SCC Online Web Edition, © 2023 EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

Page 1 Monday, April 10, 2023

Printed For: Ayan Gupta, National Law University, Dwarka
SCC Online Web Edition: http://www.scconline.com
© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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( 2 0 1 6 ) 16 S u p r e m e Court Cases 2 9 5 : ( 2 0 1 6 ) 4 S u p r e m e Court Cases ( C r i ) 8 3 3 :

2016 SCC OnLine SC 9 3 9

In t h e S u p r e m e Court of India
(BEFORE RANJAN GOGOI, PRAFUIJ_A C. PANT AND UDAY U. LALIT, JJ.)

GOVINDASWAMY . . Appellant;
Versus
STATE OF KERALA . . Respondent.
Criminal Appeals Nos. 1584-85 of 20141, decided on September 1 5 , 2 0 1 6
A. Penal Code, 1 8 6 0 — S . 3 0 2 o r S . 3 2 5 ; a n d S. 3 7 6 a n d S. 3 9 4 r / w S. 3 9 7 & S . 447 —
Culpability of accused under S. 3 0 2 — Intention to cause death or knowledge that act of the
a c c u s e d i s l i k e l y to c a u s e death — D e t e r m i n a t i o n of
— Injuries caused to deceased and attributable to accused not immediate cause of death,
and death resulted from complications arising from subsequent act(s) of accused — N o r could
k n o w l e d g e that such s u b s e q u e n t acts w e r e l i k e l y t o cause s u c h c o m p l i c a t i o n s b e attributed t o
accused, being special medical knowledge
— Victim w h o w a s a l o n e i n l a d i e s ' compartment of running train, assaulted and allegedly
p u s h e d out/thrown off/jumping o u t of running t r a i n h e r s e l f [there b e i n g a d m i s s i b l e hearsay
e v i d e n c e t h a t “ s h e h a d j u m p e d o u t . . . a n d e s c a p e d " w h i c h created a d o u b t w h e t h e r s h e h a d
b e e n pushed out by t h e accused — A vital l i n k i f accused was to be implicated under 5 . 3 0 2 I P C
— See a l s o Shortnote A i n review order, ( 2 0 1 6 ) 1 6 SCC 3 0 4 ] , f o l l o w e d b y a c c u s e d j u m p i n g off
after h e r a n d t h e n r a p i n g h e r , a n d s h e u l t i m a t e l y s u c c u m b i n g i n h o s p i t a l , t o h e r i n j u r i e s caused
both from a c c u s e d a s s a u l t i n g h e r before p u s h i n g h e r o u t / h e r f a l l i n g o u t of t h e t r a i n , a n d those
s u s t a i n e d from the f a l l a n d c o m p l i c a t i o n s a r i s i n g d u e t o the r a p e
— O n analysis of medical evidence regarding injuries caused to person of deceased and how
d e a t h w a s b r o u g h t about, in te n tio n of a c c u s e d t o c a u s e d e a t h , o r k n o w l e d g e t h a t a c t of accused
i s l i k e l y to c a u s e d e a t h , not m a d e out beyond r e a s o n a b l e d o u b t — H e n c e , c o n v i c t i o n u n d e r S .
3 0 2 altered t o S . 3 2 5 — Suo motu review o n t h i s p o i n t dism issed a t ( 2 0 1 6 ) 1 6 SCC 3 0 4 —
Conviction u n d e r S . 3 7 6 a n d S . 3 9 4 r / w S. 3 9 7 & S. 4 4 7 m a i n t a i n e d a n d sentence of l i f e
i m p r i s o n m e n t t h e r e u n d e r , affirmed
— Appellant-accused assaulted deceased/victim (causing Injury 1 to her head which left her
d a z e d ) , a g e d a b o u t 2 3 years, w h o w a s a l o n e i n I a d i e s ' compartment o f r u n n i n g train — V i c t i m
was then a l l e g e d l y p u s h e d / d r o p p e d b y h i m from r u n n i n g t r a i n / o r t h a t s h e j u m p e d out herself to
escape ( w h i c h f a l l from r u n n i n g t r a i n r e s u l t e d i n I n j u r y 2 s m a s h i n g left s i d e of h e r face,
c o m p l i c a t i o n s wherefrom u l t i m a t e l y l e a d t o h e r d e a t h ) , who t h e n h i m s e l f a l s o j u m p e d from the
tr ain a n d t h e n r a p e d a l r e a d y g r i e v o u s l y i n j u r e d v i c t i m , by t h e s i d e of r a i l w a y tr ack — E v e n t u a l l y ,
d e c e a s e d w a s f o u n d i n a b a d l y i n j u r e d c o n d i t i o n l y i n g by the s i d e o f railway track, who
u l t i m a t e l y s u c c u m b e d to h e r i n j u r i e s a n d c o m p l i c a t i o n s a r i s i n g d u e to t h e r a p e i n hospital — Mills
4 a n d 40, w h o were t r a v e l l i n g i n g e n e r a l compartment of the t r a i n , attached i n front of t h e
ladies' compartment, had heard sounds of a w o m a n crying and wailing coming from

