Holding

The conviction under Section 302 IPC read with Section 149 IPC stands as the omission of an explicit Section 149 charge did not cause prejudice and the FIR and witness testimonies are reliable.

Summary

The case arose from a politically motivated clash between two village factions in Chinthalajuturu, Andhra Pradesh, where a group of accused attacked a jeep, killing two persons (D‑1 and D‑2) and injuring several witnesses. The first information report (FIR) was challenged as a fabricated document and the fitness of seriously injured witnesses to give statements was disputed. The Supreme Court examined whether the lack of specific overt acts attributed to each accused, and the omission of an explicit charge under Section 149 IPC in charges 4 and 5, invalidated the convictions for murder under Section 302 read with Section 149. The Court held that the FIR was genuine, the witnesses were fit to testify, and the ingredients of Section 149 were implicit in the charges, so no prejudice was shown. Consequently, the convictions and sentences under Sections 302 IPC r/w 149 IPC, as well as other offences, were upheld and the appeal dismissed.

Issues considered

The FIR was a concocted document and therefore unreliable.
Whether the injured witnesses were fit to give statements for the FIR.
Whether conviction under Section 302 IPC without specific overt act attribution to each accused is sustainable.
Whether omission to mention Section 149 IPC in charges 4 and 5 vitiates the conviction.
Whether the omission of a specific charge under Section 149 IPC amounts to a fatal procedural defect under CrPC s.464.

Legislation cited

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973s. 154, s. 464
Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 148, s. 149, s. 302, s. 307, s. 326, s. 341

Subjects

political rivalryunlawful assemblycommon objectFIR authenticityinvolved injured witness testimonySection 149 IPCSection 302 IPCcharge omissionSection 464 CrPCprejudiceconviction upheld

Judgment

[2009] 6 S.C.R. 755
4

ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. A
V.
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(Criminal Appeal No.408 of 2007)
APRIL 21, 2009
B
[D.K. JAIN AND R.M. LODHA, JJ.]

Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973:

s. 154 - FIR - Reliability of - Death of two and injuries to c
prosecution witnesses due to political rivalry - Plea that FIR
concocted document - Held: Not sustainable - Prosecution
witness fit to give statement even though seriously injured -
Doctor endorsed fitness and statement recorded in his
.....
presence by AS/ - Absence of specific overt act attributed to D
f
accused not fatal to prosecution case - No delay in sending
FIR to magistrate.

s.464 - Effect of omission to frame, or absence of, or
error in, charge - Notice to all accused under charge 1 that
they were members of unlawful assembly armed with deadly E
weapons in prosecution of common object of murdering

-
~
~
deceased, committed offence of rioting u/s. 149 - Charge 4
& 5 against accused that during course of same transaction
committed murder by intentional causing death of deceased
and offence uls. 302 - Non-mentioning of s.149 in charge 4 F
& 5 - Held: Would not vitiate the conviction as accused failed
to show any prejudice - It is clear from charge 4 and 5 that
transaction mentioned in charge 1 was made integral part
thereof and ingredients of s.149 are implicit therein except
~ .}(
mentioning s. 149 ·specifically - Particulars in charge 4 and 6 G
......
sufficient to give notice of s. 149 to accused - Offence u/s. 302
rlw s.149 implicit- Penal Code, 1860- s.302 rlw s. 149.

Penal Code, 1860: ss.148, 302 and 149 - Unlawful
755 H
756 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 6 S.C.R.

•
A assembly - Common object - Determination of - Political
rivalry between two factions - Death of two and injuries to
prosecution witnesses - Plea that common object was to
cause injuries and not fatal injuries - Held: Accused armed
with deadly weapons - Deceased inflicted number of injuries
B - Assault was murderous - Thus, accused shared common
object of committing murder - They were more than five and
formed unlawful assembly to commit murder.

Evidence: Injured witness - Testimony of - Absence of
specific injuries or specific overt act attributed to accused
c individually in FIR though detailed version given before court
- Held: Testimony of witnesses credible - One of the
witnesses seriously injured - Omissions and discrepancies
minor in nature - Many accused were involved, thus not
possible to attribute specific injury and overt act individually
D to each accused - Also, unlikely for witnesses who have lost .., ::-
their relatives to falsely implicate accused - More so,
testimony of witnesses corroborated by medical evidence.

There was a political rivalry between two factions. On
E the fateful day accused persons armed with deadly
weapons attacked the victims group. It resulted in death
of 01 and 02 and injuries to PW 1 to 3. 15 persons were
charged for offences under ss. 302,307, 307 rw 149, 148
and 341 IPC. Trial court convicted A1, A2, A4 to AS and
• --
F A10 to A13 u/s. 302 IPC and imposed imprisonment for
life and fine with default stipulation; and also convicted
u/s. 148 with imprisonment for one year. AG, A7, A10 to
A-13 were convicted u/s. 307 and sentenced to
imprisonment for five years and fine with default
stipulation; A2, A4 and A5 u/s. 307 r/w 149 and sentenced
G to rigorous imprisonment for five years and fine with 1 ~

f

default stipulation. The sentences of each accused were
to run concurrently. Two persons were acquitted and
two of them died during the trial. Eleven accused persons
filed appeal. High Court upheld the order of conviction
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 757
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH
...
and sentence. Hence the present appeal by ten accused A
since A 5 died during pendency of appeal.

Dismissing the appeal, the Court

HELD: 1.1. It cannot be accepted that F.l.R. is a
concocted document. The trial court as well as the High B
Court rightly held that FIR was not fabricated. It is true
that injury no.1 received by PW-1 in front of left parietal
~
area and the depressed fracture of frontal bone was
extremely grave and serious but on the face of clear,
categorical and unambiguous endorsement made by the c
doctor-PW 10 that PW-1 was in a fit and proper condition
to give a statement at that time and the fact that PW-11-
ASI recorded the statement of PW-1 in the presence of
PW-10, there cannot be even slightest doubt about the
..... ~
authenticity of FIR and there is no justifiable reason to D
even remotely conclude that FIR is not the statement
given by PW-1. It cannot be accepted that PW-11 is a
chance witness. Pertinently, the F.l.R. was forwarded to
the Magistrate without any delay. As to whether PW-1
was in a fit and proper condition to give statement or not, E
could have been assessed by PW-10 under whose
treatment PW-1 was at that time and none else. The
evidence of PW-7 in no way creates any doubt about the
.,»' t
correctness of statement of PW-10 as PW-7 has not
stated in definite terms that PW-1 was not in a fit state of F
condition to give statemen! at that time. [Para 22] [771-D-
H; 772-A]

1.2. PW-1 in his testimony before the court gave
account of the incident. He testified that A-1, A-2, A-1 O
... ;i and A-12 were armed with axes and remaining eleven G
.
accused were armed with eathapululu (sickle). A-1 to A-
9 hacked D-1 with their weapons. A-3, A-6, A-7, A-10 to
A-13 hacked D-2 with their respective weapons. A-1, A-3,
A-6, A-7 and A-10 to A-13 hacked him with tfieir respective
weapons. A-7, A-9, A-10 'and A-14 hacked PW-3 and RN H
758 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A with their respective weapons. D-1 and D-2 died on the
spot. In his cross-examination, he admitted that he did not
state the said facts in FIR. These omission does not affect
the credibility of his evidence since at the time of
recording of FIR, PW-1 was in injured condition. It was
B not expected of him to give a detailed version in that
condition, more so when so many accused were
involved. But despite that, in FIR, he has given names of
all the accused persons. The testimony of PW-1 is ,.
corroborated by medical evidence. [Paras 23 and 24]
c [772-8-H; 773-A]
1.3. PW-1 and PW-3 are injured witnesses. As a matter
of f~ct, PW-1 suffered a grave injury on his head. TVio of
their family members died. It is most unlikely that they
would have spared the actual assailants and falsely
D implicated these appellants merely because there is
political rivalry between them. The omissions and
discrepancies pointed out in the evidence of PW-1 and
PW-3 are only minor and do not shake their
trustworthiness. It is true that neither PW-1 nor PW-3
E assigned specific injuries or specific overt acts attributed
t:o the accused individually but looking to the nature of
the incident where large number of persons attacked D-
1, D-2, PW-1, PW-2 and PW-3, it would not have been
possible for PW-1 or PW-3 to attribute specific injury
F individually to each accused. It could not be possible for
any person to recount with meticulous exactitude the
\rarious individual acts done by each assailant. Had they
stated so, their testimony would have been criticized as
highly improbable and unnatural. The testimony of eye-
G witnesses carries with it the criticism of being tutored if
lo, ,..
they give graphic details of the incident and their
evidence would be assailed as unspecific, vague and
general if they fail to speak with precision. The golden
principle is not to weigh such testimony in golden scales
H but to view it from the cogent standards that lend
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 759
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

assurance about its trustfulness. The testimony of PW-1 A
and PW-3 is of credence and does not deserve to be
discarded on the ground of non-mentioning of specific
overt acts. It is accepted that the trial court and the High
Court gave cogent and convincing reasons for accepting
the evidence of PW-1 and PW-3. Merely because A-14 and B
15 got acquittal, credibility of deposition of PW-1 and PW-
3 is not affected. [Para 26) [773-0-H; 774-A-B]

