By the instant criminal revision, the applicants have challenged the order dated 20-7-2011 passed by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh in S.T. No. 33/2011 by way of a revision whereby charges of offence punishable under Sections 307 or 307/34, 329 or 329/34, 294 and 506 (2) of IPC were framed. 2. Prosecution case in short is that on 28-8-2010 at about 8.00 p.m. in the night where the complainant Ramswaroop was present in his house, accused Noni Panda came to his house and informed that other accused Nanna Panda was calling him, and therefore, complainant Ramswaroop went to the house of Nanna Panda. At the house of Nanna Panda, both the accused Noni Panda and Nanna Panda told him to provide a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs immediately otherwise they would kill him. Accused Rajesh @ Kallu Panda assaulted him by the base of a firearm on his head causing him some injuries on his head. Similarly, Noni Panda has also assaulted him by base of the kcitta on his nose and as a result, blood oozed out of his nose. Thereafter, they assaulted Ramswaroop by the base of firearm and also by kicks and fists. After hearing the noise of Ramswaroop, mother of the complainant Ramswaroop reached the spot and she saved the complainant. The FIR was lodged on the same very day. Complainant Ramswaroop was sent to the hospital for his medico legal examination and treatment. Doctor found 5-6 injuries on his person. Out of them, two injuries were incised wounds situated on middle of the head and right ear, whereas other wounds were found on head, chest and other parts of the body, and therefore, X-ray was advised. In X-ray report no bony injury was found either on skull, nose or chest. After due investigation challan was filed. 3. Learned 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh, vide order dated 20-7-2011 framed the aforesaid charges against the applicants and recorded their plea. 4. Heard the learned Counsel for the parties at length. 5. Learned Counsel for the appellants has submitted that there was no intention of the applicants to kill the victim. No fatal or grievous injury was caused to the victim Ramswaroop, and therefore, neither any offence under Section 329 or under Section 307 of IPC was made out. The case was triable by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class, but the learned Additional Sessions Judge unnecessarily framed the charges of offence punishable under sections 307 and 329 of ipc and also alternate charges under section 34 of ipc. Learned Counsel for the applicants has further submitted that learned Additional Sessions Judge did not mention any reason as to how the charges of offence punishable under section 307 or 329 of ipc were made out. Under such circumstances, it is submitted that the learned Additional Sessions Judge has passed a non-speaking order, which suffers from legal errors and therefore, that may be quashed. 6. On the other hand, learned Counsel for the State' has refuted the contentions made by learned Counsel for the applicant. He has submitted that offence under Section 307 of IPC is clearly made out. The applicants have assaulted the victim on his head and nose, and therefore, their intention appears to be apparent. Secondly, learned Counsel for the State has referred the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Om Wati (Smt.) and another Vs. State through Delhi Admn. and others, (2001) 4 SCC 333 and in the case of Kanti Bhadra Shah and another Vs. State of W.B., (2000) 1 SCC 722, in which it is directed that if Trial Court discharges any accused from some charges, then a detailed order will be passed, but at the time of framing of charges, if charges are framed, then there is no need to mention any reason in details. Under such circumstances, it is prayed that the present revision may be dismissed with costs. 7. According to the provisions of sections 227 and 228 of cr.pc, it is for the Trial Court to consider the material available on record with the object that if it is not rebutted, then whether the accused can be convicted for a particular offence or not. By considering such material, if the accused is convicted for that offence, then charges for that offence shall be framed. The Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Supdt. & Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, West Bengal Vs. Anil Kumar Bhunja and others, AIR 1980 SC 52, by referring the view taken in the case of State of Bihar Vs. Ramesh Singh, AIR 1977 SC 2018, took the following view :— "18...... the truth, veracity and effect of the evidence which the prosecutor proposes to adduce are not to be meticulously judged. The standard of test, proof and judgment which is to be applied finally before finding the accused guilty or otherwise, is not exactly to be applied at the stage of Section 227 or 228 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. At this stage, even a very strong suspicion founded upon materials before the Magistrate, which leads him to form a presumptive opinion as to the existence of the factual ingredients constituting the offence alleged; may justify the framing of charge against the accused in