SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHADversusSTATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

570                     [2019] 10
               SUPREME COURT      S.C.R. 570
                               REPORTS                  [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A              SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD
                                       v.
                STATE OF MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS
                       (Criminal Appeal No.1161 of 2019)
B                               JULY 30, 2019
               [R. BANUMATHI AND A.S. BOPANNA, JJ.]
             Penal Code, 1860 – ss.307, 323, 506 r/w. 34 – Arms Act – s.4
      r/w s.25 – Attempt to murder – There was some exchange of words
      between the accused persons (No. 1 to 3) and PW-6 – In this quarrel,
C
      Respondent No.2-accused no.1 fired a shot from his pistol at PW-6
      on his chest – Hearing the sound PW-5 & 7 tried to intervene –
      PW-7 was also shot on his left knee by accused no.1 and PW-5 was
      beaten up by the accused persons causing grievous hurt – FIR was
      registered u/s. 307 r/w. s. 34 IPC, ss.323 and 506 IPC – Doctor
D     stated injuries caused to PW-6 were capable of causing death –
      Trial Court convicted accused Nos. 1 to 3 u/s. 307 r/w s.34 IPC and
      sentenced them to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years
      and imposed fine of Rs.15000/- – Trial Court also convicted them
      u/s. 323 r/w. 34 IPC and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous
      imprisonment for six months and pay fine of Rs. 500/- – Accused
E
      were also directed to pay Rs. 20,000/- to injured PW-6 & 7 as
      compensation – High Court affirmed the conviction of respondent
      No.2-accused no.1 u/s. 307 r/w. s. 34 IPC, however, reduced the
      sentence of imprisonment from seven years to five years and imposed
      fine amount of Rs. 25,000/- – Insofar, respondent Nos. 3 and 4-
F     accused Nos. 2 & 3 are concerned, the High Court acquitted them
      from the charges u/s. 307 r/w. 34 IPC and instead convicted them
      u/s. 326 r/w. s.34 IPC and reduced the sentence of imprisonment
      imposed upon them to the period already undergone and imposed a
      fine of Rs.25,000/- – High Court maintained conviction of accused
      nos. 1 to 3 u/s. 323 r/w. s.34 IPC – On appeal, held: When trial
G
      Court exercised its discretion in imposing seven years of sentence
      of imprisonment, the High Court ought to have kept in view the
      weapon used by accused No.1 and the nature of injuries caused to
      PW-6 and the opinion of the Doctor – High Court was not right in

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                                     570
  SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD v. STATE OF                           571
           MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

reducing the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon accused no.1         A
– Since the enhanced compensation was paid by accused no. 1,
which withdrawn by injured-victims, for conviction u/s. 307 r/w.
s.34 IPC, the accused no.1 directed to undergo imprisonment for
six years and six months – So far as accused no. 2 & 3 are concerned,
they were not armed and alleged to have attacked the injured with
                                                                        B
fists, kicks and with sticks – Thus, no interference required with
their acquittal u/s. 307 r/w. s. 34 IPC and reduction of sentence of
imprisonment u/s. 326 r/w. s.34 IPC.
      Partly allowing the appeal, the Court
      HELD: 1. While considering the quantum of sentence, the           C
courts are expected to consider all relevant facts and
circumstances of the case, in particular, nature of injuries caused
in the occurrence and the weapon used which will have bearing
on the question of sentence and the Courts are bound to impose
sentence commensurate with the gravity of the offence.
Considering the nature of injuries caused to PW-6 i.e. gun shot         D
wounds in the chest and the opinion of Doctor that the injuries
caused to PW-6 are capable of causing death, the High Court was
not right in reducing the sentence of first accused. [Para 12]
[577-D-E]
      2. Considering the nature of the injuries caused to PW-6          E
and PW-7 and the facts and circumstances of the case, the trial
court convicted accused No.1 under Section 307 read with Section
34 IPC and sentenced him seven years rigorous imprisonment
with a fine of Rs.15,000/-. When the trial court has exercised its
discretion in imposing seven years of sentence of imprisonment,         F
the High Court ought to have kept in view the weapon used by
accused No.1 and the nature of injuries caused to PW-6 and the
opinion of the Doctor. The courts must not only keep in view the
right of the accused, but must also keep in view the interest of
the victim and society at large. The courts have been consistent
in approach that a reasonable proportion has to be maintained           G
between the gravity of the offence and the punishment. While it
is true that the sentence imposed upon the accused should not
be harsh, inadequacy of sentence may lead to sufferance of the

