eye-witness lying on most material point renders testimony unreliable

8/12/2019 Eye-Witness Lying on Most Material Point Renders Testimony Unreliable

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REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIACRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1881 of 2011

Ganesh Datt .. Appellant(s)

e!s"sState #$ Utta!a%han& .. Resp#n&ent(s)

'th

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1884 OF 2011

J U D G M E N T

C. NAGAPPAN, J.

1. #th the appeals a!e p!e$e!!e& a*anst the +"&*,ent

an& #!&e! &ate& --.1-.-1 passe& /0 the H*h C#"!t

#$ Utta!a%han& at Nantal n C!,nal Appeal N#.-2

#$ -1.

2.The appellants 1 t# 3 n C!,nal Appeal N#. 1443 #$

-115 S"&a!shan 6e!,a5 Ja*&sh5 Deep Na!an an&


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Ra+en&!a 7e!e a88"se& N#s. 1 t# 3 an& the appellant

Ganesh Datt n C!,nal Appeal N#.1441 #$ -11 7as

a88"se& N#.9 n Sess#ns T!al 8ase N#.1 #$ 1 #n

the $le #$ 6thA&&t#nal Sess#ns J"&*e5 Nantal an&

7e!e t!e& $#! the 8ha!*es "n&e! Se8t#ns 1325 1345

:- !ea& 7th 135 :2 !ea& 7th 13 an& Se8t#n

:-3 !ea& 7th 13 IPC5 an& the T!al C#"!t 8#n8te&

an& senten8e& ea8h #$ the, t# "n&e!*# l$e

,p!s#n,ent "n&e! Se8t#n :-;13 IPC< R*#!#"s

I,p!s#n,ent $#! a pe!#& #$ 2 0ea!s "n&e! Se8t#n

:2;13 IPC< R*#!#"s I,p!s#n,ent $#! a pe!#& #$

#ne 0ea! "n&e! Se8t#n :-3;13 IPC5 R*#!#"s

I,p!s#n,ent $#! a pe!#& #$ s= ,#nths "n&e!

Se8t#n 132 IPC an& R*#!#"s I,p!s#n,ent $#! a

pe!#& #$ #ne 0ea! "n&e! Se8t#n 134 IPC.

Challen*n* the 8#n8t#n an& senten8e the0

p!e$e!!e& C!,nal Appeal N#.-2 #$ -1 an& the

H*h C#"!t #$ Utta!a%han& at Nantal &s,sse& the

appeal. A**!ee& /0 the sa,e the0 hae p!e$e!!e&

the p!esent appeals.


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3. Sh#!n #$ "nne8essa!0 &etals the 8ase #$ the

p!#se8"t#n s as $#ll#7s > P'1 al Ra+5 P'- M#t Lal

&e8ease& P!a/h"nath an& Ra+ al a!e s#ns #$ P':

Ra, La%han. On -?.4.14 at a/#"t ?. a.,. the0

al#n* 7th se!ant aha&"!5 7e!e sttn* n the

e!an&ah #$ the h#"se #$ P!a/h"nath an& at that

t,e a88"se& pe!s#ns S"&a!shan 6a!,a a!,e& 7th

8#"nt!0 ,a&e pst#l5 Deep Na!an a!,e& 7th *"n5

Ja*&sh a!,e& 7th a=e (Fa!sa)5 Ra+en&!a an& Ganesh

Datt a!,e& 7th laths 8a,e the!e an& a88"se&

S"&a!shan sh#"te& t# %ll the, t#&a0 tsel$ an& /0 s#

sa0n* he $!e& at P!a/h"nath 7th pst#l an& a88"se&

Deep Na!an $!e& *"nsh#ts at P'- M#tlal an& Ra+

al an& a88"se& Ja*&sh atta8%e& P'- M#tlal 7th

a=e #n ne8% 7h8h he &e$en&e& /0 le$t han& !es"ltn*

n n+"!es an& a88"se& Ra+en&!a an& Ganesh atta8%e&

the, 7th laths. On the s#"n& #$ $!e an& sh#"tn*

the lla*e!s 8a,e the!e an& a88"se& $le& a7a0.

