Advertisement
Advertisement

― Advertisement ―

HomePrem Singh vs Jaspal Singh And Ors. on 30 March, 2026

Prem Singh vs Jaspal Singh And Ors. on 30 March, 2026

ADVERTISEMENT

Punjab-Haryana High Court

Prem Singh vs Jaspal Singh And Ors. on 30 March, 2026

                      IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH




                    (214)                                        CRR-136-2010 (O&M)
                                                                 Reserved on : 11.03.2026
                                                                                      .2026
                                                                 Pronounced on : 30.03.2026
                                                                                    03.2026
                                                                 Uploaded on:    30.03.2026

                    Prem Singh                                         ......Petitioner
                                                      Versus
                    Jaspal Singh & others                              .....Respondents

CORAM : HON’BLE MR.JUSTICE RAMESH CHANDER DIMRI

Present:- Mr.J.S.Cooner, Advocate, for the petitioner.

SPONSORED

Mr.Keshav Pratap Singh, Advocate and
Mr.Ekteshwar Sidhu, Advocate, for respondent Nos.1 to 6.

Mr.A.K.Khubbar,
A.K.Khubbar, Addl.A.G., Haryana
Haryana.

RAMESH CHANDER DIMRI,
DIMRI J. :

1. This judgment shall dispose of a Criminal Revision Petition

filed against the judgment dated 27.07.2009 passed by the Learned

Addl.Sessions Judge, Ambala (for brevity, “”Appellate Court”) by which

an appeal filed by the respondents/accused
respondent /accused (for brevity, “accused”) was

disposed of and the judgment of conviction dated 27.07.2007 was

modified to the extent that the accused-Narinder
Narinder Singh was acq
acquitted
uitted of

the charge framed against him whereas other accused were ordered to be

released on probation subject to they
the furnishing requisite bonds in the sum

of Rs.30,000/-

Rs.30,000/ each with one surety in the like amount each.

2. As per the prosecution case, the complainant
complainant-Prem
Prem Singh has

four brothers, one Ram Pal Singh being youngest of them. All of them

were residing separately. Some land of Prem Singh and his nephew

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -2-

Mangat Singh was comprised in Abadi Deh of Village Rampur situated

near baithak of accused Roop Singh (since deceased) where cowdung

cakes had been stacked and certain wooden logs were also stored. On

28.11.1990 at about 8.30 a.m., Prem Singh and his nephew Mangat Singh

as well as Sunil Kumar had gone to dig a foundation on the said land for

raising a boundary wall. When they started digging the foundation,

accused Jaspal Singh, Roop Singh, Des Raj, Surinder Singh, Nepal Singh,

Krishan and Babli, with Narinder Singh, armed with lathis and gandasis,

came there. They proclaimed that said land belongs to them. Such

proclamation led to exchange of words. In result, Roop Singh got

infuriated and provoked others to teach a lesson to Prem Singh etc. He

inflicted a lathi blow on head of Prem Singh. He then gave its blow on his

forehead. Third blow thereof was given on ear of Prem Singh. Accused

Des Raj gave a lathi blow on right shoulder of Prem Singh whereas the

accused Narinder Singh gave lathi blows on his right shoulder as well as

his right elbow. Accused Surinder Singh gave a lathi blow on his right

hand and another blow thereof on his left ankle. Prem Singh fell down.

Accused Roop Singh gave a lathi blow on his right shoulder whereas

accused Nepal Singh gave lathi blows on his ankle and left elbow.

Accused Jaspal Singh gave a reverse-side blow of gandasi on right hand of

Prem Singh. Said accused also caused injuries to Sunil Kumar and

Mangat Singh. On raising alarm, one Som Nath son of Surat Singh and

Surat Singh as well as Atma Ram came to the spot. They rescued Prem

Singh from the accused. After criminally intimidating Prem Singh, the

accused fled from the spot with their respective weapons. All three injured

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -3-

were taken to hospital. On getting information about admission of injured

to the Civil Hospital, SI Jai Ram etc. reached Civil Hospital, Mullana and

recorded statement of Prem Singh. On its basis, a DDR and then an FIR

was registered on that very date. Investigation was started. Medical

evidence was collected. Statements of witnesses were recorded. On

completion of investigation, final report under Section 173 of the Code of

Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for brevity, “1973 Code”) was prepared. It was

presented before the concerned Area Magistrate.