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572           SUPREME COURT REPORTS                   [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A     victim and the community at large. So far as the first accused is
      concerned, the High Court was not right in reducing the sentence
      of imprisonment imposed upon first accused. As pointed out
      earlier, the High Court reduced the sentence of imprisonment
      from seven years to five years and increased the fine amount to
      Rs.25,000/- and part of the said fine amount was ordered to be
B
      paid as compensation to the injured PW-6 and PW-7. Since the
      enhanced compensation was paid by accused No.1 which is said
      to have been withdrawn by injured-victims, for conviction under
      Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC, the first accused shall
      undergo rigorous imprisonment for six years and six months.
C     [Para 16] [578-G-H; 579-A-D]
            3. So far as respondent Nos.3 and 4-accused Nos.2 and 3
      are concerned, at the time of occurrence, they were not armed.
      Accused Nos.2 and 3 are alleged to have attacked the injured
      with fist and kicked and with sticks. Considering the facts and
D     circumstances of the case and the evidence on record, this Court
      is not inclined to interfere with the acquittal of accused Nos.2
      and 3 under Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC. So far as
      conviction under Section 323 read with Section 34 IPC, the High
      Court took into consideration that accused No.2 was nineteen
      years old at the time of occurrence and accused No.3 was thirty-
E     eight years old and keeping in view their age and family
      circumstances and that they were not having criminal
      antecedents, the High Court thought fit to reduce the sentence
      of imprisonment from six months to the period already undergone
      by them. Since accused Nos.2 and 3 were not armed with the
F     deadly weapons, this Court is not inclined to interfere with their
      acquittal under Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC and the
      reduction of sentence of imprisonment under Section 326 read
      with Section 34 IPC. [Para 17][579-E-H]
           State of Punjab v. Bawa Singh (2015) 3 SCC 441 :
G          [2015] 1 SCR 709 ; Ravinder Singh v. State of Haryana
           (2015) 11 SCC 588 ; Sevaka Perumal and Another v.
           State of Tamil Nadu (1991) 3 SCC 471 : [1991] 2
           SCR 711 – relied on.


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  SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD v. STATE OF                              573
           MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS

                          Case Law Reference                               A
      [2015] 1 SCR 709               relied on            Para 13
      (2015) 11 SCC 588              relied on            Para 14
      [1991] 2 SCR 711               relied on            Para 15
                                                                           B
      CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal
No. 1161 of 2019
      From the Judgment and Order dated 12.07.2018 of the High Court
of Judicature of Bombay, Bench at Aurangabad in Criminal Appeal
No.11 of 2016
                                                                           C
      Uday B. Dube, Adv. for the Appellant.
     Nishant Ramakantrao Katneshwarkar, Sudhanshu S. Choudhari,
Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, Advs. for the Respondents.
      The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
                                                                           D
      R. BANUMATHI, J.
      1. Leave granted.
       2. This appeal arises out of the judgment dated 12.07.2018 passed
by the High Court of Judicature of Bombay at Aurangabad in Criminal
Appeal No.11 of 2016 in and by which the High Court affirmed the           E
conviction of respondent No.2-accused No.1 under Section 307 IPC
read with Section 34 IPC and reduced the sentence of imprisonment
imposed upon him from seven years to five years and imposed fine
amount of Rs.25,000/-. Insofar respondent Nos.3 and 4-accused Nos.2
and 3, the High Court acquitted them from the charges under Section
                                                                           F
307 read with Section 34 IPC and instead convicted them under Section
326 read with Section 34 IPC and reduced the sentence of imprisonment
imposed upon them to the period already undergone and imposed fine
amount of Rs.25,000/- upon each of them. The High Court maintained
the conviction of accused Nos.1 to 3 under Section 323 read with Section
34 IPC also the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon each of them.        G
      3. The appellant-Complainant has filed this appeal challenging the
reduction of sentence of imprisonment of respondent Nos.2 to 4. Case
of prosecution is that on 24.01.2012 at about 05.30 PM, when