V» Page: 296

that ladies‘ compartment — Pw 4 wanted to pull the alarm chain to stop the train but he was dissuaded
b y a middle-aged m a n w h o was standing a t t h e door of t h e compartment w h o stated t h a t t h e girl h a d
j u m p e d o u t from t h e train and escaped — Circumstances appearing against t h e accused h a v e to b e
weighed against the oral evidence on record and the conclusion that would follow must necessarily be the
only possible conclusion admitting of no other possibility — Such a conclusion to t h e exclusion of a n y
other that the accused pushed t h e victim o u t of t h e train and thus could b e held liable for Injury 2 , held,
cannot be reached in t h e light of t h e facts noted above — Appellant‘s conviction under 5 5 . 3 0 2 a n d 3 7 6
and S. 394 r/w S. 397 & S. 4 4 7 , was upheld by High Court — Evidence Act, 1872 — S. 6 — Hearsay
evidence — When admissible
— PW 6 4 (doctor w h o conducted post-mortem of deceased), had noted 2 4 ante-mortem
 SCC Online Web Edition, © 2023 EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

SCCQ Page 2 Monday, April 10, 2023

Printed For: Ayan Gupta, National Law University, Dwarka
SCC Online Web Edition: http://www.scconline.com
© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
Jtuyto mm."
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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injuries o n t h e body of de c e a s e d , out of w h i c h , h i s e v i d e n c e r e g a r d i n g Injuries 1 a n d 2 w a s vital
— A c c o r d i n g t o h i m , Injury 1 was c a u s e d b y hitting the h e a d 4 - 5 t i m e s a g a i n s t a fl a t surface
h o l d i n g h e r h a i r from b a c k w i t h right h a n d ( i . e . before a c c u s e d threw h e r off/ s h e f e l l off/jumped
off from t r a i n ) — That, i t w a s sufficient t o r e n d e r h e r d a z e d a n d i n s e n s i t i v e a n d w a s c a p a b l e of
creating d a z e d n e s s t o h e a d a n d r e n d e r i n g h e r i n c a p a b l e t o respond — B u t s u c h w o u n d s m a y not
b e o f t h e n a t u r e s o a s to b e e x c l u s i v e c a u s e of d e a t h — Injury 2 m a y h a v e b e e n c a u s e d by f a l l
of d e c e a s e d h a v i n g w e i g h t of 4 2 k g from a h e i g h t of 5 to 8 ft a n d w o u l d b e s u s t a i n e d i f left
c h e e k b o n e crosswise h i t s a g a i n s t t r a i n track, w h i c h b o n e w a s f o u n d p u l v e r i s e d — S i n c e s h e w a s
r e n d e r e d i n s e n s i t i v e a s a r e s u l t o f Injury 1 before b e i n g p u s h e d out of t h e t r a i n , i n t h e a b s e n c e
of n a t u r a l reflex, t h e face h a d to b e a r f u l l force of t h e f a l l — PW 6 4 h a d a l s o e x p l a i n e d t h a t
aspiration of b l o o d into a i r p a s s a g e ( u l t i m a t e c a u s e o f d e a t h ) c o u l d have been d u e to v i c t i m
b e i n g kept i n a s u p i n e position for s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e w h i c h resulted i n a n o x i c b r a i n d a m a g e
— H e l d , e v i d e n c e o f P W 6 4 , p a r t i c u l a r l y , w i t h reference t o I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2, shows that deat h
of d e c e a s e d w a s o c c a s i o n e d by a c o m b i n a t i o n of I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2, a n d c o m p l i c a t i o n s a r i s i n g
therefrom i n c l u d i n g a s p i r a t i o n of b l o o d i n t o t h e a i r p a s s a g e s r e s u l t i n g i n a n o x i c b r a i n d a m a g e —
The s a m e , o p i n e d P W 6 4 , h a d occurred d u e t o the fact, t h a t d e c e a s e d was kept i n a s u p i n e
p o s i t i o n for p u r p o s e of s e x u a l a s s a u l t — L i a b i l i t y o f a p p e l l a n t for Injury 1 w o u l d n o t r e q u i r e a
r e d e t e r m i n a t i o n i n v i e w of e v i d e n c e of P W s 4 a n d 40 a s t o w h a t h a d h a p p e n e d i n the l a d i e s ‘
compartment c o u p l e d w i t h t h e e v i d e n c e o f P w 6 4 a n d post-mortem report — However, s o f a r
a s Injury 2 i s c o n c e r n e d , u n l e s s f a l l from train c a n be a s c r i b e d t o a p p e l l a n t o n the b a s i s o f
c o g e n t a n d r e l i a b l e e v i d e n c e , that t h e a p p e l l a n t h a d p u s h e d t h e d e c e a s e d o u t o f train a n d
possibility o f d e c e a s e d h e r s e l f j u m p i n g o u t of t r a i n i s n o t r u l e d Out, l i a b i l i t y o f a p p e l l a n t for
Injury 2 m a y not n e c e s s a r i l y f o l l o w — S u c h a c o n c l u s i o n to the e x c l u s i o n of a n y other, h e l d ,
c a n n o t b e reached i n t h e l i g h t of facts p r e s e n t d u e t o a d m i s s i b l e h e a r s a y e v i d e n c e t h a t v i c t i m
h a d “ j u m p e d o u t . . . a n d e s c a p e d ” w h i c h create a doubt w h e t h e r she h a d b e e n p u s h e d o u t
— K e e p i n g o f d e c e a s e d i n s u p i n e p o s i t i o n for c o m m i s s i o n o f rape w a s d e p o s e d t o b y PW 6 4
a s h a v i n g a b e a r i n g o n t h e c a u s e o f d e a t h of d e c e a s e d — However, to h o l d t h e a p p e l l a n t l i a b l e
under Section 3 0 2 IPC, what is required

m Page: 297

is a n intention t o cause d e a t h o r knowledge that a c t of t h e accused is likely to cause death — Intention of

