front of left leg I 0 cm above ankle.

Having regard to the nature of injuries suffered by Laxmi Shankar
C Srivastava, a concurrent finding of fact has been arrived at that the Appellants
had an intention to murder him. There is no reason to differ therewith.

Injuries said to have been suffered by Sahjadey, as would appear from
the medical report proved by PW-5 are as under:
D "(I) Lacerated wound 5 cm x 1 cm x Bone deep on the right side, 7
cm. above ear.

· (2) Contusion, 8 cm x 1.5 cm over right lip."

Both PWs-3 and 4 were eye-witnesses. Both of them, even according
E to the Appellants, were present at the time of occurrence. Laxmi Shankar
Srivastava (PW-3) was also an injured witness. Even in the first information
report lodged by Kunwar Prahlad Singh both of them had been named. Their
presence at the place of occurrence, therefore, cannot be disbelieved. The
said witnesses have fully supported the prosecution case.

F Apart from some minor discrepancies like that at one place he stated
"May be that the lathi used by Khuddey hit Triloki" and immediately thereafter
he stated "I did not see Khuddey using lathi on Triloki. At the time of
occurrence I did not see Triloki and Sahdev getting injured or bleeding. I did
not see any lathi blow having been made on Sahdev", nothing else has been
G pointed out to reject the testimony o_f PW-3. We would notice hereafter the
statements of PW-4 as regards the role played by him. We do not find any
infirmity in his evidence to discard the same. Both of them are natural
witnesses.

PW2 is also one of the named eye-witnesses. He is an independent
H witness. His presence at the time of occurrence cannot be doubted as he was '·
TR!LOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 945
cited at one of the witnesses in the First Information Report which was A
recorded within one and half hour from the time of occurrence.

It may be true that there appears to be some contradictions in his
evidence as regard carrying of Laxmi Shankar on his back inasmuch as in
cross-examination he had stated Ram Shankar carried Laxmi Shankar on his
back, but that by itself may not be a ground to discard his evidence in B
totality.

'Falsus in uno, Falsus in ombibus' is not a rule of evidence in criminal
trial and it is the duty of the court to disengage the truth from falsehood, to
sift the grain from the chaff.
c
The said First Information Report was lodged without any delay
whatsoever; particularly having regard to the fact that after the incident the
injured persons were required to be looked after and the distance of the
Police Station from the place of occurrence was about three kilometers.

D
.. SELF-DEFENCE

The law relating to self defence in view of a catena of decisions of this
Court is now well-settled. A plea of right of private defence may be in
respect of property or a person. Section 99 of the Indian Penal Code, however,
mandates that the right of private defence, in no case, extends to inflicting of E
more harm than necessary. Section I 00 of the Code provides that the right
of private defence of the body extends under the restrictions mentioned in
Section 99 to the voluntary causing of death or of any other harm to the
assailant if the offence which occasions the exercise of the right be of any
of the descriptions enumerated therein. It is essential for an accused to show
that there were circumstances giving rise to reasonable grounds for F
apprehending that either death or grievous hurt would be caused to him,
burden wherefor lies on him.

It is true that while exercising the right of private defence a person is
not expected to weigh in golden scales on the spur of the moment and in the
heat of circumstances, the number of injuries required to disarm the assailant G
who is armed with weapons; but it is also true that the right of private
defence cannot be exceeded so as to cause more harm than necessary.
Circumstances, thus, are required to be viewed with pragmatism. It is also
well-settled that a right of private defnece is unavailable to the aggressor.
The need to act must not have been created by the conduct of the accused H
946 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A in the immediate context of the incident which was likely or intended to give
rise to that need.

It is not necessary to dilate on the matter any further as in Bishna @
Bhiswadeb Mahato and Ors. v. State of West Bengal (Criminal Appeal
Nos.1430-1431 of 2003], the issue has been discussed at some length.
B
The case at hand has to be considered having regard to the principles
of law, as noticed hereinbefore. We have seen that in what circumstances and
to what extent the right of private defence can be exercise would depend
upon the fact situation obtaining in each case.