respect of the commission of that offence." Similarly, in the case of Stree Atyachar Virodhi Parishad Vs. Dilip Nathumal Chordia and another, (1989) 1 SCC 715, took the following the view :— "14.......It is in the trial, the guilt or the innocence of the accused will be determined and not at the time of framing of charge. The Court, therefore, need not undertake an elaborate enquiry in sifting and weighing, the material. Nor it is necessary to delve deep into various aspects. All that the Court has to consider is whether the evidentiary material on record if generally accepted, would reasonably connect the accused with the crime. No more need be enquired into." It would also be seen from the view taken by the Hon'ble Apex Court in Para 7 in the case of Niranjan Singh Karatn Singh Punjabi Vs. Jitendra Bimraj Bijja and others, AIR 1990 SC 1962, which read as under :— "7......It seems well settled that at the Sections 227-228 stage the Court is required to evaluate the material and documents on record with a view to finding out if the facts emerging therefrom taken at their face value disclose the existence of all the ingredients constituting the alleged offence. The Court may for this limited purpose sift the evidence as it cannot be expected even at that initial stage to accept all that the prosecution states as gospel truth even if it is opposed to common sense or the broad probabilities of the case." Therefore, at the stage of framing of charges, veracity of the witnesses is not required to be considered, but evidence produced by the police should be considered to evaluate that the charges relating to that crime may be framed or not. 8. Under such circumstances, the matter may be considered in the light of the aforesaid judgments passed by the Hon'ble Apex Court. For consideration of offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC, intention and knowledge of the accused should be considered. In this context, the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Hari Kishan Vs. State of Haryana, AIR 1988 SC 2127, may be referred, in which it is held as under :— "Under Section 307, IPC what the Court has to see is, whether the act irrespective of its result, was done with the intention or knowledge and under circumstances mentioned in that section. The intention or knowledge of the accused must be such as is necessary constitute murder. Without this ingredient being established, there can be no offence of "attempt to murder". Under Section 307 the intention precedes the act attributed to accused. Therefore, the intention is to be gathered from all circumstances, and not merely from the consequences that ensue. The nature of the weapon used, manner in which it is used. Motive for the crime, severity of the blow, the part of the body where the injury is inflicted are some of the factors that may be taken into consideration to determine the intention." If the facts of the present case are considered in the light of the aforesaid judgments, when it would be clear that the applicants were armed with firearms at the time of incident, but no fire was done by any of the applicants. Secondly, the applicants assaulted the victim Ramswaroop by base of the firearm on his head and nose, which were the vital parts of the body, but assault was not done using any force, and therefore, no grievous injury could be caused to the victim Ramswaroop, and therefore, looking to the overt-acts of the applicants, it cannot be said that intention of the applicants was to kill him. On the contrary, it appears that they wanted to threaten the complainant so that he would make the payment. Doctor who examined the victim Ramswaroop in the medico legal examination did not opine that any of the injury was fatal. No treatment report is submitted with the challan to show that some surgery took place upon the victim Ramswaroop, otherwise he could die. Bleeding from the nose or skin of the head cannot be said to be a fatal or grievous in nature. Under such circumstances, it would be clear that the applicants neither fired from firearms, nor used any deadly weapon nor assaulted the victim in forceful manner therefore, it is apparent that they were not intending to kill the victim. Similarly, by injuries caused to the victim, it cannot be said that the applicants had any knowledge that by their act victim Ramswaroop could die. Under such circumstances, it is apparent that no intention or knowledge of the applicants is established prima facie to show that by their overt acts victim Ramswaroop could die, and therefore, no offence under Section 307 of IPC may be constituted. At the most the case may come within the purview of sections 324 and 323 of ipc only. However, it is apparent that no offence under Section 307 of IPC is made out against the applicants either directly or with the help of section 34 of ipc. 9. First of all if the case is considered on the basis of the facts, then it would be apparent that in X-ray report no grievous injury was found upon the victim Ramswaroop, and therefore, no offence under Section 329 of IPC is made out against the applicants. For constitution of offence punishable under Section 329 of IPC, injuries