4. A88"se& S"&a!shan 7h# 7as then the lla*e P!a&han

7ent t# the P#l8e Stat#n R"&!ap"! an& l#&*e& a


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F!st In$#!,at#n Rep#!t a*anst P!a/h"nath5 M#tlal

an& al Ra+ at 2.-9 a.,. #n -?.4.14 an& a 8ase 7as

!e*ste!e& as C!,e N#. 94: #$ 14 $#! the alle*e&

#$$en8es "n&e! Se8t#ns :2 an& :-3 IPC. P': Ra,

La%han t##% the n+"!e& P!a/h"nath5 P'- M#t Lal an&

Ra+ al t# the P#l8e Stat#n R"&!ap"! an& l#&*e& a

F!st In$#!,at#n Rep#!t at 4.1 a.,. #n the sa,e &a0

a*anst a88"se& S"&a!shan5 Ja*&sh5 Deep Na!an5

Ra+en&!a an& Ganesh Datt5 #n 7h8h a 8ase 7as

!e*ste!e& as C!,e N#.94:@A $#! the alle*e& #$$en8es

"n&e! Se8t#n 1325 1345 135 :25 :-3 an& :-: IPC

an& the n+"!e& 7e!e sent t# h#sptal.

5. P'? D!. A.. Rana5 Me&8al O$$8e! n Ja7aha! Lal

H#sptal R"&!ap"! e=a,ne& P!a/h"nath at .3 a.,.

#n -?.4.14 n the h#sptal an& $#"n& the $#ll#7n*

n+"!es>

B) An a/!as#n 3 8, = 3 8, #n t#p #$ hea& 1-

8, $!#, le$t ea! l#/e. F!esh /lee&n* p!esent.


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9

) A 8#nt"s#n 19 8, = 1 8, #n le$t +a7 7th

,"ltple p"n8t"!e& 7#"n& #n 7h#le s"!$a8e.

A&se& @!a0 s%"ll. F!esh /lee&n* p!esent.

P"n8t"!e& 7#"n& se .9 8, = .-9 8, = n#t

p!#/e& (&epth) 7th ,a!*ns ne!te&.

) A 8#nt"s#n 19 8, = - 8, #n le$t s&e #$

7h#le ne8% 7th ,"ltple p"n8t"!e& 7#"n&s

,eas"!n* .-9 8, = .-98, = n#t p!#/e&

(&epth) 7th ,a!*ns #$ 7#"n& ne!te&.

A&se& @!a0 ne8% an& le$t sh#"l&e!. F!esh

/lee&n* p!esent.

) An n8se& 7#"n& 2 8, = 9 8, = ,"s8le

&eep #n le$t "ppe! a!,5 3 8, a/#e t#p #$ le$t

el/#7. F!esh /lee&n* p!esent.


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) An n8se& 7#"n& 9 8, = 9 8, /#ne &eep

#n tp #$ le$t el/#7 e=ten&n* "p7a!&s. F!esh

/lee&n* p!esent.

) An n8se& 7#"n& 9 8, = - 8, = ,"s8le

&eep #n le$t s&e /#ne #$ ,&&le $n*e!. F!esh

/lee&n* p!esent.

He #pne& n hs !ep#!t E=h.A4 that n+"!0 N#.1

7as s,ple an& 8#"l& hae /een 8a"se& /0 an0 ha!&

#/+e8t< n+"!0 N#s. 35 9 an& ? 8#"l& hae /een 8a"se&

/0 s#,e sha!p e&*e& 7eap#n an& n+"!0 N#.- an& :

7e!e %ept "n&e! #/se!at#n an& *ene!al 8#n&t#n #$

the n+"!e& 7as e!0 se!#"s.

P'? D!. A.. Rana e=a,ne& P'- M#t Lal at

.39 a.,. n the h#sptal #n -?.4.14 an& $#"n& the

$#ll#7n* n+"!es>

) A 8#nt"s#n ? 8, = 3 8, #n !*ht s&e #$

$#!ehea& at ha!lne 7th a p"n8t"!e 7#"n&

.-9 8, = .-9 8, = n#t p!#/e& (&epth) F!esh

/lee&n* p!esent A&se& @!a0 s%"ll.


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) A 8#nt"s#n 3 8, = : 8, +"st /el#7 le$t e0el&

7th a p"n8t"!e 7#"n& .-9 8, = .-9 8, =

n#t p!#/e& (&epth) n ts ,&&le5 7#"n&

,a!*ns ne!te&. A&se& @!a0 s%"ll. F!esh

/lee&n* .

