Page 1 REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CRIMINAL APPEAL NO. 1774 of 2010

R. Shaji …Appellant

Versus

State of Kerala …Respondent

J U D G M E N T

Dr. B.S. CHAUHAN, J.

1.This appeal has been preferred against the judgment and order

dated 10.12.2009 delivered by the Kerala High Court at Ernakulam in

Criminal Appeal No. 86 of 2006, by way of which it has affirmed the

judgment and order of the Sessions Court, Kottayam dated 3.1.2006,

passed in Sessions Case No. 145 of 2005.

2.Facts and circumstances giving rise to this appeal are:

A.As per the case of the prosecution, the appellant at the relevant

time had been working as the Deputy Superintendent of Police at

Page 2 Malappuram, and his wife was living at Palluruthy, and was using a

vehicle which was driven by Praveen (deceased). He was also related

to the appellant. Praveen developed an illicit relationship with the

appellant’s wife, and the appellant was informed of this development

by his Manager, Aji. The appellant reached Palluruthy, and made

enquiries about the situation from Praveen and others, and his

relatives tried to resolve the aforesaid matter. In the presence of other

relatives, the matter was then amicably settled. Praveen (deceased),

was asked not to come to appellant’s house thereafter, and thus

Praveen left and began working in a shop at Ettumanoor, as a driver.

B.During this period, on 25/26.11.2004, Vijayamma, relative of

Praveen (deceased), and N. Sahadevan PW.2’s father, informed

Pavithran (PW.1), father of Praveen, that Praveen was in danger as

Vijayamma had found out about the illicit relationship that Praveen

had developed with the appellant’s wife.

C.N. Sahadevan, PW.2’s father informed Pavithran (PW.1),

Praveen’s father who resided at Trivendrum, via the telephone of this

danger to Praveen’s life. Pavithran (PW.1) immediately informed his

brother and requested him to help Praveen, as he may not be spared by

the appellant. N. Sahadevan, PW.2’s father, went and brought Praveen

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Page 3 to his own house, whilst informing everybody, that his mother was

seriously ill. The appellant asked N. Sahadevan, PW.2’s father, in

conversation over the telephone about Praveen, and directed him to

bring Praveen back. PW.2’s father then took Praveen back. When the

meeting took place in the presence of various relatives, the appellant

(A-1), attempted to assault Praveen, but they were separated by other

persons. Praveen pleaded his innocence, and told the appellant that Aji

had played this dirty game for some personal gain. However, when

Aji was called to participate in the said meeting, he stood by his

version of events and stated that he had seen Praveen and the

appellant’s wife in a compromising position. The appellant told

Praveen to leave the said place and to not enter the city.

D.Praveen was brought by Jilesh M.S. (PW.2), and taken to

Trivendrum for treatment. Praveen told his father after a period of 2/3

days that it was not safe for him to stay in hospital as 2/3 gundas had

been roaming around in the hospital. Thus, he went back to the city

and sought employment.

E.On 15.2.2005, Divakaran (PW.7), neighbour of Vinu (A-2),

while coming out of a bus stop, saw Vinu (A-2) coming on a motor

bike while Praveen was standing in the market. Vinu (A-2), stopped

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Page 4 the bike and took Praveen towards Kottayam. They then went to a bar,

had drinks as were served to them by Saiju (PW.9), and came out of

the bar at 8.30 p.m., after which they ate at a ‘thattukada’ (a small

petty shop), where they were served by Jose (PW.8), an employee of

the ‘thattukada’. Mohammed Sherif @ Monai (PW.13), who was the

owner of the ‘thattukada’, saw the appellant (A-1), coming in a Maruti

car. In the said car, there were also some other persons. They had

coffee, as was served to them by Jose (PW.8), and seen by

Mohammed Sherif @ Monai (PW.13). The appellant (A-1) went back

to the car and started driving. Other persons also joined him, and Vinu

(A-2), along with Praveen, left on a Motor Cycle. Vinu (A-2) lifted

his hand and proceeded further. The Maruti Van followed them.

They all left the city at about midnight, and drove into the jungle.

F.Shanavas (PW.12), an auto-rickshaw driver carrying patients to

the Medical College, Kottayam found one motor cycle parked on the

side of the road. As he had slowed down seeing the vehicles on the

road, he also saw two persons coming out of the van. The pillion rider

of the motor cycle sat in the van and after he got into the van, the van

left immediately. The motor bike also started. He noted the

registration number of the van, and also that of the motor bike.

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Page 5 G.Mohanan (PW.10), another auto rickshaw driver saw the Maruti

Van parked on the road and a person standing near it. Mohanan

(PW.10), stopped his auto and asked him what had happened,

however he only replied that a person had gone nearby. Thus,

Mohanan (PW.10) left the place.