caused to the victim must be grievous otherwise only offence under Section 327 of IPC may be constituted, which is triable by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class. In the present case, no grievous hurt as defined under Section 320 of Cr.PC was caused to the complainant Ramswaroop, and therefore, prima facie no offence under Section 329 of IPC is made out. 10. Similarly, if the matter is to be considered for the offence punishable under Section 329 of IPC, then for commission of that offence, it is necessary that some grievous injury is caused to the victim in the incident. There is no grievous injury found by the doctor. Grievous injury is required to be such which fulfills the ingredients of Section 320 of IPC, and therefore, if any injury caused to the victim which endanger his life, then it would be covered in grievous injury. But in the present case, injuries caused to the victim Ramswaroop were neither fatal nor grievous, and therefore, prima facie no offence under Section 329 of IPC was made out. At the most offence under Section 327 of IPC may be constituted, which is triable by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class. 11. Since no offence under section 307 or 329 of ipc is made out either directly or with the help of Section 34 of IPC, then the case remains to be triable by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class and it does not remain to be triable by the Court of Sessions and it was for the learned Additional Sessions Judge to remand the case under Section 228 of Cr.PC to concerned Chief Judicial Magistrate, and therefore, a legal mistake has been committed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh which can be cured in the instant revision. 12. Learned Counsel for the applicants has submitted that it is apparent from the record that charges of offence under section 307 or 329 of ipc were framed without any basis and therefore, it was expected from the learned Additional Sessions Judge to mention some reasons in short for framing of such charges whereas learned Public Prosecutor has submitted that the Hon'ble Apex Court has directed not to mention anything if charges are framed. If the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Kanti Bhadra Shah (supra) is perused, then it would be clear that the Hon'ble Apex Court interpreted the provision of sections 227 and 240 of cr.pc. For the ready reference, the relevant portion is reproduced as under :— "...... If the Trial Court decides to frame a charge there is no legal requirement that he should pass an order specifying the reasons as to why he opts to do so. Framing of charge itself is prima facie order that the Trial Judge has formed the opinion, upon considering the police report and other documents and after hearing both sides, that there is ground for presuming that the accused has committed the offence concerned.......Even in a trial before a Court of Session, the Judge is required to record reasons only if he decides to discharge the accused (vide section 227 of the code). But if he is to frame the charge he may do so without recording his reasons for showing why he framed the charge." In the aforesaid judgment, it is also held that there is no legal requirement that Trial Court should write an order showing the reason for framing of charges, there is no need to further burden the already burdened Trial Courts with such extra work. 13. Similarly, in the case of Om Wati (supra), the Hon'ble Apex Court has referred the judgment of Kanti Bhadra's case (supra), and held that there is no legal requirement that trial Court should write the order showing the reasons for framing of charges. Some portion of Para 7 of that judgment may be read as under :— "7........The time has reached to adopt all possible measures to expedite the Court procedures and to chalk out measures to avert all roadblocks causing avoidable delays. If a Magistrate is to write detailed orders at different stages merely because the Counsel would address arguments at all stages, the snail-paced progress of proceedings in Trial Courts would further be slowed down. We are coming across interlocutory orders of Magistrates and Sessions Judges running into several pages. We can appreciate if such a detailed order has been passed for culminating the proceedings before them. But it is quite unnecessary to write detailed orders at this stage, such as issuing process, remanding the accused to custody, framing of charges, passing over to next stages in the trial....." 14. At present if some trials of Section 306 of IPC may be considered where no presumption under Section 113-A of the Evidence Act is applicable, then charges under Section 306 of IPC can only be framed if overt act of the accused falls within the purview of Section 107 of IPC. At present so many revisions are pending before this Court, because the Trial Court did not examine at the time of framing of the charges that, whether the overt act of the accused falls within the purview of Section 107 of IPC. Similarly, in the case of offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC when accused contests the-case that no fatal or grievous injury was inflicted upon the victim and apparently on the basis of the documents filed by the police, there was no intention or knowledge of the accused to kill the victim, then in such cases charges for offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC cannot be framed, but such type of charges are being framed by the Trial Courts without application of mind and a bulk of revisions are pending against such orders. 