) M"ltple p"n8t"!e& 7#"n&s .-9 8, = .-9 8,

= n#t p!#/e& (&epth) #n !*ht s&e #$ 8hest

$!#ntal aspe8t an& le$t s&e 8hest. F!esh

/lee&n* p!esent. A&se& @!a0 #$ 8hest.

) A p"n8t"!e& 7#"n& .-9 8, = .-9 8, n#t

p!#/e& (&epth) #n !*ht $#!ea!, ante!#!

aspe8t. A&se& @!a0 $#!ea!,. F!esh /lee&n*.

) A p"n8t"!e& 7#"n& .-9 8, = .-9 8, = n#t

p!#/e& (&epth) #n !*ht /ase #$ th",/5 7#"n&


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,a!*ns ne!te&. F!esh /lee&n* p!esent.

A&se& !a0 !*ht han&.

) An n8se& 7#"n& 2 8, = 9 8, = ,"s8le &eep

#n !*ht s&e $#!ea!, #n "ppe! an& p!#=,al

pa!t. F!esh /lee&n* p!esent

He #pne& that n+"!0 N#s. 1 t# 9 7e!e %ept "n&e!

#/se!at#n an& the0 7e!e $!esh an& n+"!0 n#s.? 7as

s,ple an& 8#"l& hae /een 8a"se& /0 a sha!p

e&*e& 7eap#n.

P'? D!. A.. Rana e=a,ne& Ra+ al at .9

a.,. n the h#sptal an& $#"n& a 8#nt"s#n ? 8, = 3

8, #n l#7e! s&e #$ le$t e0e an& #pne& that the

n+"!0 7as s,ple n nat"!e.

?. P'2 S"/@Inspe8t#! S"!en&e! Sn*h t##% "p the

nest*at#n an& ste& Ja7aha! Lal Neh!" H#sptal


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#n -?.4.14 an& a$te! 8#,n* t# %n#7 the &eath #$

P!a/h"nath n the h#sptal #n the sa,e &a0 alte!e&

the #$$en8e t# #ne "n&e! Se8t#n :- IPC an&

e=a,ne& P'- M#tlal an& Ra+/al n the h#sptal #n

the sa,e &a0. He 8#n&"8te& n"est an& !e8#!&e&

the state,ent #$ Pan8has an& 8#,planant. He *ae

the !e"st#n $#! p#st@,#!te,.

2. P'3 D!. S.M. Pant 8#n&"8te& p#st@,#!te, at -.:

p.,. #n -2.4.14 an& $#"n& the $#ll#7n* n+"!es>

) La8e!ate& 7#"n& - 8, = 8, = s8alp &eep

#n the hea&5 11 8, a/#e le$t e0e/!#7.

) M"ltple a/!as#ns n an a!ea #$ : 8, = 1

8, #$ ses .-9 8, t# .9 8, $!#, le$t s&e

#$ $a8e5 le$t s&e #$ ne8% an& le$t "ppe! 8hest.

All n+"!es pante& 7th s#,e !e& 8#l#"!e&

,e&8ne.


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He #pne& n the a"t#ps0 !ep#!t that the &e8ease&

ha& &e& #$ sh#8% an& hae,#!!ha*e as a !es"lt #$

ante ,#!te, n+"!es.

4. P'2 S"/@Inspe8t#! S"!en&e! Sn*h 7ent t# the

#88"!!en8e pla8e an& p!epa!e& ste@plan an& see&

/l##&@stane& s#l an& sa,ple s#l n the p!esen8e #$

7tnesses. He als# see& 1 /"llets #$ 1- /#!e

$!#, the #88"!!en8e pla8e #"t #$ 7h8h 3 7e!e

e,pte& an& ? 7e!e le5 /0 p!epa!n* a Me,#. He

e=a,ne& the 7$e #$ the &e8ease& S,t. Ra+ ",a!

#n -2.4.14 an& !e8#!&e& he! state,ent.

The!ea$te! P'9 Inspe8t#! 6+en&e! ",a! ha!&7a+

8#ntn"e& the nest*at#n an& !e8#!&e& the

state,ents #$ #the! 7tnesses n8l"&n* the se"!e

7tnesses an& 8#,plete& the nest*at#n5 $le&

8ha!*e sheet a*anst the a88"se& an& t 7as ta%en

#n $le n Sess#ns T!al Case N#.1 #$ 1 #n the

$le #$ 6thA&&t#nal Sess#ns J"&*e.