C The Appellants being in possession of the disputed land, were entitled
to protect it but having regard to the past practice of. perfonning Holika
Dahan on the land in question on the eve of Holi which takes place once in
a year, the complainants party evidently did not want to dispossess the accused
persons permanently. In law, however, the accused persons could resist
D trespass. Even a trespass has been committed, in certain situations, right of
private defence can be used to eject the trespassers .

. In this case, h?wever, the incident took place 300 paces away from the
land in question. Laxmi Shankar Srivastava had gone to chakk. At the time
of occurrence he was coming back from his chakk. It is, therefore, not correct
E to contend that he had sent the servant to the plot in question with a view to
tease the Appellants and was waiting at some distance with others. He,
therefore, could not have known any part of the occurrence which took place
till then.

According to the Appellants, they were attacked upon exhortation of
F Laxm i Shankar Srivastava. As would be noticed from the discussions made
hereinafter that the said stand of the Appellants cannot be said to be correct.
It has not been shown that apart from Khuddey any other person was carrying
any weapon. On the other hand, all the Appellants were armed with lathis
except Jitendra who was carrying a gun. There is no material on records to
G show that there had been any overt act on the part of the complainant. In the
above circumstances, it is unlikely that the complainant would ask others to
assault the Appellants.

Both the learned Sessions Judge and the High Court came to a concurrent
finding of fact that the incident took place after Khuddey was chased. It is
H possible that as regard the right of the villagers to perform Holika Dahan or
TRILOKl NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 947
because of old enmity, the incident occurred but it is clearly not a case of A
free-fight amongst two groups of people, both being armed with deadly
weapons. Thus, no case of self-defence has been made out.

PW-4 categorically stated in his examination-in-chief that he used lathi
in defence only after Gopal and Shashikant assaulted Laxmi Shankar Srivastava
and Sahjaddey. In cross-examination, the said witness accepted that Triloki B
and Sahjaddey received injuries from the lathi which he had used in defence,
stating :

" ... .! was shielding against the attack of the accused on my lathi and
was also making the attacks. Approximately, I shielded against 2-4
blows of lathi. In defence I had attacked Triloki. I had given one lathi C
blow. I had made one attack with my lathi on Sahdev also ..."

He further categorically stated that none other than him and the accused
had lathi/danda in their hands. We find no reason to disbelieve his testimony.

The Trial Court and the High Court have found that the nature of D
injuries on the person of Triloki Nath and Sahdev were too trivial. No case
has also been made out, as suggested, that Dinesh Kumar (PW-I) was armed
with a gun. He was in fact not present at the time of incident. No such
suggestion was given to him that he was present at the time of incident with
a gun. Such a suggestion had not been given also to any other witness. Non- E
sustenance of any injury by Khuddey is also not of much significance. He in
his evidence, as noticed hereinbefore, has clearly stated as to why he had to
wield lathi and how he had been defending himself and had been able to hit
blows on Sahdev and Triloki Nath.

In the First Information Report lodged by Kunwar Prahlad Singh, it is F
alleged that they had run away when a sound of gun fire was heard. It is
interesting to note that as regard the said incident, Dinesh Kumar was also
said to have lodged a First Information Report but the same was not brought
on record.

We have noticed hereinbefore that even in the First Information Report G
it has been admitted that the accused persons had also received injuries as a
lathi was wielded. PW-3 although stated that he had not seen at the time of
)
occurrence Triloki or Sahdev getting injured but he accepted that "May be
that the lathi used by Khuddey hit Triloki". Merely a suggestion was given
to PW-3 on behalf of the Appellants that Triloki Nath and Sahdev tried to H
948 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A mediate between the two groups and after they started beating Triloki Nath
and Sahdev with lathi and in the melee Triloki Nath and Sahdev in tum
assaulted others, but the same was denied.