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574             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                           [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A     Chandrakant (PW-6) was proceeding towards his land via Pangaon ‘T’
      point, respondent No.2-Devraj (A1) who along with respondent No.3-
      Ashish (A2) and respondent No.4-Balaji (A3) was standing near the
      mobile shop of one Prahlad Joshi, asked PW-6-Chandrakant why he
      obstructed respondent No.4-Balaji (A3) from spreading the rubble in his
      field and there was some exchange of words between them. In this
B
      quarrel, Devraj (A1) took out pistol from his waist and fired one shot at
      PW-6-Chandrakant on his chest. Hearing the sound, Suryakant (PW-
      7), Shivaji (PW-5) and others rushed to the spot. Accused Nos.2 and 3
      were alleged to be holding stick and stone respectively in their hands.
      When Suryakant (PW-7) tried to intervene, accused No.1 fired a bullet
C     from his pistol which hit on the left knee of PW-7. When Shivaji Phad
      (PW-5) tried to intervene, accused persons beat him with fists and kicked
      and also inflicted a knife blow on him causing him grievous hurt and then
      accused fled away. Injured PW-6 and PW-7 were taken to hospital and
      were given treatment. Suryakant (PW-7) lodged the complaint based on
      which FIR was registered under Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC,
D
      Sections 323 and 506 IPC. On completion of investigation, charge sheet
      was filed against the accused under Sections 307, 323 and 506 read with
      Section 34 IPC and under Section 4 read with Section 25 of the Arms
      Act. Later, charge under Section 4 read with Section 25 of the Arms
      Act was altered to Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Arms Act.
E            4. To prove the guilt of the accused, in the trial court the prosecution
      examined thirteen witnesses and produced number of documents. Relying
      upon the evidence of injured eye-witnesses Chandrakant (PW-6),
      Suryakant (PW-7) and eye-witness Ram Phad (PW-4) and also upon
      the medical evidence, the trial court vide judgment dated 23.12.2015
F     convicted accused Nos.1 to 3 under Section 307 IPC read with Section
      34 IPC and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous imprisonment
      for seven years and also to pay a fine of Rs.15,000/- each with default
      clause. The trial court also convicted them under Section 323 read with
      Section 34 IPC and sentenced each of them to undergo rigorous
      imprisonment for six months and to pay a fine of Rs.500/- each with
G     default clause. The trial court directed that out of the fine amount paid
      by the accused, Rs.20,000/- be given to injured Chandrakant (PW-6)
      and Suryakant (PW-7) each as compensation as per the provision of
      Section 357 Cr.P.C.

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  SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD v. STATE OF                                 575
    MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS [R. BANUMATHI, J.]