2.1. Section 464 Cr.P.C. specifies that a finding or
sentence of a court shall not be set aside merely on the C
ground that a charge was not framed or that charge was
defective unless it has occasioned in prejudice. Because
of a mere defect !n language or in the narration or in form
of the charge, the conviction would not be rendered bad
if accused has not been adversely affected thereby. If the
ingredients of the section are obvious or implicit, D
conviction in regard thereto can be sustained irrespective
of the fact that the said section has not been mentioned.
A fair trial to the accused is a sine quo non in our criminal
justice system but at the same time procedural law
contained in the Cr.P.C. is designed to further the ends E
of justice and not to frustrate them by introduction of
hyper-technicalities. Every case must depend on its own
merits and no straightjacket formula can be applied; the
t essential and important aspect to be kept in mind is: has
omission to frame a specific charge resulted in prejudice F
to the accused. [Para 42) [788-E-H; 789-A)

2.2. All the accused were put to notice under charge
no.1 that on May 16, 1996 in the morning near place-GH,
they were members of an unlawful assembly armed with G
deadly weapons and in prosecution of common object
of such assembly, namely, in murdering 01 and 02, they
committed offence of rioting, punishable u/ 148 IPC. A-1
to A-5 and A-6 to A-9 were noticed of the particulars
under charge no.4 that during the course of same H
760 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

)o..
A transaction as mentioned in charge no.1, they committed
murder by intentional causing death of 01 and thereby
committed an offence punishable u/s. 302 IPC. A-3, A-6
to A-8, A-10 to A-13 were put to notice under charge no.5
that during the course of the same transaction as
B mentioned in charge no.1 they committed murder by
intentional causing death of 02 and thereby committed
an offence punishable u/s. 302 IPC. [Para 43] [789-8-0)

2.3. A careful reading of charge no. 4 'and 5 leaves ""'
no manner of doubt, since the transaction mentioned in
c charge no.1 has been made integral part thereof, that all
the necessary ingredients of s. 149 IPC are implicit therein
except mentioning of s. 149 !PC specifically. The
particulars stated in charge no. 4 and 5 are reasonably
sufficient to give the appellants adequate notice of s. 149
D IPC although not specifically mentioned. Non-mentioning .._
~
of s. 149 in charge no. 4 and charge no. 5 is not a
fundamental defect of an incurable illegality that may
warrant setting aside the conviction and sentence of the
appellants. Non-framing of a charge u/s. 149 IPC, on the
E face of the charges framed against the appellants would
not vitiate their conviction; more so when the accused
have failed to show any prejudice in this regard. The
instant case is a case where there is mere omission to
mention s. 149 in charge no. 4 and 5 which at the highest • •
F may be considered as an irregularity and since the
appellants have failed to show any prejudice, their
conviction and sentence is not at all affected. Tenor of
cross-examination of PW-1 and PW-3 by the defence also
rules out any prejudice to them. The offence, in the
G established facts and circumstances of the case, under
s. 302 r/w section 149 IPC is implicit. The omission to , #

mention section 149 IPC specifically in the charge no. 4
and 5 cannot affect their conviction. In no way their
conviction is rendered bad as the appellants had
H assembled together armed with axes and eathapululu
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 761
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH
(sickle) and were parties to the assault on D-1 and D-2 A
" and others. In a situation such as this it was not
obligatory upon the prosecution to prove which specific
overt act was done by which of the accused. [Para 44]
[789-E-H; 790-A-D]
B
2.4. The submission that since D-1 and D-2 received
only one and two fatal injuries respectively, the common
object at the most could be to cause injuries and not fatal
injuries hardly merits acceptance. The deadly weapons
with which appellants were armed, the number of injuries
inflicted on D-1 and D-2, and the murderous assault lead
c
to a certain inference that the appellants shared common
object of committing murder with other accused. That
they were more than five and formed unlawful assembly
is beyond doubt. D-1 and D-2 died on the spot. PW-1
fortunately survived after surgery and hospitalization for D
~-.....J
more than month. [Para 45] [790-E-F]

Willi~ (William) Slaney vs. The State of M.P. (1955) 2
SCR 1140, followed.
E
Pandurang, Tukia and Bhillia vs. The State of Hyderabad
(1955) 1 SCR 1083; Suraj Pal vs. The State of Uttar Pradesh
(1955) 1 SCR 1332; Nayan Ullah and Ors. vs. Emperor A.l.R.
1925 Calcutta 903; Tahsildar Singh vs. State A.l.R. 1958
___..,., t Allahabad 255; Nanak Chand vs. The State of Punjab (1955)
F
1 SCR 1201; Shambhu Nath Singh and Ors. vs. State of
Bihar AIR 1960 SC 725; Bhajan Singh and Ors. vs. The State
of Punjab (1978) 4 SCC 77; Ram Anjore And Ors. vs. State
of Uttar Pradesh (1975) 3 SCC 379; Bhoor Singh and Anr.
vs. State of Punjab (1974) 4 SCC 754; Karnam Ram
Narsaiah & Ors. vs. State of A.P (2005)10 SCC 629; G
.. -I Dumpala Chandra Reddy vs. Nimakayala Balireddy and Ors .
(2008) 8 SCC 339; Malhu Yadav and Ors. vs. State of Bihar
(2002) 5 SCC 724; Umesh Singh and Anr. vs. State of Bihar
(2000) 6 sec 89, referred to.
H
762 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A Case Law Reference:

(1955) 1 SCR 1083 Referred to. Para 27

(1955) 1 SCR 1332 Referred to. Para 27

A.LR. 1925 Calcutta 903 Referred to. Para 27
B
A.l.R. 1958 Allahabad 255 Referred to. Para 27

(1955) 1 SCR 1201 Referred to. Para 27

AIR 1960 SC 725 Referred to. Para 28
c
(1978) 4 sec 11 Referred to. Para 28

(1975) 3 sec 379 Referred to. Para 28
(1955) 2 SCR 1140 Followed. Para 29
D (1974) 4 sec 754 Referred to. Para 29
~~

(2005)10 sec 629 Referred to. Para 29
(2008) 8 sec 339 Referred to. ·Para 29

E (2002) 5 sec 124 Referred to. Para 29
(2000) s sec 89 Referred to. Para 29

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal
No. 408 of 2007. ...
F
From the Judgment & Order dated 09.03.2006 of the High
Court of Judicature Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad in Criminal
Appeal No. 928 of 2004.

P.P. Rao, Guntur Prabhakar, Purushottam S.T., Sahar
G Bakht and Utsav Sidhu for the Appellant.
)< ~

D. Rama Krishna Reddy and D. Bharathi Reddy for the
Respondents.

H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 763
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by A

R.M. LODHA, J. 1. This criminal appeal by special leave
unfolds a woeful tale of a village political rivalry leading to
double murder; prior thereto also there were attacks by rival
factions that led to two murders.
8
2. Fifteen persons were arraigned before the trial court for
the offences under Section 302, 307, 307 read with 149, 148
and 341, IPC: The trial court convicted only eleven among them
and acquitted two accused. The other two accused died during
the trial. The convicted persons were sentenced under Section c
302, IPC, to life imprisonment and varying periods of
imprisonment under other offences; fine with default stipulation
was also imposed. All the eleven convicted persons filed
appeal before the High Court. The High Court affirmed the
conviction and sentence passed by the trial court. All these D
eleven convicted persons preferred special leave petition in
which leave has been granted. During the pendency of the
appeal, one more convicted person has died.

