Holding

Only Brijandan Prasad was found guilty of murder; the other accused were acquitted as no common intention to commit the offence was proved.

Summary

The accused were charged under Sections 302 and 34 IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act for the murder of Shivnandan Prasad. Eye‑witnesses identified Brijandan Prasad as the sole shooter, while the other four accused were alleged to have participated in brick‑batting but not in firing. The defence argued that discrepancies between the post‑mortem findings (rigor mortis and wound charred) and ocular evidence created reasonable doubt about the time and distance of the shot. The Supreme Court held that the prosecution proved the murder and that Brijandan Prasad alone fired the fatal shot, but found no evidence of a common intention among the remaining accused. Consequently, Brijandan Prasad’s conviction was upheld, while the other appellants were acquitted on the basis of benefit of doubt.

Issues considered

The prosecution must establish a common intention under Section 34 IPC among all accused.
Whether the medical evidence (rigor mortis, wound characteristics) contradicts the ocular evidence and creates reasonable doubt.
Whether the absence of recovered firearms, cartridges, or blood at the scene defeats the prosecution’s case.
Whether the benefit of doubt principle applies to the co‑accused in the absence of proof of their participation in the shooting.

Legislation cited

Subjects

murdercommon intentionSection 34 IPCmedical evidenceocular evidencerigor mortisbenefit of doubtArms Actforensic evidenceeyewitness testimony

Judgment

BASO PRASAD AND ORS. A
v.
STATE OF BIHAR

NOVEMBER 24, 2006

[S.B. SINHA AND MARKANDEY KATJU, JJ.] B

Penal Code, I 860-Section 302 read with Section 34-Prosecution
for-Murder of one person-By single gun shot injury-5 accused-All the
eye-witnesses stating one accused responsible for the injury caused to the C
deceased-Firing by other accused not proved-Courts below convicting all
the accused under Section 302 read with Section 34 !PC-Plea that medical
. evidence was inconsistent with ocular evidence-On appeal, held-Charge
of murder of deceased proved-Accused responsible for causing death of
deceased held guilty-Other accused did not share common intention-
Hence acquitted extending benefit of doubt-Medical evidence was not D
inconsistent with ocular evidence-Arms Act, 1959-Section 27.

Evidence-Medical evidence and ocular evidence-Inconsistency
between-Effect of-Held: Though the Court should take expert opinion into
consideration, but appreciation of evidence is Court's job-Reference of
ocular evidence over medical evidence or vice versa is to be decided by the E
Court-Jn case of such inconsistency defence should seek explanation from
the doctor. ·

Appellants-accused 5 in number were prosecuted for having caused death
of one person. Prosecution case was that while the family members of the
deceased were on the roof (first floor) of their house, the accused; who have F
their joint residential house at some distance, came on their roof (second floor)
armed with rifles. They started brickbatting and abusing the deceased. When
deceased went to the roof of his house, accused started firing. One of the
bullets hit the deceased and he died on the spot. PWs 4 to 8 were the eye-
witnesses to the incident. Informant-PW-7 lodged FIR stating therein that G
two accused including accused 'B' attributed to the act of firing.

During trial, PW-4 attributed the act of firing to accused 'B' alone.
Other eye-witnesses though attributed firing by other accused, but stated that
accused 'B' was responsible for the injury caused to the deceased. Presence
431 I-I
432 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A of blood at the spot and seizure, thereof was categorically stated by PW-2
(independent witness) and PWs 4 to 8. Trial Court on the basis of the evidence
adduced by prosecution held the accused guilty of commission of an offence
under Section 302/34 IPC. They were also found guilty under Section 27 of
0 Arms Act, 1959. The appeal against the conviction was dismissed by High
Court.
B
In appeal to this Court, appellants-accused contended that there were
discrepancies between medical evidence and ocular evidence and thus the time
of death is doubtful in view of presence of rigor mortis in the four limbs and
that in view of nature of injuries caused to the deceased, firing must have
c taken place from a close distance; that investigation was perfunctory as no
blood was found at the spot, no gun was recovered and no sign of firing was
noticed; and that even if the occurrence had taken place, only accused 'B'
was responsible and participation of other accused having common intention ..
to commit the offence was not proved.

D Dismissing the appeal filed by accused 'B' and allowing the appeal filed
by other accused, the Court

HELD: 1.1. Whereas 'B' alone fired a shot which had hit the deceased,_
there is no evidence brought on record to show that any other accused did so.
No gun shot injury was suffered by any person. The deceased has also suffered
E only one gun shot injury. No sign of firing was found on the walls or any
other part of the building. No cartridge was recovered. Even no other person
had suffered any injury by reason of hurling of brick bats. Having regard to
the materials brought on records, in this case although the prosecution has
proved the charge of committing the murder of the deceased, it has failed to
establish that the accused had any common intention in relation thereto. 'B'
F alone was, thus, responsible therefor. Had the other accused shared common
intention they would have also fired. No such evidence having been brought
on record, benefit of doubt must be extended to the other accused persons.
(449-C-G)
1.2. Although the investigation was conducted in a slipshod manner, but
G the presence of blood at the spot of occurrence as also seizure thereof had
categorically been stated by PW-4, PW-5, PW-6, PW-7, PW-8 and PW-2. It
is, thus, not correct to say that no blood was found at the spot. (438-C-D]

