Holding

The acquittal was manifestly erroneous; the High Court was correct in overturning it and convicting the appellants under Sections 302 and 34 IPC.

Summary

The appellants, Narinder Singh and Ravinder Singh alias Khanna, were charged with murdering Gurdev Singh, the Granthi of a village Gurudwara, after threatening him to relinquish his post. The Sessions Court acquitted them, holding that the prosecution failed to prove motive, that key witnesses were unreliable, and that the recovered kirpan did not conclusively link the accused to the crime. The Punjab and Haryana High Court reversed the acquittal, finding the evidence credible, establishing a common intention under Section 34 IPC, and convicting both appellants under Section 302 IPC. On appeal, the Supreme Court examined whether the High Court was justified in interfering with the acquittal and whether the evidence supported a conviction. The Court held that the trial court's appreciation of evidence was manifestly erroneous, that the appellants acted in concert with a common intention to kill, and that the kirpan recovered was the murder weapon. Consequently, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal, upheld the High Court's conviction, and ordered the appellants to remain in custody.

Issues considered

Whether the High Court was justified in setting aside the Sessions Court's acquittal in a murder case.
Whether the evidence on record established a common intention under Section 34 of the IPC to convict the appellants under Section 302 IPC.
What standards govern appellate interference with a judgment of acquittal.

Legislation cited

Subjects

murderacquittalappellate reviewcommon intentionSection 34 IPCevidentiary standardsHigh Court interferencecriminal appeal

Judgment

A NARINDER SINGH
v.
STATE OF PUNJAB

APRIL 6, 2000

B [D.P. WAD HWA AND RUMA PAL, JJ.]

India Penal Code 1860-Sections 34 & 302-Appellants acquitted by
Sessions court in a murder trial-High Court reversed the order of acquittal
as not justified by evidence on record-Interference by High Court-
c Guidelines-If acquittal is manifestly erroneous based on improper apprecia-
tion of evidence; reasoning is incoherent, illogical and materially irregular
and to correct miscarriage of justice but not when two views are possible,
based on evidence, supporting both acquittal and conviction and the High
Court prefers a view contrary to that of the Trial Court. ·

D The appellants were brought to trial for having murdered one G.
The Sessions Court acquitted them on the grounds that the prosecution
failed to establish motive, that one of the main witnesses was got up, the
recovery of the weapon by itself was not sufficient proof, and that "medical
evidence and ocular evidence did not tally. The High Court reversed the
findings and found the appellants guilty. On appeal before this court, it
E was submitted that the judgment of the Trial Court was not perverse, and
the High Court erred by interfering.
Dismissing the appeal, this Court
HELD : 1. High Court has rightly interfered in the matter and
F sentenced appellants accordingly. Both the appellants were acting in con-
cert. Their intention to do away G, was manifest when a couple of days
before the occurrence they openly threatened to kill him in case he did not
give up the post of Granthi of the Gurudwara of Village T.
This is no argument for the defence that since the Granthi is ap- .;
G pointed by the Management Committee of the Gurudwara, appointment of
the appellant N as Granthi of Gurudwara would not have been automatic
and, therefore, there was no occasion to hold a threat to G. Statement of H
is cogent and reliable. He gets corroboration from B (PW 3). Both H and B
are natural witnesses. It is not disputed that Amritdhari Sikhs always carry
H Kripan on their body and in that view of the matter it is not necessary for
1022
NARJNDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1023
appellants to carry any other arm or weapon. Kripan (Ext.p-1) was used to A
commit the murder. Trial Court went totally wrong when it said that the
recovery of Kripan from the second appellant was of no consequence and
was not sufficient to connect the appellants with the crime. Both the
appellants committed the murder of G, in furtherance of their common
intention. Mention of Section 34 in the judgment is not the requirement of
B
law to convict a person. If the ingredients of the offence are present,
conviction can be made. It is not material to bring the case under Section 34
IPC as to who, in fact, inflicted the fatal blow. [1033-G-H; 1034-A-H]