H.On 16.2.2005, a pair of human legs was found floating in the

backwaters of the Vembanad lake (hereinafter referred to as the

‘lake’) at Kottayam, by a person who thereafter lodged a complaint to

Subhah K. (PW.68), Sub-Inspector of the Kottayam West Police, on

the basis of which, an FIR was registered.

I.On 18.2.2005, Pavithran (PW.1) lodged an FIR in the Police

Station alleging that his son Praveen had gone missing, and that after

he became aware of the same, he had spent the last 3/4 days searching

for him, but had been still unable to trace him.

J.On 19.2.2005, a torso in a plastic bag, was seen floating on the

eastern side of the lake. Upon obtaining requisite information, K.M.

Antony (PW.17), Circle Inspector of Vaikom, reached the scene and

Pavithran (PW.1) also identified the torso, to be that of his son. While

the inquest of the torso was being conducted, a pair of hands was seen

floating in the lake. K.M. Antony (PW.17) recovered the same and

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Page 6 conducted inquest. Pavithran (PW.1) identified the hands to be those

of Praveen as well.

K.After the completion of the preliminary enquiry, the appellant

and Vinu (A-2), were arrested on 24.2.2005. The house of the

appellant (A-1) was searched by K.M. Anto (PW.74), Circle Inspector

of Police, Kottayam West and there was recovery of M.Os. 13 to 18,

under Exts. P.17 and 18 Mahazars. B. Muralidharan Nair (PW.77),

Dy.S.P., Kottayam, received information that a human head in a

plastic cover, had been spotted on the shores of the back waters of the

lake. The head was then recovered and inquest prepared. B.

Muralidharan Nair (PW.77) obtained custody of the accused from

court. The chopper (M.O.4), alleged to have been used in the said

crime was recovered at the instance of the appellant. A Maruti Van

(M.O.5) was also recovered after information was furnished by the

appellant (A-1), to the effect that the said Maruti Van had also been

used.

L.After having completed the investigation, a charge sheet was

filed against five persons, including the appellant. The trial however,

could be conducted only against two persons, i.e. the appellant (A-1)

and Vinu (A-2), as all the others were absconding. Subsequent to the

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Page 7 trial of this case, A-3 and A-4 were also apprehended, put to trial

separately, and convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code,

1860 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘IPC’). A-5 is still absconding.

M.So far as the present case is concerned, the appellant (A-1)

was convicted under Section 302 read with Section 120-B of the IPC,

and was awarded a sentence of life imprisonment and a fine of Rs. one

lakh, in default of which, he would undergo SI for a period of one

year. Vinu (A-2) was sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and

to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- only, in default of which, he would

undergo SI for 3 months. Both the accused were also convicted under

Section 201 read with Section 120-B IPC, and sentenced to

imprisonment for a period of 3 years, and a fine of Rs.2,000/- each, in

default of which, they would undergo SI for a period of 3 months

each. They were further convicted under Section 364 read with

Section 120-B IPC, and sentenced to undergo RI for a period of 7

years each, and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- each, in default of which,

they would undergo SI for a period of one year. All the sentences

were directed to run concurrently.

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Page 8 N. Aggrieved, both of them preferred Criminal Appeal No. 86 of

2006, which was dismissed by the High Court vide judgment and

order dated 10.12.2009.

Hence, this appeal.

3.Shri S. Gopakumaran Nair, learned senior counsel appearing

for the appellant, has submitted that there was no motive for the

appellant to cause death of Praveen. It is a case of circumstantial

evidence as there is no eye-witness to the actual incident of killing.

The chain of circumstances is not complete. Haridas (PW.14), an

auto-rickshaw driver had seen the appellant and others only for a

fleeting moment. Though the appellant and Vinu (A-2) were arrested,

no Test Identification Parade was conducted. The statements of

witnesses were recorded under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal

Procedure, 1973 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Cr.P.C.’) by a

Magistrate who did not even mention the date of recording such

statements, such statements were not exhibited before the court for the

purpose of corroboration and confrontation. Jose (PW.8), Shanavas

(PW.12), and Mohamamed Sherif @ Monai (PW.13), identified

Praveen (deceased), by seeing only his passport sized photograph.

This is not enough as Shanavas (PW.12), had seen the appellant and

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Page 9 others including Praveen (deceased), only for a brief moment and

thus, was unable to identify them in court after the lapse of a period of

several months, during the course of the trial. Different parts of the

body were found, and the identification of the dead body, merely on

the basis of a mole on the leg of the body cannot be held to be proper

identification by the father, as the dead body was recovered after a

lapse of 3/4 days. Different parts of the body were recovered on

different dates and by such time the skin would have dis-integrated

entirely. Neither Vijayamma nor Radhamma were examined. Aji,

who had disclosed information pertaining to the illicit relationship of

Praveen with the appellant’s wife, was also not examined. A DNA

test was conducted on the dead body to determine whether the same

was in fact, the body of Praveen (deceased). However, the FSL report

disclosed that in respect of the chopper used for the purpose of

dismembering the parts of the body, no blood group could be

detected. The whole case of the prosecution hence, becomes

unbelievable, and the conviction of the appellant is liable, to be set

aside.