. In the 8!#ss 8ase5 $nal !ep#!t 8a,e t# /e $le& an& t

7as ta%en #n $le n Sess#ns T!al N#.122 #$ 1 #n


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the $le #$ the sa,e C#"!t. #th the 8ases 7e!e

t!e& /0 the sa,e C#"!t. In the 8ase #$ Sess#ns

T!al N#.1 #$ 15 p!#se8"t#n 7tnesses P's 1

t# 2 7e!e e=a,ne& an& ",ents n E=h.A1 t#

A12 7e!e ,a!%e& an& 7$e #$ the &e8ease& Ra+

",a! 7as e=a,ne& as C'@1. The t!al 8#"!t n

Sess#ns T!al N#.1 #$ 1 $#"n& all the $e

a88"se& *"lt0 #$ the 8ha!*es $!a,e& a*anst the,

an& senten8e& the, as ,ent#ne& a/#e. The

appeal p!e$e!!e& 8a,e t# /e &s,sse& an& that s

n#7 appeale& a*anst. At the sa,e t,e the t!al

8#"!t n the 8!#ss 8ase n Sess#ns T!al N#.122 #$

1 $#"n& that S"&a!shan 6e!,a an& hs

ass#8ates 7e!e a**!ess#!s an& a8"tte& a88"se&

M#tlal an& al Ra+ #$ the 8ha!*es $!a,e& a*anst

the,. Challen*n* the a8"ttal the State p!e$e!!e&

G#e!n,ent Appeal N#.-12 #$ -1 an& the

8#,planant S"&a!shan 6e!,a n&epen&entl0

8hallen*e& the a8"ttal /0 p!e$e!!n* C!,nal

Res#n N#.- #$ -1 an& the H*h C#"!t a$te!

hea!n* all the ,atte!s t#*ethe! &s,sse& /#th the


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1:

G#e!n,ent appeal as 7ell as C!,nal Res#n5 /0

a 8#,,#n +"&*,ent an& t has /e8#,e $nal sn8e

the!e 7as n# $"!the! 8hallen*e.

1. M!. M"%esh . G!5 lea!ne& A&&t#nal Aate

Gene!al appea!n* $#! the !esp#n&ent State s"/,ts

#n nst!"8t#ns that -n&appellant Ja*&sh n C!,nal

Appeal N#.1443 #$ -11 &e& #n .1.-1- 7hle

"n&e!*#n* the senten8e n +al. S"/,ss#n s

!e8#!&e&. The appeal ns#$a! as he s 8#n8e!ne&

stan&s a/ate&.

11. The lea!ne& sen#! 8#"nsel appea!n* $#! the

appellants st!en"#"sl0 8#nten&e& that appellant

S"&a!shan 6e!,a s"$$e!e& 1 n+"!es an& appellant

Deep Na!an als# s"$$e!e& n+"!es n the #88"!!en8e.

The #8"la! 7tnesses na,el0 P's 1 t# : a!e

nte!este& an& n,8al 7tnesses an& n the!

test,#nes the0 hae n#t state& as t# h#7 the

appellants;a88"se& ,ent#ne& a/#e s"stane&

n+"!es &"!n* the #88"!!en8e an& the0 a!e l0n* #n


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a ,#st ,ate!al p#nt5 an& the!e$#!e5 the! e&en8e

s "n!ela/le an& $"!the! the! #8"la! test,#n0 7th

!espe8t t# the assa"lt s n8#nsstent 7th the

,e&8al e&en8e an& the 7eap#ns #$ #$$en8e 7e!e

n#t !e8#e!e& an& st"s #$ the assa"lt 7as als# n#t

$=e& an& s# the p!#se8"t#n has $ale& t# p!#e the

8ase a*anst appellants /e0#n& !eas#na/le "/t

an& the 8#n8t#n an& senten8e ,p#se& #n the

appellants a!e la/le t# /e set as&e.

1-. Pe! 8#nt!a lea!ne& A&&t#nal Aate Gene!al

appea!n* $#! the !esp#n&ent State 8#nten&e& that

the n+"!es #n the pe!s#n #$ appellants;a88"se& a!e

n#t e!0 *!e#"s n nat"!e an& the #8"la! e&en8e

s 8lea!5 8#*ent an& n#n e=planat#n #$ the n+"!es

#n the appellants;a88"se& ps#@$a8t# 8ann#t /e the

/ass t# &s8a!& the p!#se8"t#n 8ase an& the

8#n8t#n an& senten8e ,p#se& #n the appellants

a!e s"stana/le.