15. Learned Counsel for the applicants submits that looking to the aforesaid condition, though there is no provision under sections 227 and 240 of cr.pc but a speaking order is to be passed by the Trial Court at the time of framing of charges on the basis of principles of natural justice. However, such contention cannot be accepted, because in the case of S.N. Mukherjee Vs. Union of India, AIR 1990 SC 1984, the Hon'ble Apex Court on the basis of its previous judgment in Sorn Datt Datta's case, AIR 1969 SC 414, has observed as under :— "38.......Keeping in view the expanding horizon of the principles of natural justice, we are of the opinion, that the requirement to record reason can be regarded as one of the principles of natural justice which govern exercise of power by Administrative Authorities. The rules of natural justice are not embodied rules. The extent of their application depends upon the particular statutory framework whereunder jurisdiction has been conferred on the Administrative Authority. With regard to the exercise of a particular power by an Administrative Authority including exercise of judicial or quasi-judicial functions the Legislature, while conferring the said power, may feel that it would not be in the larger public interest that the reasons for the order passed by the Administrative Authority be recorded in the order and be communicated to the aggrieved party and it may dispense with such a requirement." 16. Similarly, the Full Bench of this Court in the case of Rana Natwarsingh Vs. State of Madhya Pradesh and others, AIR 1980 MP 129, has held as under :— "9......Apart from any requirement imposed by the statute or statutory rule expressly or by necessary, implication, we are unable to accept the contention of Mr. Dutta that there is any general principle or any rule of natural justice that a Statutory Tribunal should always and in every case give reasons in support of its decision......The decision in Som Datt Vs. Union of India (supra), is an authority for the propositions that, (i) unless expressly or impliedly required by a statute or the rules, there is no obligation on a Tribunal to give reasons, (ii) the giving of reasons is not a requirement of natural justice, and (iii) a non-speaking order could not be set aside merely on the ground that it was non-speaking." Under such circumstances, it would be clear that since there is no provision under sections 227 and 240 of cr.pc to pass a speaking order, if charges are framed, then principles of natural justice cannot be applied in such a manner in light of the decisions given by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the cases of Som Datt (supra) and S.N. Mukherjee (supra), and the Full Bench of this Court in case of Rana Natwarsingh (supra). 17. There are so many cases beyond the above quoted examples in Para 14 of this order in which such type of situation arises that Presiding Officer of the Trial Court does not apply his mind at the time of framing of charges, and therefore, number of criminal revisions before this Court are unnecessarily increasing. In such revisions, sufficient time is required for their disposal. Defence Counsel appearing before the Lower Court takes time before the Lower Court with the pretext that revision is pending and due to such type of orders unnecessarily delay causes in the disposal of the cases. Though Trial Court cannot be directed to pass a speaking order while framing of charges and in each case Trial Court is not supposed to pass a speaking order at the time of framing of charges, but looking to the aforesaid situations, Trial Courts are advised not to avoid the application of judicial mind at the time of framing of charges. Some reasons in concise manner may be given if charges are framed in such vulnerable cases. 18. Moreover, it is appropriate to quote one more situation that if police files charge-sheet for particular offences with one set of facts and Trial Court finds that some more offences are constituted, and therefore, Trial Court while framing of charges adds charges of those sections of which offence was constituted, then there is no procedure given in section 227 or 240 of cr.pc for such a situation. For example, if husband and family members are facing a trial of murder of bride by burning and challan was filed for commission of offence punishable under Sections 302 and 498-A of IPC, Trial Court feels that parents and relatives of the deceased have made allegations of dowry demand and harassment also, and therefore, charge under Section 304-B of IPC may also be added or appended. This is not a case for modification of the charges, but it is a case where charges are to be framed for the first time. Such type of situation cannot be governed under section 227 or 240 of cr.pc and in such a case accused has every right to know as to why such charge was framed and therefore, principle of natural justice shall apply. It is for the Court to show the reason as to why additional charge of offence is framed. To such a situation, the dictum laid down by the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of Om Wati (supra) and Kanti Bhadra's case (supra), shall not be attracted. Under such circumstances, it is for the Trial Court to mention reasons for framing of charges in such a peculiar situation. 