4.Per contra, Mr. Basant R. learned senior counsel appearing for

the State has opposed the appeal, contending that the various

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Page 10 circumstances that stood proved, pointed only towards the guilt of the

appellant, and that in the light of the facts and circumstances of the

case, no one apart from the appellant could have committed the

murder of Praveen (deceased). The DNA test established that the

different parts of the body that were recovered from the lake were in

fact, those of Praveen. There was no reason for the prosecution

witnesses, particularly, Jose (PW.8), Mohanan (PW.10), Shanavas

(PW.12) and Mohamamed Sherif @ Monai (PW.13), to depose

against the appellant and both the courts below also have found their

evidence to be trustworthy. Jose (PW.8) and Mohamamed Sherif @

Monai (PW.13) knew the appellant, as well as Vinu (A-2) and

Praveen (deceased). Therefore, holding a TI Parade would have been

a mere formality. Though, Mohanan (PW.10) and Shanavas (PW.12),

the auto rickshaw drivers, were chance witnesses, their presence

cannot be doubted as it is an ordinary circumstance that patients are

taken to the hospital even in the late hours of night, and the said

incident had occurred on the road that led to the hospital. There was

sufficient light on the road, and the High Court recorded a finding to

the effect that Shanavas (PW.12), an auto rickshaw driver, even if he

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Page 11 had been unable to see Praveen, was still able to identify the appellant

and others.

5.We have considered the rival submissions made by learned

counsel for the parties and perused the record.

6.The courts below have appreciated the entire evidence on

record, including the evidence of the defence. The appellant also

examined Ajeesh M. Muraleedharan (DW.1), who was a Sub-Editor,

Malayala Manorama and thereafter, the High Court concurred with

the findings of fact recorded by the Sessions Court on various issues.

There is no dispute that Praveen (deceased), was a victim of homicide,

and that the dismembered parts of the body recovered from the lake

were those of Praveen, as the same stood proved by the DNA report.

The High Court concurring with the opinion of the Sessions Court,

held as under:

“The DNA analysis made it clear that the blood

samples of the parents of Praveen matched with

the DNA of Praveen, deceased and the same

proved and established the identity of the dead

body as the DNA had also been extracted from

the portion of the limbs recovered from the lake

and compared with that of DNA of parents.”

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Page 12 7.The recovery of other articles also stood proved as the High

Court yet again concurring with the finding recorded by the Sessions

Court in this regard, held as under:

“The recovery has been made by the

Investigating agency on the statement

voluntarily made by the appellant in respect of

various materials and the High Court took note

of the fact that the appellant was the seasoned

police officer and unless and until some of the

links were identified and located, nobody could

doubt his involvement. The recovery witnesses

have proved the recoveries. B. Muraleedharan

Nair (PW.77), stated that the seizure was at the

behest of the appellant and the vehicle infact

recovered belonged to the brother-in-law of

Babu (PW.6) and as the owner of the vehicle

did not have enough space to park the vehicle

in his house, the van was being parked in the

compound of Babu (PW.6). The said PW.6 was

familiar to the appellant who has deposed that

the appellant had come to him on 15.2.2005 and

told the said witness that the appellant’s vehicle

had developed some trouble and that is why he

wanted to use the vehicle parked in the house of

the said witness. The van was taken by the

appellant as allowed by Babu (PW.6) after

taking the consent of the owner and the witness

further disclosed that the van was brought back

by the appellant after few days. B.

Muraleedharan Nair (PW.77) has stated that the

vehicle was identified by the appellant himself

telling that this was the van which had been

used for committing the crime.”

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Page 13 8.Undoubtedly, the van was returned on 16.2.2005 and was

recovered on 24.2.2005, and hence, it might have been used in the

interim period, but this does not affect the evidence on record. Some

police officers collected samples of blood stains from the floor of the

said vehicle and also some hair. The hair and blood stains recovered

during the investigation, were compared with the hair collected by the

Scientific Officer from the deceased, which established that the said

hair did in fact, belong to Praveen (deceased), and thus, the use of the

said vehicle in the crime stood proved. The recovery of the van was in

accordance with the provisions of Section 27 of the Indian Evidence

Act, 1872 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Evidence Act’), and as the

same was done at the behest of the appellant, his conduct was relevant

under Section 8 of the Evidence Act.

