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173 of 2019
Received on : 16.04.2019.
Registered on : 16.04.2019.
Decided on : 13.05.2021.
Duration : 2Y. 0M. 27D.
Exh. No.______
IN THE COURT OF ADDL. SESSIONS JUDGE,
JALGAON..AT..JALGAON
(Presided over by P. Y. Ladekar )
SESSIONS CASE NO.173 OF 2019
(CNR NO.MHJG040014022019)
The State of Maharashtra
The Police Station Officer, COMPLAINANT
Jamner Police Station,
Taluka Jamner District Jalgaon.
Vs.
1] Bharat Lalsingh Patil,
Age 42 Yrs.,
R/o Supari Bag, Jamner,
Taluka Jamner, District Jalgaon. ACCUSED
2] Lalsingh Shripat Patil,
Age 74 Yrs.,
R/o Belkhede, Taluka Bhusawal
District Jalgaon.
Shri. K.J. Dhake, Learned P.P. for State.
Shri S.K. Shirude, Learned Advocate for accused.
JUDGMENT
(Delivered on this 13th Day of May, 2021)
having injuries on her throat, chin, face, nose, middle finger of right
hand, wrist and as they were suspecting those injuries, they insisted
for postmortem. But at that time, the accused No.1 and accused No.2
who is his father have flatly refused and then with the help of police of
Varangaon Police Station, he gave information to that police station.
the dead body to Civil Hospital, Jalgaon for postmortem and sent all
the investigation papers to Jamner Police Station. P.W.15 Supriya
Kisharsagar, A.P.P. was friend of the deceased and P.W.19 Advocate
Dnyaneshwar Borse was senior advocate with whom deceased Rakhi
started practice at Jamner. P.W.7 Bhaskar Tayade is the Panch of
Spot Panchanama and Seizure Panchanama of the clothes of the
accused. P.W.16 Nitesh Patil is a photographer of the photographs of
the injuries of accused No.1, spot of incident and Ecco vehicle No.MH
19/CU2375. P.W.18 Dr.Nilesh Devraj has conducted autopsy and
prepared crime scene report after visiting the spot of incident. P.W.17
Pratap Ingle is the Investigating Officer.
DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE :
Article6 with its envelope Article6/1, red black colour printed sari
Article7 with envelope Article7/1. Out of these clothes the most
important incriminating cloth is red colour Odhani Article1.
vaginal swab of the deceased. Vide letter Exh.173 C.A. Reports were
forwarded to Medical Officer, Jalgaon who has carried out postmortem
with a request to give final opinion of cause of death. Exh.174 is the
arrest form of accused No.2.
He also admitted that P.W.11 Priya is real sister of the deceased and
resides at Aurangabad. He also admitted that on the date of the
incident, there was engagement ceremony in the house opposite to his
house. He admitted that Mobile Number 7020938679 was used by the
accused. He also admitted that Priya and other relatives reached at
Belkhed at 11.00 p.m. on 13.01.2019. The accused No.1 also admitted
that P.W.16 Nitesh Patil is a photographer and has a photography
studio at Jamner and before arrest he clicked his photographs on
14.01.2019. About his injuries, the accused No.1 has stated that they
were caused by P.W.1 Ganesh Suradkar.
21] The accused No.1 has denied rest of the evidence and in
his written statement of defence Exh.199 he has submitted that he
was married to the deceased in May 2000. His elder son Durvesh is
aged about 17 years and younger son Namit is aged about 15 years.
On 29.05.2017 the deceased had undergone tubectomy operation at
Jalgaon and he has produced that certificate dated 10.03.2021 along
with his statement. He submitted that till the end, his married life
was happy and joyful. P.W.1, P.W.2, P.W.3, P.W.6 and P.W.11 are
relatives of the deceased and P.W.15 is close friend of the deceased
and therefore, they gave false evidence against him.