ANALYSIS OF EVIDENCE

B The prosecution has fully established that Khuddey while going to the
floor mill found the Appellants.herein removing the wood, and asked them
not to do so. He was, of course, armed with a lathi. Khuddey at that time,
thus, was not causing any trespass. He did not physically prevent the Appellants
from removing the trees. He even did not prevent them from reentering or
C otherwise obstructing them physically from possessing the land. He was chased
away. He came near the Hata of Pran which is about 300 paces away from
Plot No.399. At that point of time in all probabilities Laxmi Shankar Srivastava
(PW-3) and Sahjadey, (PW-2), Shabbir and other persons arrived there. Laxmi
Shankar Srivastava had only asked the Appellants as to why they had been
chasing his servant, whereupon Triloki Nath exhorted his companions to
D assault him resulting in the incident. If Khoddey' s evidence is believed, he
had used his lathi to prevent assault on his master. He had used his lathi both
by way of defence as well as assaulting two of the accused parties. The right
of private defence in the aforementioned situation could not have been
exercised for preventing trespass into the property or for evicting the
trespassers. By the time Khuddey reached near the land, the Appellants were
E already in possession of the land as they had removed the wood, which had
been placed on the land by the complainant party.

The Appellants, therefore, were aggressors. The right of private defence
cannot, thus, be claimed by them. [See Munney Khan v. State of Madhya
p Pradesh, (1971] I SCR 943]

In A.C. Gangadhar v. State of Karna/aka, AIR (1998) SC 2381, the
Appellant was said to have caused an injury with an axe on the head of PW-
5 when they protested against the accused from cutting the tree. The right of
private defence claimed by the accused was denied opining :
G "3. The learned counsel for the appellant, however, submitted that
even if it is believed that A- I had caused grievous hurt, he could not
have been held guilty either under Section 326 or for any other offence
as the said injury was caused by him in exercise of the right of
private defence. Both the courts have come to the conclusion that the
H accused and his companions were the aggressors and had started the
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 949
assault on the deceased and his children and that too, because they A
protested against the accused cutting the tree. Therefore, there was no
scope for giving any benefit ofright of private defence to the appellant.
We, therefore, see no reason to interfere with the order passed by the
High Court...."

In Rajesh Kumar v. Dharamvir and Ors., [1997] 4 SCC 496, it is B
stated:

"20. Section 96 of the Indian Penal Code provides that nothing is an
offence which is done in the exercise of the right of private defence
and the fascicle of Sections 97 to I 06 thereof lays down the extent
and limitation of such right. From a plain reading of the above sections C
it is manifest that such a right can be exercised only to repel unlawful
aggression and not to retaliate. To put it differently, the right is one
of defence and not of requital or reprisal. Such being the nature of
right, the High Court could not have exonerated the accused persons
of the charges levelled against them by bestowing on them the right D
to retaliate and attack the complainant party."

Therein, the prosecution case was as under :

"3. According to the prosecution case on the same day at or about
4.30 p.m. the five accused and Lachhi Ram started demolishing the E
inner boundary wall of the shop in order to make it a part of their
own house. On hearing the sound of pounding on the wall Yogesh
went to the lane in front of their house and asked the accused not to
demolish the wall. Immediately thereafter accused Dharamvir, armed
with a lathi, and the other four accused and Lachhi Ram came out of
the shop with knives and started inflicting blows on Yogesh with F
th~ir respective weapons. On hearing the alarms raised by him when
Rajesh (PW 13), his father Dinesh Chander, and his grandfather Suraj
Bhan came forward to his rescue, Subhash, Lachhi Ram and Suresh,
assaulted Rajesh with their knives. All the five accused persons and
Lachhi Ram also assaulted Dinesh Chander and Suraj Bhan causing G
injuries on their person. At that stage, Dinesh Chander fired a shot
from his licensed gun, which hit Lachhi Ram. In the meantime Krishna
Devi (PW 14), mother of Rajesh, had also reached the spot. Thereafter
the five accused persons ran away with their weapons. Though Yogesh
had succumbed to his injuries there, his body was taken to the Local
Primary Health Centre, where the injured Dinesh Chander, Suraj Bhan H
950 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A and Lachhi Ram were removed for treatment. The injured Rajesh
however first went to Samalkha Police Station to lodge the FIR."

The Trial Court recorded a finding relying upon the evidence of Rajesh
Kumar (PW-13) and his mother Krishna Devi (PW-14) that the entire
occurrence took place in the lane itself. The said finding was upset by the
B High Court accepting the plea of right of private defence of person and
property raised by the accused persons in the manner as noticed supra.