1.3. In the First Information Report, it was categorically stated that the
appellants had indulged in brick batting. The statement to the said effect was
H proved by PW~4, PW-5, PW-6, PW-7, PW-8 and other eye-witnesses in their
BASOPRASADv. STATEOFBIHAR 433
depositions before the court. There had been firing from the side of the A
appellants has not only been disclosed in the First Information Report but
also stated by the witnesses. [438-F-HI

2.1. It cannot be said that in view of the medical opinion with regard to
presence of rigour mortis in the four limbs of the deceased time of death as
claimed by the prosecution is doubtful. The exact time of death cannot be B
established scientifically and precisely, only because of presence of rigour
mortis or in the absence of it. The incident took place in the winter season.
The deceased was aged about 50 years. Rigour mortis, thus, would be well
marked. Rigour mortis, appears after two to three hours. It is well developed
from head to foot in about 12 hours. The age, muscular condition and activity C
before death, manner of death and atmospheric conditions are relevant factors.
[439-D; 442-A-B; 443-D-E I
Mangu Khan and Ors. v. State of Rajasthan, [20051 10 SCC 374 and
Thangavelu v. State ofT.N, [200216 SCC 498, referred to.

'Modi's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicoio"gy',2 I st Edn., D
at page I 7I; Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine
and Toxicology' 6th Edn., at page 3.14, referred to.

2.2. It cannot be said that medical evidence is inconsistent with the ocular
evidence as in view of the nature of injury, firing must have taken place from E
a close distance. It is true, ordinarily, charring would take place, if firing is
done from a distance of less than four feet. But in the present case, whereas
in the body of the post-mortem report, the medical expert stated, 'the
margin of wound charred and inverted' at another point, he in no uncertain
terms stated that firing was done from long range and distance of firing would
be from more than six feet. The possibility, therefore, of his commission of F
some mistake in the post-mortem report cannot be ruled out. It was on the
said premise, it was incumbent upon the defence to bring the said fact to the
notice of the doctor. Probably, knowing the futility of asking such a question,
no such contention was raised either before the Sessions Judge or before the
High Court. No such ground has also been taken before this Court. G
(443-D-G)
Subhash and Anr. v. State of U.P., [1976) 3 SCC 629; Nath Singh and
Ors. etc. v. State ofU.P., [198014 SCC 402; State ofPunjab v. Wassan Singh
and Ors., (1981) 2 SC 1 and Sidharth and Ors. v. State of Bihar, [2005) 12
sec 545, referred to.
H
434 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A 2.3. It 'is axiomatic, however, that when some discrepancies are found
in the ocular evidence vis-a-vis medical evidence, the defence should seek
for an explanation from the doctor. He should be confronted with the charge
that he has committed a mistake. Instances are not unknown where the doctor
has rectified the mistake committed by him while writing the post-mortem
B report. (443-G-H; 444-A]

Surinder Singh and Anr. v. State of U.P. (2003) 10 SCC 26; State of
Karnataka v. Papanaika and Ors., (2004] 13 SCC180 and Anwar and Ors. v.
State of Haryana, (1997) 9 SCC 766, referred to.

C 2.4. Tattooing or charring shall depend upon the constituents of the
propellant charge. It is in that context only wounds are classified by their
external appearance as close contact, near contact and distant. The doctor in
his evidence was categorical in stating that the wounds would not come within
the purview of classification of near contact; but the wounds should be
classified under 'distant contact'. [445-F-H)
D
2.5. The nature of the gun will also have a role to play. The investigating
officer did not make any attempt even to seize the gun. When the weapon was
not seized, the question of examination of any ballistic expert would not arise.
(446-A-B]
Nirmal Singh and Anr. v. State of Bihar, (2005) 9 SCC 725, referred
E to.

2.6. Opinion of an expert is a relevant fact. The court may, thus, take
the expert opinion into consideration. But appreciation of evidence is the
court's job. It is, thus, for the court to arrive at. an opinion as to which part of
p contradictory expert opinion should be accepted or whether in a given situation
ocular evidence should be believed in preference to medical evidence or vice
yersa. (446-D-E)

State of UP. v. Krishna Gopa/ and Anr. [1988] 4 SCC 302; Dhirajbhai
Gorakhbhai Nayak v. State of Gujarat, (2003) 9 SCC 322 and Birendra Rai
G and Ors. v. State of Bihar, [2005) 9 SCC 719, referred to.

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal Nos. 1169-
1170 of2005.