3. After complying with the provisions contained in Section 207

of the 1973 Code, the Learned Magistrate, vide order dated 23.10.1998,

charge-sheeted the accused for commission of offences under Section 148

as well as Sections 323, 325, 506 read with Section 149 of the Indian

Penal Code, 1860 (for brevity, “1860 Code”). The accused pleaded not

guilty to the charges and claimed trial.

4. In its evidence, prosecution examined 6 witnesses. It also

proved documents referred to by the Learned Courts below in the

impugned judgment/s.

5. In their respective statements under Section 313 of 1973

Code, the accused denied the incriminating evidence put to them with a

plea of false implication on account of prior enmity. They produced 2

witnesses in their defence. After proving documents Mark-A and Mark-

A2, they closed their evidence.

6. On conclusion of evidence, concerned Area Magistrate heard

the partis on merits of the case. After such hearing, it convicted the

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -4-

accused under Section 148 as well as Sections 323, 325, 506 all read with

Section 149 of 1860 Code. They were accordingly sentenced.

7. Aggrieved of the said conviction and order of sentence, the

accused preferred an appeal before the Sessions Court. Through the

impugned judgment dated 27.07.2009, the Learned Appellate Court

accepted the appeal on behalf of accused Narinder Singh and acquitted

him. However, appeal against conviction of the accused Jaspal Singh,

Krishan, Nepal Singh, Des Raj and Surinder Singh was dismissed.

However, a plea of grant of probation etc. raised on behalf of the said

accused was accepted and they all were ordered to be released on

probation for a period of one year without supervision. Accused Jaspal

Singh, Krishan, Nepal Singh, Des Raj and Surinder Singh were also

directed to pay compensation of Rs.10,000/- to Prem Singh (complainant).

Amount of fine of Rs.10,000/- already deposited by them before the Trial

Court was converted towards costs of proceedings and amount of fine

deposited by said Narinder Singh was ordered to be refunded to him.

Amount of compensation ordered by the Appellate Court was deposited by

the said accused. Prem Singh had also filed a Revision Petition against the

judgment passed by the Learned Trial Court. It was also accordingly

disposed of. Aggrieved of the impugned judgment dated 27.07.2009, said

Prem Singh is in revision before this Court.

8. I have heard Shri J.S.Cooner, Advocate for the petitioner,

Shri Keshav Pratap Singh, Advocate, for respondent Nos.1 to 6 and Shri

A.K.Khubbar, Learned Addl.A.G., Haryana, on merits of the Revision

Petition. With their assistance, I have perused photocopies of the record.

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document

CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -5-

9. Learned counsel for the petitioner has argued that accused

Narinder Singh was illegally and erroneously acquitted through the

impugned judgment. Benefit of probation was wrongly and illegally given

to the remaining 5 accused. They were not at all entitled to such benefit.

Impugned judgment, to the said extent, deserves to be set aside. Accused

Narinder Singh deserves to be convicted/sentenced as ordered by the

Learned Trial Court. Remaining 5 accused were rightly convicted by the

Learned Trial Court. They, therefore, should undergo the imprisonment

imposed by it on them.