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16/27

1?

t# P#l8e Stat#n R"&!ap"! an& l#&*e& 8#,plant

an& the n+"!e& 7e!e a&,tte& n Ja7aha! Lal Neh!"

H#sptal. P'? D!.A.. Rana e=a,ne& n+"!e&

P!a/h"nath at .3 a.,. #n -?.4.14 an& $#"n& :

n8se& 7#"n&s #n the le$t a!,5 - 8#nt"s#ns 7th

,"ltple p"n8t"!e 7#"n&s #n ne8% an& le$t sh#"l&e!

an& an a/!as#n #n the t#p #$ hea&. He &!e8te& t#

ta%e =@!a0 #$ hea&5 ne8% an& le$t sh#"l&e! an& $#"n&

the *ene!al 8#n&t#n #$ the n+"!e& e!0 se!#"s.

He #pne& that the n8se& 7#"n&s 7e!e s,ple an&

8#"l& hae /een 8a"se& /0 an0 sha!p e&*e&

7eap#n an& the a/!as#n 7as s,ple an& 8#"l&

hae /een 8a"se& /0 an0 ha!& #/+e8t. He has n#t

e=p!esse& an0 #pn#n 7th !e*a!& t# 8#nt"s#ns

sn8e the0 7e!e %ept "n&e! #/se!at#n. He als#

e=a,ne& P'- M#t Lal at .39 a.,. n the sa,e

h#sptal an& $#"n& - 8#nt"s#ns< #n the $#!ehea&

an& /el#7 le$t e0e@l&5 p"n8t"!e& 7#"n&s #n 8hest

an& !*ht a!, an& an n8se& 7#"n& #n !*ht $#!e@

a!, an& #pne& that the n+"!es 7e!e s,ple n

nat"!e. P!a/h"nath &e& #n -?.4.14 tsel$ n the


17/27

12

h#sptal. P' 3 D!. S.M. Pant 8#n&"8te& a"t#ps0 an&

$#"n& the sa,e n+"!es ,ent#ne& a/#e an&

#pne& that the &e8ease& ha& &e& #$ sh#8% an&

hae,#!!ha*e as a !es"lt #$ ante ,#!te, n+"!es

an& $"!the! #/se!e& that the &eath has #88"!!e& a

&a0 /e$#!e an& the!e 7as n# $!e a!, n+"!0. E=h.

A@4 s the a"t#ps0 !ep#!t. F!#, the a/#e t s 8lea!

that P!a/h"nath &e& #$ n+"!es s"stane& &"!n*

the #88"!!en8e.

13. The e0e@7tnesses na,el0 P's 1 t# : an& C'@1

S,t. Ra+ ",a!5 7 #$ &e8ease& P!a/h"nath

hae test$e& that a88"se& S"&a!shan an& a88"se&

Deep Na!an $!e& sh#ts 7th pst#l an& *"n

!espe8tel0 at P!a/h"nath &"!n* the #88"!!en8e

!es"ltn* n n+"!es /"t as pe! the ,e&8al e&en8e

the!e 7as n# *"n sh#t n+"!0 $#"n& #n an0 pa!t #$

the /#&0 #$ P!a/h"nath. Th"s n sh#!t5 the

&e8ease& P!a/h"nath s 8#n8e!ne& the #8"la!

e&en8e s t#tall0 n8#nsstent 7th the ,e&8al

e&en8e 7th !espe8t t# assa"lt /0 a88"se&


18/27

14

S"&a!shan an& Deep Na!an. I$ ths ,atte! s $alse5

the!e s n# *"a!antee that the #the! assa"lt

&ep#se& t# /0 the e0e@7tnesses 7as als# n#t $alse.

19. As pe! the #8"la! test,#n0 the 7eap#ns "se& n

the #88"!!en8e a!e 8#"nt!0 ,a&e pst#l5 *"n5 a=e

an& laths. In hs test,#n0 P'2 S"/@Inspe8t#!

S"!en&e! Sn*h has state& that he 7ent t# the

#88"!!en8e pla8e &"!n* nest*at#n an& see& 1

/"llets #$ 1- /#!e $!#, the sp#t #"t #$ 7h8h 3 7e!e

e,pt0 an& ? 7e!e le5 "n&e! E=h. A@1? Me,#.

