Kerala High Court: A Division Bench comprising of A. Hariprasad and A.Anil Kumar, JJ., released the appellant as no intention to commit murder was established and he had already undergone more detention than imposed by the law.
The prosecution alleges that the deceased and the accused-appellant used to sleep in the veranda or close shop rooms and in bus waiting sheds. It is pertinent to note that both were in the habit of drinking. The appellant had enmity towards the deceased and physically assaulted him by kicking and hitting on vital body parts with an intention to commit murder. The deceased was taken to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
Renjith B. Marar, counsel representing the appellant, argued that the name of the deceased was noted at the hospital. Due to a botched up investigation, the chance of someone else assaulting the deceased with a mistaken identity cannot be ruled out. There is no case that the accused had any weapon which could have been used for causing injuries mentioned in the post-mortem report. He further argued that even if the prosecution case is accepted, the offence under Section 300 of the Penal Code, 1860 is not made out. The counsel submitted that the opposite counsel failed to prove mens rea on the part of the appellant that caused the death of the deceased.
Alex H. Thombra, counsel for the respondent, argued that on the evening previous to the incident due to a scuffle between the accused and the deceased; the accused was made to apologise to the victim and thus he developed hostility towards him. PW1 confirmed witnessing the accused assaulting the deceased.
The High Court upon perusal of the facts and circumstances of the case held that the appellant and the deceased were known to each other prior to the incident, the appellant was aware of the deceased’s weak physical conditions. Thus the Court held that the appellant had knowledge that by incessantly assaulting the deceased it will likely cause his death and there is the absence of intention to commit murder, thus the appellant has committed an offence under Section 299, Penal Code, 1860 and is liable under Section 304 of the Penal Code, 1860. The Court sentenced him to 7 years of rigorous imprisonment and on finding that he has been undergoing detention for about 10 years directed that authorities release him. [Jomon Kava v. State of Kerala, CRL.A.No. 1276 of 2016 decided on 31-10-2019]