3. Chinthalajuturu in Vemula Mandal of Cuddapah District
E
(Andhra Pradesh) is a faction-ridden village. One of these
factions is led by Kakarla Gangi Reddy (victim group) that
supports Congress Party. The leader of the other faction is
Annareddysamba Siva Reddy (accused group) which supports
'!: Telugu Desam Party. There were instances of attack between
these groups earlier also. One year prior to the present incident, F
one Yeddula Gangi Reddy of the Congress Party and belonging
to victim group was murdered. About a fortnight prior to the
incident, one Sirigireddy Prathapa Reddy of accused group
was murdered. For the murder of Sirigireddy Prathapa Reddy,
the members of victim group figured as accused. It is for this G
. <I reason that AM. Annareddy Siva Reddy started residing at
Pulivendula.

4. On May 16, 1996 at about 9.00 AM. Annareddy Siva
Reddy (deceased hereinafter referred to as D-1), Yerram H
764 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2009) 6 S.C.R.

A 1--.eddy Pulla Reddy (deceased and hereinafter referred to as .
D-2), Annareddy Bala Gangi Reddy (PW-1) - brother of D-1,
Annareddy Jagan Mohan Reddy (PW-3) - nephew of D-1 and _..
one Ramiredy Narayana Reddy left Pulivendula in a jeep driven
by Ala Krishnaiah (PW-2). D-1 sat in the front seat by the side
B of driver (PW-2). PW-1 and D-2 occupied the second row seat
behind D-1 and PW-2.

PW-3 and Ramireddy Narayana Reddy occupied the rear
seat of the jeep.

C 5. When the said jeep reached near Gollalaguduru
Harijanawada village, D-1 saw a jeep with the members of
accused group seated therein, coming from the opposite
direction. Seeing this, D-1 asked PW-2 to reve~e the jeep.
PW-2 had hardly reversed the jeep that Annareddi Sa.mbasiva
D Reddy (A-1), Annareddi Ramakrishna Reddy (A-2), Annareddi
Ramasura Reddy (A-3), Yeddula Eswara Reddy (A-4), Yeddula
Gangi Reddy (A-5), Annareddi Gangi Reddy (A-6), Palle
Venkatarami Reddy (A-7), Annareddi Srinivasul Reddy (A-8),
Dasareddigari Chalama Reddy (A-9), Dasareddigari Lakshmi
E Reddy (A-10), Singam Pedda Pulla Reddy (A-11), Singam
Chinna Gangi Reddy (A-12), Kakarla Subbi Reddy (A-13),
Annareddi Lakshmi Reddy (A-14) and Annareddi Ramana
Reddy (A-15) came out of their vehicle and surrounded the jeep
of D-1. A-1, A-2, A-10 and A-13 were armed with axes while
F the others were armed with Eathapululu (sickle). A-1 to A-9
hacked D-1. A-3, A-6, A-7 and A-10 to A-13 hacked D-2. 0-1
and D-2 died on the spot. A-1, A-3, A-6, A-7 and A-10 to A-13
inflicted grievous injuries on PW-1 whereas A-7, A-9, A-10 and
A-14 inflicted injuries on Annareddy Jagan Mohan Reddy (PW-
G 3) and Ramireddy Narayana Reddy. A-14 attacked PW-3 and
A-15 attacked PW-2.

6. PW-1 was taken to Pulivendula Government Hospital by
few residents of Chinthalajuturu village. Dr. T.V. Raghavendra
Reddy (PW-10), Civil Assistant Surgeon attended on him and
H gave PW-1 the necessary medical aid. K. Danam (PW-11) -
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 765
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]

Assistant Sub Inspector of Police, Vemula Police Station while A
he was at Pulivendula came to know of the incident at about
1.50 P.M. He went to the Pulivendula Government Hospital and
found that PW-1 was undergoing treatment. After being
satisfied that PW-1 was conscious and able to give his
statement, in the presence of the doctor (PW-10), he recorded B
statement (Ex.P-1) of PW-1. PW-11 then went to Vemula Police
Station and registered the case (Crime No.26/1996) and
forw13rded a copy of the first information report to the corn~~rned
magistrate immediately thereafter.

7. A. Venkateswara Reddy (PW-12) - Inspector of Police,
c
took up investigation and conducted further investigation on
May 17, 1996. He conducted inquest of the c;lead bodies and
sent them to Government Hospital, Pulivendula for post-mortem
examination. PW-10 conducted autopsy of the dead bodies and
issued post-mortem reports Ex.P.18 and Ex.P.19. PW-10 also D
examined the injured PW-2 and PW-3 and issued injury
certificates Ex.P.13 and Ex.P.16.

8. In order to complete the narration of facts, it may be
noticed here that during the course of investigation, A-14 and E
A-15 pleaded alibi. The Investigating Officer took all necessary
steps towards investigation and after collecting the necessary
evidence and on completion of investigation, he filed
~
chargesheet against A-1 to A-13 before the Court of Judicial
-'-"-
Magistrate 1st Class, Pulivendula who committed them to court F
of sessions for trial. The accused were charged for the
following offences:

"(i) A-1 to A-13 for rioting under Section 148 IPC;

(ii) A-1 to A-13 for wrongful restraint under Section 341 G
~ ~ IPC;
l

(iii) A-1 to A-13 for voluntarily causing grievous hurt to
PW-1 and PW-3 under Section 326 IPC;
(iv) A-1 to A-5 and A-6 to A-9 under Section 302 IPC H
766 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A for the murder of 0-1;
•
(v) A-3, A-6 to A-8 and A-10 to A-13 under Section
302 IPC for the murder of D-2;

(vi) A-1, A-3, A-6 to A-8, A-10, A-12 and A-13 under
B Section 307 IPC for attempt to murder PW-1;

(vii) A-7, A-9 and A-10 under Section 307 IPC for
attempt to murder Ramireddi Narayana Reddy;

(viii) A-2, A-4, A-5 and A-11 under Section 307 read
c with Section 149 IPC for attempt to murder PW-1."

9. Since A-14 and A-15 were deleted from the
chargesheet by the Investigating Officer, a private complaint
came to be filed by PW-1 before the Judicial Magistrate 1st
D Class, Pulivendula. The concerned magistrate also committed
A-14 and A-15 to the court of sessions for trial.

10. The prosecution examined 13 witnesses including
three eye-witnesses (PW-1 to PW-3) and marked documents
E Ex.P-1 to Ex.P-28 and exhibited M.O. 1 to M.0.14.

11. In their statement under Section 313, Cr.P.C., the
accused denied their role in the crime.

12. The Ill Additional Sessions Judge, Cuddapah, on
F consideration of both oral and documentary evidence vide his
judgment dated April 5, 2004, found A-1, A-2, A-4 to A-8 guilty
of the offence under section 302 IPC; they were sentenced to
undergo imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.1,000/- with
default stipulation. A-6, A-7, A-10 to A-13 were found guilty of
G the offence under section 302 IPC and sentenced to undergo
imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.1,000/- with default
stipulation. A-6, A-7, A-10 to A-13 were found guilty of the
offence under section 307 IPC as well and sentenced to
-
undergo imprisonment for five years and a fine of Rs.1,000/-
H with default stipulation. A-2, A-4 and A-5 were found guilty of
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 767
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]

the offence under section 307 read with section 149 IPC and A
sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for five years and
a fine of Rs.1,000/- with default stipulation. A-1, A-2, A-4 to A-
B, A-10 to A-13 were found guilty of the offence under section
148 IPC and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for one year
and a fine of Rs.500/- with default stipulation. The sentence B
passed against each of the accused was ordered to run
concurrently. The trial court acquitted A-14 and A-15 of all the
1 charges. A-3 and A-9 died during the trial and, .thus, the case
abated as against them.

