Bandhuram Kanwar v. State of Chhattisgarh
Case brief
What is this about?
Criminal appeal dismissed; conviction upheld. Keywords: CRA No. 13 of 2022; High Court of Chhattisgarh Bilaspur; Ramesh Sinha Chief Justice; Ravindra Kumar Agrawal Judge; Section 374(2) CrPC appeal; Sessions Trial No. 27/2018; Special Judge SC-ST Prevention of Atrocities Act Korba; conviction 20.12.2021 under Sections 460, 323, 325 and 302/34 IPC (para 30 recital reads '406'); FIR Crime No. 312/2017 Sections 458 302 307 IPC unknown persons; Dehati Nalsi Ex.P/1 Kumari Pramila Rathiya; deceased Bablu @ Bahattar Rathiya killed 04.12.2017 village Gahnia/Gahaniya Baigapara PS Balconagar district Korba; injured eyewitnesses Ramkumari PW-6 (wife) and Aghani Bai PW-11; Puniram PW-4 corroboration; autopsy Dr. R.P.S. Paikra PW-14 Ex.P-07 homicidal head injury axe and iron rods seized via memoranda Ex.P-13 to P-18; FSL Bilaspur Ex.P-34 to P-36 (findings not discussed); credibility of relative/interested witnesses; relationship not factor affecting witness credibility; scrutiny with care and caution; conviction on sole testimony of relative eyewitness; motive grudge village meeting Bandhuram Chatrapal fight; Dalip Singh AIR 1953 SC 364; Ashok Kumar Chaudhary 2008 AIR SCW 3739; Hari 2009 AIR SCW 2250; Mohabbat 2009 AIR SCW 1486; Ramanand Yadav AIR 2004 SC 1053; Mst. Dalbir Kaur AIR 1977 SC 472; Avtar Singh (2006) 12 SCC 524 (within quoted text); Guman Singh (2019) 6 SCC 804; Shatrughan 2023 SCC Online SC 858; Taijuddin (2022) 1 SCC 395 distinguished/not helpful; appeal dismissed appellants to serve concurrent sentences RI 5 years fine Rs.1000 (460), RI 6 months fine Rs.200 (323), RI 2 years fine Rs.500 (325), life imprisonment fine Rs.2000 (302/34).