appellant in keeping deceased in a supine position, according to PW 64, was for the purposes of rape —
Requisite knowledge t h a t i n t h e circumstances such a n a c t m a y cause death also, cannot be attributed t o
appellant, inasmuch as evidence of PW 6 4 itself is t o t h e effect t h a t such knowledge and information is, in
fact, imparted only in t h e course of training o f medical a n d para-medical staff — Fact t h a t deceased
survived for a couple of days after t h e incident and eventually died in hospital, would also clearly militate
against any intention of appellant to cause death by the act of keeping deceased in a supine position to
r a p e h e r — Therefore, in t h e totality of aforesaid facts, appellant cannot b e held liable for Injury 2 a n d
death resulting from complications arising therefrom
— S i m i l a r l y , i n k e e p i n g d e c e a s e d in a s u p i n e position, intention t o cause d e a t h o r knowledge
that such act m a y c a u s e d e a t h , c a n n o t be attributed t o a p p e l l a n t
— A c c o r d i n g l y , h e l d , offence u n d e r S . 3 0 2 I P C c a n n o t b e m a d e out a g a i n s t a p p e l l a n t —
Rather, acts of a s s a u l t , etc. attributable t o a p p e l l a n t , m o r e appropriately attract offence u n d e r
S . 3 2 5 I P C — C o n s e q u e n t l y , h e l d , a p p e l l a n t ' s c o n v i c t i o n u n d e r 5 . 3 0 2 i s set a s i d e a n d altered t o
o n e u n d e r 5 . 3 2 5 I P C — T h u s , s e n t e n c e of d e a t h u n d e r S . 3 0 2 I P C i s set a s i d e a n d i n s t e a d
a p p e l l a n t i s se n te n c e d to u n d e r g o 7 y e a r s ' RI u n d e r S . 3 2 5 I P C — However, h i s conviction u n d e r
S . 3 7 6 a n d S. 3 9 4 r/w S. 3 9 7 & S. 447, a n d sentence o f r i g o r o u s life i m p r i s o n m e n t i m p o s e d
u n d e r S. 3 7 6 , s ta n d m a i n t a i n e d — Evidence Act, 1 8 7 2 — S. 6 — H e a r s a y evidence — W h e n
admissible
( P a r a s 18 to 2 5 )
State of Kerala v . Gow‘ndaswamy, 2 0 1 3 SCC OnLine Ker 2 3 6 9 1 , modified
B. Penal Code, 1860 — Ss. 2 9 9 to 304 — Intention to cause death or knowledge that act of
accused i s l i k e l y to c a u s e d e a th — Inference o f — W h e n s u c h k n o w l e d g e w o u l d only b e known to
person w i t h r e q u i s i t e m e d i c a l k n o w l e d g e o r training a n d not a l a y person
( P a r a s 18 to 2 5 )
— Pw 64 (doctor w h o conducted post-mortem of deceased), h a d noted 24 ante-mortem
iniuries on the bodv of deceased o u t of which. his evidence regarding Iniuries 1 and 2 was vital
 SCC Online Web Edition, © 2023 EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

SCCQ Page 3 Monday, April 10, 2023

Printed For: Ayan Gupta, National Law University, Dwarka
SCC Online Web Edition: http://www.scconline.com
© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
7701303:t mm."
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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— A c c o r d i n g t o him, Injury 1 was c a u s e d b y hitting the h e a d 4 - 5 t i m e s a g a i n s t a fl a t surface
holding h e r hair from back with a right hand (i.e. before accused threw h e r off/she fell
off/jumped off from t r a i n ) — That, i t was sufficient t o r e n d e r h e r d a z e d a n d i n s e n s i t i v e a n d w a s
capable of creating dazedness to head and rendering incapable to respond — But such wounds
m a y n o t b e of t h e n a t u r e of e x c lu s iv e c a u s e of d e a t h — Injury 2 m a y h a v e b e e n c a u s e d by f a l l
of d e c e a s e d h a v i n g w e i g h t of 4 2 k g from a h e i g h t o f 5 t o 8 feet a n d w o u l d b e s u s t a i n e d i f left
c h e e k b o n e crosswise h i t s a g a i n s t t r a i n track, w h i c h b o n e w a s f o u n d pulven‘sed — Since she was
r e n d e r e d i n s e n s i t i v e a s a r e s u l t o f Injury 1 before b e i n g p u s h e d out of t h e train, i n t h e a b s e n c e
of n a t u r a l reflex, t h e face h a d t o b e a r f u l l force of d e s c e n t — PW 6 4 h a d a l s o e x p l a i n e d t h a t
aspiration of b l o o d i n t o a i r p a s s a g e c o u l d h a v e b e e n d u e to v i c t i m b e i n g kept i n a s u p i n e position
for s e x u a l i n t e r c o u r s e w h i c h resulted i n a n o x i c b r a i n d a m a g e
— Intention to cause death or knowledge that act of t h e accused i s likely to cause death -
Thus, i n k e e p i n g d e c e a s e d i n a s u p i n e position, intenti on t o c a u s e d e a t h o r k n o w l e d g e that such
a c t m a y c a u s e death, c a n n o t b e attributed to a p p e l l a n t — A c c o r d i n g l y , h e l d , offence u n d e r S .
3 0 2 I P C c a n n o t b e m a d e out a g a i n s t a p p e l l a n t
C . P e n a l Co d e , 1860 — S . 3 7 6 a n d S . 3 9 4 r / w S . 3 9 7 — Victim assaulted i n , then thrown
off/falling o u t / j u m p i n g o u t o f r u n n i n g t r a i n , followed by rape u p o n a c c u s e d j u m p i n g o u t after
her, and ultimately she succumbing to all her injuries and complications arising therefrom —
Presence of m e d i c a l e v i d e n c e , f u l l y e s t a b l i s h i n g c o m m i s s i o n o f rape by accused — S u f fi c i e n t
e v i d e n c e a l s o a v a i l a b l e to prove theft o f v i c t i m ' s m o b i l e p h o n e b y a c c u s e d after rape — H i s
conviction u n d e r aforementioned sections a n d s e n t e n c e o f r i g o r o u s life i m p r i s o n m e n t imposed
u n d e r S . 376, h e n c e , c o n fi r m e d
— H e l d , r e g a r d i n g offence u n d e r S . 3 7 6 , from c o n s i d e r a t i o n o f post-mortem report, D N A
p r o fi l e a n d e v i d e n c e o f P W 6 4 ( d o c t o r w h o c o n d u c t e d post-mortem of d e c e a s e d ) a n d P W 7 0
(Assistant Director, D N A i n F o r e n s i c S c i e n c e Laboratory), t h e r e c a n be n o m a n n e r o f d o u b t that
i t i s a p p e l l a n t - a c c u s e d w h o h a d committed t h e s a i d offence — D N A profile, c l i n c h e s the i s s u e a n d
m a k e s l i a b i l i t y of a p p e l l a n t explicit, l e a v i n g n o scope for a n y d o u b t o r d e b a t e i n t h e matter —
Therefore, conviction of a p p e l l a n t u n d e r 5 . 3 7 6 IPC, i s confirmed