2. High Court while considering appeal against acquittal is not exer-
cising any extra-ordinary jurisdiction. Its power to consider and decide c
the appeal against the judgment of acquittal is same as against the judg-
ment of conviction. However, there are certain guidelines. One is that if
there are two views on evidence which are reasonably possible, one sup-
porting acquittal and the other indicating conviction, High Court in an
appeal against judgment of acquittal should not interfere merely because
D
it feels that it would as a trial court have taken a different view. High
Court will certainly interfere if it finds that the judgment of acquittal is
manifestly erroneous and that the trial court has acted with material
irregularity or its appreciation of evidence lacks coherence or it has made
assumptions which are unwarranted or its evaluation of evidence is such
as to shock the sense of justice and which has led to miscarriage of justice E
or its reasoning is unintelligible or defies logic or its conclusions are against
the weight of the evidence. [1030-G-H; 1031-A-B]

.CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 490
of 1998. F
From the Judgment and Order dated 20.1.98 of the Punjab and Haryana
High Court in Cd.A. No. 291-DBA of 1991.

Anil Kumar Gupta, Rajiv Dutta and Ms. Arnita Gupta for the appearing
parties. G

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

D.P. WADHWA, J. The two appellants were tried for offence under
Section 302/34 Indian Penal Code (for short 'IPC'). They were acquitted by H
1024 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000) 2 S.C.R.
A the Sessions Judge, Jalandhar by judgment dated January 8, 1991. Against
their acquittal State of Punjab filed appeal in the Punjab and Haryana High
Court. The complainant also filed revision in the High Court assailing tl1e
order of acquittal by the Sessions Judge. High Court by tl1e impugned
judgment dated January 20, 1998 allowed the appeal as well as the revision
and set aside the acquittal of the appellants. High Court convicted the second
B
appellant Ravinder Singh alias Khanna under Section 302 IPC and sentenced
him to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay fine ofRs.5000 and in default
of payment of fine to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for six months.
First appellant was convicted under Section 302/34 IPC and similarly sen-
tenced.
c
It is submitted before us iliat the High Court wrongly exercised its
jurisdiction in setting aside the acquittal of the appellants, when Sessions
Judge in a well considered judgment, having weighed all the pros and cons
of the case, had rightly acquitted the appellants. It could not be said that the
conclusions arrived at by the Sessions Judge were perverse for the High Court
D to intervene.

To appreciate tl1e submissions of the appellants we may examine the
record of ilie case.

It is not disputed that Gurdev Singh died a homicidal death on
E November 6, 1989. He was a Granthi of Gurudwara of village Talwandi Fattu.
A fortnight or so before the fateful day when Gurdev Singh was murdered the
appellants had "visited him. They told him to vacate the office of Granthi of
Gurudwara of that village as they themselves wanted to assume the charge of
office of Grantl1i of that Gurudwara. Gurdev Singh was threatened that in case
F he did not heed to tl1eir demand he would be done to death.