ARGUMENTS
26] I have heard learned P.P. Shri K.J. Dhake and learned
Advocate Shri S.K. Shirude for both the accused. Learned advocate for
the accused has also submitted written notes of arguments.
16 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
taking the dead body to Belkhed. The evidence of the doctors indicated
that it is a homicidal death caused by throttling associated with
smothering.
circumstantial evidence not only should the various links in the chain
of evidence be clearly established, but the completed chain must be
such as to rule out a reasonable likelihood of the innocence of the
accused. It is observed in Para 23 by the Bombay High Court that the
false explanation offered by the accused proves to be an additional
link in the chain of circumstances.
33] Learned P.P. would say that the accused not only made
false statement to the witnesses, but also to the doctor when in fact
she was killed by throttling associated with smothering. In
Dnyaneshwar Vs. State of Maharashtra reported in 2007 DGLS
(SC) 338, husband and his parents were tried for murder and dowry
relevant is that when the couple was last seen in the premises to
which outsider may not have any access, it was for the husband to
explain the ground of unnatural death of his wife.
DGLS (SC) 957 about section 302 of Indian Penal Code and section
35] Learned P.P. would say that as the accused has given false
explanation and when the prosecution proves that it is the death
caused due to throttling associated with smothering and the false
pretext brought by the accused, the prosecution case is proved beyond
reasonable doubt.
36] Per contra, learned advocate for the accused would say
that complaint Exh.62 was filed only on the basis of suspicion. There
is a delay of 15 hours in filing the complaint Exh.63 at Jamner Police
Station and therefore, there is a chance of due deliberation and
raising of doubt. The witness Nos.1, 2, 3, 6 and 11 are the close
relatives of the deceased and there is tendency of exaggeration. The
statements of the witnesses were not recorded before 17 th January
2019 and there was delay in recording statement giving possibility of
due deliberation and discussion between them. The neighbours of the
deceased are not examined. P.W.15 is a close friend of the deceased
and she is interested witness. In the inquest memo, there is no
mention of injuries on neck, but as good as 18 injuries are mentioned
in the postmortem report. So, there is a doubt whether these injuries
were caused subsequently. In the inquest memo, it is mentioned that
Salwar was having green colour but the postmortem report indicates
22 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
that it was not the green colour but blue colour plus there is no
mention of Odhani in the inquest memo, then how it came in the
postmortem report and therefore, there is possibility of doubt.
37] Learned Advocate would also say that exact time of death
is not proved. About the earlier illtreatment to the deceased, the
relatives have not filed any complaint or report. The chain of
circumstances is not proved. The statement of the deceased to her
relatives about illtreatment by the accused cannot be used because of
Section 32 of the Indian Evidence Act. There are material omissions in
the evidence of P.W.10 Durvesh and other witnesses. Durvesh has not
stated presence of accused No.2 when they went to Bhusawal by Ecco
vehicle and the accused No.2 had left for Belkhed. The medical
evidence is doubtful because there is discrepancy in the injuries
mentioned in the inquest memo and postmortem report. The cause of
death throttling associated with smothering is also doubtful. The
hystopathology report Exh.188, which according to learned advocate,
is a duplicate report mentions early stage of pregnancy but the
certificate produced by the accused indicates that she had already
undergone tubectomy. The injuries on the body of accused No.1 are
identically mentioned by the two doctors P.W.12 and P.W.14 and
therefore, they are unbelievable.
23 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
Bench.
24 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
SC 1157.