V Page: 298

— Further, there i s a l s o a d e q u a t e evidence o n record t o show that a p p e l l a n t after committing

the offence h a d taken a w a y m o b i l e p h o n e of d e c e a s e d a n d h a d , i n fact, s o l d t h e s a m e to Pw 7 ,
who a g a i n s o l d the s a m e t o Pw 10, from whom the m o b i l e p h o n e w a s seized by p o l i c e — Hence,
conviction of a p p e l l a n t u n d e r S . 3 9 4 r / w S. 3 9 7 a l s o s t a n d s confirmed
(Paras 8 to 1 7 )
Appeals partly allowed Y- D / 5 7 4 5 7 / S R
Advocates who appeared in this case :
B.A. Aloor, Prasenjit Sarkar, Satheesh Nair K.R. and Rahul Gupta, Advocates, for the
Appellant;
Thomas P. Joseph, Senior Advocate [Nishe Rajen Shonker, Ms Anu K. Joy and Gajendra
Kichi (for Jogy Scaria), Advocates], for the Respondent.
Chronological list of cases cited an page(s)

1. 2013 $ 0 0 OnLine Ker 23691, State of Kerala v. Govindaswamy 2980

The Judgment of the Court was delivered by

RANJAN GOGOI, J.— The appellant-accused has been convicted under Section 3 0 2 of the
Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as “IPC”) and sentenced to death. He has
additionally been convicted under Section 3 7 6 IPC and sentenced t o undergo rigorous
imprisonment for life. Besides, h e has been found guilty of the offences punishable under
Section 3 9 4 read with Section 3 9 7 IPC as well as under Section 4 4 7 IPC for which h e has
been separately sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and three
 SCC Online Web Edition, © 2023 EBC Publishing Pvt. Ltd.

SCCQ Page 4 Monday, April 10, 2023

Printed For: Ayan Gupta, National Law University, Dwarka
SCC Online Web Edition: http://www.scconline.com
© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
77:: W W » mm!"
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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m o n t h s respectively. T h e conviction of t h e appellant-accused a n d t h e sentences imposed
have been confirmedl i n appeal b y t h e High Court. Aggrieved, t h e present appeals have
been filed.
2 . The case of t h e prosecution i n short is t h a t the deceased/victim girl, aged a b o u t 2 3
years, was working i n Ernakulam a n d was engaged to o n e Anoop (PW 7 6 ) , w h o also
happened to b e employed i n Ernakulam. Their betrothal ceremony was to b e held i n t h e
house of t h e deceased a t Shornur o n 2 - 2 - 2 0 1 1 . PW 7 6 along w i t h his f a m i l y m e m b e r s
were scheduled to visit t h e house of t h e deceased o n t h a t d a y . Accordingly, o n 1 - 2 - 2 0 1 1 ,
t h e deceased boarded Ernakulam-Shornur passenger t r a i n a t a b o u t 5 . 3 0 p . m . from
Ernakulam T o w n North Railway Station to g o to h e r h o m e at Shornur. T h e deceased had
boarded t h e ladies division of t h e last compartment. There were o t h e r passengers i n t h e
ladies division of t h e c o m p a r t m e n t along w i t h t h e deceased. When t h e t r a i n reached
Mulloorkara, all o t h e r lady passengers i n t h e ladies division of t h e compartment had
alighted and, therefore, t h e deceased also g o t d o w n along w i t h t h e m a n d hurriedly
entered t h e ladies coach attached j u s t i n f r o n t of t h e last c o m p a r t m e n t . T h e t r a i n reached
Vallathol Nagar Railway Station where it halted for some t i m e .
3 . According to t h e prosecution, t h e appellant-accused, w h o is a habitual offender,
noticed t h a t t h e deceased was alone i n t h e ladies' c o m p a r t m e n t . As soon as t h e t r a i n had
left Vallathol Nagar Railway Station a n d m o v e d towards Shornur, t h e accused entered t h e
ladies' c o m p a r t m e n t . T h e prosecution alleges t h a t inside t h e c o m p a r t m e n t t h e accused
h a d a s s a u l t e d t h e d e c e a s e d a n d , i n fact,

Q Page: 299

r e p e a t e d l y h i t h e r h e a d o n t h e w a l l s of t h e c o m p a r t m e n t . The prosecution has further

alleged t h a t t h e deceased was crying and screaming. It i s t h e case of t h e prosecution t h a t
t h e v i c t i m was dropped/pushed b y t h e accused from t h e r u n n i n g t r a i n to t h e t r a c k a n d
t h a t t h e side of h e r face h i t o n t h e crossover of t h e railway line. The appellant-accused
also j u m p e d d o w n from the o t h e r side o f t h e running t r a i n a n d after lifting t h e v i c t i m t o
another place b y t h e side of t h e track h e sexually assaulted her. Thereafter h e ransacked
her belongings a n d w e n t away from t h e place w i t h her mobile phone.