From the Common Judgment and Final Order dated 22-9-2004 of the •:
H High Court of Patna, Bihar in Criminal Appeal No.294of2001 (D.B.) and in
BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.] 435

Criminal Appeal No.314 of200l(D.B.). A
Nagendra Rai, Sunil Kumar Verma, Anshul Raj, Fanish Kumar Raj, Pawan
Kumar Singh, Abhishek and Rameshwar prasad Goyal for the Appellants.

Gopal Singh, Vimla Sinha and Nishakant Pandey for the Respondent.

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by : B
S.B. SINHA, J. Appellants five in number were proceeded against and
convicted for commission of an offence of murder of one Shivnandan Prasad
at about 07.00 a.m. on 13.12.1999. The parties are residents of the same
village.

On 13.12.1999 at about 06.30 a.m., the deceased was milking a buffalo.
c
His other family members including the wife of his brother (informant Krishna
Deo Prasad-PW-7), nephew Sunil Prasad and others were brushing their teeth
at the roof of their house. Brijnandan Prasad and others have their joint
residential house at some distance from the house of the deceased. They
allegedly came over the roof of their house armed with rifles and started brick- D
batting and abusing the brother of the informant alleging that they had burnt
a heap of straw belonging to them. When Shivnandan Prasad went to the
roof of the house, allegedly the appellants started firing. One of the bullets
hit Shivnandan Prasad on his chest. An alarm was raised. The first informant
reached near his brother and found him dead. A First Information Report was
lodged at about 10.00 a.m. on the same day before Chandi Police Station. The E
distance between the place of occurrence and the Chandi Police Station is
said to be about I 0 k.m.

The prosecution in support of its case examined five witnesses, amongst
whom the eye-witnesses, being Satrughan Prasad (PW-4), Chandrakanti Devi F
(PW-5), Sunil Kumar(PW-6), Krishnadeo Prasad (PW-7) and Mahapati Devi
(PW-8).

The learned Sessions Judge relying on or on the basis of the evidence
adduced by the prosecution and in particular the deposition of the eye-
witnesses found the appellants guilty of commission of an offence under G
Section 302/34 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced them to undergo
rigorous imprisonment for life. A fine of Rs.5,000/- was also imposed upon
each of them. They were also found guilty under Section 27 of the Arms
Act and were convicted to undergo rigorous imprisonment for one year. The
appeals preferred by the appellants have been dismissed by a Division Bench
of the High Court. H
436 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A Mr. Nagendra Rai, the learned Senior Counsel appearing on behalf of
the appellants, would raise the following contentions in support of the appeals.

(I) The prosecution version on the basis whereof the judgment of
conviction and sentence has been arrived, at is improbable and
the same is falsified by medical evidence.
B (2) If the occurrence had taken place in the morning, as alleged by
the prosecution, the post-mortem examination having been
conducted at 03.00 p.m. on the same day, it was not possible to
find presence of rigour mortis in all the four limbs and furthermore
keeping in view the distance from which the firi,ig had taken
c place, the doctor would not have found margin of wound having
been charred.
(3) The manner in which the incident took place as disclosed by the
prosecution having been prevaricated from stage to stage
should not be relied upon, inasmuch as in the First Information
D Report it was alleged .that three persons fired, whereas in the
statements made under Section 161 of the Code of Criminal
Procedure, the witnesses attributed firing to all the accused,
whereas in evidence some of the witnesses attributed the act of
tiring only on the Brijnandan Prasad.
E (4) The investigation w~s perfunctory, as no blo.od was found at the
spot; no gun was recovered; no sign of firing was noticed.
(5) It is improbable that although there had been indiscriminate firing,
nobody else would have suffered any injury.
(6) Even if the occurrence had taken place, it was only Brijnandan
F Prasad who had fired and, thus, participation of others having
common intention to commit the said offence has not been
proved.

Mr. Gopal Singh, the learned Standing Counsel appearing on behalf of
the State of Bihar, on the other hand, would submit :
G
(I) At the place of occurrence blood was seized, which has been
proved by some of the eye-witnesses as also PW-2.

(2) The witnesses examined on behalf of the prosecution has further
proved that the appellants had indulged in brick batting.
H
BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.) 437

(3) The firing by the appellants and in particular Brijnandan Prasad A
has categorically been stated by all the witnesses.

Before adverting to the rival contentions, as noticed hereinbefore, we
may notice that on the same day, the brother of the appellants Bhuvan Mahto
was said to have been done to death wherefor a First Information Report was
lodged in which the first informant and the deceased were said to be the B
accused, but it is accepted that in the said case also being Chandi P.S. Case
No. 374 of 1999, a charge-sheet has been filed wherein also the appellants
have been made accused and not the informant or the deceased.

The homicidal nature of the death of the deceased is not in dispute.
The autopsy report of Dr. Prabhat Keshaw corroborates the homicidal nature C
of death. In his deposition, he stated :

"Rigour mortis present in all four limbs.