Intal nest*at#n 7as ne /0 P'2 S"/@Inspe8t#!

S"!en&e! Sn*h an& the!ea$te! t 7as 8#ntn"e& an&

8#n8l"&e& /0 P'9 Inspe8t#! 6+en&e! ",a!

ha!&7a+. The0 hae n#t ta%en an0 steps t#

!e8#e! the 7eap#ns alle*e& t# hae /een "se& n

the #88"!!en8e. N# s8ent$8 ,eth#& #$

nest*at#n 7as p!esse& nt# se!8e. 'e && n#t

$n& an0 e=planat#n n the test,#nes #$ the

Inest*atn* O$$8e!s n ths !e*a!&. The letha!*8


19/27

1

attt"&e #$ the #$$8e!s 8#n&"8tn* nest*at#n s

&epl#!a/le.

1?. It s 8#nten&e& that the appellant;a88"se&

S"&a!shan s"stane& e=tense n+"!es an&

appellant Deep Na!an 7as als# n+"!e& &"!n* the

#88"!!en8e. In the 8!#ss@8ase D!. J.P. A!#!a has

test$e& that he e=a,ne& S"&a!shan at 2.: a.,.

#n -?.4.14 at Ja7aha! Lal Neh!" H#sptal5

R"&!ap"! an& $#"n& the $#ll#7n* n+"!es #n hs

/#&0 >

B) In8se& 7#"n& 3 8, = .9 = s8alp &eep #n le$t

s&e #$ hea& pa!etal !e*#n 11 8, le$t $!#,

ea!. l##& ##n* p!esent. Inte!enn* tss"es

8lean 8"t.

) In8se& 7#"n& - 8, = .-9 8, = s8alp &eep #n

le$t s&e hea&5 2.9 8, a/#e le$t ea!. l###n* p!esent. Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"t.

) In8se& 7#"n& 9 8, = - = s8alp &eep #n !*ht

s&e #$ $#!ehea&5 8, a/#e !*ht e0e/!#7.

Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"t. l##& ##n*

p!esent.


20/27

-

) In8se& 7#"n& 3 8, = = s%n &eep #n !*ht

8he8%5 : 8, n $!#nt #$ le$t ea!. Inte!enn*

tss"es 8lean 8"t. l##& ##n* p!esent.

) In8se& 7#"n& 3 8, = .- = s8alp &eep #n le$t

s&e #$ hea&5 ? 8, a/#e !*ht e0e/!#7.

) A/!ate& 8#nt"s#n 8, = 8, #n !*ht s&e

#$ $a8e5 3 8, a7a0 $!#, !*ht e0e #"te! an*le.

) A/!ate& 8#nt"s#n 9 8, = 8, #n $!#nt #$

ne8% le$t s&e5 : 8, a/#e !*ht 8la8le.

) In8se& 7#"n& - 8, = .- 8, = /#ne &eep #n

$!#nt #$ le$t lttle $n*e!5 3 8, a/#e !##t #$

$n*e!. Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"!. l##&

##n* p!esent.

=) In8se& 7#"n& - 8, = .- 8, = /#ne &eep #n

$!#nt #$ le$t !n* $n*e!5 :.9 8, a/#e /ase.

Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"t. l##& ##n*

p!esent.

=) In8se& 7#"n& 1 8, = .- 8, = s%n &eep #n

$!#nt #$ tp #$ le$t !n* $n*e!. Als# /l##&

##n*. Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"t.

=) In8se& 7#"n& :.29 8, = .-9 8, = /#ne &eep

#n *!#"n& #$ le$t ,&&le $n*e!5 #/l"e 3.9 8,

a/#e /ase #$ $n*e!. Inte!enn* tss"es 8lean

8"t. l##& ##n* p!esent.


21/27

-1

=) In8se& 7#"n& 3.9 8, = 8, = /#ne &eep #n

$!#nt #$ le$t n&e= $n*e!. O/l"e. Inte!enn*

tss"es 8lean 8"t. l##& ##n* p!esent.

=) In8se& 7#"n& 3 8, = .- 8, = /#ne &eep #n

#"te! s&e #$ le$t han&5 - 8, a/#e n&e=

$n*e!5 nte!enn* tss"es 8lean 8"t.

=) In8se& 7#"n& - 8, = .- 8, = s%n &eep

nne! s&e le$t th",/5 !##t5 nte!enn* tss"es

8lean 8"t. l##& ##n* p!esent.