       5. In the appeal filed before the High Court, the High Court           A
affirmed the conviction of accused No.1-Devraj under Section 307 read
with Section 34 IPC but reduced the sentence of imprisonment imposed
upon him to five years. Additionally, the High Court directed accused
No.1-Devraj to pay a fine of Rs.25,000/- with default clause. The High
Court also convicted accused No.1-Devraj under Section 326 read with
                                                                              B
Section 34 IPC and reduced the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon
him to the period already undergone by him and also directed to pay a
fine of Rs.15,000/- with default clause. Insofar as conviction and sentence
of imprisonment under Section 323 read with Section 34 IPC, the High
Court maintained the same. The High Court acquitted accused No.2-
Ashish and accused No.3-Balaji from the charge under Section 307              C
read with Section 34 IPC and instead convicted them under Section
326 read with Section 34 IPC and imposed the sentence of imprisonment
to the period already undergone by them and accused Nos.2 and 3 were
directed to pay a fine of Rs.25,000/- each with default clause. The High
Court maintained the conviction and sentence of imprisonment under
                                                                              D
Section 323 IPC read with Section 34 IPC imposed upon accused No.2-
Ashish and accused No.3-Balaji. Out of the fine amount deposited by
the accused, a sum of Rs.60,000/- was directed to be paid to PW-6-
Chandrakant and a sum of Rs.30,000/- was ordered to be paid to PW-7-
Suryakant as compensation under Section 357 Cr.P.C. Being aggrieved,
injured complainant-Suryakant (PW-7) has preferred this appeal.               E
       6. We have heard Mr. Uday B. Dube, learned counsel appearing
for the appellant and Mr. Sudhanshu S. Choudhari, learned counsel
appearing for respondent Nos.2 and 3-accused Nos.1 and 2 and Mr.
Sandeep Sudhakar Deshmukh, learned counsel appearing for respondent
No.4-accused No.3 and also Mr. Nishant R. Katneshwarkar, learned              F
counsel appearing for the State and perused the impugned judgment and
materials on record.
      7. The learned counsel appearing for the appellant inter alia
submitted that accused No.1-Devraj shot a bullet in the chest of PW-6-
Chandrakant which pierced through his chest and came out from the             G
back side and PW-11-Dr. Manoj Landge opined that the injury sustained
by PW-6-Chandrakant was grievous in nature which was capable of
causing death and while so, the High Court was not right in showing
undue sympathy to the respondents-accused and reducing the sentence
of imprisonment imposed upon them.
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576             SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A            8. The learned counsel appearing for respondent Nos.2 to
      4-accused Nos.1 to 3 have submitted that considering the facts and
      circumstances of the case and the age of respondent Nos.3 and 4 and
      other circumstances, the High Court exercised its discretion in reducing
      the sentence of imprisonment and at the same time increased the fine
      amount to be paid as compensation as per the provision under Section
B
      357 Cr.P.C. and the impugned judgment reducing the sentence of
      imprisonment warrants no interference.
             9. A person committing an offence under Section 307 IPC can be
      ordered to undergo imprisonment for life. To justify conviction under
      Section 307 IPC, intention of causing death or that it was done with the
C     intention of causing such injury which is likely to cause death is necessary
      to constitute the offence. Although the nature of injury actually caused
      would be of considerable assistance in coming to a finding as to the
      intention of the accused. Such intention may also be deduced from
      other circumstances.
D           10. Accused No.1-Devraj was serving in the Army and was
      possessing a licence for carrying the pistol. If the evidence of injured
      witnesses PW-6-Chandrakant and PW-7-Suryakant and eye-witness
      PW-4-Ram Phad is considered in its entirety, it becomes clear that the
      attempt by accused No.1-Devraj was with intention to teach a lesson to
E     PW-6-Chandrakant as to why he opposed accused No.3-Balaji from
      spreading the rubble in his field and there was some hot exchange of
      words between them. Accused No.1-Devraj carrying the pistol shot at
      PW-6-Chandrakant at his chest which pierced through his chest. When
      PW-7-Suryakant tried to interfere, accused No.1-Devraj shot at PW-7-
      Suryakant also.
F
            11. In the occurrence, PWs 6 and 7 sustained the following injuries:-
            “Injuries noticed on person of PW-6-Chandrakant
            1) Punctured wound over lower 1/3rd of Pre-sternal area 2 × 2 cm
               oval, age less than six hours.
G
            2) Punctured wound over right side of chest post-axillary line about
               in 7 inter costal space 2 × 2 cm oval, age less than six hours.
            3) Contused lacerated wound over scalp left parieto occipital region,
               2 × 1 × 0.5 cm, age less than six hours, simple in nature.
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  SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD v. STATE OF                               577
    MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS [R. BANUMATHI, J.]