Injury No. (i) One lacerated wound on occipital region on scalp I Yi''
x I" x scalp deep. D
(ii) One lacerated wound on right side of chest at the length of.
second inter-coastal space I Yi" lateral to the external margin 2" x I"
x cavity deep size, margin of wound charred and inverted, wound of
entry.
E
(iii) Third rib fractured.

(iv) One lacerated wound on left side of back at bare area, just
below the lower the lower border of scapula I Yi'' x I" x cavity deep
size, margin of wound everted, wound of exit. Both injury No. II &
IV are inter connected with each other. F
(3) On dissection, skull, brain and brain matter intact, right lung
perforated, left lung intact, arch of aorata intact contents 3-4 ounces
of undigested food materials, liver, splin, both kidneys intact, gasses
ficle matters present in smc:ll and large intestine respectively. The
bladder was half full. Time elapse since death within 24 hours. G

- (4) In my opinion death occurred due to shock and haemorrhage
caused by above noted injury caused by fire-arm. May be by rifle.
The above noted injuries are sufficient for death. This post mortem
report is in my pen and signature mark Exh. 4."
H
438 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A In his cross-examination, he stated that the distance of firing was more
than 6 feet and was from long range, i.e. beyond 6 feet; although he could
not say the exact distance. He, however, could not state that the injury was
from parallel height or from higher height. In regard to the presence of rigour
mortis, it was stated : 'I
B ".... The start of rigour mortis depends on the temperature and weather
conditions, but in this case rigour mortis developed after three hours.
In all tum limbs developing of rigour mortis take 18 hour~ in such
types of cases .... "

The deceased met instantaneous death. Although the investigation
C was conducted in a slipshod manner, but the presence of blood at the spot
of occurrence as also seizure thereof had categorically been stated by PW-
4, PW-5, PW-6, PW-7, PW-8 and PW-2. PW-2, Kapil Prasad, is an independent
witness. He categorically stated:

" ... Blood stained soil and brick bats were also seized by the police in
D my presence and prepared the seizure list..."

It is, thus, not correct to say that no blood was found at the spot.

He reiterated his statement in the cross-examination in the following
terms:
E
"The police seized blood stained soil, bricks etc. in my presence.
I cannot say the length and breadth of the bricks. I do not remember
the area of the place from where the blood was seized. The soil might
be 4-5 hundred grams ...."

F We may also notice that in the First Information Report, it was
categorically stated that the appellants herein had indulged in brick batting.
The statement to the said effect was proved by PW-4, PW-5, PW-6, PW-7,
PW-8 and other eye-witnesses in their depositions before the court. This part
of the prosecution is not under challenge before us.
G We may also notice the fact that there had been firing from the side of
the appellants has not only been disclosed in the First Information Report but
also stated by the witnesses. We would, however, examine the effect of the
depositions of the said witnesses, in this behalf, a little later.

H We may notice that according to PW-3, the firing took place from a
BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.) 439
distance of about 50- 60 feet, whereas according to PW-4, the distance was A
anything between 40-45 feet. Both PW-7 and PW-8 stated that the distance
from which the firing took place was about 40-45 feet.

It is also not in dispute that whereas prosecution witnesses PW-4, PW-
7 and PW-8 also stated that the appellants were in the second floor of their
house, whereas the deceased, informant and others were in the first floor of B
their house. However, the difference of height of the respective buildings is
not brought on records.

The discrepancies between the medical evidence and ocular evidence,
however, as noticed hereinbefore, have been raised on two counts, namely,
{i) rigour mortis in four limbs were found; and (ii) in view of the injury C
sustained by the deceased, the firing must have taken place from a close
distance.

We must, however, state that before the High Court, the second
contention was not raised. Even before the learned Sessions Judge the only D
contention raised was in regard to the time of death and with reference to the
presence of rigour mortis in all the four limbs. In the grounds of the Special
Leave Petition also, the question in regard to the possibility of the deceased
having been fired upon from a close distance has not been raised.

We may deal with the question as regards presence of rigour mortis. E
In 'Modi's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology', 21st
Edn., at page 171, it is stated :

"Rigor mortis generally occurs, while the body is cooling. It is
in no way connected with the nervous system, and it develops even p
in paralyzed limbs, provided the paralyzed muscle tissues have not
suffered much in nutrition. It is retarded by perfusion with normal
saline.

Owing to the setting in of rigor mortis all the muscles of the body
become stiff, hard, opaque and contracted, but they do not alter the G
position of body or limb. A joint rendered stiff and rigid after death,
if flexed forcibly by mechanical violence, will remain supple and flaccid,
but will not return to its original position after the force is withdrawn;
whereas a joint contracted during life in cases of hysteria or catalepsy
""'.ill return to the same condition after the force is taken away.
H
440 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A Rigor mortis first appears in the involuntary muscles, and then in
the voluntary. In the heart it appears, as a rule, within an hour after
death, and may be mistaken for hypertrophy, and its relaxation or
dilatation, atrophy or degeneration. The left chambers are affected
more than the right. Post-mortem delivery may occur owing to
contraction of the uterine muscular fibres.
B
In the voluntary muscles rigor mortis follows a definite course. It
first occurs in the muscles of the eyelids, next in the muscles of the
back of the neck and lower jaw, then in those of the front of the neck,
face, chest and upper extremities, and lastly extends downwards to the
muscles of the abdomen and lower extremities. Last to be affected are
c the small muscles of the fingers and toes. It passes off in the same
sequence. However, according to H.A. Shapiro this progress of rigor
mortis from proximal to distal areas is apparent only, it actually starts
in all muscles simultaneously but one can distinguish the early
developing and fully established stage, which gives an indication of
D the time factor.