13. Aggrieved against their conviction and sentence, A-1, C
A-2, A-4 to A-8 and A-10 to A-13 filed appeal before the High
Court. The State preferred separate. appeal against that very
judgment in so far as acquittal ofA-14 and A-15 was concerned.

-- 14. These two appeals were heard together by the Division
Bench of the High Court and were dismissed on March 9,
2006.
D

15. The present appeal now subsists on behalf of A-1, A-
2, A-4, A-6 to A-8 and A-10 to A-13 since A-5 has died during
E
the pendency of appeal.

16. Dr. T.V. Raghavendra Reddy (PW-10), Civil Surgeon,
.. I
Government Hospital, Pulivendla conducted post-mortem
examination on the body of Annareddy Siva Reddy (D-1) on
May 17, 1996. In the post-mortem report (Ex.P-18), he recorded F
the following external injuries on the body of D-1:

"1. An incised wound in the middle of right upper arm
measuring about 7 cm x 3 cm x 4 cm deep. Muscles cut
and fracture of bone present. G
-.
~

" 2. An incised wound 5 cm above wound No.1 measuring
about 7 cm x 3 cm x 2 cm deep. Muscles cut.

3. An incised wound from the lateral part of the left eye
below the ear to the root of neck measuring about 20 cm H
768 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A x 3 cm x 5 cm deep. Muscles cut and fracture of mandible
and spinal process.

4. An incised wound 1Yi cm above wound No.3 measuring
about 15 cm x 1% cm x 4 cm deep.

B 5. An incised wound 7 cm x 1 cm x bone deep 1 cm above
wound No.4.

6. An incised wound 2 cm above wound No.5 measuring
about 5 cm x 1Yi cm x bone deep fracture of occipital
c bone present.

7. An incised wound in the left occipital area measuring
about 8 cm x 5 cm x bone deep. Flap is hanging with bit
of skin.
D 8. An incised wound on the left parietal area measuring
about 6 cm x 1Yi cm x bone deep and fracture of parietal
bone present.

9. An incised wound in the centre of the scalp measuring
E about 6 cm x 1% cm x bone deep. Fracture of the left and
right parietal bones seen.

10. An incised wound on the right parietal area measuring
about 5 ems x 1 cm x bone deep and fracture of right
parietal bone seen.
F
Head and neck: Brain injured and neck vessels cut."

The aforesaid injuries on the body of D-1 were found ante-
mortem in nature. In the opinion of PW-10, D-1 died due to
G haemorrhage, shock and injury to neck vessels.

17. On the same day (May 17, 1996) at 1.30 P.M., PW-
10 conducted post-mortem examination on the body of D-2. In
the post-mortem report (Ex.P-19), he recorded the following
injuries on the body of D-2:
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 769
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
"1. Incised wound on the left leg at the knee joint measuring A
about 15 ems x 8 cm x 8 cm deep. Fracture of patella bone
seen.

2. Incised wound 6 ems below wound No.1. measuring
about 10 cm x 3 cm x 4 ems deep. Fracture of Tibia seen. B
3. Incised wound in centre of chest lower part of sternum
f measuring about 6 cm x 2 cm x fracture of sternum and
plura is injured.

4. An incised wound between left thumb and the index c
finger measuring about 3112 cm x 1112 cm x 1112 cm deep.

5. An incised wound on the nape of the neck measuring
about 5 cm x 1112 cm x 1112 cm deep.
_l D
t 6. An incised wound on the left parietal area measuring
about 5 cm x 1112 cm x scalp deep.

7. An incised wound on the posterior part of left parietal
area measuring about 5 cm x 1112 cm x scalp deep."
E
The aforesaid injuries were found ante-mortem in nature.
According to PW-10, D-2 died of haemorrhage, shock and
injury to vital organs .
;: •
18. The evidence of PW-10 and post-mortem reports
(Ex.P-18 and Ex.P-19) leave no manner of doubt that the death F
of D-1 and D-2 was homicidal.

19. PW-1 is the injured witness. The following injuries were
inflicted on him:
- ,.(
"1. An incised wound in front of left parietal area and front G
bone measuring about 7 cm x 1112 cm x bone deep.
(Depressed fracture of the frontal bone as per the
specialist opinion).

2. An incised wound on the left hand above the wrist H
770 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A measuring about 4 cm x 1 cm x muscles deep. Fracture
of Ulna bone (As per the specialist opinion).

3. An incised wound on the posterior part of the left parietal
area measuring about 6 cm x 1 cm x bone deep, and cut
of the bone.
B
4. An incised wound by the side of wound No.3, 2 cm apart
measuring about 3 cm x Yi cm x scalp deep.

5. An incised wound on the left hand above wound No.2
c measuring about 3 cm x 1 cm x muscle deep.

6. An incised wound on the right wrist measuring about 1Yi
cm x Yi cm skin deep.

7. An incised wound on the anterior part of Right parietal
D bone measuring about 2 cm x % cm x skin deep.

8. An incised wound on the anterior part of the left
parietal bone measuring about 3Yi cm x % cm x Skin
deep."
E 20. K. Danam (PW-11), was posted as Assistant Sub
Inspector of Police at Vemula Police Station at the relevant
time. Having come to know of the incident that two persons
belonging to the Congress Party were done to death at
Gollalaguduru Harijanwada by the Telugu Desam Party faction,
F PW-11 immediately rushed to the Government Hospital,
Pulivendula. He found that PW-1 was undergoing treatment in
the emergency ward. As PW-1 was in a fit condition to give
statement, PW-11 recorded his statement marked Ex.P-1. PW-
10 also made an endorsement on Ex.P-1 that PW-1 was in a
G fit and proper condition to give a statement. Based on Ex.P-1,
first information report came to be registered.

21. Mr. P.P. Rao, learned senior counsel appearing for the
appellants vehemently contended that first information report
H was a concocted document and that makes the entire
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 771
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
_.
prosecution case doubtful. He would submit that PW-1 was A
seriously injured and not in a position to give any statement. In
this regard, he referred to the evidence of Dr. A. Sudhakar
Reddy (PW-7), Assistant Professor of Neuro Surgery at
S.V.R.R.G.G. Hospital, Tirupati who treated PW-1. The learned
senior counsel also submitted that at the time of the recording B
of statement (Ex.P-1), the group leader Kakarla Gangj Reddy
had already arrived and he was in the room where PW-1 was
being treated. It is the contention of Mr. P.P. Rao that Kakarla
" Gangi Reddy was instrumental in implicating the accused falsely
who belonged to rival group. It was also contended that in the c
first information report except naming all the accused and
making omnibus allegations, no specific overt acts of the
accused were mentioned.

22. We are unable to accept the submission of the learned
~ senior counsel that F.l.R. is a concocted document. It is true that D
" injury no.1 received by PW-1 in front of left parietal area and
the depressed fracture of frontal bone was extremely grave and
serious but on the face of clear, categorical and unambiguous
endorsement made by Dr. TV. Raghavendra Reddy (PW-10)
that PW-1 was in a fit and proper condition to give a statement E
at that time and the fact that PW-11 recorded the statement of
PW-1 in the presence of PW-10, there cannot be even slightest
doubt about the authenticity of Ex.P-1 and we find no justifiable
reason to even remotely conclude that Ex.P-1 is not the
statement given by PW-1. The contention that PW-11 is a F
chance witness, is noted to be rejected. Pertinently, the F.l.R.
was forwarded to the Magistrate without any delay. As a matter
of fact, F.l.R. reached the Magistrate at 10.45 P.M. on May 16,
1996 itself. As to whether PW-1 was in a fit and proper
condition to give statement or not, could tiave been assessed G
..,.
by PW-10 under whose treatment PW-1 was at that time and
" none else. The evidence of PW-7 referred to by the learned
senior counsel in no way creates any doubt about the
correctness of statement of PW-10 as PW-7 has not stated in
definite terms that PW-1 was not in a fit state of condition to H
772 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A give statement at that time. The trial court as well as the High
Court did not accept the contention made on behalf of the
accused that Ex.P-1 was fabricated. We agree with this view
of the trial court and the High Court.