On November 6, 1989 Gurdev Singh with his son Hardip Singh (PW-
2) was going on a bicycle to village Jagatpur in order to withdraw the money
from his ~ccount in the Cooperative Bank iliere. Hardip Singh was pedaling
tl1e cycle while Gurdev Singh was sitting on its carrier. Around 12 O'clock
G when they reached ilie metalled road near the field of one Gurmej Singh
resident of Jagatpur, they saw the appellants sitting near a tree. They got up
and intercepted Gurdev Singh and Hardip Singh. Botl1 got down from their
cycle. Appellant Narinder Singh proclaimed tliat iliey would teach Gurdev
Singh a lesson, as he had not vacated the office of Granthi of the Gurudwara
H as per ilieir demand. He grabbed Gurdev Sing}} from his arms while tlle second
NARINDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1025
appellant Ravinder Singh alias Khanna took out a gatra kirpan, which he was A
wearing and stabbed Gurdev Singh with gatra kirpan on the left side of his
neck. Gurdev Singh after receiving the kirpan blow fell down. Appellants then
advanced towards Hardip Singh menacingly. Hardip Singh ran away in order
·,
to save himself. Appellants chased him for a while and then abandoned the
chase after some distance. Hardip Singh looked back and when he found that
B
chase had been given up he returned to the spot where his father had been
stabbed. He found his father Gurdev Singh dead. At that time Bikar Singh
Lambardar (PW-3) came there. Hardip Singh left Bikar Singh at the spot to
guard the dead body of his father and he himself went to the Police Station,
Banga to lodge a report. However, Hardip Singh met Sub- Inspector Man
Singh (PW-6) at the bus stand, Gunachaur. S.I. Man Singh was the Additional c
S.H.O. of Police Station, Banga. Hardip Singh made statement (Ex. PD) before
S.I. Man Singh on the basis of which a case under Section 302/34 IPC was
registered at Police Station, Banga and a formal FIR registered against the
appellants. Thereafter S.I. Man Singh accompanied by Hardip Singh came to
the place of the occurrence. He prepared the inquest report on the dead body
D
of Gurdev Singh. He inspected the spot, lifted blood stained earth from the
place where the dead body was lying. Turban of the deceased Gurdev Singh
was lying towards the head of his dead body which was also made into sealed
parcel and taken into possession. After completing usual investigation S.I.
Man Singh sent the dead body of Gurdev Singh for post mortem examination.
Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal, Medical Officer, Civil Hospital, Nawanshahar, E
conducted post mortem examination on the dead body of Gurdev Singh on
November 7, 1989. According to him injuries suffered by Gurdev Singh were
sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature. On November 10,
1989 both the appellants were produced before S.I. Man Singh by Harinder
Singh (PW-4), Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat, Talwandi Fattu. They were taken F
into custody. In pursuance to the disclosure statement by the appellant
Ravinder Singh alias Khanna gatra kirpan (Ex. P-1) was recovered by S.I. Man
Singh on November 11, 1989, which was lying concealed in the bushes near
the canal minor in the area of village Bika. Kirpan (Ex. P-1) measured 5.2
inches along with gatra. was made into a sealed parcel and was taken into
possession. Sealed parcels containing kirpan and blood stained earth, where G
the kitvan was found concealed, were sent to the chemical examiner who gave
... his report (Ex. PL) and opined that there were blood stains on the kirpan and
earth. After completion of the investigation police submitted the challan
against both the appellants under Section 302/34 IPC. By order dated
February 16, 1990 of the Judicial Magistrate First Class, Nawanshahar the H
1026 SUPREME COt;RT REPORTS [2000] 2 S.C.R.
A appellants were committed to the court of sessions to stand their trial. Sessions
Judge charged the appellant Ravinder Singh alias Khanna under Section 302
IPC and appellant Narinder Singh under Section 302/34 IPC. Both the
appellants pleaded not guilty to the charges framed against them and claimed
to be tried. After the conclusion of the evidence the appellants were examined
under Section 313 of Code of Criminal Procedure. They denied the allegations
B
in the evidence against them and said that it was a false case. They did not
lead any defence.

Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal (PW-1) in his deposition stated that he
had conducted the post mortem examination on the dead body of Gurdev
c Singh and he foWld the following injuries: -

"There was an incised wound 8cm x 5cm spindle shape on left
lateral side of the neck. 6cm above the clavicle.

On dissection underlying muscles were found cut, caroted vessels
D were cut partially. Trachea was partially cut, and, the apex of right
lung had a wound of 2 x 3cms. The track of wound was obliquely
placed from left· side to right side in a backward and downward
direction.

Pleural cavity was full of blood. Rest of the organs were found to
E
be healthy and normal."