Time of Onset.- This varies greatly in different cases, but the
average period of its onset may be regarded as three to six hours after
death in temperate climates, and it may take two to three hours to
develop. In India, it usually commences in one to two hours after
E death."

In Parikh's Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence, Forensic Medicine and
Toxicology' 6th Edn., at page 3.14, it is stated :

· "Rigor mortis (rigor-rigidity; mortis-of death) is a condition
F characterized by stiffening and shortening of the muscles which follow
the period of primary relaxation. It is due to chemical changes involving
the structural proteins of the muscle fibres and indicates the molecular
death of its cells.

The contractile element of the muscle consists of protein filaments
G of two types, viz., myosin and actin, which are arranged and organized
interdigitating manner. In the relaxed state, the actin filaments
interdigitate with myosin filaments only to a small extent but when the
muscle contracts, they interdigitate to a great extent due to the presence
of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). The production and utilization of
ATP are constantly balanced in life. After death, ATP is resynthesised
H
- BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.] 441

for a short time depending upon the glycogen available locally, but A
after this glycogen is used up, ATP cannot be resynthesised. This
I leads to the fusion of myosin and actin filaments into a dehydrated
stiff gel resulting in the condition known as rigor mortis. During rigor
mortis, the reaction of muscle changes from slightly alkaline to distinctly
acid owing to the local formation of lactis acid. Rigor mortis persists B
until autolysis of myosin and actin filaments occurs as a part of
putrefaction. When autolysis occurs, the muscles soften and
secondary relaxation sets in.

Rigor mortis can also be broken by mechanical force. Thus, if a
limb, which is stiff due to rigor, is flexed forcibly at a joint, the limb C
becomes flaccid and will remain so thereafter. This is known as
breaking of rigor mortis. Existing rigor mortis is broken down at least
partially in the process of removal of the body from the crime scene
to mortuary, and this may mislead the doctor in estimation of time
since death. It is therefore essential to make a note of its stage of D
development while visiting the crime scene.

All muscles of the body, voluntary and involuntary, are affected
by rigor. It first appears in involuntary and then in voluntary muscles.
It is not dependent on the nerve supply as it also develops in the
paralysed limbs. It is tested by ( l) attempting to lift the eye lids (2) E
depressing the jaw, and (3) gently bending the neck and various joints
, .
of the body."

At page 3.16 it is stated :

"The medico-legal importance is as follows : (1) It is a sign of F
death (2) It helps to estimate the time since death. (3) It may give
information about the position of the body at the time of death and
if it has been altered after rigor has set in. As for example, if a person
dies with the hands and legs supported against a brick wall and the
position of the body has been changed after rigor set in, the hands
and legs would remain raised in an unnatural position (without support) G
The factors which influence rigor mortis are : age and condition
of the body (2) mode of death, and (3) surroundings.

Age and condition of the body : In .children and old people, rigor
develops earlier than in the adults. The onset of rigor is later and the H
duration longer in the strong muscular person. The more feeble or
442 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A poorly developed the muscles, the more rapid is the time of onset, and
the shorter the duration"

The exact time of death, therefore, cannot be established scientifically
and precisely, only because of presence of rigour mortis or in the absence
of it.
B
In Mangu Khan and Others v. State of Rajasthan [2005] IO SCC
374, this Court rejected a similar contention, opining :

" ... .In the first place, neither post-mortem report suggests that the
death had taken place exactly 24 hours before the post-mortem was
c conducted. All that the post-mortem reports say is that the death had.
occurred within 24 hours prior to PM examination. Undoubtedly, the
post-mortem examination was carried out at 11.00 a.m./12 noon on 11-
7-1997. In other words, the post-mortem reports suggest that the
death might have occurred any time after 11.00/12.00 noon of l 0-7-
D 1997. The contention urged by reference to textbooks on forensic
medicine to show the time within which rigor mortis develops all over
the body also has no factual basis. It depends on various factors such
as constitution of the deceased, season of the year, the temperature
in the region and the conditions under which the body has been
preserved. The record indicates that the body was taken from the
E
mortuary. We notice that there is no cross-examination, whatsoever,
of the doctor so as to elicit any of the material facts on which a
possible argument could have been based. If these are the
circumstances, then the presence of rigor mortis all over the body by
itself cannot warrant the argument of the learned counsel that the
F death must have occurred during the previous night. Acceptabh
ocular evidence cannot be dislodged on such hypothetical basis for
which no proper grounds were laid."