      Injuries noticed on person of PW-7-Suryakant                          A
     1) Punctured wound on lateral aspect of upper part of left knee 2
        × 2 cm oval, age less than six hours, simple in nature.
     2) Punctured wound over medical aspect of popliteal region 2 × 2
        cm oval, age less than six hours. Grievous in nature. X-ray
        shows displaced fracture of supracondylor.                          B

       The bullet injury pierced through the chest of PW-6-Chandrakant
and came out from the back side. In his evidence, PW-11-Dr. Manoj
Landge specifically stated that injuries No.1 and 2 caused to PW-6-
Chandrakant were capable of causing death. So far as the injuries caused
to PW-7-Suryakant are concerned, PW-11-Dr. Manoj Landge opined              C
that they were not fatal to life.
       12. While considering the quantum of sentence, the courts are
expected to consider all relevant facts and circumstances of the case, in
particular, nature of injuries caused in the occurrence and the weapon
used which will have bearing on the question of sentence and the Courts     D
are bound to impose sentence commensurate with the gravity of the
offence. Considering the nature of injuries caused to PW-6-Chandrakant
i.e. gun shot wounds in the chest and the opinion of Doctor that the
injuries caused to PW-6 are capable of causing death, in our view, the
High Court was not right in reducing the sentence of first accused-         E
Devraj.
       13. The question of awarding sentence is a matter of discretion
for the courts and has to be exercised on consideration of facts and
circumstances of the case. Though the court has discretion in awarding
the sentence, it should be commensurate with the gravity of the offence.    F
The court has to record brief reasons to explain the choice of sentence.
In State of Punjab v. Bawa Singh (2015) 3 SCC 441,the Supreme
Court in para (16) held as under:-
      “16. ……. undue sympathy to impose inadequate sentence would
      do more harm to the justice system to undermine the public
                                                                            G
      confidence in the efficacy of law. It is the duty of every court to
      award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence
      and the manner in which it was executed or committed. The
      sentencing courts are expected to consider all relevant facts and
      circumstances bearing on the question of sentence and proceed
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578            SUPREME COURT REPORTS                         [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A           to impose a sentence commensurate with the gravity of the
            offence. The court must not only keep in view the rights of the
            victim of the crime but also the society at large while considering
            the imposition of appropriate punishment. Meagre sentence
            imposed solely on account of lapse of time without considering
            the degree of the offence will be counterproductive in the long
B
            run and against the interest of the society.”
             14. In Ravinder Singh v. State of Haryana (2015) 11 SCC
      588, it was held as under:-
            “11. The question of sentence is always a difficult task requiring
C           balancing of various considerations. The question of awarding
            sentence is a matter of discretion to be exercised on consideration
            of circumstances aggravating and mitigating in the individual cases.
            The law courts have been consistent in the approach that a
            reasonable proportion has to be maintained between the
            seriousness of the crime and the punishment. While it is true that
D           a sentence disproportionately severe should not be passed that
            does not clothe the court with an option to award the sentence
            manifestly inadequate. Justice demands that courts should impose
            punishment befitting the crime so that the courts reflect public
            abhorrence of the crime.”
E           15. In Sevaka Perumal and another v. State of Tamil Nadu
      (1991) 3 SCC 471, it was held as under:-
            “10. ……undue sympathy to impose inadequate sentence would
            do more harm to the justice system to undermine the public
            confidence in the efficacy of law and society could not long endure
F           under serious threats. If the courts did not protect the injured, the
            injured would then resort to private vengeance. It is, therefore,
            the duty of every court to award proper sentence having regard
            to the nature of the offence and the manner in which it was
            executed or committed etc.”
G           16. Considering the nature of the injuries caused to PW-6-
      Chandrakant and PW-7-Suryakant and the facts and circumstances of
      the case, the trial court convicted accused No.1-Devraj under Section
      307 read with Section 34 IPC and sentenced him seven years rigorous
      imprisonment with a fine of Rs.15,000/-. When the trial court has
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  SURYAKANT BABURAO @ RAMRAO PHAD v. STATE OF                                  579
    MAHARASHTRA AND OTHERS [R. BANUMATHI, J.]