4 . I t is t h e further case of t h e prosecution t h a t PW 4, T o m y Devassia a n d PW 4 0 , Abdul

Shukkur were also travelling i n t h e general c o m p a r t m e n t attached i n front of the ladies'
c o m p a r t m e n t . According to t h e prosecution, t h e said witnesses heard t h e cries of t h e
deceased. PW 4 wanted to pull t h e a l a r m chain t o stop t h e t r a i n b u t h e was dissuaded b y
a middle-aged m a n w h o was standing a t t h e d o o r of t h e c o m p a r t m e n t b y saying t h a t t h e
g i r l h a d j u m p e d o u t from t h e t r a i n a n d escaped a n d t h a t i n these circumstances h e should
n o t t a k e t h e matter a n y further as the same m a y d r a g all of t h e m t o court. However, when
t h e t r a i n reached Shornur Railway Station w i t h i n a span of 10 minutes, PW 4 a n d PW 4 0
rushed to PW 3 4 , Joby Skariya, t h e guard o f t h e t r a i n a n d complained a b o u t t h e incident
which triggered a search, b o t h , for t h e deceased a n d t h e accused. Eventually, t h e
deceased was found i n a badly i n j u r e d condition lying b y t h e side of t h e railway t r a c k a n d
t h e accused was also apprehended soon thereafter i n circumstances which need n o t detain
t h e Court.
5 . According to t h e prosecution, t h e deceased was removed to t h e local hospital
whereafter she was t a k e n to Medical College Hospital, Thrissur where s h e succumbed to
h e r injuries o n 6 - 2 - 2 0 1 1 . I t is i n these circumstances t h a t t h e accused was charged w i t h
t h e commission of crimes i n question for which h e has been f o u n d guilty a n d sentenced,
as already noticed.
6 . A large n u m b e r of witnesses ( 8 3 i n all) h a d been examined b y t h e prosecution i n
support of its case a n d o v e r a hundred documents w e r e exhibited. For t h e present i t would
suffice to notice t h e evidence of PWs 4 , 40,. 6 4 a n d 7 0 . T h e post-mortem report ( E x t . P-
6 9 ) a n d DNA profile ( E x t . P-2) would also require a specific notice a n d t h e relevant p a r t
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© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
Jhwutwuyto mm!"
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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thereof m a y also require to b e reproduced.
7 . PW 4 a n d PW 4 0 , as already mentioned, w e r e travelling i n t h e general c o m p a r t m e n t
which was attached j u s t i n front of t h e ladies' c o m p a r t m e n t . According to b o t h t h e
witnesses, t h e y heard t h e sounds of a w o m a n crying a n d wailing coming from t h e ladies'
c o m p a r t m e n t a n d t h o u g h PW 4 wanted to pull t h e a l a r m chain of t h e t r a i n h e was
dissuaded b y a middle-aged m a n w h o reported to t h e m t h a t t h e issue should not b e
carried a n y further as t h e w o m a n h a d alighted from t h e t r a i n a n d h a d m a d e good h e r
escape. According to PW 4 a n d PW 4 0 , t h e y b r o u g h t t h e matter to t h e a t t e n t i o n of PW 34,
t h e guard of t h e t r a i n as soon as t h e t r a i n h a d reached Shornur Railway Station. T h e
recovery of t h e deceased a n d t h e apprehension of the accused followed thereafter.
8 . PW 64, D r Sherly Vasu who was t h e n working as Professor a n d Head of D e p a r t m e n t
of Forensic Medicine, Medical College Hospital, Thrissur conducted t h e post-mortem
examination of t h e deceased w i t h t h e assistance of

w Page: 300

five other doctors ( w h o were also examined). According to PW 6 4 , h e had noted 2 4 a n t e -

mortem injuries o n the body o f t h e deceased, details of which h a v e been mentioned b y
h i m i n t h e post-mortem report ( E x t . P-69). While i t will not be necessary to notice t h e
details of each of t h e injuries sustained/suffered b y t h e deceased, t h e evidence of PW 64
so f a r as I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2 a r e concerned, being vital, would require specific notice a n d ,
therefore, is extracted below:

“Injury 1 is sufficient to render her dazed a n d insensitive. I t i s capable of creating

dazedness to head and rendering incapable to respond. These wounds may n o t b e o f
the nature o f exclusive cause o f death. This i n j u r y will b e caused only i f t h e head i s
forcefully h i t t o backward a n d forward against a h a r d f l a t surface. Need n o t become
t o t a l unconscious. B u t can d o nothing. T h e i n j u r y described i n 1 i s caused b y h i t t i n g 4 -
5 t i m e s against a f l a t surface holding t h e hair from back w i t h a r i g h t hand. These
injuries a r e photographed i n detail in Ext. P-70 CD. This is m y independent finding. I
h a v e also checked t h e matters listed i n t h e requisition from a n independent evaluation
w h a t I understand i s t h a t after h i t t i n g t h e head o n a f l a t a n d hard substance several
t i m e s a n d rendering insensitive, dropped. ( Q ) If h i t against t h e wall ( o f t r a i n ) holding
hair f r o m behind i t will occur? ( A ) Yes. I t will occur s o .
Injury 2 . I t i s t h e i n j u r y s u s t a i n e d from b e n e a t h t h e left e y e u p to c h i n b o n e . F u r t h e r
b e l o w a n d o n l i p s . T h e r e a r e fractures o n m a x i l l a a n d m a n d i b l e . A b o u t 13 teeth h a v e
g o n e s e v e r e d . T h e left c h e e k b o n e i s p u l v e r i s e d . A v e r t i c a l l y l o n g m a r k of r u b b i n g c h i n
bone a n d cheek is seen. So i t i s added i n remarks t h a t fall o n to s m o o t h surface of a rail
a n d g l i d i n g forward ( u p w a r d ) ( g l i d i n g ) . T h e g l i d i n g m a r k o n l o w e r c h i n i s seen 5 c m
(gliding m o v e m e n t ) . I n p o s t - m o r t e m request it i s pushed d o w n from r u n n i n g t r a i n . S o
t h o u g h i t was a r u n n i n g t r a i n i t had only negligible speed. I n inflicting this i n j u r y t h e
speed of t h e t r a i n had only a negligible role. The speed ignorable. Since she was
rendered insensitive as a result of I n j u r y 1 i n t h e absence of natural reflex t h e face had
t o bear t h e full force of t h e descent, i t is seen. I n case she was n o t dazed a n d had a l e r t
reflexes a n d fallen i n such a condition she would have m o v e d hands forward a n d t h e
hands would have showed t h e force of t h e fall to some extent. There were n o injuries of
f a l l o n e l b o w s , w r i s t s a n d i n n e r b o r d e r s of f o r e a r m s . T h e r e w e r e n o reflexes i n t h i s f a l l .
2 are injuries that m a y h a v e been caused by fall o f a person having the weight o f this
person (42 kg) from a height o f 5 to 8 feet. These injuries wiii be sustained if this
portion (left cheek bone crosswise) hits against train tract. I h a v e visited t h i s scene o n
9-2-2011 w i t h C . I . C h e l a k k a r a .
These 5 tracks were seen. They a r e seen as intercoin (quaere intertwined) (cross). S o
understood t h a t i t can happen when fallen from a m o v i n g t r a i n i n t o t h e next near cross
tract. Usually two tracks g o parallel. This is not such a place. Left cheek bone has been
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© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
.770: W W » yum!"
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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thoroughly pulverised. The bone was pulverised as there are air cells inside maxilla. B y
t h e force of t h e fall a s t h e r e are air cells inside m a x i l l a . ”
(emphasis supplied)

“ Page: 301

9 . T h e o p i n i o n of PW 6 4 a s to t h e c a u s e of d e a t h m e n t i o n e d i n t h e p o s t - m o r t e m report
is as follows:
“ T h e decedent had died d u e t o b l u n t injuries sustained to head as a result of b l u n t
i m p a c t a n d fall a n d t h e i r complications including aspiration o f blood i n t o a i r passages
( d u r i n g unprotected unconscious state following head t r a u m a ) resulting i n anoxic brain
damage. S h e also showed injuries as a result o f assault a n d forceful sexual intercourse.
S h e had features of multiple organ dysfunction a t t h e t i m e of d e a t h . ”
10. PW 6 4 i n his evidence h a d also explained t h a t t h e aspiration of blood i n t o t h e a i r
passage could have been d u e to t h e v i c t i m being k e p t i n a supine position, probably, f o r
sexual intercourse which m a y h a v e resulted i n anoxic brain damage.
11. There a r e other parts of t h e post-mortem report a n d t h e evidence of PW 6 4 which
would also require a specific notice insofar as t h e offence u n d e r Section 3 7 6 IPC alleged
a g a i n s t t h e a p p e l l a n t - a c c u s e d i s c o n c e r n e d . T h e r e l e v a n t p a r t of t h e p o s t - m o r t e m report i s
extracted below:
“Pelvic structures: Urinary bladder was e m p t y . Uterus a n d its appendages appeared
n o r m a l , t h e c a v i t y was e m p t y ; e n d o m e t r i u m showed congestion a n d t h e cervical 05 was
circular. The right ovary showed polycystic changes. Spine was intact.
Vaginal introitus and wall showed contusion all around, m o s t p r o m i n e n t j u s t behind
urethral meatus. H y m e n showed a recent complete t e a r a t a b o u t 5 o'clock position a n d
partial recent t e a r a t about 7 o'clock positions (as suggested b y oedema a n d
hyperaemia of edges) a n d a natural indentation at 1 o'clock position.
(Remark—recent sexual intercourse)”
(emphasis supplied)
1 2 . T h e e v i d e n c e of P W 7 0 , D r R . S r e e k u m a r , J o i n t Director ( R e s e a r c h ) h o l d i n g c h a r g e
of Assistant Director, DNA i n Forensic Science Laboratory, Trivandrum a n d t h e report of
examination (Ext. P-2) may now be noticed.
13. PW 7 0 i n his deposition has stated t h a t after examination, the following results
were recorded a t p p . 19 a n d 2 0 of Ext. P-2:
I t e m s 1 ( a ) a n d 2 ( b ) contain t h e vagina swabs of t h e v i c t i m whereas I t e m 2 ( a ) is
vaginal smear collected from t h e victim. Item 3 ( a ) i s a cut open g a r m e n t (MO 1) a n d
I t e m 18 i s a t o r n l u n k y (MO 5 ) . Item 8 i s t h e blood sample of t h e accused.
According to PW 7 0 , as per t h e DNA t y p i n g t h e seminal stains o n I t e m s 1 ( 1 ) , 2 ( a ) , 2(b), 3
(a) a n d 18 belonged to t h e accused t o w h o m t h e blood sample in I t e m 8 belongs.
1 4 . F u r t h e r m o r e , from t h e e v i d e n c e of P W 7 0 it i s e v i d e n t t h a t t h e b l o o d of t h e v i c t i m
[ I t e m 1 ( b ) ] was f o u n d i n t h e clothing of t h e accused i.e. pants [ I t e m 13 (MO 8 ) ] ,
underwear [ I t e m 1 4 (MO 2 1 ) ] , s h i r t [ I t e m 17 (MO 6 ) ] .
1 5 . S o f a r a s t h e offence u n d e r Section 3 7 6 I P C i s c o n c e r n e d , f r o m a c o n s i d e r a t i o n of
t h e post-mortem report (Ext. P-69), DNA profile (Ext. P-2)