Yet again in Thangavelu v. State of TN. [2002] 6 SCC 498, this
G Court observed : , .

"We have heard learned counsel and carefully looked into the
material on record. From the evidence of PW-5, the doctor, we find
that there is a possibility that the incident in question might have
occurred about 39 hours prior to the post mortem. Though in the
H examination in chief, PW-5 has stated that the time between the death
and post mortem could be 16 to 24 hours which fits in with the
--
' BASO PRASAD v. STATS OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.]

prosecution case, in the cross examination he has very clearly stated
443
A
that in this case death would have been caused about 39 hours before
the post mortem which would be sometime after 5.30 p.m. on 15.12.1990.
This the doctor has stated by taking into consideration the time and
month of the incident as also the time required for the setting of rigor
mortis and passing off of the same. According to the doctor, in the B
month of December in a place like Erode the rigor mortis may set in
after about 2 to 3 hours after the death. He has stated that for the rigor
mortis to reach from the leg to head, it would take 12 hours and the
same would remain in existence for about another 12 hours. Thereafter,
it would gradually diminish in the reverse direction i.e. from head to
leg taking about another 12 hours and on this basis when he examined C
the body of the deceased, he found the rigor mortis had reversed
almost to the end of the legs. By this process he came to the conclusion
that the death in question must have occurred about 39 hours before
post mortem ...."

The incident took place in the winter season. The deceased was aged D
about 50 years. Rigour mortis, thus, would be well marked. Rigour mortis,
as noticed hereinbefore, appears after two to three hours. It is well developed
from head to foot in about 12 hours. The age, muscular condition and
activity before death, manner of death and atmospheric conditions are relevant
factors. We, therefore, do not find any merit in the said contention of Mr. E
Rai.

So far as the contenLion in regard to distance of firing is concerned, it
is true, ordinarily, charring would take place, if firing is done from a distance
of less than four feet, as has been noticed in some of judgments of this Court
inSubhashandAnotherv.StateofUP. [1976]3 SCC629, Nath Singh and F
Others etc. v. State of UP. [1980] 4 SCC 402, State of Punjab v. Wassan Singh
and Others (198 l) 2 SC I and Sidharth and Others v. State of Bihar [2005]
12 sec 545.

In some cases, medical evidence may corroborate the prosecution
witnesses; in some it may not. The court, however, cannot apply any G
universal rule whether ocular evidence would be relied upon or the medical
evidence, as the same will depend upon the facts and circumstances of each
case. No hard and fast rule can be laid down therefor.

It is axiomatic, however, that when some discrepancies are found in the
ocular evidence vis-a-vis medical evidence, the defence should seek for an H
444 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A explanation from the doctor. He should be confronted with the charge that
he has committed a mistake. Instances are not unknown where the doctor has
rectified the mistake committed by him while writing the post-mortem report.

In Surinder Singh and Another v. State of U.P. [2003] 10 SCC 26, it was
held:
B
"One of the pleas raised by learned counsel for the appellants
was that the injuries as noticed by the doctor are at variance with the,
ocular evidence. On a close reading of the evidence of eye-witnesses
and the doctor's report there is no noticeable variance. The mere fact
that doctor said that injuries appeared to be on one side of the body
c and the witnesses said that attacks were from different sides, is too
trifle an aspect. When three persons are attacking a person, the
witnesses naturally get shocked. This is normal. human conduct and
the immediate reaction is to save the victim and to stop the assailants
from further attacks. That is precisely what has been done by the eye-
D witnesses. It is only when the medical evidence totally improbabilises
the ocular evidence, that the Court starts suspecting the veracity of
the. evidence and not otherwise."

[See also State of Karnataka v. Papanaika and Others [2004] 13 SCCI 80].

E In Anwar and Others v. State of Haryana [1997] 9 SCC 766, this Court
observed

" ... .It is true that Dr Jai Kishan (PW 9) Who conducted the autopsy
in his post-mortem examination report described Injury I as being
incised wound 20 ems x 2 ems causing fracture of the underlying
F bone. He further noticed lacerated wounds on the neck of the right
ear of the size I cm x 112 cm causing fracture of the underlying bone.
While giving evidence in the court, he described an incised wound
as Injury I and lacerated wounds as Injury I-A. He further testified
that it was a bona fide mistake in not describing these two injuries
separately. Mr Sushi! Kumar urged that Dr Jai Kishan (PW 9) has
G made material improvement in his evidence before the court to suit the
prosecution and to lend support to the evidence of eyewitnesses and,
therefore, such an improved version which demolishes the evidence
of eyewitnesses be not accepted ...This submission, is an attractive
one but having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, it
H is not possible to accept the same. The consistent evidence of both
BASOPRASADv. STATEOFBIHAR[S.B. SINHA,J.] 445
these eyewitnesses was that A-2 had fired from his pistol on Baddal A
causing firearm injuries on his head and this evidence, in our opinion,
is quite a credible one. Both these witnesses have referred to the
firearm injury on Baddal on his head whereas lacerated wounds were
found behind the right ear. In an assault of this nature, the exact
description as regard to location of the firearm injury might be not B
accurate but that by itself would not render their evidence
untrustworthy. It needs to be mentioned that the medical evidence is
an opinion evidence which is used to lend corroboration to the
evidence of eyewitnesses. If the medical evidence is found to be
totally inconsistent with the ocular evidence on a given set of facts,
it would be permissible for the court to reject the ocular evidence. As C
far as the facts of the present case are concerned as pointed out
earlier, the inconsistency between the ocular evidence and the medical
evidence is of a very minor nature and we do not think it proper to
reject the evidence of these two eyewitnesses on that score"