B 23. PW-1 in his testimony before the court has given
account of the incident. He testified that A-1, A-2, A-10 and A-
12 were armed with axes and remaining eleven accused were
armed with eathapu/ulu (sickle). A-1 to A-9 hacked D-1 with
their weapons. A-3, A-6, A-7, A-10 to A-13 hacl<ed D-2 with
their respective weapons. A-1, A-3, A-6, A-7 and A-10 to A-
C 13 hacked him with their respective weapons. A-7, A-9, A-10
and A-14 hacked PW-3 and R. Narayanareddy with their
respective weapons. D-1 and D-2 died qn the spot. In his cross-
examination, he admitted that he did not state in Ex.P-1 that
they (PW-1 and D-1) obtained loan of Rs.6,000/- from the bank.
D He also admitted in Ex.P-1 that he did not state that A-1, A-2,
A-10 and A-12 were armed with axes and the remaining
accused with eathapulu/u (sickle). He also admitted that he did
not state in Ex.P-1 that A-1 to A-9 hacked D-1; A-3, A-6, A-10
to A-13 hacked D-2 and that he was attacked by A-1, A-3, A-
E 6, A-7, A-10 to A-13 and that A-7, A-9, A-10 and A-14 attacked
PW-3 and R. Narayanareddy. These omissions do not affect ~
the credibility of his evidence since at the time of recording of
Ex.P-1, PW-1 was in injured condition. It was not expected of
him to give a detailed version in that condition, more so when
F so many accused were involved. But despite that, in Ex.P-1,
he has given names of all the accused persons.

24. The testimony of PW-1 is corroborated by medical
evidence. The factum of PW-1 and D-1 having gone to the Bank
G at Pulivendula and that they obtained a loan of Rs.6,000/- from
Alavalapadu Grameena Bank is also established by the
evidence of R.B.S.K. Satyamurthy (PW-5) and M. Venkata
Subbareddy (PW-6). PW-5 and PW-6 were Branch Manager
and Clerk-cum-Cashier respectively in the Bank at the relevant
H time. The evidence of driver of the jeep A. Krishnaiah (PW-2),
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 773
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
-'
although declared hostile as he refused to recognize the A
assailants, corroborates the evidence of PW-1 to the extent that
they had gone to the Bank at Pulivendula and that they were
returning from that place on May 16, 1996at11.00 A.M.

25. A. Jaganmohan Reddy (PW-3) is yet another eye- B
witness. He also got injured in the incident. He has given
detailed version of the incident. He has testified that A-1 to A-
~
9 hacked D-1 and A-3, A-6, A-7, and A-10 to A-13 hacked D-
2 with their weapons. He also testified that A-3, A-6, A-7 and
A-10 to A-13 hacked PW-1 causing various injuries to_him_and
A-7 and A-10 hacked him on his left forearm and left thigh. PW-
c
10 examined PW-3 at about 3.45 P.M. on May 16, 1996 and
found two ir:icised injuries on the left hand and left thigh. The
i_njury report pertaining to him is Ex.P-16.
26. PW-1 and PW-3 are injured witnesses. As a matter D
J
• of fact, PW-1 suffered a grave injury on his head. Two of their
family members died. Why should he and PW-3 let real culprits
go scot-free ? It is most unlikely that they would have spared
the actual assailants and falsely implicated these appellants
merely because there is political rivalry between them. The E
omissions and discrepancies pointed out in the evidence of
PW-1 and PW-3 are only minor and do not shake their
trustworthiness. It is true that neither PW-1 nor PW-3 assigned
~
specific injuries or specific overt acts attributed to the accused
individually but looking to the nature of the incident where large F
number of persons attacked D-1, D-2 PW-1, PW-2 and PW-
3, it would not have been possible for PW-1 or PW-3 to attribute
specific injury individually to each accused. How could it be
possible for any person to recount with meticulous exactitude
the various individual acts done by each assailant ? Had they G
-~ ,. stated so, their testimony would have been criticized as highly
improbable and unnatural. The testimony of eye-witnesses
carries with it the criticism of being tutored if they give graphic
details of the incident and their evidence would be assailed as
unspecific, vague and general if they fail to speak with
H
/
774 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 6 S.C.R.

A precision. The golden principle is not to weigh such testimony
in golden scales but to view it from the cogent standards that
lend assurance about its trustfulness. In our view, the testimony
of PW-1 and PW-3 is of credence and does not deserve to be
discarded on the ground of non-mentioning of specific overt
B acts. The trial court and the High Court have given cogent and
convincing reasons for accepting the evidence of PW-1 and
PW-3. We concur. Merely because A-14 and A-15 got acquittal,
in our view, credibility of deposition of P'{V-1 and PW-3 is not
affected.
c 27. Mr. P.P. Rao, learned senior counsel submitted that
the conviction and sentence passed against the accused-
appellants for the offence unc;fer Section 302, IPC, simpliciter
is not legally sustainable in the absence of any specific overt
acts attributed to each of the accused. The learned senior
D counsel would submit that the accused who inflicted fatal injury/
.j '
injuries resulting in the death with the requisite intention or
knowledge alone are liable for the offence under Section 302,
IPC simpliciter. The learned senior counsel contended that as
there is no conviction for the offence under Section 302 read
E with Section 149, IPC, the question whether such conviction is
maintainable or not without such charge does not arise in the
present case. Placing reliance upon a decision of this Court in
Pandurang, Tukia and Bhillia vs. The State of Hyderabad 1,
learned senior counsel would submit that in absence of specific
..
F charge under Section 149, the accused persons cannot be
convicted under Section 302 read with Section 149 as Section
149 creates a distinct and separate offence. The learned senior
counsel also relied upon Suraj Pal vs. The State of Uttar
Pradesh 2, Nayan Ullah and Ors. vs. Emperor, Tahsi/dar
4 5
G Singh vs. State and Nanak Chand vs. The State of Punjab • ~
~
1. (1955) 1 SCR 1083.
2. (1955) 1 SCR 1332.
3. A.LR. 1925 Calcutta 93.
4. A.LR. 1958 Allahabad 255.
H 5. (1955) 1 SCR 1201.
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 775
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]

28. Learned senior counsel for the appellants also A
·contended that in the instant case there is no charge under
Section 149, IPC at all nor any finding of the courts below that
the accused had the common object to commit the offence
under Section 302, IPC. He submitted that barring one injury
in the case of D-1 and two injuries in the case of D-2, none of B
the other injuries was found to be fatal and, therefore, the
common ooject at the most could be only to cause some injury
but not to cau.se the fatal injuries. In support of this contention
" of his, the learned senior counsel relied upon Shambhu Nath
Singh and Ors. vs. State of Biha~; Bhajan Singh and Ors. vs. c
The State of Punjab 7 and Ram Anjore and Ors. vs. State of
Uttar Pradesh 8 •

29. Mr.D. Rama Krishna Reddy, learned counsel for the
State in his reply submitted that in the complaint (Ex.P-1), the
... names of all the accused persons, weapons wielded by them D
• and their participation have been clearly mentioned. In their
deposition, PW-1 and PW-3 have also stated which of the
accused attacked D-1, D-2 and injured PW-1, PW-2 and PW-
3 and, therefore, non-attributing the injuries specifically to the
individual accused does not materially affect the prosecution E
case. He would urge that the accused-appellants have been
convicted for the offences under Sections 148 and 307 read
.. with Section 149 and Section 302 IPC simpliciter which would
.show that the accused formed unlawful assembly. The learned
counsel invited our attention to Section 464 of the Code of F
Criminal Procedure and submitted that in the present case,
neither in the grounds of appeal before this Court nor before
the courts below the accused have pleaded prejudice or failure
of justice due to non-mentioning of Section 149 IPC with
... Section 302 IPC. He relied upon: Willie (William) Slaney vs. G
" The State of M.P9 • ; Bhoor Singh and Anr. vs. State of
6. AIR 1960 SC 725.
7. (1978) 4 sec 77.
8. (1975) 3 sec 379.
9. (1955) S SCR 1140. H
776 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

11
A Punjab 10; Kamam Ram Narsaiah & Ors. vs. State of A.P. and
Dumpala Chandra Reddy vs. Nimakayala Bafireddy and
Ors. 12 and Ma/hu Yadav and Ors. vs. State of Bihar13 and
Umesh Singh and Anr. vs. State of Bihar, 14•

30. In Suraj Pal, this Court held:
B
"... Whether or not Section 149 IPC creates a distinct
offence (as regards which there has been conflict of views
in the High Courts), there can be no doubt that it creates
a distinct head of criminal liability which has come to be
c known as "constructive liability"-a convenient phrase not
used in the Indian Penal Code. There can, therefore, be
no doubt that the direct individual liability of a person can
only be fixed upon him with reference to a specific charge
in respect of the particular offence. Such a case is not
D covered by Sections 236 and 237 of the Criminal
~
Procedure Code. The framing of a specific and distinct
charge in respect of every distinct head of criminal liability
constituting an offence, is the foundation for a conviction
and sentence therefore. The absence, therefore, of
E specific charges against the appellant under Sections 307
and 302 IPC in respect of which he has been sentenced
to transportation for life and to death respectively, is a very
~
serious lacuna in the proceedings insofar as it concerns
~
him. The question then which arises for consideration is
F whether or not this lacuna has prejudiced him his trial."