“ Page: 302

a n d t h e e v i d e n c e of PW 64 a n d PW 7 0 , t h e r e c a n b e n o m a n n e r of d o u b t t h a t it i s t h e
appellant-accused w h o h a d committed t h e said offence. T h e DNA profile, extracted above,
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© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law
77¢m mm!"
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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clinches t h e issue a n d makes t h e liability of t h e accused explicit leaving n o scope f o r a n y
d o u b t o r debate i n t h e matter. We, therefore, will f i n d n o difficulty i n confirming t h e
conviction of t h e accused under Section 3 7 6 IPC.
16. Having regard to t h e fact t h a t t h e said offence was committed o n t h e deceased w h o
had already suffered extreme injuries o n h e r body, we a r e of t h e view t h a t not o n l y t h e
offence under Section 376 IPC was committed by the accused, the same was so
c o m m i t t e d i n a m o s t brutal a n d grotesque m a n n e r which w o u l d j u s t i f y t h e imposition of
life sentence as awarded b y t h e learned t r i a l court a n d confirmed b y t h e High Court.
17. I n s o f a r as t h e offence u n d e r Section 3 9 4 read w i t h Section 3 9 7 IPC is concerned,
t h e r e i s also adequate evidence o n record to show t h a t t h e accused after c o m m i t t i n g t h e
offence had t a k e n away t h e mobile phone of t h e deceased a n d had, i n fact, sold t h e same
to PW 7 , Manikyan who again sold t h e same to PW 10, Baby Varghese from w h o m t h e
mobile phone was seized b y t h e police.
1 8 . T h i s w i l l b r i n g t h e C o u r t to a c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e c u l p a b i l i t y of t h e a c c u s e d f o r t h e
offence p u n i s h a b l e u n d e r S e c t i o n 3 0 2 I P C a n d if t h e a c c u s e d i s to b e h e l d s o l i a b l e w h a t
would b e t h e appropriate punishment t h a t should b e awarded to h i m . The evidence of PW
64, p a r t i c u l a r l y , w i t h reference to I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2 , d e t a i l s of w h i c h h a v e b e e n extracted
a b o v e , w o u l d g o to s h o w t h a t t h e d e a t h of t h e d e c e a s e d w a s o c c a s i o n e d b y a c o m b i n a t i o n
of I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2 , a n d complications arising therefrom including aspiration of blood i n t o
t h e air passages resulting i n anoxic brain damage. The same, i n t h e opinion of t h e doctor
(PW 6 4 ) , h a d occurred d u e t o t h e fact t h a t t h e deceased was k e p t i n a supine position for
t h e purpose of sexual assault.
19. I n a situation where death had been certified a n d accepted to have occurred o n
account o f I n j u r i e s 1 a n d 2 a n d aspiration of blood i n t o t h e air passages o n account of t h e
position i n which t h e deceased was k e p t , t h e first vital fact t h a t would require
consideration i s whether t h e accused i s responsible for I n j u r y 2 which apparently was
occasioned b y the fall of the deceased from t h e running t r a i n .
2 0 . Before dealing w i t h I n j u r y 2 w e would l i k e to observe t h a t w e a r e of t h e opinion
t h a t t h e liability o f t h e accused for I n j u r y 1 would n o t require a redetermination i n view of
t h e evidence of PW 4 and PW 4 0 as to w h a t h a d happened i n t h e ladies' c o m p a r t m e n t
coupled w i t h t h e evidence of PW 6 4 a n d t h e post-mortem report (Ext. P-69).
21. However, so far as Injury 2 is concerned, unless t h e f a l l from the t r a i n c a n b e
ascribed to t h e accused o n t h e basis of t h e cogent a n d reliable evidence, meaning t h e r e b y ,
t h a t t h e accused h a d pushed t h e deceased o u t of t h e t r a i n a n d t h e possibility of t h e
d e c e a s e d h e r s e l f j u m p i n g o u t of t r a i n i s r u l e d o u t , t h e l i a b i l i t y of t h e a c c u s e d for t h e s a i d
injury may not necessarily follow.
2 2 . I n t h i s regard, t h e learned counsel for t h e State has referred to I n j u r y 1 sustained
b y t h e deceased, as deposed to b y PW 64, a n d has contended t h a t i n view of t h e impaired
m e n t a l reflexes t h a t t h e deceased had a t t h a t p o i n t of t i m e

g Page: 303

it m a y n o t have been possible for her t o t a k e a decision t o j u m p o u t of t h e t r a i n . While t h e