[Emphasis supplied] D
Whereas in the body of the post-mortem report, the medical expert
stated, 'the margin of wound charred and inverted' at another point, he in
no uncertain terms stated that firing was done from long range and distance
of firing would be from more than six feet. The possibility, therefore, of his
commission of some mistake in the post-mortem report cannot be ruled out. E
It was on the said premise, it was incumbent upon the defence to bring the
said fact to the notice of the doctor. Probably, knowing the futility of asking
such a question, no such contention was raised either before the Sessions
Judge or before the High Court. No such ground has also been taken before
us.
F
Tattooing or charring shall depend upon the constituents of the
propellant charge. It is in that context only wounds are classified by their
external appearance as close contact, near contact and distant.

The doctor in his evidence was categorical•in stating that the wounds G
would not come within the purview of classification of near contact; but the
wounds should be classified under 'distant contact'.

The authorities Eke Taylor and HWV Cox in their treatises, state in
details as to how the post-mortem examination should be conducted.
H
446 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 9 S.<;::.R.

A The nature of the gun will also have a role to play. Unfortunately, the
investigating officer did not make any attempt even to seize the gun. When
the weapon was not seized, the question of examination of any ballistic expert
would not arise. [See Nirmal Singh and Another v. State of Bihar [2005]
9 sec 725].

B Section 45 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 reads as under :

"45. Opinions of experts. When the Court has to form an opinion
upon a point of foreign law or of science or art, or as identity of
handwriting or finger impressions], the opinions upon that point of
persons specially skilled in such foreign law, science or art, or in
c questions as to identity of handwriting or finger impressions are
relevant facts.

Such persons are called experts".

Opinion of an expert, therefore, is a relevant fact. The court may, thus,
D took the expert opinion into consideration. B~t appreciation of evidence is
the court's job.

It is, thus, for the court to arrive at an opinion as to which part of
contradictory expert opinion should be accepted or whether in a given situation
ocular evidence should be believed in preference to medical evidence or vice
E versa.

In State of UP. v. Krishna Gopal and Another [1988] 4 SCC 302, this
court has observed :

"It is trite that where the eyewitnesses account is found credible
F and trustworthy, medical opinion pointing to alternative possibilities
is not accepted as conclusive. Witnesses, as Bentham said, are the
eyes and ears of justice. Hence the importance and primacy of the
orality of the trial process. Eyewitnesses account would require a
careful independent assessment and evaluation for their credibility
which should not be adversely prejudged making any other evidence,
G
including medical evidence, as the sole touchstone for the test of
such credibility. The evidence must be tested for its inherent
consistency and the inherent probability of the story; consistency
with the account of other witnesses held to be creditworthy;
consistency with the undisputed facts; the credit of the witnesses;
H their performance in the witness box; their power of observation etc.
BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.] 447
Then the probative value of such evidence becomes eligible to be put A
into the scales for a cumulative evaluation."

Yet again in Dhirajbhai Gorakhbhai Nayak v. State of Gujarat [2003]
9 SCC 322, this Court held :

" ... As regards the alleged discrepancy between the medical evidence B
and ocular evidence, it is to be noted that a combined reading of the
evidence of PW 9 who examined the deceased after he was brought
to the hospital and PW 7 who conducted the post-mortem, it is clear
that there is no discrepancy in the medical evidence vis-a-vis ocular
evidence. Only in respect of Injury l, there appears to be some
confusion but that does not dilute the prosecution evidence. It would C
be erroneous to accord undue primacy to the hypothetical answers of
medical witnesses to exclude the eyewitnesses account which has to
be tested independently and not treated as variable keeping in view
the medical evidence as constant. (See State of UP. v. Krishna Gopal.)"

