State of Karnataka v. Ningappa @ Bhyrappa @ Ningegowda & Anr.

Judgment

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION: Criminal Appeal No. 264 of 2009. From the Judgment and Order dated 18.4.2006 of the High Court of Karnataka at Bangalore in Criminal Appeal No. 1235 of 2000. Anitha Shenoy for the Appellant. Kiran Suri for the Respondent. The Judgment of the Court was delivered by DR. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.

1Leave granted.

2Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment of a learned Single Judge of the Karnataka High Court allowing the appeal filed by the respondents so far as their conviction for offence punishable under Section 304 (Part-I) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short 'IPC') is concerned. Learned Principal Sessions Judge, Mysore, in Sessions Case No.8/1996 convicted STATE OF KARNATAKA v. NINGAPPA@BHYRAPPA@ NINGEGOWDA & ANR. [DR. ARIJIT PASAYAT, J.] respondent no.1 in terms of Section 304 Part I IPC. So far as respondent no.2 is concerned, he was convicted in terms of Section 304 Part II. The conviction of respondent nos.1 & 2 for offences punishable under Section 324 read with Section 34 IPC was confirmed.

3It is not necessary to go into the factual aspects in detail in view of the order proposed to be passed.

4Nine persons faced trial for alleged commission of offence punishable under Sections 143, 148, 149, 324, 114 c read with Section 302 IPC. The prosecution related to an incident on 29.9.199S. The respondents were charged for alleged intentional commission of murder of one Venkatesha Gowda (hereinafter referred to as 'deceased'). In order to substantiate the offence six witnesses were examined. The trial Court after analyzing the evidence on record, inter alia, concluded as follows: "The discussion supra clearly goes to show that the prosecution has been able to successfully prove that A 1 had been guilty of offence punishable under Section 302 Part-I IPC, A3 had committed offence punishable under Section 304 Part II IPC. A 1, A2 and A4 had committed offence punishable under Section 324 read with 34 IPC . AS to A9 have not committed any offence, as how alleged. Hence, I hold that AS to A9 are entitled for acquittal. But, the other accused will have to be convicted for the said offences."

S. The present respondents filed an appeal before the Karnataka High Court which was disposed of by the impugned judgment. We were shocked to find that the learned Single ••• Judge by a cryptic and practically non-reasoned order has set aside the conviction of the respondents in respect of their conviction in terms of Section 304 Part-I and 304 Part-II respectively. There is practically no analysis of the evidence, more particularly of the eye-witness PWs. 1to3 and 9 and 10. A They also claimed to have suffered injuries in the incident.

6Additionally, dying declaration purported to have been made by the deceased has also not been discussed.

7The Sessions Judge's order shows that he had B analysed the evidence in great detail. The High Court did not make an effort to indicate as to how the conclusions were erroneous and/or contrary to evidence on record. The manner in which the appeal has been disposed of li3aves much to be • desired. Such casual disposal of appeal setting aside the C conviction, is neither proper nor desirable.

8In the circumstances, we set aside the impugned order and remit the matter to the High Court for a fresh consideration on merits. Needless to say, the High Court shall dispose of the 0 appeal in accordance with law by a reasoned order.

9The appeal is allowed. B.B.B. Appeal allowed.