=) T7# la8e!ate& 7#"n& ea8h se - 8, = 8, =

&epth 7ent t# &eepe! tss"e an& 8, = 8,

= &epth 7ent t# &eepe! tss"e5 8, apa!t

$!#, ea8h #the!. l##& ##n*. On !*ht

s8ap"la! !e*#n "ppe! pa!t5 n a!ea #$ 4 8, = :

8,.

=) A/!as#n - 8, = 1 8, #n !*ht s8ap"la! !e*#n5

:.9 8, nne! t# n+"!0 N#. (=)

=) A/!as#n 1.9 8, = 1 8, #n #"ts&e #$ !*ht

sh#"l&e!

=)A/!as#n 1.9 8, = 1 8, #n /a8% #$ !*ht a!,5 4

8, /el#7 a!,pt.

==) A/!as#n 1 8, = 8, #n !*ht s&e #$ 8hest #n

/a8% s&e an& /el#7 the ha! #$ 3.9 8,


22/27

--

He has #pne& that all the n+"!es 7e!e $!esh an& n+"!0

N#s. 15-5:595 4 t# 13 an& 19 t# 15 7e!e %ept "n&e!

#/se!at#n an& !est #$ the n+"!es 7e!e s,ple. He has

als# test$e& that he e=a,ne& Deep Na!an at .19 a.,.

#n the sa,e &a0 at the h#sptal an& $#"n& la8e!ate&

7#"n& 1.-9 8, = .9 8, = /#ne &eep t!anse!se #e!

!*ht e0e /!#7. A$te!7a!&s he has e=p!esse& #pn#n that

n+"!0 N#s.1 t# 9 an& 4 t# 13 $#"n& #n S"&a!shan 8#"l&

hae /een 8a"se& /0 s7#!&.

12. In the t!al5 n e=a,nat#n@n@8he$ P'1 al Ra+5

&& n#t state an0thn* a/#"t the n+"!es #n

S"&a!shan an& Deep Na!an. In the 8!#ss@

e=a,nat#n he has test$e& that S"&a!shan 6e!,a

an& Deep Na!an && n#t s"$$e! an0 n+"!0 &"!n* the

#88"!!en8e an& $"!the! state& that 1?@12 &a0s p!#!

t# #88"!!en8e S"&a!shan 6e!,a s"$$e!e& n+"!es n

a +eep a88&ent. Ths test,#n0 8ann#t /e t!"e $#!

the !eas#n that D!. A!#!a has e=a,ne& h, n the

h#sptal #n the #88"!!en8e &a0 an& has $#"n&

n+"!es 7h8h 7e!e $!esh #n hs /#&0. P'- M#t Lal


23/27

-:

n hs e=a,nat#n@n@8he$ && n#t state an0thn*

a/#"t the n+"!es #n the a88"se&. In the 8!#ss@

e=a,nat#n he has state& that &"!n* the

#88"!!en8e a88"se& S"&a!shan 6e!,a snat8he& the

a=e $!#, the han&s #$ a88"se& Ja*&sh an& hs han&

7as n+"!e& &"!n* snat8hn* p!#8ess an& an n+"!0

7as als# 8a"se& nea! the e0es /0 the a=e. He has

als# state& that he && n#t see 7hethe! an0 n+"!0

7as 8a"se& t# Deep Na!an &"!n* the #88"!!en8e.

It s hs $"!the! test,#n0 that he s ,ent#nn*

a/#e $#! the $!st t,e /e$#!e the C#"!t. It s

nee&less t# sa0 that n# !elan8e 8an /e pla8e& #n

s"8h a test,#n0. In the sa,e 7a0 P': Ra,

La%han has n#t state& an0thn* a/#"t the n+"!es #$

the a88"se& n hs test,#n0@n@8he$. In the 8!#ss@

e=a,nat#n he has state& that he && n#t see

a88"se& S"&a!shan s"$$e!n* an0 n+"!0 &"!n* the

#88"!!en8e.


24/27

-3

14. In Bab!a! B"a#$a% &"a%'a() a%' a%o*")(

s. +*a*) of Ma"a(a"*(a (-9) 1 SCC 33K

ths C#"!t hel&>

BN#n@e=planat#n #$ the n+"!es s"stane& /0

the a88"se& at a/#"t the t,e #$ #88"!!en8e

#! n the 8#"!se #$ alte!8at#n s a e!0

,p#!tant 8!8",stan8e.