9.The recovery of the chopper (M.O.4) stood proved as the said

chopper was crafted by Vijayakumar (PW.5), who deposed that

appellant was familiar with him and that the appellant had given him a

leaf plate for the purpose of making a chopper, as also, a kitchen

knife. He prepared both, the chopper and the knife in accordance with

instructions, and handed them over to the appellant in early January,

2005. Vijayakumar (PW.5) identified the chopper.

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Page 14 10.As per the deposition of B. Muraleedharan Nair (PW.77), the

appellant made a disclosure statement to the effect that Praveen’s

body was mutilated using the chopper (M.O.4). The said chopper was

recovered from the southern side of the lake on the basis of such

disclosure statement made by the appellant. The appellant had

exclusive knowledge as regards the place of concealment, and the

evidence on record makes it clear that when he was in fact, taken to

such place, the appellant himself got into the water and retrieved the

chopper from there. No one else knew that the weapon was hidden in

such a place, and the location was not one that was frequented by the

public at large. Therefore, recovery of the said chopper at the behest

of the appellant cannot be doubted.

11.The chopper (M.O.4) was recovered by M.K. Ajithkumar,

Scientific Assistant, who deposed that at the time of recovery, the

chopper had blood stains and hair stuck on it. Dr. P. Babu (PW.71), a

Forensic Surgeon deposed that the dismemberment of the body of the

deceased could certainly have been possible with the said chopper. So

far as the recovery of the skull of Praveen (deceased) is concerned, the

same was also made on the basis of the disclosure statement of the

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Page 15 appellant. The investigating team was taken to the relevant place by

the appellant, and it was on the basis of his disclosure statement that

the skull was found. This happened after digging in a few places

around the land of Ananda Kini. A glove and a plastic rope were also

recovered at his behest, and in light of the aforementioned

circumstances, it cannot be doubted that the said recoveries suffered

from any illegality.

Some minor issues with respect to the above, were raised before

the Sessions Court, as well as before the High Court, and the same

have rightly been explained by the courts below. Thus, they do not

require any further discussion.

12.Learned senior counsel for the appellant has urged that

statements of certain witnesses were recorded under Section 164

Cr.P.C. before Magistrates, namely, Kalampasha (PW.61) and Dinesh

M. Pillai (PW.62). The said statements were not put on record before

the trial court, and the same were not marked. Thus, the trial stood

vitiated as the accused has been denied an opportunity to contradict

the aforementioned statements of the witnesses, which were made

under oath before the magistrates, which though are not in the nature

of substantive evidence, could well be used for the purpose of

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Page 16 corroboration and contradiction. Denial of such opportunity is against

the requisites of a fair trial.

13.Clause (iv) of Section 207 Cr.P.C. clearly provides that any

statement recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C., shall be made available

to the accused alongwith all the other documents that have been filed

alongwith the charge sheet. The appellant herein, has neither urged

that the statements recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C. were not a part

of such documents, before the trial court, nor was any issue raised by

him at the time of cross-examination of B. Muralidharan Nair

(PW.77), the investigating officer. The same is a question of fact.

However, it appears from the documents on record that such

documents, if the same were in fact, a part of the record, were not

marked. The appellant raised this issue for the first time before the

High Court, and the High Court dealt with the same observing:

“A reading of the judgment of the court below

show that both sides referred to the same in

detail and the court below has also referred to

the same in its judgment. It is well settled that

the statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C. can be

used both for corroboration and contradiction

of the author of the statement and thus, did not

find this ground worth acceptance. Even

otherwise, it appears that statement recorded

under Section 164 Cr.P.C. by the Magistrate

was not in detail. No question had been put to

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Page 17 the witnesses whose statements had been

recorded nor an attempt had been made to

extract answers from them and the witnesses

were asked by the learned magistrates what

they wanted to say and they had no clue as to

what they had to speak. Therefore, they simply

spoke what came to their mind at that point of

time whether it was relevant or irrelevant. The

witnesses could not be deemed to carry so

much of wisdom to enable them to know what

are the essential facts they need to state before

the learned magistrate. The witnesses whose

statements were recorded before the magistrate

were simply asked “have you finished, you can

go”.

14.Evidence given in a court under oath has great sanctity, which

is why the same is called substantive evidence. Statements under

Section 161 Cr.P.C. can be used only for the purpose of contradiction

and statements under Section 164 Cr.P.C. can be used for both

corroboration and contradiction. In a case where the magistrate has to

perform the duty of recording a statement under Section 164 Cr.P.C.,

he is under an obligation to elicit all information which the witness

wishes to disclose, as a witness who may be an illiterate, rustic

villager may not be aware of the purpose for which he has been

brought, and what he must disclose in his statements under Section

164 Cr.P.C. Hence, the magistrate should ask the witness explanatory

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Page 18 questions and obtain all possible information in relation to the said

case.

15.So far as the statement of witnesses recorded under Section 164

is concerned, the object is two fold; in the first place, to deter the

witness from changing his stand by denying the contents of his

previously recorded statement, and secondly, to tide over immunity

from prosecution by the witness under Section 164. A proposition to

the effect that if a statement of a witness is recorded under Section

164, his evidence in Court should be discarded, is not at all warranted.