In his opinion death was due to massive haemorrhage on account of
injuries which led to shock and death. The probable time between the injuries
.~
and death was immediate and between the death and post mortem 24 hours.
F When his statement was recorded on the first day Dr. Chhatwal said that in
his opinion injury in question could not be possible by mini ki1pan which
is worn by an Amritdhari Sikh. It is not disputed that both the appellants are
Amritdhari Sikhs. On the request of the learned Public Prosecutor the case
was adjourned for further statement of Dr. Chhatwal as on that day case
property including the 'kirpan', weapon of the alleged offence, had not been
G
brought to the court from the police station. Statement of Dr. Chhatwal was
continued on the adjourned date. He said he had seen mini sword (Ex. P-
l) and that possibility of the injury in question on the body of Gurdev Singh
having been caused by that weapon could not be ruled out. He said it was
correct that when mini sword (Ex. P-1) would be taken out from the wound
H it would enlarge the wound. He was questioned in the cross-examination as
NARINDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1027

to why on the last date in the court he made a statement that in his opinion A
injury in question could not be possible by a mini kirpan worn by an
Amritdhari Sikh, Dr. Chhatwal said that he had made the statement on the
basis of conjunctures. He said he would stick to that opinion given that the
injury in question could be possible with 'kirpan' (Exh. P-1).

Hardip Singh (PW-2) is the son of deceased ~urdev Singh. He said B
both the appellants had come to his father 10-15 days prior to the date of
occurrence when he was also present in the Gurudwara. Both the appellants
told his father to give up the job of Granthi since appellant Narinder Singh
was desirous of becoming Granthi of that Gurudwara. He said his father did
not agree with the proposal. Both the appellants went away after holding a c
threat to the life of his father in case he did not give up the job of Granthi
of Gurudwara Talwandi Fattu. He supported the prosecution version as
noticed above. Nothing has been elicited .in his cross-examination which
would cause any doubt as to his testimony. Hardip Singh said that the money
was in the name of his father in the bank and that the pass book of tl1e bank
D
was in a bag which was slung to the handle of the cycle. He said he did not
produce the pass book before the police. He denied tl1e suggestion that he
never witnessed the occurrence and that he came to know the murder of his
father at about 8.00 A.M. on November 6, 1989. If we accept tl1e suggestion
of the appellants as put to Hardip Singh it would certainly run counter to the
statement of Dr. Chhatwal as to the time of death of Gurdev Singh. E
Bikar Singh (PW-3) is Lambardar of Village Talwandi Fattu. He said
deceased Gurdev Singh had come to him and complained to him that the
appellant Narinder Singh had been holding threats to him by saying that he
wanted to be the Granthi of Gruudwara of village Talwandi Fattu, which post
Gurdev Singh had allegedly usurped and tl1at he would face the music for F
the same. Bikar Singh said that he counselled tl1e deceased that the matter
would be put before the village Panchayat and they would also go to the
father of the appellant Narinder Singh to tell him to restrain his son Narinder
Singh. Bikar Singh said that due to his being busy he could not find time
to place the matter before the village Panchayat and in tl1e meantime Gurdev G
Singh was done to deatl1. He said on the date of the occmrence when he was
going to village Jagatpur and had crossed village Mukandpur he saw botl1
t11e appellants approaching him from the opposite direction and that they
appeared to be in hurry. He saw that appellant Ravinder Singh alias Khal1lla
was holding a mini kirpan, which was stained with blood. Bikar Singh called
H
1028 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000) 2 S.C.R.
A them but they ignored him and went towards village Mukandpur. After
covering some distance he found Hardip Singh (PW-2) crying. He inquired
from him the cause of his wailing and was told that the appellants had done
his father to death. This part of the statement of Bikar Singh was objected
to during the recording of his statement on the ground that Hardip Singh had
not said anything like that in his deposition. Bikar Singh said he found· the
B
dead body of Gurdev_ Singh lying on the metalled road. He deputed Hardip
Singh to go to the police station to report the occurrence while he remained
at the spot to guard the dead body. Police arrived at the spot at about 2.30
P.M. and completed the necessary formalities. Statement of Bikar Singh has
almost gone unchallenged in the cross-examination. Harinder Singh (PW-4)
c deposed to tl1e alleged extra judicial confession made by the appellants in
having murdered Gurdev Singh. This part of testimony of the witness has not
been believed either by the trial comt or by the High Court. S.I. Man Singh
(PW-6) in his deposition narrated the steps taken by him during the course
of investigation and his filing of the charge-sheet against the appellants in
the court. With tllis evidence on record the Sessions Judge acquitted the
D
appellants holding: -

(i) The prosecution has failed to establish motive. The prosecu-
tion has failed to show any relation between Ravinder Singh
alias Khanna and Narinder Singh. The motive if any of
E Narinder Singh i.e. his aspiration to become Granthi cannot be
attributed to Ravinder Singh who has allegedly caused tlle
injury.