31. In Pandurang, it was observed:

•...... Several persons can simultaneously attack a man
and each can have the same intention, namely the intention
G ,. ~

10. (1974) 4 sec 754.
11. (2005) 1o sec 629
12. (2008) 8 sec 339.
13. (2002) s sec 724.
H 14. (2000) 6 sec 89.
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 777
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.)
~

to kill, and each can individually inflict a separate fatal blow A
and yet none would have the common intention required
by the section because there was no prior meeting of
minds to form a pre-arranged plan. In a case like that, each
would be individually liable for whatever injury he caused
but none could be vicariously convicted for the act of any B
of the others; and if the prosecution cannot prove that his
separate blow was a fatal one he cannot be convicted of
~ ~he murder .... "

32. In the case of Nanak Chand, this Court stated:
c
"... There is a clear distinction between the provisions of
sections 34 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code and the two
sections are not to be confused. The prin"cipal element in
section 34 of the Indian Penal Code is the common
.. .. intention to commit a crime. In furtherance of the common D
intention several acts may be done by several persons
resulting in the commission of that crime. In such a
situation section 34 provides that each one of them would
be liable for that crime in the same manner as if all the acts
resulting in that crime had been done by him alone. There E
is no question of common intention in section 149 of the
Indian Penal Code. An offence may be committed by a
member of an unlawful assembly and the other members
will be liable for that offence although there was no common
intention between that person and other members of the F
unlawful assembly to commit that offence provided the
conditions laid down in the section are fulfilled. Thus if the
offence committed by that person is in prosecution of the
common object of the unlawful assembly or such as the
members of that assembly knew to be likely to be G
.... ... committed in prosecution of the common object, every
member of the unlawful assembly would be guilty of that
offence, although there r:nay have been no common
intention and no participation by the other members in the
actual commission of that offence ................................
H
778 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 6 S.C.R.

A After· an examination of the case referred to on
•
behalf of the appellant and the prosecution we are of the
opinion that the view taken by the Calcutta High Court is
the correct view namely, that a person charged with an
offence read with section 149 cannot be convicted of the
B substantive offence without a specific charge being framed
as required by section 233 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure."

33. In Umesh Sin'gh while dealing with Section 149 IPC, "
this Court held:
c
"Vicarious liability, we may state, as rightly contended for
the State by Shri B.B. Singh relying upon the decisions of l

this Court in Shamshul Kanwar v. State of U.P.,(1995) 4
SCC 430, and Bhajan Singh v. State of U.P., (1974) 4
D sec 568, extends to members of the unlawful assembly
~
only in respect of acts done in pursuance of the common
object of the unlawful assembly or such offences as the
members of the unlawful assembly are likely to commit in
the execution of that common object. An accused whose
E case falls within the terms of Section 149 IPC as aforesaid
cannot put forward the defence that he did not with his own
hand commit the offence committed in prosecution of the
common object of the unlawful assembly or such as the
members of the assembly knew to be likely to be
F committed in prosecution of that object. Everyone must be
taken to have intended the probable and natural results of
the combination of the acts in which he had joined. It is not
necessary in all cases that all the persons forming an
unlawful assembly must do some overt act. Where the
accused had assembled together, armed with guns and
G
lathis, and were parties to the assault on the deceased ,. .
and others, the prosecution is not obliged to prove which
specific overt act was done by which of the accused.
Indeed the provisions of Section 149 IPC, if properly
analysed will make it clear that it takes an accused out of
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 779
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
the region of abetment and makes him responsible as a A
principal for the acts of each and all merely because he is
a member of an unlawful assembly. We may also notice
that under this provision, the liability of the other members
for the offence committed during the continuance of the
occurrence rests upon the fact whether the other members B
knew beforehand that the offence actually committed was
likely to be committed in prosecution of the common
•, object. Such knowledge can reasonably be [ntended from
the nature of the assembly, arms or behaviour, at or before
the scene of action. If such knowledge may not reasonably c
be attributed to the other members of the assembly then
their liability for the offence committed during the
occurrence does not arise. Tested on this touchstone, we
may safely say that in the present case when the appellants
were members of an unlawful assembly which was armed
D
i.
with lathis and guns and a declaration had been made that
in the event there is any resistance to the taking away of
the paddy which is stated to have been the original object,
they were willing to take the life of the deceased and take
away the paddy. If that is the position, it is futile to contend
for the appellants that their conviction is in any way bad." E

34. Section 464 of Code of Criminal Procedure reads:

"464. Effect of omission to frame, or absence of, or error
in, charge.-(1) No finding sentence or order by a Court F
of competent jurisdiction shall be deemed invalid merely
on the ground that no charge was framed or on the ground
of any error, omission or irregularity in the charge including
any misjoinder of charge, unless, in the opinion of the Court
of appeal, confirmation or revision, a failure of justice has
G
• )', in fact been occasioned thereby .

(2) If the Court of appeal, confirmation or revision is of
opinion that a failure of justice has in fact been
occasioned, it may -
H
780 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 6 S.C.R. -
A (a) in the case of an omission to frame a
charge, order that a charge be framed and
that the trial be recommended from the point
immediately after the framing of the charge.

(b) in the case of an error, omission or
8
irregularity in the charge, direct a new trial to
be had upon a charge framed in whatever
manner it thinks fit.

Provided that if the Court is of opinion that the facts
c of the case are such that no valid charge could be
preferred against the accused in respect·of the facts
proved, it shall quash the conviction."

35. We deem it appropriate at this stage to refer to the
D charges framed against the accused by the trial court:
~

"Charge No.1. That you A-1 to A-13 on or about 16-5-
1996 in the morning near Gollalaguduru Harijanawada
were members of an unlawful assembly and did, in
prosecution of the common object of such assembly viz.,
E in murdering the deceased, 1 and 2 commit the offence
of rioting with a deadly weapon to wit axes and Eethapululu
and that that you thereby committed an offence punishable
under Section 148 l.P.C. and within my cognizance. ..
F Charge No.2. That you A-1 to A-13 on or about the same
day, time, place and during the course of the same
transaction as mentioned in charge No.1 above, wrongfully
restraint LWs-1 to 4 Annareddi Bala Gangireddi,
Annareddi Jagan Mohanreddi, Ramireddi Narayanareddi
G and Ala Krishnaiah and later the deceased 1 and 2 thereby
committed an offence punishable under Section 3411.P.C.
and within my cognizance.

Charge No.3. That you A-1 to A-13 on or about the same
"
-
"'

day, time, place and during the course of the same
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 781
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
.I
. transaction as mentioned in charge No.1 above, voluntarily A
caused grievous hurt to LWs-1 to 4 Annareddi Bala
Gangireddi, Annareddi Jagan Mohanreddi, Ramireddi
Narayanareddi and Ali Krishnaiah by means of axes and -
Eethapululu and that you thereby committed an offence
punishable under Section 326 l.P .C. and within my B
cognizance.