(Vide: Jogendra Nahak & Ors. v. State of Orissa & Ors., AIR 1999

SC 2565; and Assistant Collector of Central Excise, Rajamundry

v. Duncan Agro Industries Ltd. & Ors., AIR 2000 SC 2901).

16.Section 157 of the Evidence Act makes it clear that a statement

recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C., can be relied upon for the

purpose of corroborating statements made by witnesses in the

Committal Court or even to contradict the same. As the defence had

no opportunity to cross-examine the witnesses whose statements are

recorded under Section 164 Cr.P.C., such statements cannot be treated

as substantive evidence.

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Page 19 During the investigation, the Police Officer may sometimes feel

that it is expedient to record the statement of a witness under Section

164 Cr.P.C. This usually happens when the witnesses to a crime are

clearly connected to the accused, or where the accused is very

influential, owing to which the witnesses may be influenced. (Vide:

Mamand v. Emperor, AIR 1946 PC 45; Bhuboni Sahu v. King,

AIR 1949 PC 257; Ram Charan & Ors. v. The State of U.P., AIR

1968 SC 1270; and Dhanabal & Anr. v. State of Tamil Nadu, AIR

1980 SC 628).

17.It has been argued by the learned counsel for the appellant, that

as the blood group of the blood stains found on the chopper could not

be ascertained, the recovery of the said chopper cannot be relied upon.

A failure by the serologist to detect the origin of the blood

due to dis-integration of the serum, does not mean that the blood

stuck on the axe could not have been human blood at all.

Sometimes it is possible, either because the stain is insufficient in

itself, or due to haematological changes and plasmatic coagulation,

that a serologist may fail to detect the origin of the blood in question.

However, in such a case, unless the doubt is of a reasonable

dimension, which a judicially conscientious mind may entertain with

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Page 20 some objectivity, no benefit can be claimed by the accused in this

regard.

Once the recovery is made in pursuance of a disclosure

statement made by the accused, the matching or non-matching of

blood group (s) loses significance. (Vide : Prabhu Babaji Navie v.

State of Bombay, AIR 1956 SC 51; Raghav Prapanna Tripathi v.

State of U.P., AIR 1963 SC 74; State of Rajasthan v. Teja Ram,

AIR 1999 SC 1776; Gura Singh v. State of Rajasthan, AIR 2001

SC 330; John Pandian v. State, represented by Inspector of Police,

Tamil Nadu, (2010) 14 SCC 129; and Dr. Sunil Clifford Daniel v.

State of Punjab, JT 2012 (8) SC 639).

18.In view of the above, the Court finds that it is not possible to

accept the submission that in the absence of a report regarding the

origin of the blood, the accused cannot be convicted, for it is only

because of the lapse of time, that the blood could not be classified

successfully. Therefore, no advantage can be conferred upon the

accused to enable him to claim any benefit, and the report of dis-

integration of blood etc. cannot be termed as a missing link, on the

basis of which the chain of circumstances may be presumed to be

broken.

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Page 21 19.Motive is primarily known to the accused himself and it

therefore, it may not be possible for the prosecution to explain what

actually prompted or excited the accused to commit a particular crime.

In a case of circumstantial evidence, motive may be considered as a

circumstance, which is a relevant factor for the purpose of assessing

evidence, in the event that there is no unambiguous evidence to prove

the guilt of the accused. Motive loses all its significance in a case of

direct evidence provided by eye-witnesses, where the same is

available, for the reason that in such a case, the absence or inadequacy

of motive, cannot stand in the way of conviction. However, the

absence of motive in a case depending entirely on circumstantial

evidence, is a factor that weighs in favour of the accused as it “often

forms the fulcrum of the prosecution story”. (Vide: Babu v. State of

Kerala, (2010) 9 SCC 189; Kulvinder Singh & Anr. v. State of

Haryana, AIR 2011 SC 1777; Dandu Jaggaraju v. State of A.P.,

AIR 2011 SC 3387).

20.The evidence on record clearly established, that the appellant

had adequate reason to harbour animosity towards Praveen, as he may

well have been unable to tolerate the intimacy that the deceased had

developed with his wife. In light of the fact that the appellant had

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Page 22 absolute faith and trust in the deceased, and had hence allowed him to

have free access and absolute freedom in his house, the alleged act of

betrayal of trust was committed by the deceased, which the appellant

no doubt found gravely humiliating and agonizing.

Jilesh M.S. (PW.2) deposed, that when the appellant became

aware of the illicit relationship between Praveen and his wife, he had

said that in the event that he was able to lay his hands on Praveen, he

would chop him up into pieces. The said threat was followed by a

tirade of abuses. Jilesh M.S. (PW.2) consulted Pavithran (PW.1), in

this regard. Both of them have deposed as regards the manner in

which the situation was handled by the relatives of the appellant and

Praveen.

We do not find force in the submission made by Shri S.