(ii) Hardip Singh is a got up witness. Neither the cycle on which
Hardip Singh and Gurdev Singh were travelling nor tlle pass
F book of Bank were taken into custody by police. They were
going to Bank to withdraw money from the account of Gurdev
Singh. These two articles are not recovered from spot. There
is no reason for Hardip Singh to accompany Gurdev Singh.
,,,.
G (iii) Recovery of weapon from Ravinder Singh by S.l. Man Singh
is not a sufficient circumstance.

(iv) The medical evidence contradicts ocular evidence. The doctor ,,.
only later tried to improve upon his evidence in a manner
favourable to tlle prosecution.
H
NARINDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1029

(v) Prosecution case with regard to role attributed to Ravinder A
Singh alias Khanna even if accepted to be correct, Narinder
Singh would not be made responsible for the injury allegedly
inflicted by Ravinder Singh alias Khanna to Gurdev Singh.

Division Bench of the High Court considered whole aspect of the matter
afresh. It examined the statements of prosecution witnesses and other evidence B
which had been brought on record. High Court also considered the submis-
sions of the appellants that it could at best be a case under Section 304 Patt
I or Part II, IPC. High Court found the evidence led by the prosecution
completely trustworthy. It examined the contentions of the appellants: (1)
conviction could not be based on the solitary statement of Hardip Singh, son c
of the deceased, who being prone to be actuated by sense of revenge; (2)
Hardip Singh was not residing with his father at the relevant time but was
living in his native village Jagatpur, situated at a distance of 3 Kins. from
village Talwandi Fattu; (3) there was no evidence on record to show if the
deceased Gurdev Singh had any account in the bank; (4) Hardip Singh would
D
not have taken to heels ifhe witnessed his father being done to death; he would
have rather tried to save his father; (5) it had not been shown if the FIR was
recorded on the day of the occurrence at 2.30 p.m. and there was no evidence
at what time special report was sent to the Illaqa Magistrate;(6) there was no
motive to commit the murder of Gurdev Singh, Granthi of Gurudwara, Village
Talwandi Fattu as a Granthi is appointed by a committee in the village and E
resignation of Gurdev Singh as Granthi would have been of no consequence
for the appellants; and finally that (7) there was no evidence if the threat given
to Gurdev Singh by the appellants were brought to the notice of the Panchayat
of the village Talwandi Fattu, when Bikar Singh had told Gutdev Singh that
the matter would be brought to the notice of the Panchayat. High Court did
F
not find any merit in any of these submissions. Statement of Hardip Singh
stood corroborated by other evidence. High Cowt found that acquittal of the
appellants was not justified by the evidence on record and it, therefore,
overturned the judgment of the trial court, set aside the acquittal of the
appellants and sentenced them as aforesaid.
G