This Court held :

"21. We reach the same conclusion through a different route even
c if we proceed on the assumption that the finding of the High Court
that the accused party came out in the lane and attacked the
complainant party after the latter had damaged the outer door of their
house is a proper one. The offence that was committed by the
complainant party by causing such damage would amount to
"mischief' within the meaning of Section 425 of the Indian Penal
D Code and, therefore, in view of Section I 05 of the Indian Penal Code
the accused would have been entitled to exercise their right of private
defence of property so long as the complainant party continued in the
commission of the mischief. In other words, after the damage was
done, the accused had no right of private defence of property, which
E necessarily means that when they attacked the complainant party in
the lane they were !fie aggressors. Consequently, it was the complainant
party-and not the accused-who was entitled to exercise the right of
private defence of their persons; and their act of gunning down Lachhi
after four of them were assaulted by the accused party with deadly
weapons would not be an offence in view of Sections 96 and I 00 of
F the Indian Penal Code"

In Mannu and Ors v. State o/Uttar Pradesh, AIR (1979) SC 1230, this
Court held that when PW-I and the deceased therein were going to the
market they had been waylaid and attacked by the Appellants, they cannot
G claim the right of private defence. These decisions apply in all fours to the
facts of this case.

We may now consider some of the decisions relied upon by Mr. Bajawa.

In Harish Kumar and Anr. v. State of M.P., [1996] 9 SCC 667 a finding
H of fact has been arrived at that the court had been deprived of a truthful
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.] 951
account of the first of the two occurrences which had taken place and A
figuratively there was a first occurrence which led to the second one. It was
furthermore found as of fact that some unpleasantness had occurred earlier
wherefor some of the members of the complainant party had kept being there
and others had started assembling in the lane in which the house of the
appellants lay. In the aforementioned factual scenario, it was held:
B
" ..... 19 As members of a faction, it is difficult to believe that they
would have come there unarmed and less in number and be there for
no cause, all the more knowing fully well that amongst the appellants
were 2 licensed weapon-holders. It is alleged by the prosecution that
it was Harish Kumar, accompanied by his companions, who first C
stepped forward towards the complainant party, present near the stone
gate. Here then was direct confrontation. In the circumstances
therefore, the possibility cannot be ruled out that Harish Kumar,
becoming apprehensive of danger to himself and his family members
chose to be defensive in becoming offensive, because of the first
incident; without having the requisite intention to cause the murder D
of any particular person. He therefore fired but only once and the fire
was not repeated. There was no indiscriminate firing. His act would
therefore, be termed as one in exercise of the right of private defence
of person entitling him to acquittal..."

In Yogendra Morarji V. State of Gujarat, (1980] 2 sec 218 the fact E
situation obtaining was absolutely different. The accused-appellant, a
businessman, had purchased land in a nearby village and employed the
deceased and a few others to dig a well thereupon. A dispute regarding
payments due to the workers culminated in their collectively approaching the
accused when he visited the village and was staying in his Manager's house. F
During course of their discussion, a heated altercation took place which was
resented by the workers. They collectively were standing on a road and
lingered near a field for about an hour. The accused started on his return
journey at about 9 p.m. and when his station-wagon reached near that field,
the deceased and his companions raised their hands signaling him to stop the
vehicle whereupon the accused slowed down the vehicle and fired three G
rounds in quick succession from his revolver without aiming at any particular
person. He went to the police station and surrendered his revolver. He was
acquitted by the Trial Court but convicted by the High Court for commission
of an offence under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code. On appeal, this
Court held that having regard to the fact that he had fired three rounds, he H
952 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2005) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A must be held to have exceeded his right of private defence.
In Moti Singh v. State of Maharashtra, (2002] 9 SCC 494, this Court
merely held that the right of private defence cannot be denied merely because
the accused adopted a different line of defence particularly when the evidence
adduced by the prosecution would indicate that they were put under a situation
B where they could reasonably have apprehended grievous hurt even to one of
them.