Gopakumaran Nair, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant

that the appellant had absolutely no grievance against his wife Smt.

Shadi, and that even after the alleged incident, she had been

accompanying her husband to all social events, as Ajith (PW.3) has

deposed that the appellant had attended the engagement ceremony of

Vinu (A-2) along with his wife and son, and that too, only 3 days prior

to the alleged murder, thus, it would be most unnatural for him to

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Page 23 annihilate Praveen (deceased). It is further urged that Praveen

(deceased) had in fact, misbehaved with the appellant’s wife, and the

matter was settled upon the interference of several relatives, after

which Praveen (deceased) was asked to quit his job and was also told

not to enter in the city. In the event that the defence version is

accepted, and it is believed that Praveen (deceased) had in fact,

misbehaved with the wife of the appellant, the same could actually

lead to the inference that the appellant may have had an even stronger

motive to eliminate Praveen (deceased).

Further, there is no force in the submission advanced on behalf

of the appellant that Shirdhi (PW.4), the son of the appellant from his

first wife, did not support the case of the prosecution. His statement is

only to the effect that when the meeting took place on 26.11.2004 he

did not attend the meeting and stayed upstairs. Thus, he has not

deposed that the said meeting was not held. Additionally, his

statement that Praveen (deceased) had tendered an apology and that

upon the intervention of relatives and friends, the appellant had

actually pardoned him, cannot be believed, as the said witness was not

present at the meeting owing to which he could not have been an eye-

witness to the aforementioned part of the incident.

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Page 24 21.Undoubtedly, in this case Aji, the Manager of the appellant who

had revealed the existence of the alleged relationship between Praveen

and the appellant’s wife, has not been examined, but we are of the

considered opinion that non-examination of the said witness will not

adversely affect the case of the prosecution. The same is the position

so far as Radhamma, the appellant’s sister, Bijulal, nephew of the

appellant and Vijayamma, aunt of Jilesh M.S. (PW.2) are concerned,

who could also have unfolded the factum of the said meeting being

held in this respect.

22.In the matter of appreciation of evidence of witnesses, it is not

the number of witnesses, but the quality of their evidence which is

important, as there is no requirement in the law of evidence stating

that a particular number of witnesses must be examined in order to

prove/disprove a fact. It is a time-honoured principle, that evidence

must be weighed and not counted. The test is whether the evidence

has a ring of truth, is cogent, credible and trustworthy, or otherwise.

The legal system has laid emphasis on the value provided by each

witness, as opposed to the multiplicity or plurality of witnesses. It is

thus, the quality and not quantity, which determines the adequacy of

evidence, as has been provided by Section 134 of the Evidence Act.

24

Page 25 Where the law requires the examination of at least one attesting

witness, it has been held that the number of witnesses produced over

and above this, does not carry any weight. (Vide: Vadivelu Thevar

v. State of Madras; AIR 1957 SC 614; Jagdish Prasad v. State of

M.P. AIR 1994 SC 1251; Sunil Kumar v. State Govt. of NCT of

Delhi AIR 2004 SC 552; Namdeo v. State of Maharashtra AIR

2007 SC (Supp) 100; Kunju @ Balachandran v. State of Tamil

Nadu, AIR 2008 SC 1381; Bipin Kumar Mondal v. State of West

Bengal AIR201O SC 3638; Mahesh & Anr. v. State of Madhya

Pradesh (2011) 9 SCC 626; Kishan Chand v. State of Haryana JT

2013( 1) SC 222).

23.It is a settled legal proposition that the conviction of a person

accused of committing an offence, is generally based solely on

evidence that is either oral or documentary, but in exceptional

circumstances, such conviction may also be based solely on

circumstantial evidence. For this to happen, the prosecution must

establish its case beyond reasonable doubt, and cannot derive any

strength from the weaknesses in the defence put up by the accused.

However, a false defence may be brought to notice, only to lend

assurance to the Court as regards the various links in the chain of

25

Page 26 circumstantial evidence, which are in themselves complete. The

circumstances on the basis of which the conclusion of guilt is to be

drawn, must be fully established. The same must be of a conclusive

nature, and must exclude all possible hypothesis except the one to be

proved. Facts so established must be consistent with the hypothesis of

the guilt of the accused, and the chain of evidence must be complete,

so as not to leave any reasonable ground for a conclusion consistent

with the innocence of the accused, and must further show, that in all

probability the said offence must have been committed by the

accused. (Vide: Sharad Birdhichand Sarda v. State of

Maharashtra, AIR 1984 SC 1622; and Paramjeet Singh @ Pamma

v. State of Uttarakhand, AIR 2011 SC 200).

24.Divakaran (PW.7), deposed that he knew Praveen (deceased)

and Vinu (A-2) from childhood, and that on the fateful day Vinu (A-

2) had taken Praveen on a motor cycle and had driven towards

Kottayam.