said proposition need n o t necessarily b e incorrect w h a t cannot also b e ignored is t h e
evidence of PW 4 a n d PW 40 i n t h i s regard which is to t h e effect t h a t t h e y were t o l d b y t h e
middle-aged m a n , standing a t t h e d o o r of t h e c o m p a r t m e n t , t h a t t h e girl h a d j u m p e d o u t
of t h e t r a i n and had m a d e good her escape. The circumstances appearing against t h e
accused have to b e weighed against t h e oral evidence o n record a n d t h e conclusion t h a t
would follow must necessarily be the only possible conclusion admitting of n o o t h e r
possibility. Such a conclusion to t h e exclusion o f a n y o t h e r , i n o u r considered view, cannot
b e reached i n t h e light of t h e facts noted above.
2 3 . K e e p i n g o f t h e d e c e a s e d i n a s u p i n e p o s i t i o n for c o m m i s s i o n of s e x u a l a s s a u l t h a s
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pw 64 is a
medical
© 2023 Eastern Book Company. The text of this version of this judgment is protected by the law professional
71:: W W » mm!"
declared by the Supreme Court in Eastern Book Company v. D.B. Modak, (2008) 1 SCC 1 paras 61, 62 &
63.
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been deposed to b y PW 64 as h a v i n g a bearing o n t h e cause of death of t h e deceased.
However, to hold t h a t t h e accused is liable u n d e r Section 302 IPC w h a t i s required i s a n
intention to cause death o r knowledge t h a t t h e act of t h e accused is likely to cause death.
T h e i n t e n t i o n o f t h e a c c u s e d i n k e e p i n g t h e d e c e a s e d i n a s u p i n e p o s i t i o n , a c c o r d i n g to P W
64, w a s for t h e p u r p o s e s of t h e s e x u a l a s s a u l t . T h e r e q u i s i t e k n o w l e d g e t h a t i n t h e
circumstances such a n act m a y cause death, also, cannot b e attributed to t h e accused,
inasmuch as t h e evidence o f PW 6 4 itself i s to t h e effect t h a t such knowledge a n d
information is, i n fact, parted w i t h i n t h e course of t r a i n i n g of medical a n d para-medical
staff. The fact t h a t t h e deceased survived for a couple o f days after t h e incident a n d
eventually died i n hospital would also clearly militate against a n y intention of t h e accused
to cause death b y t h e act of keeping t h e deceased i n a supine position. Therefore, i n t h e
totality of t h e facts discussed above, t h e accused cannot b e held liable for I n j u r y 2 .
S i m i l a r l y , i n k e e p i n g t h e d e c e a s e d i n a s u p i n e p o s i t i o n , i n t e n t i o n to c a u s e d e a t h or
knowledge t h a t such act m a y cause death, cannot b e attributed to t h e accused.
2 4 . We are, accordingly, of t h e view t h a t t h e offence under Section 3 0 2 IPC cannot b e
held to be m a d e o u t against t h e accused so as to m a k e h i m liable therefor. Rather, w e a r e
of t h e view t h a t t h e acts of assault, etc. attributable to t h e accused would m o r e
appropriately attract t h e offence under Section 3 2 5 IPC. W e accordingly f i n d t h e appellant
-accused guilty of t h e said offence a n d sentence h i m to undergo rigorous imprisonment for
s e v e n y e a r s f o r c o m m i s s i o n of t h e s a m e .
2 5 . Consequently a n d i n the light of t h e above discussions, w e partially allow t h e
appeals filed b y t h e appellant-accused. While t h e conviction u n d e r Section 3 7 6 IPC,
Section 3 9 4 read w i t h Section 3 9 7 IPC a n d Section 4 4 7 IPC a n d t h e sentences imposed
for commission of t h e said offences a r e maintained, t h e conviction u n d e r Section 3 0 2 IPC
is set aside and altered to o n e u n d e r Section 3 2 5 IPC. The sentence of death for
commission of offence u n d e r Section 302 IPC i s set aside a n d instead t h e accused i s
sentenced t o undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years. All t h e sentences imposed
shall r u n concurrently. The order of the learned t r i a l court a n d t h e High Court i s
accordingly modified.

* From the Judgment and Order dated 17-12-2013 of the High Court of Kerala at Emakulam i n Cd. A. No. 149 o f 2012

1 State o f Kerala v . Gavindaswamy, 2 0 1 3 SCC OnLine Ker 2 3 6 9 1

D i s c l a l m e r : W h i l e every effort i s m a d e to a v o i d a n y m i s t a k e o r o m i s s i o n , t h i s casenote/ h e a d n o t e / j u d g m e n t / act] r u l e / r e g u l a t i o n ] c l r c u l a r / n o t i f i c a t i o n
l s b e i n g c i r c u l a t e d o n t h e c o n d i t i o n a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g t h a t t h e p u b l i s h e r w o u l d n o t b e l i a b l e i n a n y m a n n e r b y reason o f a n y m i s t a k e o r o m i s s i o n o r f o r
a n y a c t i o n t a k e n o r o m i t t e d to b e t a k e n o r a d v i c e r e n d e r e d o r a c c e p t e d o n the b a s i s o f t h i s c a s e n o t e / h e a d n o t e / judgment;f act]f rule,’ regulation)f
c i r c u l a r ] n o t i f i c a t i o n . A l l d i s p u t e s w i l l b e s u b j e c t e x c l u s i v e l y to j u r i s d i c t i o n o f c o u r t s , t r i b u n a l s a n d f o r u m s a t L u c k n o w o n l y . T h e a u t h e n t i c i t y o f t h i s text
m u s t b e verified from t h e o r i g i n a l s o u r c e .