exercised its discretion in imposing seven years of sentence of                A
imprisonment, the High Court ought to have kept in view the weapon
used by accused No.1 and the nature of injuries caused to PW-6-
Chandrakant and the opinion of the Doctor. The courts must not only
keep in view the right of the accused, but must also keep in view the
interest of the victim and society at large. The courts have been consistent
                                                                               B
in approach that a reasonable proportion has to be maintained between
the gravity of the offence and the punishment. While it is true that the
sentence imposed upon the accused should not be harsh, inadequacy of
sentence may lead to sufferance of the victim and the community at
large. So far as the first accused-Devraj is concerned, the High Court
was not right in reducing the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon            C
first accused. As pointed out earlier, the High Court reduced the sentence
of imprisonment from seven years to five years and increased the fine
amount to Rs.25,000/- and part of the said fine amount was ordered to
be paid as compensation to the injured PW-6-Chandrakant and PW-7-
Suryakant. Since the enhanced compensation was paid by accused
                                                                               D
No.1 which is said to have been withdrawn by injured-victims, for
conviction under        Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC, the first
accused-Devraj shall undergo rigorous imprisonment for six years and
six months.
       17. So far as respondent Nos.3 and 4-accused Nos.2 and 3 are
concerned, at the time of occurrence, they were not armed. Accused             E
Nos.2 and 3 are alleged to have attacked the injured with fist and kicked
and with sticks. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case
and the evidence on record, we are not inclined to interfere with the
acquittal of accused Nos.2 and 3 under Section 307 read with Section
34 IPC. So far as conviction under Section 323 read with Section 34            F
IPC, the High Court took into consideration that accused No.2-Ashish
was nineteen years old at the time of occurrence and accused No.3-
Balaji was thirty-eight years old and keeping in view their age and family
circumstances and that they were not having criminal antecedents, the
High Court thought fit to reduce the sentence of imprisonment from six
months to the period already undergone by them. Since accused Nos.2            G
and 3 were not armed with the deadly weapons, we are not inclined to
interfere with their acquittal under Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC
and the reduction of sentence of imprisonment under Section 326 read
with Section 34 IPC.
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580                SUPREME COURT REPORTS                      [2019] 10 S.C.R.


A             18. In the result, the impugned judgment of the High Court dated
      12.07.2018 in Criminal Appeal No.11 of 2016 is set aside. For conviction
      under Section 307 read with Section 34 IPC, the second respondent-
      accused No.1-Devraj is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment
      for six years and six months and the appeal is partly allowed. The acquittal
      of respondent Nos.3 and 4-accused Nos.2 and 3 under Section 307 read
B
      with Section 34 IPC is affirmed and the judgment of the High Court
      convicting them under Section 326 IPC read with Section 34 IPC and
      reducing the sentence of imprisonment imposed upon accused No.2 and
      3 to the period already undergone is also affirmed and the appeal qua
      respondent Nos.3 and 4-accused Nos.2 and 3 is dismissed. So far as
C     the fine amount imposed upon the accused and the direction of the High
      Court to pay the compensation to the injured under Section 357 Cr.P.C.
      is maintained.
             19. The accused No.1-Devraj is directed to surrender within four
      weeks from today to serve the remaining sentence failing which, he
D     shall be taken into custody.


      Ankit Gyan                                               Appeal partly allowed.



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