10. On the other hand, learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 to 6

has argued that in respect of acquittal granted to respondent No.6,

impugned judgment is clear and categoric. Sentence of probation imposed

on respondent Nos.1 to 5 has elapsed. In view thereof, qua them nothing

more survives. Impugned judgment is self-speaking calling for no

interference in revision. It has taken the evidence and law applicable to

the case into consideration. There is no ground to exercise revisional

jurisdiction against it. He has accordingly prayed for dismissal of the

Revision Petition. In support of his arguments, he has relied upon the

report “Jitender Vs. Maan Singh & another” 2025 NCPHHC 9202 and

a judgment dated 10.07.2025 rendered in Criminal Revision No.1413-

2010 titled “Ganesh Dutt Kaushik Vs. State of Haryana & another.

11. Learned Addl. Advocate General agrees that probation period

for which 5 accused were sentenced has expired.

12. After such hearing and perusal, I may state that through the

impugned judgment dated 27.07.2009, the accused Narinder Singh was

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -6-

acquitted of the charges framed against him in the case in question. In

view of such acquittal, if the State was aggrieved of the same, in terms of

Section 378(1) of the 1973 Code, an appeal was maintainable. Said

sub-section is reproduced as under:-

S. 378 Appeal in case of acquittal :-

1. Save as otherwise provided in Sub-Section (2) and subject

to the provisions of Sub-Sections (3) and (5),

(a) the District Magistrate may, in any case, direct the

Public Prosecutor to present an appeal to the Court

of Session from an order of acquittal passed by a

Magistrate in respect of a cognizable and non-

bailable offence;

(b) the State Government may, in any case, direct the

Public Prosecutor to present an appeal to the High

Court from an original or appellate order of an

acquittal passed by any Court other than a High

Court [not being an order under clause (a) or an

order of acquittal passed by the Court of Session in

revision.”

13. A perusal of above reproduced provision shows that an

appeal by the State of Haryana only was maintainable against a judgment

of acquittal passed in favour of accused if such judgment was rendered

prior to 31.12.2009. In the present case, the impugned judgment was

rendered on 27.07.2009. Therefore, an appeal thereagainst at the instance

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -7-

of the complainant was not maintainable. The complainant Prem Singh has

therefore rightly filed a revision petition against the same.

14. I may also state that revisional powers of this Court can be

exercised in terms of Section 401 of the 1973 Code. Therefore, present

revision has to be dealt within the parameters contained in the said section.

Said section is therefore reproduced as under:-

“401. High Court’s powers of revision.–

(1) In the case of any proceeding the record of which has

been called for by itself or which otherwise comes to its

knowledge, the High Court may, in its discretion, exercise any

of the powers conferred on a Court of Appeal by sections 386,

389, 390 and 391 or on a Court of Session by section 307,

and, when the Judges composing the Court of Revision are

equally divided in opinion, the case shall be disposed of in the

manner provided by section 392.

(2) No order under this section shall be made to the prejudice

of the accused or other person unless he has had an

opportunity of being heard either personally or by pleader in

his own defence.

(3) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to authorise a

High Court to convert a finding of acquittal into one of

conviction.

(4) Where under this Code an appeal lies and no appeal is

brought, no proceeding by way of revision shall be

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -8-

entertained at the instance of the party who could have

appealed.

(5) Where under this Code an appeal lies but an application

for revision has been made to the High Court by any person

and the High Court is satisfied that such application was

made under the erroneous belief that no appeal lies thereto

and that it is necessary in the interests of Justice so to do, the

High Court may treat the application for revision as a

petition of appeal and deal with the same accordingly.”

15. I may also state that in terms of Section 401(3) of 1973 Code,

this Court cannot convert a finding of acquittal into one of conviction. In

respect of scope of revisional powers of a High Court, a three Judge Bench

of Hon’ble the Supreme Court, in the report “Pakalapati Narayana

Gajapathi Raju & others Vs. Bonapalli Peda Appadu & another“,

(1975) 4 SCC 477, observed as under:-

“3. Section 439 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure

provides that in exercise of revisional jurisdiction, the High

Court may exercise any of the powers conferred on a court of

appeal. This provision is made expressly subject to sub-

section (4) of Section 439 under which nothing contained in

the section shall be deemed to authorise a High Court to

convert a finding of acquittal into one of conviction. Section

439 has been interpreted in several decisions of this Court

which have taken the view that the revisional jurisdiction,

when invoked by a private complainant against an order of

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -9-

acquittal, ought not to be exercised lightly and that it can be

exercised only in exceptional cases where the interests of

public justice require interference for the correction of a

manifest illegality or the prevention of a gross miscarriage of

justice.(See Satyendra Nath Dutta v. Ram Narain, (1975) 3

SCC 398; Akalu Ahir v. Ramdeo Ram, (1974) 1 SCR 130;