In Mahabir Choudhary v. State of Bihar, [1996] 5 SCC 107, the law
has been laid down in the following terms:

C "I I. The emerging position is, you have the first degree of right of
private defence even if the wrong committed or attempted to be
committed against you is theft or mischief or criminal trespass 'f
simpliciter. This right of private defence cannot be used to kill the
wrongdoer unless you have reasonable cause to fear that otherwise
death or grievous hurt might ensue in which case you have the full
D
measure of right of private defence."

There cannot be any dispute as regard aforementioned proposition of
law.

E In State of U.P. v. Ram Niranjan Singh [1972] 3 SCC 66, this Court
in the facts and circumstances obtaining therein was of the opinion that two
incidents which have taken place on 7th December, 1965 were integrated
ones and, thus, the same right of private defence the Respondent had for
causing the death of the deceased No. I was available to him in respect of
the deceased No. 2. The said decision has no application in the present case.
F
In Subramani and Ors. v. State of TN. [2002] 7 SCC 210 again a
positive case of exercise of right of private defence was made out. Therein
the question was as to whether the accused had exceeded their right of private
defence. They were held to have initially acted in exercise of their right of
G private defence of property and in exercise of the right of private defence of
person later and in that factual backdrop, it was held:

"21.. ..ln the instant case we are inclined to hold that the appellants
had initially acted in exercise of their right of private defence of
property, and later in exercise of the right of private defence of person.
H
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA, J.) 953
It has been found that three of the appellants were also injured in the A
same incident. Two of the appellants, namely, Appellants 2 and 3 had
injuries on their head, a vital part of the body. Luckily the injuries did
not prove to be fatal because if inflicted with more force, it may have
resulted in the fracture of the skull and proved fatal. What is, however,
apparent is the fact that the assault on them was not directed on non- B
vital parts of the body, but directed on a vital part of the body such
as the head. In these circumstances, it is reasonable to infer that the
appellants entertained a reasonable apprehension that death or grievous
injury may be the consequence of such assault. Their right of private
defence, therefore, extended to the voluntarily causing of the death of
the assailants." c
The claim of right of private defence was, thus, not available to the
Appellants as : (I) occurrence had taken place 300 paces away from Plot
No.399 of Village Devanand Pur; (ii) The Appellants were aggressors; and
(iii) All of them were armed and in particular Jitendra was having a gun.
D
lh fact Nanhe exercised and could in the facts and circumstances of the
case his right of private defence in assaulting Triloki Nath and Sahdev.

INJURIES ON THE ACCUSED:

Although the injuries suffered by Triloki Nath and Sahdev may be at E
the same place on their persons as of Laxmi Shankar Srivastava and Sahjadey
but they are not similar. The injuries suffered by Tr~l!Oki Nath and Sahdev are
simple in nature. Even in the first information report also Section 323 was
mentioned. The injuries suffered by Laxmi Shankar Srivastava and Sahjadey,
on the other hand, were grievous in nature. The Appellants were not only
charged under Section 326 of the Indian Penal Code but also under Section F
307 thereof. They have been found guilty of commission of the said offences
by both the courts.

It is not the law that prosecution case shall fail only because injuries on
the person of the accused have not be explained. There is a plethora of G
decisions to show that to show that in certain situation it is not necessary to
explain the injuries on the person of the accused.

In Laxman Singh v. Paanam Singh & Ors., [2004] 10 SCC 94, it was
observed:
H
954 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A "7 ..... But mere non-explanation of the injuries by the prosecution
may not affect the prosecution case in all cases. This principle applies
-
to cases where the injuries sustained by the accused are minor and
superficial or where the evidence is so clear and cogent, so independent
and disinterested, so probable, consistent and creditworthy, that it far
outweighs the effect of the omission on the part of the prosecution to
B explain the injuries. (See Lakshmi Singh v. State of Bihar 6.) A plea
ofright of private defence cannot be based on surmises and speculation.
While considering whether the right of private defence is available to
an accused, it is not relevant whether he may have a chance to inflict
severe and mortal injury on the aggressor. In order to find whether
c the right of private defence is available to an accused, the entire
incident must be examined with care and viewed in its proper
setting .... "

Yet again in Chacko alias Aniyan Kunju and Ors. v. State of Kera/a,
[2004J 12 sec 269,
D
"7 ... :.Undisputedly, there were injuries found on the body of the
accused persons on medical evidence. That per se cannot be a ground
to totally discard the prosecution version. This is a factor which has
to be weighed along with other materials to see whether the prosecution
version is reliable, cogent and trustworthy. When the case of the
E prosecution is supported by an eyewitness who is found to be truthful
as well, mere non-explanation of the injuries on the accused persons
cannot be a foundation for discarding the prosecution version.
Additionally, the dying declaration was found to be acceptable."