... Mr. Anil Kumar Gupta, who appeared for appellant Narinder Singh,
raised similar pleas as were made in the High Court. His principal argument
was that in the impugned judgment the High Cowt did not consider that there
was no common intention shared by appellant Narinder Singh to commit
murder of Gurdev Singh. He said in the whole of the judgment Section 34 does H
1030 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000] 2 S.C.R.
A not find mention except when the High Court convicts Narinder Singh under
Section 302/34 IPC and awards him punishment. In any case, he said, Narinder
Singh did not share the common intention to commit the murder of Gurdev
Singh. H'e said there was no evidence that the murder of CJurdev Singh was
planned. It was a per chan~e meeting on a public road. Narinder Singh, when
he grabbed Gurdev Singh of his hands; merely said he would be taught a
B
lesson as he had not resigned as CJTanthi in accordance with their demand. The
appellants were not can-ying any weapon. What they were wearing were mini
kirpans, which their religion ordains and is normal for them to wear the same
•
on their body. Common intention has to be proved by direct or circumstantial
evidence and in the present case it has neither been shown to exist. Mr. Gupta
c then said that the statement of Hardip Singh (PW-2) has not been corroborated
· with material particulars. The allegation that both Gurdev Singh and Hardip
Singh were going on cycle to the bank to draw money could be corroborated
only if the pass book and the cycle on which they were riding were seized and
brought in as evidence. This non- production of pass book and the cycle was
D fatal to the story of the prosecution. Lastly, Mr. Gupta again stressed that it
has not been shown as to how both the appellants co.uld be said to have shared
the common intention to commit the murder of Gurdev Singh as alleged by
the prosecution.

Ms. Arnita Gupta, appearing for the second appellant Ravinder Singh
E alias Khanna, similarly pointed out what she called loopholes in tl1e prosecu-
tion version on the basis of which learned Sessions Judge had acquitted the
appellants. She submitted on the basis of the evidence it could not be said that
the accused could be the cause of deatl1 of Gurdev Singh as they never knew
that Gurdev Singh and his son would be passing that way on the date of the
F occurrence. Only one single injury inflicted on Gurdev Singh which could at
best bring the case under Section 304 Part-II IPC and not Section 302 IPC.
It would, therefore, appear that same arguments had been repeated in the trial
court, then in High Court and now before us. Ms. Gupta lastly said that the
High Court exercised its jurisdiction wrongly in upsetting fue judgment of the
Trial Court of acquittal against the well-settled principles.
G
The High Court while considering the appeal against acquittal is not
exercising any extra-ordinary jurisdiction. Its power to consider and decide the
appeal against the judgment of acquittal is same as against the judgment of
conviction. However, there are certain guidelines. One is that if there are two
·-
H views on evidence which are reasonably possible one supporting acquittal and
NARINDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1031

the other indicating conviction, High Court in an appeal against judgment of A
acquittal should not interfere merely because it feels that it would as a trial
court have taken a different view. High Court will certainly interfere if it finds
that the judgment of acquittal is manifestly erroneous and that the trial court
was acted with material irregularity or its appreciation of ev.idence lacks
coherence or it has made assumptions which are unwarranted or its evaluation
B
of evidence is such as to shock the sense of justice and which has led to
miscarriage of justice or its reasoning is unintelligible or defies logic or its
conclusions are against the weight of the evidence.

We have examined evidence in this case and we are of the view that
the High Court was right in overturning tile judgment of acquittal of the C
Court of Sessions. Perversity is writ large on the face of the judgment of the ·
trial court. Its appreciation of evidence is wholly inappropriate and it has
acted with material irregularity. It has taken into consideration inconsequen-
tial circumstances to record acquittal of the appellants. It was submitted that
Hardip Singh resided in Jagatpur, native village of the deceased Gurdev
Singh while Gurdev Singh himself was residing in Village Talwandi Fattu D
being Granthi of the Gurudwara there. Mr. Gupta said that it was improbable
that Harelip Singh would meet Gurdev Singh on the date of the occurrence
and would take him to Jagatpur. We do not find there is anything unnatural
about it. When Gurdev Singh deceased had to withdraw money from the Co-
operative Bank in Village Jagatpur, his son was taking him there on cycle. E
This version of Hardip Singh is disputed on the ground that cycle as well
as the passbook of the bank were not taken into possession by the police and
that no evidence had been led if Gurdev had any account in the Co-operative
Bank. Hardip Singh was not cross-examined if he was not telling t11e truth
that his father had an account in the bank in Jagatpur. He was not questioned
if he was not going on the cycle with Gurdev Singh sitting on the carrier.
F
He was asked a question about the passbook of the bank and his reply was
that the passbook was in the bag which was slung to the handle of the cycle
and that he did not produce the passbook before the Police. No question was
asked from Sub-Inspector Man Singh, Investigating Officer as to why he did
not take into possession the cycle or the passbook. In fact, there has been G
no cross-examination by the appellant of the statement of Sub- Inspector Man
Singh. Notliing has come out from the cross-examination of Sub-Inspector
Man Singh by appellant Ravinder Singh alias Khanna. Sub-Inspector Man
Singh gave a coherent picture of the investigation conducted by him, his
recording of the FIR and the statement of the witnesses and recovery of
H
1032 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000] 2 S.C.R.
A Kirpan on disclosure statement made by the appellant Ravinder Singh alias
Khanna under Section 27 of the Evidence Act.