Changanti Kotaiah v. Goginoni Venkateshwara Rao, (1973)

3 SCR 867. It is clear from these decisions that the revisional

jurisdiction cannot be invoked merely because the lower

court has not appreciated the evidence properly. The High

Court has in its judgment referred to the decisions of this

Court but in applying those decisions it has transgressed the

limits of its revisional powers.”

16. In respect of scope of revisional powers of a High Court, a

three Judge Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme Court, in the report “Duli

Chand Vs. Delhi Administration“, (1975) 4 SCC 649, observed as

under:-

“4. …… Now, the jurisdiction of the High Court in a Criminal

Revision Application is severally restricted and it cannot

embark upon reappreciation of the evidence, but even so, the

learned single Judge of the High Court who heard the

revision application, examined the evidence afresh at the

instance of the appellant. This was, however, of no avail, as

the learned single Judge found that the conclusion reached by

the lower Courts that the appellant was guilty of gross

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -10-

negligence, was correct and there was no reason to interfere

with the conviction of the appellant. …..

5. …..The High Court in revision was exercising supervisory

jurisdiction of a restricted nature and, therefore, it would

have been justified in refusing to re-appreciate the evidence

for the purpose of determining whether the concurrent finding

of fact reached by the learned Magistrate and the learned

Additional Sessions Judge was correct. But even so, the High

Court reviewed the evidence presumably for the purpose of

satisfying itself that there was evidence in support of the

finding of fact reached by the two subordinate courts and that

the finding of fact was not unreasonable or perverse. The

High Court came to the conclusion that the evidence clearly

established that the death of the deceased was caused on

account of the negligent driving of the bus by the appellant.

…..”.

17. In respect of revisional powers of a High Court under Section

439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898 (for brevity “1898 Code”), a

three Judge Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme Court, in the report

K.Chinnaswamy Reddy Vs. State of A.P.” AIR 1962 SC 1788 while

referring to its two earlier decisions, observed as under:-

“It is true that it is open to a High Court in revision to set

aside an order of acquittal even at the instance of private

parties, though the State may not have thought fit to appeal;

but this jurisdiction should in our opinion be exercised by the

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -11-

High Court only in exceptional cases, when there is some

glaring defect in the procedure or there is a manifest error on

a point of law and consequently there has been a flagrant

miscarriage of justice. Sub-section (4) of Section 439 forbids

a High Court from converting a finding of acquittal into one

of conviction and that makes it all the more incumbent on the

High Court to see that it does not convert the finding of

acquittal into one of conviction by the indirect method of

ordering retrial, when it cannot itself directly convert a

finding of acquittal into a finding of conviction. This places

limitations on the power of the High Court to set aside a

finding of acquittal in revision and it is only in exceptional

cases that this power should be exercised. It is not possible to

lay down the criteria for determining such exceptional cases

which would cover all contingencies. We may however

indicate some cases of this kind, which would in our opinion

justify the High Court in interfering with a finding of

acquittal in revision. These cases may be: where the trial

court has no jurisdiction to try the case but has still acquitted

the accused, or where the trial court has wrongly shut out

evidence which the prosecution wished to produce, or where

the appeal court has wrongly held evidence.which was

admitted by the trial court to be inadmissible, or where

material evidence has been overlooked either by the trial

court or by the appeal court, or where the acquittal is based

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -12-

on a compounding of the offence, which is invalid under the

law. These and other cases of similar nature can properly be

held to be cases of exceptional nature, where the High Court

can justifiably interfere with an order of acquittal; and in

such a case it is obvious that it cannot be said that the High

Court was doing indirectly what it could not do directly in

view of the provisions of a. 439 (4). We have therefore to see

whether the order ‘of the High Court setting aside the order

of acquittal in this case can be upheld on these principles.”