[5] Tumaso Bruno and anr. Vs. State of U.P. reported in 2015
40] Further the prosecution has not proved the text of SMS
exchanged between the deceased and P.W.19 and therefore, it cannot
be relied upon. On the point of discrepancies in the inquest memo and
postmortem report and recording of belated statements of the
witnesses, he has relied on the judgments between State of
716 SC.
41] On the point that the statement of the deceased about the
injuries and illtreatment caused to her by accused No.1 are not related
to her cause of death and therefore, as observed in Motising and
another Vs. State of U.P. reported in 1960 STPL 214 SC, they
cannot be used against the accused being not admissible. On the point
25 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
S/o Tufani Sahane Vs. State reported in 2009(2) Mh.L.J (Cri) 249,
SC.
in 2007 Cr.L.J. 1000, the benefit of doubt can be given to the accused.
reported in AIR 1973 (S.C.) 501 wherein it is observed that the delay
48] Then Priya P.W.11 has stated that at 11.27 a.m. She
received phone call of the deceased and the deceased told her that she
has a duty in the Court, but her husband is not allowing her to go and
was saying that today is holiday and she is going for idle work ( fjdkes
dke) in the Court, she was crying and told her that her husband was
beating her. So, she told the deceased that within two days she will
send their parents to convince the accused No.1 and the deceased also
informed her that at 10.00 a.m. Durvesh and her motherinlaw went
to Savarla and the accused No.2 is outside the house because of
engagement ceremony in the neighbourhood and the accused No.1 has
bolted the door from inside and assaulting her. She asked the
deceased not to indulge in arguments and go on duty. Then their
29 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
conversation was stopped because she was getting call from her
husband.
54] Then as per the evidence of P.W.5 Dr. Rajesh at 09.40 p.m.
he received phone call of his receptionist that one serious patient has
come. He rushed to the hospital immediately because his house was
adjoining to the hospital. The deceased was kept on I.C.U. Bed. The
accused No.1 introduced himself as Dr. Bharat Patil and told him that
his wife had vomited, got attack and fell down. He examined her and
found that her body was totally cold, her pulse and heartbeats were
not found, respiration was stopped, pupils dilated, he found that she
was having certain abrasions on her nose and face and he was sure
that she died prior to considerable time. He called accused No.1 in his
cabin and told him that she is dead and her M.L.C. will have to be
done. The accused No.1 told him that he will discuss with relatives
and inform him in two minutes, but then the accused No.1 ran away
by carrying the patient. So the evidence of these two independent
doctors coupled with the evidence of Durvesh indicates that at least at
about 06.00 p.m. the deceased was not showing any signs of life and
she was in the house of accused No.1.
55] Another striking fact comes out is why the deceased was
not taken to any hospital at Jamner which is a big Taluka place and
32 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
has lot of expert doctors for immediate help. Accused No.1, being a
doctor, must be aware of those doctors and also with his experience
has knowledge of visible signs in dead and alive person. There is no
explanation on it given by the accused No.1. In case of sudden ill
health any person in normal circumstances will try to get medical help
available at Jamner itself.
58] The doctor also found that these injuries were ante
mortem, fresh and reddish in colour and caused within 12 to 24 hours
before start of postmortem. It means the injuries were caused between
12.40 p.m. of 13.01.2019 and 12.40 a.m. of 14.01.2019. Undisputedly
when Durvesh has seen his mother at 06.00 p.m., he had noticed
injury on her chin and she was not making any movement and
thereafter, she was taken in the vehicle of P.W.8 Vipul to Bhusawal.
So, if the opinion of the doctor is seen in light of evidence of Durvesh,
35 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
cut section both lungs were edematous, congested and reddish fluid
oozing out.
Even the Hystopathology report Exh.188 indicates that
sample of lungs was spongy and hemorrhagic and sections from lung
parenchyma show mild edema with congestion and partial autolytic
changes. It supports opinion of Dr. Devraj.
the injuries noticed by the doctor clearly shows that external force was
used on the face and nose of the deceased to block inhalation and
colour of her skin and lips i.e. bluish, face and ears show the well
known effect on the skin because of lack of oxygen. Even the tongue of
the deceased was clinched between her teeth and also there was a dry
blood crust present in the left ear opening indicative of the reaction of
her body due to stoppage of oxygen by using external force.
65] Once the prosecution has proved that the asphyxial death
is caused inside the house of the accused No.1 and the deceased and
39 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
for causing asphyxial death Odhani Article1 and Pillow having pillow
cover Article9 were used in the house, the question would be who has
caused the culpable homicide ?