In Birendra Rai and Others v. State of Bihar [2005] 9 SCC 719, this D
Court observed :

" .... We do not attach much significance to the fact that some of the
wounds showed an upward trajectory. A bullet may possibly be
deflected if it hits a hard surface. The fact remains that all the shots E
fired have caused wound of entry as well as exit wound, and from the
description of the wounds given by the doctor it appears that the
firing was done from very close range. The evidence of the witnesses
is to the same effect. They have clearly stated that they came near the
deceased after firing took place. There was indiscriminate firing at the
deceased who fell down after receiving the first injury. One cannot F
assume that the deceased was lying still in one posture after falling
on the ground. He must have been writhing in pain when several
shots were fired at him, and in that process several injuries were
caused to him. So viewed, we find no inconsistency between the
ocular evidence and medical evidence on record."
G
It was further observed :

" .. .It was submitted that if several shots were fired, some pellets
would have been found at the place of occurrence. It is the case of
the prosecution that no pellets were found. For this reason alone we
H
448 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 9 S.C.R.

A cannot discard the case of the prosecution. If pellets were found at
the place of occurrence it would have further strengthened the case
of the prosecution, but in the absence of such evidence one has to
rely upon the ocular evidence which if found reliable, may be acted
upon .... "

B In Nirmal Singh (supra), it was held :

"Counsel then submitted that the prosecution has failed to prove that
the da/an of the deceased was the real place of occurrence. This
submission is based on the fact that no bloodstained earth was seized
from the place of occurrence. It is true that no bloodstained earth was
c seized from the place of occurrence but there is also evidence of
several witnesses including the investigating officer that no blood
had fallen on the earth. Eyewitnesses explained that on receiving the
injury the deceased pressed his wound with his hands whereafter a
piece of cioth was tied around the wound which soaked the blood
which may have come out. There was, therefore, no likelihood of the
D
earth getting bloodstained. Counsel for the appellants submitted that
the intestines were protruding as described in the inquest report, and
in such a situation there must have been some bleeding. That may be
so, but in view of the explanation offered by the prosecution witnesses
it appears probable. that no blood had fallen on the ground at the
E place of occurrence. In any event, if some blood had fallen at the
place of occurrence which the investigating officer failed to notice,
that by itself will not be fatal to the case of the prosecution. We must
observe that the investigation in this case has been most unsatisfactory
and the investigating officer was not conscious of his responsibilities.
The bloodstained piece of cloth which was wrapped around the wound
F of the deceased appears to have been seized by the investigating
officer, but when questioned as to why it was not sent for chemical
examination, he answered that he had hung that piece of cloth on a
guava tree in the police station. The statement is comical but discloses
the utter non-seriousness with which the investigation was conducted.
G We had expected better from the investigating officer who was
investigating a serious case of murder. However, for this reason we
will not reject the case of the prosecution entirely. "

[Emphasis supplied]
We, therefore, are of the opinion that the second contention of the
H
BASO PRASAD v. STATE OF BIHAR [S.B. SINHA, J.] 449

learned counsel also cannot be accepted. A
We, however, are not oblivious of one patent fact. In the First Infonnation
Report, the first infonnant, attributed the act of firing to Brijnandan Prasad
and Sahdeo. PW-4, however, in his deposition before the court attributed the
act of firing only to Brijnandan Prasad. According to him, other persons were
only wielding rifles. Shivnandan Prasad fell down after receiving the gunshot B
and died. He in his cross-examination also attributed the act of firing only
to Brijnandan Prasad. PW-5 although stated that all the accused had started
firing but even according to her Brijnandan Prasad fired shot which had hit
the deceased on his chest. Evidence of PW-6 is also to the same effect that
the shot which had hit his father on the chest was fired by Brijnandan Prasad.
PW-7 arid PW-8 also named Brijnandan Prasad. C
The prosecution case is that the dispute started on lighting of fire on
a heap of straw. The accused allegedly hurled brick bats, which compelled
the deceased to come to the roof to forbid them from doing so. Whereas
Brijnandan Prasad alone fired a shot which had hit the deceased, there is no
evidence brought on record to show that any other accused did so. No gun D
shot injury was suffered by any person. The deceased has also suffered only
one gun shot injury. No sign of firing was found on the walls or any other
part of the building. No cartridge was recovered.
Even no other person had suffered any injury by reason of hurling of
brick bats. Having regard to the materials brought on records, we are of the E
opinion that in this case although the prosecution has proved the charg~ of
committing the murder of the deceased, it has failed to establish that the
accused had any common intention in relation thereto. Brijnandan Prasad
alone was, thus, responsible therefor. Had the other accused shared common
intention with Brijnandan Prasad, they would have also fired. No such F
evidence having been brought on record, benefit of doubt must be extended
to the other accused persons.
We, therefore, while holding Brijnandan Prasad guilty, are inclined to
allow the appeal of the other appellants. The judgment of conviction and
sentence passed against them is set aside. The appellants in Criminal Appeal
No.1169 of 2005 shall be released forthwith, if not wanted in any other case. G
Criminal Appeal No.1169 of 2005 is, therefore, allowed and Criminal
Appeal No.1170 of 2005 filed by Brijnandan Prasad is dismissed.

K.K.T. Crl. A. No. 1169 of2005 allowed and
Crl. A. No. 1170 of2005 dismissed. H