18. In respect of revisional powers of a High Court, a three Judge

Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme Court, in the report “Ayodhya Dube &

others Vs. Ram Sumer Singh“, 1981 (Supp) SCC 83, while referring to

K.Chinnaswamy Reddy’s report (supra), observed as under:-

“2. In our view the High Court has given adequate reasons

for interfering with the acquittal and ordering a retrial of the

appellants. We may add that the High Court also expressed

the view that the instances mentioned by this Court in

Chinnaswamy vs State of Andhra Pradesh AIR. 1962 S.C.

1978 as justifying interference with orders of acquittal in the

exercise of revisional powers were illustrative and not

exhaustive. We agree with the view expressed by the High

Court and we only wish to say that the Criminal Justice

System does not admit of ‘pigeon-holing.’. Life and the Law

do not fall neatly into slots. When a Court starts laying down

rules enumerated (1), (2), (3), (4) or (a), (b), (c), (d), it is

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -13-

arranging for itself traps and pitfalls. Categories,

classifications and compartments, which statute does not

mention, all tend to make law ‘less flexible, less sensible and

less just.”

19. In respect of such powers, a two Judge Bench of Hon’ble the

Supreme Court, in the report “Janata Dal Vs. H.S.Chowdhary“, (1992) 4

SCC 305, observed as under:-

“130. The object of the revisional jurisdiction under Section

401 is to confer power upon superior criminal Courts – a kind

of paternal or supervisory jurisdiction – in order to correct

miscarriage of justice arising from misconception of law,

irregularity of procedure, neglect of proper precaution or

apparent harshness of treatment which has resulted on the

one hand, or on the other hand in some undeserved hardship

to individuals. The controlling power of the High Court is

discretionary and it must be exercised in the interest of justice

with regard to all facts and circumstances of each particular

case, anxious attention being given to the said facts and

circumstances which vary greatly from case to case.

131. xxxx xxxx xxxx

132. The criminal Courts are clothed with inherent power to

make such orders as may be necessary for the ends of justice.

Such power though unrestricted and undefined should not be

capriciously or arbitrarily exercised, but should be exercised

in appropriate cases, ex debito justitiae to do real and

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -14-

substantial justice for the administration of which alone the

Courts exist. The powers possessed by the High Court under

Section 482 of the Code are very wide and the very plenitude

of the power requires great caution in its exercise. Courts

must be careful to see that its decision in exercise of this

power is based on sound principles.”

20. While quoting observations made in Janata Dal’s report

(supra) with approval, a three Judge Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme

Court, in the report “T.N.Dhakkal Vs. James Basnett & another”,

(2001) 10 SCC 419, observed as under:-

“9. We are in agreement with the above exposition of law. We

are of the opinion that though the High Court has revisional

jurisdiction under Section 401 of the Code and can exercise

its discretionary jurisdiction to correct miscarriage of justice,

but whether or not, there is justification for the exercise of

that discretionary jurisdiction would depend upon the facts

and circumstances of each case. The controlling power of the

High Court under Section 401 of the Code being

discretionary is required to be exercised only in the interest

of justice, having regard to all the facts and circumstances of

each particular case and not mechanically.”