19. By aforesaid discussion, it would be clear that where it is required for the Trial Court to mention concise reasons for framing of particular charge under the provisions of principle of natural justice then it is the duty of the Presiding Officer to that Court to mention reasons for framing of such charge, whereas in General Trial Court is not required to pass a speaking order in each and every case. In other vulnerable cases as mentioned in Para 14 of this order, Trial Court is advised to apply its mind and in such peculiar cases without mentioning much details in the order some to the point reasons may be given for framing of charges, so that the Revisionary Court can be well informed on the view of the Judge at the time of framing of charges in such cases. 20. In the present case, learned Additional Sessions Judge did not consider that no grievous or fatal injury was caused to the victim and no intention or knowledge of the applicants was visible that they intended to commit a murder. On the aforesaid discussion, it would be clear that neither any offence under Section 307 nor Section 329 of IPC is made out against the applicants either directly or with the help of section 34 of ipc. The offence under sections 327 and 324 of ipc may be constituted against the applicants either directly or with the help of Section 34 of IPC, and therefore, it is apparent that a legal error has been caused by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh. The case was to be remanded to the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate under Section 228 of Cr.PC, but it was kept pending before the Sessions Court. Under such circumstances, revision filed by the applicants deserves to be allowed. 21. Consequently, the present revision filed by the applicants is hereby allowed and the order dated 20-7-2011 passed by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh relating of framing of charges against the applicants is hereby quashed. Learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh is directed to remand the case to Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tikamgarh for trial of offences punishable under Section 327 or 327/34, 324 or 324/34, 294, 506 (2) of IPC. 22. A copy of this order be sent forthwith to the Trial Court for information and compliance. _____________
Structured Summary of the Opinion
Factual and Procedural Background
This revision challenges the order dated 20-07-2011 passed by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh in S.T. No. 33/2011, whereby charges under Sections 307 or 307/34, 329 or 329/34, 294 and 506(2) of the Indian Penal Code were framed against the applicants.
The prosecution case (as set out in the record) states that on 28-08-2010 at about 8:00 p.m., the complainant Ramswaroop was induced to go to the house of accused Nanna Panda by accused Noni Panda. At that location Noni and Nanna demanded Rs. 5 lakhs and threatened to kill him. Accused Rajesh @ Kallu Panda allegedly struck the complainant on the head with the butt/base of a firearm, and Noni allegedly struck his nose with a "kcitta" causing bleeding. The complainant was further assaulted by blows and kicks. The complainant's mother intervened and saved him. An FIR was lodged the same day. A medico-legal examination recorded 5–6 injuries including two incised wounds on the head and right ear; X-ray showed no bony injury to skull, nose or chest. After investigation, a challan was filed and the Sessions Judge framed the aforementioned charges and recorded pleas.
The applicants filed this criminal revision contesting framing of the more serious charges and contending inter alia that the matter was triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class and that the Sessions Judge's order was non-speaking.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the offences punishable under Section 307 and Section 329 (including as read with Section 34) of the IPC were prima facie made out such that the Sessions Court properly framed charges under those provisions.
- Whether the framing of charges by the 4th Additional Sessions Judge without stating reasons rendered the order a non-speaking order and legally vulnerable.
- Whether the matter was triable by the Court of Sessions or should have been remitted to the Chief Judicial Magistrate for trial (i.e., whether the matter was triable by a Magistrate First Class under lesser offences such as Sections 323/324/327 etc.).
Arguments of the Parties
Applicants' Arguments
- No intention to kill the victim; injuries were not fatal or grievous, hence offences under Sections 307 or 329 IPC are not made out.