;., Charge No.4. That you A-1 to A-5 and A-6 to A-9, on or
about the same day, time, place and during the course of
the same transaction as mentioned in charge No.1 above,
did commit murder by intentionally causing the death of
c
Annareddi Sivaraeddi (deceased No.1) and that you
thereby committed an qffence punishable under Section
302 l.P.C. and within my cognizance.

Charge No.5. That you A-3, A-fl to A-8, A-10 to A-13 on D
" or about the same day, time, place and during the course
of the same transaction as mentioned in the charge No.1
above, did commit murder by intentionally causing the
death of Yerramireddi Pullareddi (deceased No.2) and that
you thereby committed an offence punishable under E
Section 302 l.P.C. and within my cognizance.

Charge No.6. That you A-1, A-3, A-fl to A-8, A-10, A-12
and A-13 on or about the same day, time, place and during
the course of the same transaction as mentioned in charge
F
No.1 above, did an act to wit to murder with such intention
and under such circumstances, that if by that act you had
caused the death of Annareddi Bala Gangi Reddi (LW-1)
you would have been guilty of murder and that you caused
hurt to the said Annareddi Bala Gangireddi (LW-1) by the
said act and that you thereby committed an offence G
"' !"
punishable under Section 307 l.P.C. and within my
cognizance.

Charge No.7. That you A-7, A-9 and A-10 on or about the
same day time and place during the course of the same H
782 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.
.....,
~

A transaction as mentioned in charge No.1 above, did an act
to wit attempt to murder with such intention and under such
circumstances, that if by that act you had caused the death
of Ramireddi Narayana Reddi, you would have been guilt
of murder and that you caused hurt to the said Ramireddi
B Narayanareddi LW-3 by the said act, and that you thereby
committed an offence punishable under Section 3071.P.C.
and within my cognizance.

Charge No.8. That you A-2, A-4, A-5 and A-11 o'n or
about the same day, time, place and during the course of
c the same transaction as mentioned in charge No.1 above,
were members of an unlawful assembly and in prosecution
of the common object of which viz., in. attacking the
prosecution witnesses some of the members i.e., A-1, A-
3, A-6 to A-10 and A-12 and A-13 caused the death of
D the deceased attempt to murder the witnesses and that you
are thereby under section 149 l.P.C. guilty of causing the
said offence, an offence punishable under Section 307
1.P.C. and within my cognizance."

E 36. Section 149, IPC creates constructive liability i.e. a
person who is a member of an unlawful assembly is made guilty
of the offence committed by another member of the same
assembly in the circumstances mentioned in the Section,
although he may have had no intention to commit that offence
,
F and had done no overt act except his presence in the assembly
and sharing the common object of that assembly.

37. Some divergence between two decisions of this Court
in Nanak Chand and Suraj Pal seems to have been noticed
and matter was referred to the Constitution Bench in Willie
G (William) Slaney. Although Willie (William) Slaney was not a ,,
~.

case under Section 149 of the Indian Penal Code and the
charge against the accused therein was under Section 302
read with Section 34 IPC but the Constitution Bench
considered the question whether the omission to frame an
H alternative charge under Section 302 IPC is an illegality that
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 783
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
i.
cuts at the root of conviction. Vivian Bose, J. considered A
..... Sections 221 to 223, 225, 226, 227, 228, 232, 233, 234, 235,
236, 237, 238, 535 and 537 of the Code of Criminal Procedure,
1898 and observed:

"29. We do not agree with either view. In our opinion, the B
cases contemplated by Section 237 are just as much a
departure from Section 233 as are those envisaged in
Sections 225, 226, 227, 228, 535 and 537. Sections 236,
237 and 238 deal with joinder of charges and so does
Section 233. The first condition is that there shall be a
separate charge for each offence and the second is that c
each charge must be tried separately except in the cases
mentioned in .Sections 234, 235 and 236. It is to be
observed that the exceptions are confined to the rule about
joinder of charges and that no exception is made to that
part of the rule that requires separate charges for each D
offence. It will be seen that though Sections 234, 235 and
236 are expressly mentioned, Section 237 is not referred
to, nor is Section 238. Therefore, so far as Section 233 is
concerned, there can be no doubt that it requires a
separate charge for each offence and does not envisage E
a situation in which there is either no charge at all or where,
there being a charge for some other offence of which the
.- • accused is acquitted, he can be convicted instead of
something else for which he was not charged. We are
unable to hold that the Code regards Sections 237 and F
238 as part of the normal procedure."

38. Vivian Bose, J. went on to observe :

"44. In adjudging the question of prejudice the fact that the
.... )l absence of a charge, or a substantial mistake in it, is a G
serious lacuna will naturally operate to the benefit of the
accused and if there is any reasonable and substantial
doubt about whether he was, or was reasonably likely to
have been, misled in the circumstances of any particular
H
784 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009) 6 S.C.R.

A case, he is as much entitled to the benefit of it here as "
elsewhere; but if, on a careful consideration of all the facts, ,,,.
prejudice, or a reasonable and substantial likelihood of it,
is not disclosed the conviction must stand; also it will
always be material to consider whether objection to the
B nature of the charge, or a total want of one, was taken at
an early stage. If it was not, and particularly where the
accused is defended by counsel (Atta Mohammad v.
King-Emperor} {(1929) LR 57 IA 71,74} it 111ay in a given
case be proper to conclude that the accused was satisfied
c and knew just what he was being tried for and knew what
was being alleged against him and wanted no further
particulars, provided it is always borne in mind that "no
serious defect in the mode of conducting a criminal trial
can be justified or cured by the consent of the advocate
of the accused" (Abdul Rahman v. King-Emperor} {(1926)
D
LR 54 IA 96, 104, 110}. But these are matters of fact which
will be special to each different case and no conclusion
on these questions of fact in any one case can ever be
regarded as a precedent or a guide for a conclusion of
fact in another, because the facts can never be alike in any
E two cases "however" alike they may seem. There is no
such thing as a judicial precedent on facts though counsel,
and even Judges, are sometimes prone to argue and to
act as if there were." .j
_;

F 39. In his concurring judgment, Chandrasekhara Aiyar, J.
also surveyed the relevant provisions of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, 1898 and held:

"76. A case of complete absence of a charge is covered
by Section 535, whereas an error or omission in a charge
G
is dealt with by Section 537. The consequences seem to " "
be slightly different. Where there is no charge, it is for the
court to determine whether there is any failure of justice.
But in the latter, where there is mere error or omission in
the charge, the court is also bound to have regard to the
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 785
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]

fact whether the objection could and should have been A
raised at an earlier stage in the proceedings.

77. The sections referred to indicate that in the generality
of cases the omission to frame a charge is not per se fatal.
We are unable, therefore, to accept as sound the very B
broad proposition advanced for the appellants by Mr
Umrigar that where there is no charge, the conviction would
be illegal, prejudice or no prejudice. On the other hand, it
is suggested that the wording of Section 535 of the Code
of Criminal Procedure is sufficiently wide to cover every
case of no charge. It is said that it applies also to the case
c
of a trial in which there has been no charge of any kind
even from the very outset. We are unable to agree that .
Section 535 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is to be
construed in such an unlimited sense. It may be noticed
that this group of sections relating to absence of a charge, D
" namely, Sections 225, 226 and 232 and the powers
exercisable thereunder, are with reference to a trial which
has already commenced or taken place. They would,
therefore, normally relate to errors of omissions which
occur in a trial that has validly commenced. There is no E
reason to think that Section 535 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure is not also to be understood with reference to
the same context. There may be cases where, a trial which
proceeds without any kind of charge at the outset can be
said to be a trial wholly contrary to what is prescribed by F
the Code. In such cases, the trial would be illegal without
the necessity of a positive finding of prejudice. By way of
illustration the following classes of cases may be
mentioned: (a) Where there is no charge at all as required
by the Code from start to finish - from the Committing G
~ )o\
Magistrate's court to the end of the Sessions trial; the
Code contemplates in Section 226 the possibility of a
committal withou.t any charge and it is not impossible to
conceive of an extreme case where the Sessions trial also
proceeds without any formal charge which has to be in H
786 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A writing and read out and explained to the accused (Section
210(2) and Section 251(A)(4) and Section 227). The Code
requires that there should be a charge and it should be in
writing. A deliberate breach of this basic requirement
cannot be cured by the assertion that everything was orally
B explained to the accused and the assessors or jurors, and
there was no possible or probable prejudice, (b) Where
the conviction is for a totally different offence from the one
charged and not covered by Sectio.rn~_ 236 and 237 of the
Code. On a charge for a minor offence, there can be no
c conviction for a major offence, e.g., grievous hurt or rioting
and murder. The omission to frame a separate and specific
charge in such cases will be an incurable irregularity
amounting to an illegality.