21. In respect of revisional jurisdiction of a High Court, a two

Judge Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme Court, in the report “State of

Kerala Vs. Puttumana Illath Jathavedan Namboodiri“, (1999) 2 SCC

452, observed as under:-

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document

CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -15-

“Having examined the impugned Judgment of the High Court

and bearing in mind the contentions raised by the learned

counsel for the parties, we have no hesitation to come to the

conclusion that in the case in hand, the High Court has

exceeded its revisional jurisdiction. In Its revisional

jurisdiction, the High Court can call for and examine the

record of any proceedings for the purpose of satisfying itself

as to the correctness, legality or propriety of any finding,

sentence or order. In other words, the jurisdiction is one of

Supervisory Jurisdiction exercised by the High Court for

correcting miscarriage of justice. But the said revisional

power cannot be equated with the power of an Appellate

Court nor can it be treated even as a second Appellate

Jurisdiction. Ordinarily, therefore, it would not be

appropriate for the High Court to re-appreciate the evidence

and come to its own conclusion on the same when the

evidence has already been appreciated by the Magistrate as

well as the Sessions Judge in appeal, unless any glaring

feature is brought to the notice of the High Court which

would otherwise tentamount to gross miscarriage of justice.”

22. Observations made in Duli Chand’s report (supra) and

those made in a report “State of Orissa VS. Nakula Sahu“, (1979) 1

SCC 328 as well as Puttumana Illath’s report (supra) were approved by

a three Judge Bench of Hon’ble the Supreme Court in the report “Raj

Kumar Vs. State of Himachal Pradesh“, (2008) 11 SCC 76.

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document

CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -16-

23. Applying the said observations to the present case, I may

state that the Appellate Court, while dealing with the case against the

accused Narinder Singh, has categorically observed that the said accused

has taken a specific stand in his statement under Section 313 of 1973 Code

that he was on duty at Ramgarh, Tehsil Panchkula, on that date. It also

observes that in support of his such contention, the said accused examined

2 witnesses in his defence. DW1 Sandeep Kumar presented a report of the

relevant period and deposed that the said accused had issued some record

to one Nathu on the date of the occurrence in question i.e. 28.11.1990. It

further records that the said Nathu was examined as DW2 who identified

the accused Narinder Singh and stated that the said accused issued a Fard

to him on the said date at 9.00 a.m. It also mentions that in his cross-

examination, PW1 Prem Singh has stated that the said accused lives at

Panchkula. After recording that the said accused, on the date of

occurrence in question, was stated to be at a distance of 50 kms from the

place of occurrence, the Appellate Court then observed that it is still

inclined to accept plea of absence of the accused Narinder Singh at the

spot and to give him benefit of doubt because his brother Babli had also

been named by the prosecution not only before the police but also in the

Court and a specific role had been assigned to him. It further mentions

that it was done so despite the fact that the accused Babli was found

present on that date in Leh since he was employed/posted in ITBP. The

impugned judgment of the Appellate Court also mentions that the

occurrence in question had taken all of a sudden and was not pre-planned

even as per the case set-forth by the prosecution and therefore presence of

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -17-

the accused Narinder Singh at the spot, in such circumstances, becomes

doubtful. By observing so in favour of the said accused, the Appellate

Court gave him the benefit of doubt and accepted his appeal by acquitting

him. The above referred to conclusion/s arrived at by the Learned

Appellate Court, in the facts/circumstances of the present case, are

certainly possible on the basis of the evidence on record and are

reasonable conclusion/s. Even if another reasonable conclusion may have

been arrived in the case in question against the said accused, this Court, in

a revision petition against acquittal, will not disturb a finding of acquittal

on the basis of possibility of two conclusions. By earning an acquittal

through the impugned judgment of the Appellate Court, the said accused

has double presumption of innocence in his favour.

24. Above stated reasoning/discussion shows that the impugned

judgment has not caused any miscarriage of justice. It has analysed the

evidence in detail to acquit the accused Narinder Singh. Reappreciation of

evidence is not permissible while exercising a revisional jurisdiction.