[5] Abrasion present over right side of face 1 Cm. below right
eyelid measuring 1.00 Cm. X 0.5 Cm. red in colour, no scab
formation.
[6] Abrasion present over right lateral aspect of nose and 0.5
cm. anterior to injury No.5 size 0.5 cm. X 0.3 cm. red in
colour, no scab formation.
[7] Abrasion present over Palmer aspect of left hand at base
of thumb size 0.5 Cm. X 0.5 Cm. red colour, no scab
formation.
[8] Abrasion over middle finger of left hand over distal
phalanx lateral aspect of size 0.5 Cm. X 0.5 Cm. red in
colour, no scab formation.
[9] Abrasion present over posterior aspect of index finger of
right hand at distal phalanx of size 1.0 Cm. X 0.5 Cm. red
in colour, no scab formation.
67] As per these doctors, the injuries were fresh and caused
within 12 to 36 hours before the start of examination wich was done at
04.10 p.m. on 14.01.2019 by Dr. Swapnil P.W.12. All the injuries
except injury No.1 were possible by sharp object like finger nails and
injury No.1 was possible by hard and blunt object. The injury No.1
was two to four days old. So that cannot be considered as an injury
suffered by the accused on 13 th January 2019 i.e. the date of the
incident.
41 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
71] The burden was on the accused No.1 as per section 106 of
the Indian Evidence Act to explain the cause of death. The accused
was saying that the cause was heart attack or electric shock or
vomiting. But the evidence of the doctor and forensic evidence clearly
established that the cause of death was throttling associated with
smothering and when the accused No.1 has certain minor injuries on
his body and also the fact that there was no other person inside the
house of the accused No.1 and the deceased except the accused No.1,
the irrefutable inference of guilt of the accused No.1 in killing his wife
can safely be drawn.
72] Learned Advocate for the accused has argued that the
motive was not proved by the prosecution. However, evidence of Priya
P.W.11 shows that the accused had picked up quarrel and was not
allowing the deceased to attend the remand work on holiday on the
ground that she is going for unnecessary work shows his doubtful
mentality. P.W.11 Priya has stated that the deceased was a beautiful
lady and that was the reason for the accused No.1 to be suspicious
43 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
about his wife. The behaviour of the accused No.1 of suspecting his
wife can also be guaged from the evidence of Durvesh P.W.10 who has
stated that some time atmosphere in their house was not good.
Similarly, Priya P.W.11 has stated that when the deceased came to
her house at Aurangabad for housewarming ceremony, she had
informed that the accused suspects her character and he abuses and
beats her and while going back on the way the accused had throttled
her and then she sent her parents to convince the accused. Another
factor about such type of behaviour of the accused No.1 comes out
from the evidence of Supriya P.W.15 who has stated that on 05 th
September 2018 when she along with other Assistant Police
Prosecutors were sitting for lunch, they saw the deceased was having
marks of injuries on the shoulder and back and she told them that her
husband has caused them and she was reluctant to file any complaint
against the accused because she thought accused No.1 is a merciless
person and he has threatened her that he will kill the sons.
73] Learned Advocate for the accused has argued that these
witnesses are interested witnesses and therefore, they should not be
believed. However, from the evidence of Priya P.W.11, it does not
appear so. Priya in her crossexamination has fairly admitted
whatever help provided by the accused to her parents and herself. If
she wanted to exaggerate, definitely, she would not have admitted the
suggestion of the accused that he has taken her care when she
44 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
75] So, if the above evidence is seen coupled with the evidence
of Priya as to why the accused was not allowing the deceased to attend
the remand work at Jalgaon and the circumstantial evidence of
broken mobile and scattered bed sheet in the house do show that the
accused No.1 had nurtured his doubt on character of the deceased to
such an extent that he ultimately eliminated her. Therefore, the
45 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
AS TO POINT NO.3 :
78] As per Vipul, accused No.1 told him that the deceased had
vomited and she is to be taken to the hospital at Bhusawal. Obviously,
46 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
the fact of vomiting was a false statement made by the accused No.1.