Sub-Inspector Man Singh (PW-6) stated that in connection with election
duty, he was going to village Mukandpur accompanied by other Police
Officers. At the bus stand of Gunachaur Hardip Singh (PW-2) met him. Sub-
B Inspector Man Singh recorded the statement of Hardip Singh (Exh. PD), made
an endorsement on it (Exh. PD/l) and sent the same to the Police Station,
Banga for registration of the formal FIR (Exh. PE). He then proceeded to the
spot along with police officers and Hardip Singh. Dead body of Gurdev Singh
was found lying on one side of the metalled road. He prepared inquest report.
c Bikar Singh (PW-3) and some other persons were present at the spot. He
inspected the spot lifted blood stained earth from the place where the dead
body was lying and made that into a sealed parcel. Tow~ds the head of the
dead body a turban was found which was also lifted and made into sealed
parcel. Both the sealed parcels were taken into possession after getting the
recovery memos duly attested. Sub-Inspector Man Singh prepared the site plan
D of the place of occurrence. He recorded statement of witnesses and sent the
dead body with inquest report for post mortem examination. Wearing apparels
of the deceased were also taken into possession which included a turban
bracelet and a gatra. Sub-Inspector Man Singh then stated that both the
accused were produced before him by Harinder Singh (PW-4) on November
E 10, 1989 whom he arrested. Next morning, i.e., November 11, 1989 he took
out Ravinder Singh alias Khanna from the Police lockup for interrogation. He
disclosed that he had kept concealed one kirpan at a particular place. His
statement (Exh. PK) was recorded which was attested by Shiv Singh and Head
Constable Ranjit Singh. Then Ravinder Singh alias Khanna led the Police
party to the disclosed place from where he produced kirpan (Exh. P-1). Trace
F
of kirpan was made (Exh. PK/2) and the kirpan was taken into possession. Site
plan of the place of recovery was also prepared. He completed investigation
and filed the charge-sheet against the accused in the court. Accused Narinder
Singh did not cross-examine Sub-Inspector Man Singh except for asking a
question that request for remand (Exh.DB) bore the endorsement of the Illaqa
G Magistrate. There .is nothing much in the cross-examination by accused
Ravinder Singh alias Khanna. Sub-Inspector Man Singh denied the suggestion
that Gurdev Singh deceased was murdered during the night intervening 5/
6.11.1989 by some unknown assailant and that information regarding his
murder reached him early morning and that he reached the spot at 8.00 a.m.
He also denied the suggestion that time of murder was designedly changed to
H
--
NARINDER SINGH v. STATE [D.P. WADHWA, J.] 1033

explain the delay and to make probable and natural evidence of the alleged A
eyewitnesses. Sub- Inspector Man Singh also denied suggestion that accused
Ravinder Singh alias Khanna never made disclosure statement and that he also
did not get the kirpan (Exh.P-1) recovered. That is all to the statement of Sub-
Inspector Man Singh. His testimo~y has gone unchallenged.