Impugned judgment is not perverse or unreasonable. A revisional

jurisdiction cannot be exercised lightly and rather has to be exercised in

exceptional cases where the interest of public justice require interference

for correction of a manifest illegality or prevention of gross miscarriage of

justice. A revisional jurisdiction is supervisory in nature and therefore is

restricted jurisdiction. The case in question also does not qualify the

ingredients laid down in K.Chinnaswamy Reddy’s report (supra)

quoted with approval in Ayodhya Dube’s report (supra) for exercise of

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -18-

revisional jurisdiction against the impugned judgment. I therefore find no

ground to exercise such jurisdiction against it.

25. Next limb of the argument raised on behalf of the petitioner is

that the Learned Appellate Court has illegally granted benefit of probation

to the accused Jaspal Singh, Krishan, Nepal Singh, Des Raj and Surinder

Singh (respondent Nos.1 to 5). However, as against his such argument,

learned counsel for the accused has relied upon Jitender’s report (supra)

and Ganesh Dutt Kaushik’s judgment (supra) to contend that elapsing

of probation period imposed on the accused renders challenge to grant of

probation as infructuous. The said reports are by a Co-ordinate Bench of

this Court. No report contrary to the report/judgment relied upon by the

learned counsel for the accused has been cited before me. The impugned

judgment was passed by the Learned Appellate Court on 27.07.2009.

Through the same, it observed as under:-

“The accused have been facing the ordeal of trial for the last

more than 19 years. They are not previous convicts and are

first offenders. They are sole bread earners of their families.

The appellants had been held guilty of having committed an

offence under Sections 148/323/325 read with section 149

and 506 of IPC, which is not punishable with death or

imprisonment for life. The offence being covered under

Section 4 of the Probation of Offenders Act and considering

the facts and circumstances of the case, and further in view of

the ratio laid down in State of Punjab Vs. Kuldip Singh and

others 2007(2) RCR (Criminal) 670, I am of the opinion that

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -19-

the ends of justice would be met if the appellants/accused are

released on probation. Accordingly the appellants are

ordered to be released on probation subject to their

furnishing requisite bonds in the sum of Rs.30,000/- each with

one surety of the like amount each undertaking therein that

the appellants shall maintain peace and harmony for a period

of one year and in case during this period they commit any

offence the sentence imposed by the learned trial court will

revive. The probation will be without supervision. It is

further ordered that the appellants namely Jaspal Singh,

Krishan, Nepal Singh, Desh Raj and Surinder Singh shall pay

a compensation of Rs.10000/- to the complainant/injured.

The amount of fine to the tune of Rs.10,000/- (Rs.2000/- by

each appellant) already deposited by the appellants Jaspal

Singh, Krishan, Nepal Singh, Desh Raj and Surinder Singh in

the trial court is converted towards the costs of

proceedings……”

26. A perusal of the above-reproduced observations shows that

the said accused were released on probation for a period of one year.

Today, we are running in the year 2026. The said period of probation,

‘s report (supra) and
therefore, has elapsed. In view thereof, Jitender’

Ganesh Dutt Kaushik’s judgment (supra) are fully applicable to the

case in question in respect of expiry of probation period imposed on the

above-stated accused. The argument/s of learned counsel for the

petitioner, in that regard, therefore, are rejected. It being so, the present

SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document
CRR-136-2010 (O&M) -20-

revision petition, qua the accused Jaspal Singh, Krishan, Nepal Singh, Des

Raj and Surinder Singh, has been rendered infructuous.

27. For the reasoning given and discussion made in preceding

portion of the present judgment, the present revision petition against the

accused Narinder Singh is dismissed whereas it is disposed off as

infructuous against the accused Jaspal Singh, Krishan, Nepal Singh, Des

Raj and Surinder Singh (respondent Nos.1 to 5). All interim application/s

also stand disposed of.





                    30.03.2026                           (RAMESH CHANDER DIMRI)
                    Sailesh                                       JUDGE

                                 Whether speaking/reasoned :      Yes
                                 Whether Reportable :             Yes




SAILESH RANJAN
2026.03.30 17:55
I attest to the accuracy and
integrity of this document



Source link