Further Vipul has stated that the accused No.1 informed him inside
the house of incident that the deceased had suffered a minor attack
and she is unconscious. Then P.W.4 Dr. Rahul has stated that the
accused No.1 told him that his wife has suffered chest pain and fell
unconscious. Dr. Rajesh P.W.5 has stated that the accused No.1 told
him that his wife has vomited and fell down because of attack. Suraj
P.W.6, who has seen the accused Nos.1 and 2, deceased, Durvesh,
mother of accused No.1 at the hospital of Dr. Rajesh P.W.5, has stated
that when he made phone call to accused No.2, he told him that
nobody at Bhusawal is admitting the deceased and therefore, they are
going towards Jalgaon. But while coming back home, when he checked
the hospital of Dr. Rajesh, he found them at that hospital and accused
No.2 was sitting near reception counter. The accused No.2 told him
that the deceased has suffered an attack. In the meantime, the
accused No.1 came out of I.C.U. and on inquiry, informed him that the
deceased had expired and accused No.2 told him that if they wait
there, they will have to carry out the postmortem and therefore, they
are taking the body to Belkhed.
79] Then P.W.10 Durvesh has stated that the accused No.2
told him that the deceased vomited twice and she is lying unconscious
in the bedroom. Priya P.W.11 has stated that in the evening at around
06.30 p.m., she got phone call of accused No.2, who informed her that
47 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
the deceased had suffered a shock. He again called her and told her
that the deceased vomited and she suffered an attack and on her
inquiry, he told her that they are taking her to Bhusawal. So she
informed P.W.6 Suraj to go to the hospitals at Bhusawal. She also
stated that the mobile number of accused No.1 was coming switched
off and accused No.2 was telling names of different hospitals.
80] From the evidence of Suraj P.W.6, Vipul P.W.8 and Priya
P.W.11, the accused No.2 was also accompanying the accused No.1 at
Bhusawal. The evidence of these witnesses about the presence of
accused No.2 along with accused No.1 right up to Bhusawal and from
there taking the dead body in Ecco vehicle to Belkhed is supported by
the C.D.R. Exh.176 containing call details of mobile number
9421023067 of accused No.2 Lalsingh. Perusal of C.D.Rs. Exh.176 and
Exh.177 indicate that at 18.02.12 hours, 18.03.44 hours, 18.18.33
hours, 19.25.52 hours, 20.33.17 hours and 20.50.24 hours there were
calls between the mobile of accused No.2 and Priya. Most importantly,
the tower location of the mobile of accused No.2 at 19.57.31 hours
indicates that it is at Nahata College, Bhusawal and subsequent tower
locations are Rajeshwar, Navshakti, Rajeshwar and Nahata college up
to 21.41.32 hours indicate that the said mobile was in the towers
located at Bhusawal city. It is to be noted that the accused extensively
crossexamined P.W.17 P.I. Ingle on C.D.R. Exh.176 and direct
evidence of P.W.6 about presence of accused No.2 at Bhusawal is
supported by circumstantial evidence i.e. C.D.Rs.
48 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
AS TO POINT NO.4 :
84] The accused No.1 having found guilty of the offence under
section 302 of Indian Penal Code for which, the punishment is death
or rigorous imprisonment imprisonment for life and fine and as both
the accused are found guilty of the offence under section 201 read with
section 34 of Indian Penal Code, the punishment for it is rigorous
imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to
seven years and fine.
50 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
85] I have heard both the accused and their learned advocate
as well as learned P.P. on the quantum of punishment. The accused
No.1 has submitted that the future of his children may be considered
while punishing him and he may be given a chance. Similarly, he is
the only son of his age old parents and there is nobody to look after
them. The accused No.2 has submitted that he is facing lot of physical
problems in squatting and getting up, his wife is also suffering and
there is nobody to look after her and therefore, considering his age,
leniency may be shown.