We have noted above that a question was put to Hardip Singh in cross-
B
examination that he did not witness the occurrence. A suggestion was given:
to Hardip Singh that Gurdev Singh was murdered during the darkness of the
night by unknown assailant and that the information regarding his murder
was known to him early morning and that he reached the spot at 8.00 a.m.
This suggestion of the appellants does· not find support if we refer to the c
statement of Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal who conducted post mortem of
the body of Gurdev Singh. Comment of the trial court on the statement of
Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal that he tried to improve upon his evidence in
a manner favouring to the prosecution is unjustified to say the least. On the
first day when he made the statement, Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal said
D
that the injury in question on the body of Gurdev Singh could not be possible
by mini-kirpan worn by an Amritdhari Sikh. It is not that there is any
standard size of such mini-kirpan. Further statement of Dr. Gurvinder Singh
Chhatwal could not be recorded as case property had not been brought on
that day. On the adjourned day, when kirpan (Exh. P-1) was shown to Dr.
Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal, he stated that there was possibility of the injury E
having been caused with the weapon like mini-kirpan (Exh. P-1) and that
when this would have been taken out from the wound, it would enlarge :the
wound. In the cross-examination, Dr. Gurvinder Singh Chhatwal stuck to his
statement. There is nothing in his evidence which can even remotely sugge:tt
that he made a statement favouring to the prosecution. Dr. Gurvinder Singh
F
Chhatwal was forthright that when he made a statement on the first day, it
was merely by guesswork.

Both the appellants were acting in concert. Their intention to do away
Gurdev Singh, Granthi was manifest when a couple of days before the
occurrence they openly threatened him to kill him in case he did not give up G
the post of Granthi of the Gurudwara of village Talwandi Fattu. This is no
argument for the defence that since the Granthi is appointed by the Manage-
ment Committee of the Gurudwara, appointment of the appellant Narinder
Singh as Granthi of Gurudwara would not have been automatic and, therefore,
there was no occasion to hold a threat to Gurdev Singh. It was then submitted H
1034 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2000) 2 S.C.R.
A that it was dangerous to return the fmding of guilt merely on the sole statement
of one witness, Hardip Singh in the present case. It is contended that the
conduct of Hardip Singh was not natural. He took to his heels when his father
was being assaulted and he made no efforts to protect his father which was
natural for a son. But then Hardip Singh has stated that accused also wanted
to assault him and to protect himself, he ran from the spot. Statement of Hardip
B
Singh is cogent and reliable. He gets corroboration from Bikar Si~gh (PW-3).
\'
Both Hardip Singh (PW-2) and Bikar Singh (PW-3) are natural witnesses.
Statement of Harinder Singh, Sarpanch (PW-4) has been disbelieved to the
extent that any extra judicial confession was made to him by the appellants
and in our opinion rightly so. Tiiat, however, does not in. any way deviate from
c the evidence on record which is cogent clearly pointing to the murder of
Gurdev Singh by the appellants with a common intention. It has to be held that
Narinder Singh, appellant grabbed Gurdev Singh by his arms and the second
appellant stabbed him. When appellant Narinder Singh grabbed Gurdev Singh,
he said in so many words that Gurdev Singh would now be taught a lesson
as he did not resign as Granthi of tlie Gumdwara of village Talwandi Fattu.
D
It is not disputed that Amritdhari Sikh always carry Kirpan on their body and
in that view of the matter it is not necessary for tlie appellants to carry any
other arm or weapon. Kirpan (Exh.P-1) was used to commit the murder. Trial
Court totally went wrong when it said that the recovery of kirpan from the
second appellant was of no consequence and was not sufficient to connect the
E appellants with the crime. Both the appellants committed the murder of
Gurdev Singh, Granthi in furilierance to tlleir common intention. It was
submitted by Mr. Gupta that Narinder Singh could not have convicted with the
aid of Section 34 as this section is nowhere mentioned in the impugned
judgment. Mention of section in the judgment is not tile requirement of law
F to convict a person. If the ingredients of tile offence are present, conviction
can be made. It is not material to bring the case under Section 34 IPC as to
who, in fact, inflicted the fatal blow. High Court has rightly interfered in tile
matter and sentenced the appellants accordingly.

We do not fmd any merit in the appeal. It is dismissed. Appellant
G Narinder Singh was ordered to be released on bail. His bail bond shall be
cancelled and he shall be taken into custody fortllwith.

I.M.A. Appeal dismissed.