In Kashiram and Ors. v. State of M.P. (2002] 1 SCC 71, whereupon
F Mr. Bajawa relied upon, a 3-Judge Bench of this Court was satisfied that a
case of private defence has been made out by the Appellants therein. The
High Court in that case did not record any specific finding. The Court referred
to its earlier decision in Dev Raj v. State of H.P. (1994] Supp 2 SCC 552
wherein it was held that where the accused received injuries during the same
G occurrence in which the complainants were injured and when they have taken
the plea that they acted in self-defence, that cannot be lightly ignored
particularly in the absence of any explanation of their injuries by the
prosecution.

Vajrapu Sambayya Naidu and Ors. v. State of A.P. and Ors., [2004] 10
H sec 152 is distinguishable on facts. Therein a finding of fact was arrived at '
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA. J.] 955
that not only the complainant's decree for eviction was obtained against the A
informant, actual delivery of possession was also effected and accused No.
13 came in a possession of land in question. In that context, this Court
observed that the complexion of the entire case changes because in such an
event the Appellants cannot be held to be aggressors.

No decision relied upon by the Appellants lays down a law in absolute B
terms that in all situations injuries on the persons of the accused have to be
explained. Each case depends upon the fact situation obtaining therein.

Detailed discussions on this question have again been made in Bishna
@Bhiswadeb Mahato (supra) and in that view of the matter, it is not necessary C
to dilate thereover.

We are of the considered opinion that the injuries on the accused have
sufficiently been explained and, thus, it was not necessary for the prosecution
to adduce any further evidence. [See Takhaji Hiraji v. Thakore Kubersing
Chamansing and Ors.. [2001] 6 sec 145] D
COMMON OBJECT

A concurrent finding of fact has been arrived at by both the courts.
Nothing has been pointed out to show as to why this Court should take a
different view. When a large number of persons assembled with a gun and E
other weapons having in mind the dispute over the land in question, they
must be held to have found common knowledge that by reason of their act,
somebody may at least be grievously injured.

For the purpose of attracting Section 149 of the IPC, it is not necessary
that there should be a pre-concert by way of a meeting of the persons of the F
unlawful assembly as to the common object. If a common object is adopted
by all the persons and shared by them, it would serve the purpose.

In Mizaji and Anr. v. The State of U.P., [I 959] Supp. I SCR 940, it was
observed:
G
" .... Even if the offence committed is not in direct prosecution of the
common object of the assembly, it may yet fall under Section 149 if
it can be held that the offence was such as the members knew was
likely to be committed. The expression 'know' does not mean a mere
,. possibility, such as might or might not happen. For instance, it is a
H
956 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.

A matter of common knowledge that when in a village a body of heavily
armed men set out to take a woman by force, someone is likely to be
killed and all the members of the unlawful assembly must be aware
of that likelihood and would be guilty under the second part of Section
149. Similarly, if a body of persons go armed to take forcible
possession of the land, it would be equally right to say that they have
B the knowledge that murder is likely to be committed if the
circumstances as to the weapons carried and other conduct of the
members of the unlawful assembly clearly point to such knowledge
on the part of them all .... "

C In Masalti v. State ofU.P. [1964] 8 SCR 133, a contention on the basis
of a decision of this Court in Saladin v. State of Uttar Pradesh, AIR (1956)
SC 181 stating that it is well-settled that mere presence in an assembly does
not make a person, who is present, a member of an unlawful assembly unless
it is shown that he had done something or omitted to do something which
would make hii:n a member of an unlawful assembly, that an overt act was
D mandatory, was repelled by this Court stating that such observation was
made in the peculiar fact of the case. Explaining the scope and purport of
Section 149 of the !PC, it was held:

" .... What has to be proved against a person who is alleged to be a
member of an unlawful assembly is that he was one of the persons
E constituting the assembly and he entertained long with the other
members of the assembly the common object as defined by Section
141 !PC Section 142 provides that whoever, being aware of facts
which render any assembly an unlawful assembly intentionally joins
that assembly, or continue in it, is said to be a member of an unlawful
assembly. In other words, an assembly of five or more persons actuated
F
by, and entertaining one or more of the common object specified by
the five clauses of Section 141, is an unlawful assembly. The crucial
question to determine in such a case is whether the assembly consisted
of five or more persons and whether the said persons entertained one
or more of the common objects as specified by Section 141. While
G determining this question, it becomes relevant to consider whether
the assembly consisted of some persons who were merely passive
witnesses and had joined the assembly as a matter of idle curiosity
without intending to entertain the common object of the assembly ...."

It was further observed:
H
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. (SINHA, J.) 957
"In fact, Section 149 makes it clear that if an offence is committed A
by any member of an unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common
object of that assembly, or such as the members of that assembly
knew to be likely to be committed in prosecution of that object, every
person who, at the time of the committing of that offence, is a member
of the same assembly, is guilty of that offence; and that emphatically B
brings out the principle that the punishment prescribed by Section
149 is in a sense vicarious and does not always proceed on the basis
that the offence has been actually committed by every member of the
unlawful assembly."

Yet again in Bhajan Singh and Ors. v. State of Uttar Pradesh, [1974] C
4 sec 568, it was held:

"13. Section 149 IPC constitutes, per se, a substantive offence although
the punishment is under the section to which it is tagged being
committed by the principal offender in the unlawful assembly, known
or unknown. Even assuming that the unlawful assembly was formed D
originally only to beat, it is clearly established in the evidence that
the said object is well-knit with what followed as the dangerous finale
of, call it, the beating. This is not a case where something foreign or
unknown to the object has taken place all of a sudden. It is the
execution of the same common object which assumed the fearful
character implicit in the illegal action undertaken by the five accused." E
In Shri Gopal and Anr. v. Subhash and Ors., JT (2004) 2 SC 158, it
was stated:

"15. The essence of the offence under Section 149 of the Indian
Penal Code would be common object of the persons forming the F
' assembly. It is necessary for constitution of the offence that the object
should be common to the persons who compose the assembly, that is,
that they should all be aware of it and concur in it. Furthermore, there
must be some present and immediate purpose of carrying into effect
the common object. A common object is different from a common G
intention insofar as in the former no prior consent is required, nor a
prior meeting of minds before the attack would be required whereas
an unlawful object can develop after the people get there and there
need not be a prior meeting of minds."

In Ram Taha/ and Ors. v. The State ofU.P., (1972] 1 SCC 136, a H
958 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
..
A Division Bench of this Court noticed:
" ..... A 5-Judge Bench of this Court in Mohan Singh v. State of Punjab
has further reiterated this principle where it was pointed out that like
Section 149 of the !PC Section 34 of that Code also deals with cases
of constructive liability but the essential constituent of the vicarious
B criminal liability under Section 34 is the existence of. a common
intention, but being similar in some ways the two sections in some
cases may overlap. Nevertheless common intention, which Section
34 has its basis, is different from the common object of unlawful
assembly. It was pointed out that common intention denotes action in
concert and necessarily postulates a pre-arranged plan, a prior meeting
c of minds and an element of participation in action. The acts may be
different and vary in character but must be actuated by the same
common intention which is different from same intention or similar
intention ..."

D Recently, this Court in Vaijayanti v. State of Maharashtra, Criminal
Appeal No. 1100 of 2004 disposed of on 22nd September, 2005 as regard
formation of common intention opined:

"Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code envisages that "when a criminal
act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention
E of all, each of such persons, is liable for that act, in the same manner
as if it were done by him alone". The underlying principle behind the
said provision is joint liability of persons in doing of a criminal act
which must have found in the existence of common intention of
enmity in the acts in committing the criminal act in furtherance thereof.
The law in this behalf is no longer res integra. There need not be a
F positive overt act on the part of the person concerned. Even an
omission on his part to do something may attract the said provision.
But it is beyond any cavil of doubt that the question must be answered
having regard to the fact situation obtaining in each case."