88] Learned P.P. Shri K.J. Dhake has vehemently opposed the
prayer of the accused and their learned advocate for taking lenient
view in imposing the punishment. Learned P.P. submitted as regards
accused No.2 that his claim of suffering from various ailments and
physical inability is not correct because the record of the case would
show that he was attending each and every date in the Court and was
taking various steps in filing applications also. Further, the claim of
the accused No.1 that he will have to look after his parents is also not
factually correct because the evidence on record has brought out that
prior to and till the date of incident, the accused No.1 was residing at
Jamner and the accused No.2 along with his wife was residing at
Belkhed. Further, the claim of the accused No.2 that there is nobody
to look after his wife is not correct because the accused No.2 has
daughters who are residing in nearby Talukas and as has come on
record his relatives are also staying in Belkhed and considering the
fact that he was a Police Patil and such a crime of murder of an
earning lady in the house who was the Assistant Police Prosecutor
does not call for any kind of leniency. In respect of accused No.1,
learned P.P. would say that though aware of all the legal provisions,
just because of the grudge in his mind against his wife as she used to
talk on mobile, he has committed cold blooded murder. The
submission of accused No.1 that future of his children be considered,
learned P.P. would say that it is the accused No.1 who made them
orphan. Mother of the children was an earning lady and after her
52 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
death, the evidence on record shows that his children are being looked
after by Priya P.W.11 sister of the deceased. Therefore, the maximum
punishment may be imposed including heavy fine.
{a} That the offence was committed under the influence of extreme
mental or emotional disturbance.
53 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
{b} The age of the accused. If the accused is young or old, he shall
not be sentenced to death.
{c} The probability that the accused would not commit criminal acts
of violence as would constitute a continuing threat to society.
{d} The probability that the accused can be reformed and
rehabilitated.
The state shall by evidence prove that the accused does not
satisfy Conditions {c} and {d} above.
{e} That in the facts and circumstances of the case, the accused
believed that he was morally justified in committing the offence.
{f} That the accused acted under the duress or domination of
another person.
{g} That the condition of the accused showed that he was mentally
defective and that the said defence impaired his capacity to
appreciate the criminality of his conduct.
Aggravating Circumstances.
{c} The offence was committed with the intention to create a fear
psychosis in the public at large and was committed in a public
place by a weapon or device which clearly could be hazardous to
the life of more than one person.
{d} The offence of murder was committed for ransom or like offences
to receive money or monetary benefits.
{e} Hired killings.
{f} The offence was committed outrageously for want only while
involving inhumane treatment and torture to the victim.
{g} The offence was committed by a person while in lawful custody.
{h} The murder or the offence was committed to prevent a person
lawfully carrying out his duty like arrest or custody in a place of
lawful confinement of himself or another. For instance, murder
is of a person who had acted in lawful discharge of his duty
under Section 43 Cr.P.C.
{i} When the crime is enormous in proportion like making an
attempt of murder of the entire family or members of a
particular community.
{j} When the victim is innocent, helpless or a person relies upon the
trust of relationship and social norms, like a child, helpless
woman, a daughter or a niece staying with a father/uncle and is
inflicted with the crime by such a trusted person.
{k} When murder is committed for a motive which evidences total
depravity and meanness.
55 Sessions Case No.173 of 2019
place in the society by proving that she is an eligible advocate who can
be appointed as Assistant Police Prosecutor. Naturally, when a person
performs duty in upholding the rights of the victims and maintenance
of law and order which is a main plank for the Bench in doing the
work of social engineering, she had to be in touch with many people
and apparently in the present case that has not gone well with her
husband. Certainly in any marriage, there are wear and tears, but the
present case indicates that the observation of one English Author
about psychology of a male that a criminal minded person gets a
beautiful wife is apparently true if the facts and circumstances of the
case discussed herein above are seen.