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

    0
    54
    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

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here