- The case was triable by the Judicial Magistrate First Class; framing of Sections 307 and 329 (and alternatively under Section 34) was improper.
- The Sessions Judge did not state reasons for framing the serious charges; the order is non-speaking and suffers legal error and should be quashed.
State's Arguments
- The offence under Section 307 IPC is clearly made out on the prosecution material, since the complainant was assaulted on his head and nose and the accused were armed.
- When charges are framed (as opposed to a discharge), there is no legal requirement for detailed reasons to be recorded; the State relied on authorities (Om Wati and Kanti Bhadra Shah) to support that principle.
- The revision should therefore be dismissed and the framing of charges sustained.
Table of Precedents Cited
Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
---|---|---|
Om Wati (Smt.) and another v. State through Delhi Admn. and others, (2001) 4 SCC 333 | No legal requirement to record detailed reasons when the Trial Court frames charges; to avoid undue delay and overburdening trial courts. | Cited by the State; Court discussed it as authority that framing of charge need not be accompanied by detailed reasons, but also qualified scope in this opinion. |
Kanti Bhadra Shah and another v. State of W.B., (2000) 1 SCC 722 | Interprets Sections 227 and 240 Cr.P.C.: if charge is framed there is no statutory obligation to record reasons for framing the charge. | Relied upon to explain the legal position that framing need not be accompanied by reasons; Court contrasted this general rule with certain "vulnerable" situations where reasons should be given. |
Supdt. & Remembrancer of Legal Affairs, West Bengal v. Anil Kumar Bhunja and others, AIR 1980 SC 52 | At Sections 227/228 stage, the court need not meticulously judge truth/veracity; a strong suspicion from material can justify framing of charge. | Quoted to explain the standard applicable at charge-framing stage — limited inquiry and presumptive evaluation of evidence. |
State of Bihar v. Ramesh Singh, AIR 1977 SC 2018 | Principles regarding the limited nature of inquiry when framing charges (referred to by the Anil Kumar Bhunja decision). | Referenced as part of the jurisprudential foundation for applying a limited standard at the charge-framing stage. |
Stree Atyachar Virodhi Parishad v. Dilip Nathumal Chordia and another, (1989) 1 SCC 715 | Guilt or innocence is to be determined at trial; at framing stage court need not conduct elaborate enquiry; only whether material if generally accepted connects accused to crime. | Used to support the proposition that the court should not undertake exhaustive evaluation when deciding to frame charges. |
Niranjan Singh Karatn Singh Punjabi v. Jitendra Bimraj Bijja and others, AIR 1990 SC 1962 | At Sections 227-228 stage, the court must evaluate material at face value to see if ingredients of offence are disclosed; limited sifting is permissible. | Quoted to define the permissible scope of court's evaluation at the charge-framing stage. |
Hari Kishan v. State of Haryana, AIR 1988 SC 2127 | Under Section 307 IPC the Court must see whether the act (irrespective of result) was done with requisite intention or knowledge; intention is to be inferred from circumstances including weapon used, manner, motive, severity and part of body injured. | Applied by the Court to evaluate whether the prosecution material prima facie disclosed the requisite intention/knowledge for attempt to murder under Section 307. |
S.N. Mukherjee v. Union of India, AIR 1990 SC 1984 | Recording reasons is not always a requirement of natural justice; application depends on statutory framework and public interest considerations. | Relied upon to explain that there is no absolute rule obliging Trial Courts to record reasons while framing charges and that natural justice does not universally require speaking orders. |
Som Datt Datta / Som Datt v. Union of India, AIR 1969 SC 414 (referred) | Earlier authority used in reasoning on whether reasons must be given by administrative/judicial authorities. | Referred to in the context of S.N. Mukherjee and related discussion on natural justice and recording reasons. |
Rana Natwarsingh v. State of Madhya Pradesh and others, AIR 1980 MP 129 (Full Bench) | Held there is no general principle obliging a statutory tribunal to give reasons in every case; a non-speaking order cannot be set aside merely for being non-speaking unless statute or rules require reasons. | Relied upon to support the position that Trial Courts are not invariably required to record reasons when framing charges; but the Court also advised caution and application of mind in vulnerable cases. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The Court proceeded in two linked lines of analysis: (A) the standard to be applied at the charge-framing stage and (B) application of that standard to the material in the present case to determine whether Sections 307 or 329 (or those sections read with Section 34) were prima facie made out.