G CONCLUSION
The upshot of our aforementioned discussions is that the Appellants
were not entitled to raise the plea of self-defence both in respect of the
property as also the person being themselves aggressors. The fact that the
prosecution in the counter-case lodged by Kunwar Prahlad Singh has resulted
H in acquittal of the complainant party would also have some bearing in the
TRILOKI NATH v. STATE OF U.P. [SINHA. J.] 959

matter. We,Jiave also found hereinbefore that injuries on the person ofTriloki A
Nath and Sahdev had sufficiently been explained. The injuries on the person
of the said Appellants, therefore, loses all significance.

We, therefore, do not agree with the submissions of the learned counsel
for the Appellants that the prosecution has come out only with a half truth.
B
For the purpose of arriving at a finding of guilt of the Appellants, the
number of shots fired by Jitendra would not be decisive. Carrying of a lathi
by Khuddey who was responsible for causing injury on Trilokinath and Sahdev
has sufficiently been explained by the learned Sessions Judge as also the
High Court and we do not find any reason to differ therefrom. Similarly, non- C
sufferance of any injury by Khuddey is also not of much significance so as
to tilt the balance in favour of the Appellants. It is equally incorrect to
contend that no unlawful assembly could ·have been caused unless Khuddey
was assaulted. Such a plea, in our opinion, is wholly misconceived.

We are furthermore of the opinion that non-examination of Sahdev is D
not fatal.

Mr. Bajawa, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of the
Appellants laid emphasis on the fact that blackening, tattooing and scorching
were found, the same could not have been caused from a double barrel
muzzle loaded gun which was said to the weapon of offence. The said E
contention had not been raised before the Trial Court or before the High
Court. Even the attention of the doctor (PW-5) was not drawn to this aspect
of the matter. Had the doctor been confronted with such a plea, as has been
raised before us, he might have explained the same.

In this case having regard to the pecuHar facts and circumstances of F
this case, we are of the opinion that the Appellants and the other accused
cannot be said to have formed a common object to kill any person, or to
make an attempt in that behalf in view of the manner in which the occurrence
took place. Their common object appears to be to teach Laxmi Shankar
Srivastava and others, a lesson for making attempts to burn Holika by causing G
grievous injuries to them.

The prosecution has been able to establish that on mere asking of
Laxmi Shankar Srivastava as to why the other accused had been chasing his
servant, Triloki exhorted his companions saying 'Maro Sale Ko', whereupon
Gopal hurled a lathi blow on PW-3's head. Shashi Kant gave the second lathi H
960 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2005] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
..
A blow on his wrist. Kunwar Prahlad Singh and Sahdev also assaulted him with
Iathis, whereas Chhanga and Krishna assaulted Sahjadey. Thus, their common
object to cause grievous hurt to some persons on the side of the complainant
party is established. We are, therefore, of the opinion that all the accused
persons including Jitendra are to be found guilty under Section 326/149 !PC.

B In the aforementioned premise, a significant aspect of the matter cannot
be lost sight of. Only Triloki exhorted Jitendra to kill Nanhe who came to the
spot accidentlly. The exhortation of Triloki was to Jitendra @ Mister, who
was having a gun. On his exhortation only Jitendra fired from his gun as a
result whereof, he died. We, therefore, are of the opinion that Triloki along
C with Jitendra developed a common intention in that behalf on the spot. Both
are, therefore, liable to be convicted under Section 302/34 !PC.

The sentence imposed by the High Court on Jitendra is, therefore,
maintained. The conviction of other appellants is altered to one under Section
326/149 !PC. They are sentenced to undergo seven years' R.l. and also to
D pay a fine of Rs. I000 each, and in default to further undergo a simple
imprisonment of three months. No separate sentence, however, is being passed
for commission of an offence under Section 326/149 !PC as against Jitendra.

Triloki Nath is said to have expired during the pendency of the appeal.
His appeal is, therefore, dismissed having been abated.
E
These appeals are dismissed subject to the alteration in the conviction
and sentence, as mentioned hereinbefore.

v.s.s. Appeal dismissed.