Jose (PW.8) was running a ‘thattukada’ (petty shop) during the

night. He deposed that on 15.2.2005 at 8.30 p.m., Praveen (deceased)

came with Vinu (A-2) to his shop, and that the two, after their meal,

left for the theatre, on a motor cycle. At 11.45 p.m., the appellant and

26

Page 27 three others also came to his shop and had coffee. The appellant then

returned to the van after which, the other three persons also got into

the van. The appellant got into the driver’s seat of the van. When

most of the people had left after watching the movie, the witness saw

Vinu (A-2) and Praveen on the said motor cycle, riding towards

Thirunakkara. Vinu (A-2) came close to the van, lifted his hand and

then proceeded. Thereafter, the van in which the appellant (A-1) was

sitting, followed them. During the cross-examination on behalf of the

appellant (A-1), the witness deposed that at the time when A-2 had

lifted his hand, there was only a distance of 5 feet between the van

and motorcycle. This witness further deposed that he had been shown

only one photograph. He stated that A-1 had come to his shop and had

remained there for 10-15 minutes. During this cross-examination on

behalf of A-2, the said witness also deposed that he had told the police

and magistrate that A-2 and Praveen had eaten a Bull’s eye, and that

he had accepted cash from them and had also returned the balance.

25.Baiju (PW.9), was working as the barman at Hotel Arcadia. He

deposed that it was in fact, A-2 who had come with another person on

the 15

th

February 2005, at about 6.30 p.m. to the Hotel and had

consumed liquor. He stated that they had remained in the bar till

27

Page 28 about 8.30 p.m. and that A-2 had paid the bill. The witness had

noticed the presence of the two because they were both highly

intoxicated at the said time.

26.Mohanan (PW-10), an auto rickshaw driver, deposed that on

15

th

February 2005, he had seen an Omni Van along the eastern side

of the Arpookara temple. That night, he was driving from MCH, to

Kottayam town via Panambalam road. While returning, he stated that

he had seen the Omni Van some 200 metres east of the temple, and on

the southern side of the road at about 12.30 -1 am. The van was green

in colour with KL7 registration and 5855 number. Furthermore, a

man was also seen by him standing near the door of the driver’s seat.

Upon asking, the said man only replied that one person had gone up.

He could not see much as the van was closed but, the vehicle was

most certainly a van MO.5. During cross-examination on behalf of

appellant (A-1), the witness deposed that the person standing near the

said van, had a North Malabari accent.

27.Shanavas (PW.12) also an auto driver by profession, identified

Shaji (A-1) and Vinu (A-2). He deposed that he had first seen them on

15

th

February 2005 while he was proceeding in his auto from Baker

28

Page 29 Junction to MCH. He had seen an Omni Van and a motorcycle on the

side of the road beyond Chemmanampadi, near the Medical College,

and had seen two persons coming out of the said van. He further

deposed that the two people had then caught hold of the pillion rider

of the motor cycle, and had taken him to the van. Thereafter, the, van

left the place and he followed the van to MCH. He identified A-1 as

the person he had seen there and A-2, as the person who had been

riding the motorcycle.

During his cross examination by the appellant (A-1), the

witness deposed that he had in fact, seen three other persons there.

However, he did not identify them.

28.Mohammad Sherif (PW.13) a businessman, deposed that he

knew the appellant (A-1) and identified him as Shaji and also Vinu

(A-2). At about 8.30 p.m. on 15

th

February 2005, A2 and Praveen

came to his petty shop from the Arcadia Bar premises, on a red

coloured bike. Jose (PW8), an employee of PW13 was previously

acquainted with the accused (A-2) and Praveen (deceased), and hence,

PW8 introduced them as his friends. He further deposed that the Omni

Van arrived in front of the Arcadia Bar at 11.30 pm. A1 got out of the

driver seat and proceeded to the theatre. The three other persons came

29

Page 30 out of the van and had black coffee at the witness’s shop. All of them

(including A-1) then returned to the van. Later, when A-2 and

Praveen riding a bike, approached the Arcadia Bar, A-2 signaled to A-

1 to follow him and rode in the direction of Thirunakkara. The van

followed the bike and they headed to MCH, Ettumanoor and

Ernakulam.

During the cross examination on behalf of the appellant (A-1),

the witness deposed that he did not tell anybody about A1 and that he

did not even talk to Jose (PW.8), about the incident that occurred on

15/02/2005. He deposed that he did not know A1’s friends, or the

place to which A1 belonged. He only stated that he knew A1 when he

was the control room, S.I.

Mohammed Sherif (PW.13) denied having told the Police that

Shaji Sir of Valiadu was the person he had seen on the road. He

deposed that he knew S.I.s such as Satheesan and Suseelan, and that

they were also from the West Police Station. He further said that he

knew of A1 only as control room S.I. He had read about the incident

in the subsequent days’ newspaper. He further admitted that the help

of the police, as well as that of the Municipality, was needed to run

the petty shop which did business from 8.00 p.m. to 1.30 a.m.