A. Legal standard at framing stage
- The Court reiterated the settled principle (from the cited Supreme Court authorities) that at Sections 227/228 stage the Trial Court must consider the material on record to see whether, if accepted at face value, it discloses ingredients of the offence; the court is not required to undertake a meticulous or final appraisal of truth or veracity of evidence.
- Authorities permit a limited sifting of evidence but do not require elaborate enquiry; a strong suspicion from the material may suffice to frame charge.
- Parallelly, the Court noted precedent holding that there is no statutory duty to record detailed reasons when charges are framed; however, the Court qualified that in certain "vulnerable" situations (for example where additional charges not in the challan are framed or where the facts raise close questions of law/triability), concise reasons ought to be given so that a revisionary court is informed of the Trial Judge's view.
B. Application to the facts
- The Court applied the test for Section 307 (attempt to murder) derived from Hari Kishan: intention/knowledge to cause death must be gathered from all circumstances (weapon, manner, motive, severity, part of body injured, etc.).
- On the prosecution material: the accused were armed with firearms but did not fire; assaults were by the butt/base of firearm and by kicks/fists; bleeding and injuries were found but the doctor did not opine any injury as fatal; X-ray showed no bony injury; no treatment report indicating surgery or life-threatening intervention was produced with the challan.
- Given those facts, the Court concluded that, on the material available, there was no prima facie evidence of the requisite intention or knowledge that would constitute an attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC. The Court found that the overt acts were more consistent with threat and assault to extort money rather than with an intention to kill.
- Concerning Section 329 (grievous hurt caused by dangerous weapons), the Court noted that grievous hurt must fulfill the definition under Section 320 IPC; the medical and radiological reports did not disclose grievous hurt. Therefore, prima facie Section 329 was not made out; at most offences under Sections 327 or 327/34, and 324 or 324/34 or lesser offences such as 323 could be constituted.
- Because Sections 307 and 329 were not prima facie made out either directly or read with Section 34, the matter, in the Court's view, became triable by the Court of Judicial Magistrate First Class and not by the Sessions Court.
- The Sessions Judge's framing of the serious charges and retaining the case before the Sessions Court without remitting it to the Chief Judicial Magistrate under Section 228 Cr.P.C. was identified as a legal error which this revision could cure.
- On the point of speaking orders: the Court accepted that there is no absolute statutory requirement to record reasons when charges are framed but advised that Trial Courts should apply judicial mind and, in vulnerable or atypical situations (including where charges beyond the challan are being framed), furnish concise reasons for framing so as to inform any revisional court.
Holding and Implications
Core Holding: The revision filed by the applicants is allowed and the order dated 20-07-2011, whereby charges under Sections 307/307/34 and 329/329/34 were framed, is quashed.
Direct Consequences:
- The learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tikamgarh is directed to remand the case to the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Tikamgarh for trial of the offences punishable under Section 327 or 327/34, 324 or 324/34, 294 and 506(2) IPC (i.e., the matter is to be tried before the Magistrate appropriate for those offences).
- A copy of the order is to be sent forthwith to the Trial Court for information and compliance.
The opinion contains an advisory observation to Trial Courts: while detailed reasons are not statutorily required whenever charges are framed, Trial Courts should nonetheless apply their judicial mind and give concise reasons in vulnerable or atypical cases so as to reduce unnecessary revisions. The opinion does not purport to lay down a new broad legal rule displacing the cited precedents; it applies existing authorities to the facts and circumstances of this case.
Anil Alias Noni Panda & Anr. v. State Of M.P
Please subscribe to download the judgment.
Comments