78. Sections 34, 114 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code
D provide for criminal liability viewed from different angles ~
as regards actual participants, accessories and men
actuated by a common object or a common intention; and
the charge is a rolled-up one involving the direct liability
and the constructive liability without specifying who are
E directly liable and who are sought to be made
constructively liable. In such a situation, the absence of a
charge under one or other of the various heads of criminal
liability for the offence cannot be said to be fatal by itself,
and before a conviction for the substantive offence, without
F a charge can be set aside, prejudice will have to be made
out. In most of the cases of this kind, evidence is normally
given from the outset as to who was primarily responsible
for the act which brought about the offence and such
evidence is of course relevant.
G
79. After all, in our considering whether the defect is illegal "
~

or merely irregular, we shall have to take into account
several factors, such as the form and the language of the
mandatory provisions, the scheme and the object to be
achieved, the nature of the violation, etc. Dealing with the
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 787
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
~
question whether a provision in a statute is mandatory or A
directory, Lord Penzance observed in Howard v.
Bodington. {(1877) 2 PD 203} "There may be many
provisions in Acts of Parliament which, although they are
not strictly obeyed, yet do not appear to the court to be of
that material importance to the subject-matter to which they B
refer, as that the legislature could have intended that the
non-observance of them should be followed by a total
failure of ~he whole proceedings. On the other hand, there
are some provisions in respect of which the court would
take an opposite view, and would feel that they are c
matters which must be strictly obeyed, otherwise the whole
proceedings that subsequently follow must come to an
· end." These words can be applied mutatis mutandis to
cases where there is no charge at all. The gravity of the

.. ~
defect will have to be considered to determine if it falls
within one class or the other. Is it a mere unimportant
mistake in procedure or is it substantial and vital? The
D

answer will depend largely on the facts and circumstances
of each case. If it is so grave that prejudice will necessarily
be implied or imported, it may be described as an illegality.
If the seriousness of the omission is of a lesser degree, it E
will be an irregularity and prejudice by way of failure of
justice will have to be established."

- 40·. Chandrasekhara Aiyar, J. however, put a note of
caution to subordinate Courts: F

"80. This judgment should not be understood by the
subordinate courts as sanctioning a deliberate
disobedience to the mandatory requirements of the Code,
or as giving any licence to proceed with trials without an
G
appropriate charge. The omission to frame a charge is a
" )(

grave defect and should be vigilantly guarded against. In
some cases, it may be so serious that by itself it would
vitiate a trial and render it illegal, prejudice to the accused
being taken for granted. In the main, the provisions of
H
788 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2009] 6 S.C.R.

A Section 535 would apply to cases of inadvertence to frame •
a charge induced by the belief that the matter on record
is sufficient to warrant the conviction for a particular offence
without express specification, and where the facts proved
by the prosecution constitute separate and distinct offence
B but closely relevant to and springing out of the same set
of facts connected with the one charged."

41. Willie (William) Slaney thus holds: that where the
charge is rolled-up one involving the direct liability and the
• •
c constructive liability without specifying who are directly liable
and who are sought to be made constructively liable, in such a
situation, the absence of a charge under one or other or the
various heads of crirnjnal liability for the offence cannot be said
to be fatal by itself, and before a conviction for the substantive
offence, without a charge can be set aside, prejudice will have
D to be made out.
i
..
42. The aforesaid legal position holds good after
enactment of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 as well in
the light of Sections 215, 216, 218, 221 and 464 contained
E therein. In unmistakable terms, Section 464 specifies that a
finding or sentence of a court shall not be set aside merely on
the ground that a charge was not framed or that charge was
defective unless it has occasioned in prejudice. Because of a
mere defect in language or in the narration or in form of the .
F charge, the conviction would not be rendered bad if accused
has not been adversely affected thereby. If the ingredients of
the section are obvious or implicit, conviction in regard thereto
can be sustained irrespective of the fact that the said section
has not been mentioned. A fair trial to the accused is a sine
quo non in our criminal justice system but at the same time
G
procedural law contained in the Code of Criminal Procedure ~

is designed to further the ends of justice and not to frustrate "
them by introduction of hyper-technicalities. Every case must
depend on its own merits and no straightjacket formula can be
applied; the essential and important aspect to be kept in mind
H
ANNA REDDY SAMBASIVA REDDY & ORS. v. 789
STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH [R.M. LODHA, J.]
is: has omission to frame a specific charge resulted in A
prejudice to the accused.

43. Coming now to the facts of the present case; all the
accused were put to notice under charge no. 1 that on May 16,
1996 in the morning near Gollalaguduru Harijanawada, they 8
were members of an unlawful assembly armed with deadly
weapons and in prosecution of common object of such
assembly, namely, in murdering deceased 1 and 2, they
committed offence of rioting, punishable under section 148 IPC.
A-1 to A-5 and A-6 to A-9 were noticed of the particulars under C
charge no.4 that during the course of same transaction as
mentioned in charge no. 1, they committed murder by intentional
causing death of D-1 and thereby committeq an offence
punishable under Section 302 IPC. A-3, A-6 to A-8, A-10 to
A-13 were put to notice under charge no.5 that during the course
of the same transaction as mentioned in charge no. 1 they D
committ,ed murder by intentional causing death of D-2 and
thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 302
IPC.

44. A careful reading of charge no. 4 and charge no. 5 E
leaves no manner of doubt, since the transaction mentioned in
charge no.1 has been made integral part thereof, that all the
necessary ingredients of Section 149 IPC are implicit therein
except mentioning of Section 149 IPC specifically. The
particulars stated in charge no. 4 and 5 are reasonably sufficient F
to give the appellants adequate notice of Section 149 IPC
although not specifically mentioned. Is non- mentioning of
Section 149 in charge no. 4 and charge no. 5 a fundamental
defect of an incurable illegality that may warrant setting aside
the conviction and sentence of the appellants ? We do not think G
' .. )<
so. Non-framing of a charge under section 149 IPC, on the face
of the charges framed against the appellants would not vitiate
their conviction; more so when the accused have failed to show
any prejudice in this regard. The present case is a case where
there is mere omission to mention Section 149 in charge no.
H
790 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2009] 6 S.C.R.

A 4 and 5 which at the highest may be considered as an
•
irregularity and since the appellants have failed to show any
prejudice, their conviction and sentence is not at all affected.
Tenor of cross-examination of PW-1 and PW-3 by the defence
also rules out any prejudice to them. The offence, in the
8 established facts and circumstances of the case, under Section
302 read with section 149 IPC is implicit and applying the
dictum laid down by the Constitution Bench of this Court in
Willie (William) Slaney, t~e omission to mention Section 149
IPC specifically in the charge no. 4 and 5 cannot affect their
c conviction. In no way their conviction is rendered bad as the
appellants had assembled together armed with axes and
eathapu/u/u (sickle) and were parties to the assault on D-1 and
D-2 and others. In a situation such as this it was not obligatory
upon the prosecution to prove which specific overt act was done
by which of the accused.
D
45. The submission of the learned senior counsel for the •
appellants that since D-1 and D-2 received only one and two
fatal injuries respectively, the common object at the most could
be to cause injuries and not fatal injuries hardly merits
E acceptance. The deadly weapons with which appellants were
anned, the number of injuries inflicted on D-1 and D-2, and the
murderous assault lead to a certain inference that the
appellants shared common object of committing murder with
other accused. That they were more than five and formed
F unlawful assembly is beyond doubt. D-1 and D-2 died on the
spot. PW-1 fortunately survived after surgery and hospitalization
for more than month.

46. For the above reasons, the appeal must fail and is
dismissed.
G
• 4

N.J. Appeal dismissed.