The e0e@7tnesses 7h# &en0 the p!esen8e #$ n+"!es #n

the pe!s#n #$ the a88"se& a!e l0n* #n ,#st ,ate!al

p#nt5 an& the!e$#!e5 the! e&en8e s "n!ela/le. It

ass",es ,"8h *!eate! ,p#!tan8e 7he!e the e&en8e

8#nssts #$ nte!este& #! n,8al 7tnesses. In the

p!esent 8ase a&,tte&l0 the!e 7as en,t0 /et7een the

a88"se& $a,l0 an& the &e8ease& $a,l0 an& P's 1 t# :

a!e nte!este& as 7ell as n,8al 7tnesses an& the!

&enal #$ n+"!es #n the pe!s#n #$ a88"se&5 ,a%es the!

e&en8e "n!ela/le.

1. The st"s #$ atta8% s als# alle*e& t# /e n#t

esta/lshe& /0 the p!#se8"t#n. In the F!st


25/27

-9

In$#!,at#n Rep#!t the 8#,planant P': Ra,

La%han has state& that he an& hs s#ns 7e!e sttn*

n the! $l#"! ,ll an& 7e!e 8hattn* at a/#"t ?.

a.,. 7hen the assalants 8a,e an& atta8%e& the,.

In the test,#n05 P'1 al Ra+ has state& that the0

7e!e sttn* n $!#nt #$ the! h#"se 7hen the assa"lt

t##% pla8e. P'- M#t Lal has test$e& that the

atta8% && n#t #88"! #n $l#"! ,ll /"t #88"!!e& n the

e!an&ah #$ h#"se #$ P!a/h"nath. P': Ra, La%han

has test$e& that the pla8e #$ #88"!!en8e s a/#"t

9 steps a7a0 $!#, the $l#"! ,ll. Th"s the!e s

n8#nssten80 a/#"t the pla8e #$ #88"!!en8e n the!

test,#nes an& a "/t 8!eeps n. Th#"*h /l##&@

stane& ea!th 7as 8la,e& t# hae /een see& $!#,

the #88"!!en8e pla8e /0 the Inest*atn* O$$8e!

P'2 S"!en&e! Sn*h5 t 7as n#t sent $#! 8he,8al

e=a,nat#n 7h8h 8#"l& hae $=e& the st"s #$ the

assa"lt. In al,#st all 8!,nal 8ases the /l##&@

stane& ea!th $#"n& $!#, the pla8e #$ #88"!!en8e s

na!a/l0 sent t# the 8he,8al e=a,nat#n an& the

!ep#!t al#n* 7th the ea!th s p!#&"8e& n the C#"!t


26/27

-?

an& 0et ths s #ne e=8ept#nal 8ase 7he!e ths

p!#8e&"!e 7as &epa!te& $!#, $#! !eas#ns /est

%n#7n t# the p!#se8"t#n.

-. 'e a!e #$ the 8#ns&e!e& e7 that the p!#se8"t#n

has $ale& t# p!#e the *"lt #$ the appellants

/e0#n& !eas#na/le "/t5 an& the!e$#!e5 the0 a!e

enttle& t# /e a8"tte&.

-1. In the !es"lt C!,nal Appeal N#.1441 #$ -11 s

all#7e& an& the 8#n8t#n an& senten8e ,p#se&

#n appellant@Ganesh Datt a!e set as&e an& he s

a8"tte& #$ the 8ha!*es an& he s &!e8te& t# /e set

at l/e!t0 "nless 7ante& n 8#nne8t#n 7th an0

#the! 8ase. C!,nal Appeal N#. 1443 #$ -11 n

!espe8t #$ appellant Ja*&sh stan&s a/ate&. As $a!

as #the! appellants na,el05 S"&a!shan 6e!,a5

Deep Na!an an& Ra+en&!a a!e 8#n8e!ne&5 the sa&

appeal s all#7e& an& the 8#n8t#n an& senten8e

,p#se& #n the, a!e set as&e an& the0 a!e


27/27

-2

a8"tte& #$ the 8ha!*es an& the0 a!e &!e8te& t# /e

set at l/e!t0 "nless 7ante& n an0 #the! 8ase.

-----------J.

Ja#'/" +/%#" &")"a(

-----------J.

C. Na#aa%

N)$ D)!"/

J%) 11, 2014

eye-witness lying on most material point renders testimony unreliable

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