30

Page 31 29.Reji (PW11) deposed that on 15.2.2005 at about mid-night, he

had gone to Baker Junction and there he had seen the appellant (A-1),

getting out of the driver’s seat of a green coloured van. He thereafter,

crossed M.C. Road and went into the Post Office and placed inland

like material inside the post box. The appellant (A-1) returned to the

van after crossing the road, got into the driver’s seat and drove off

towards Baker Junction. It appears that in the cross-examination, he

did not support the case of the prosecution. However, his evidence is

not very relevant with respect to the issues involved in this case, as at

the initial stage the witness had supported the case of the prosecution

to the extent that it was in fact, the appellant (A-1), who had posted

the letter in the name of the deceased’s father, that was purported to

have been written by Praveen (deceased), stating that he was going to

Bombay in search of employment. This letter seems to have been

written to misdirect/mislead the deceased’s family. The same became

entirely insignificant, as immediately after the murder of Praveen, the

dismembered parts of his body were recovered. Thereafter, the

incident became the talk of the town and the same was high-lighted by

both, the print and the electronic media.

31

Page 32 30.The evidence referred to hereinabove alongwith the material on

record, reveals that Praveen (deceased) was a victim of homicide and

further that there is no dispute regarding the identification of his body

and its parts thereof, as has been referred to hereinabove. The

recoveries of a shirt (MO.1), underwear (MO.2) and of a watch

(MO.3), belonging to Praveen (deceased) were identified by Pavithran

(PW.1). His body was also identified by PWs.1 to 3 and the DNA

report did not leave any room for doubt with respect to the said

identification. Same stood proved by super imposition.

The injuries found on the body that were revealed by the post-

mortem report established that the dismemberment of the parts of the

body was possible by using a weapon like the chopper (MO.4), as was

explained/opined by Dr. Babu (PW.71). Praveen died in the

intervening night between 15/16.2.2005. He was last seen on

15.2.2005 with Vinu (A-2) and the appellant (A-1). The motive as

explained hereinabove stood proved. Vinu (A-2) and the appellant

(A-1) were closely related and together they had hatched a conspiracy

to eliminate Praveen (deceased). Pavithran (PW.1) has stated in his

deposition that Praveen (deceased) did not bear any animosity towards

any person. In fact, in his statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C., the

32

Page 33 appellant has even admitted so. Praveen (deceased) was seen by

Divakaran (PW.7) talking to Vinu (A-2) at his work place. Divakaran

(PW.7) was acquainted with both Vinu (A-2) and Praveen (deceased)

since childhood.

The evidence of Baiju (PW.9) who was working at Hotel

Arcadia at Kottayam, revealed that he was the man who had served

drinks to Vinu (A-2) and Praveen (deceased). The Virca Report

proved by Sujatha (PW.64), corroborated the same.

Jose (PW.8) and Mohammed Sherif (PW.13) identified the

appellant (A-1) and Vinu (A-2) and stated they knew both of them

very well. Baiju (PW.9) was not acquainted with either Vinu (A-2) or

Praveen (deceased) but he did in fact, have an opportunity to see them

for a sufficient amount of time as he had served them food. Babu

(PW.6) deposed that the appellant (A-1) was well acquainted with

him. He stated that he had taken the Maruti Van (MO.5) from him on

the afternoon of 15.2.2005, and had returned the same to him on the

afternoon of 16.2.2005. Phone calls made by the appellant (A-1) to

Babu (PW.6), were also not denied by the appellant in his cross-

examination under Section 313 Cr.P.C. The aforementioned call

details were duly proved. There is also material on record to show

33

Page 34 that the said van was used in the crime by the appellant (A-1) and 3

others.

Vinu (A-2) and Praveen (deceased) after watching a movie at

the cinema hall and having meals etc., proceeded towards

Thirunakkara on the bike, and Vinu (A-2) signaled to the person in the

van by raising his hand. The appellant (A-1) and three other persons

followed the bike in the van. On the way Praveen (deceased), was

transferred from the bike to the van as deposed by Shanavas (PW.12)

auto driver, who is a natural witness, and he also identified the

appellant (A-1), Vinu (A-2), and Praveen (deceased) by way of

photographs. He stated that he had seen the van standing in the

middle of the road. The said witness turned hostile and did not

support the prosecution case fully. Recoveries of all the material

items/objects stood proved.

31.A criminal conspiracy is generally hatched in secrecy, owing to

which, direct evidence is difficult to obtain. The offence can therefore

be proved, either by adducing circumstantial evidence, or by way of

necessary implication. However, in the event that the circumstantial

evidence is incomplete or vague, it becomes necessary for the

prosecution to provide adequate proof regarding the meeting of minds,

34

Page 35 which is essential in order to hatch a criminal conspiracy, by adducing

substantive evidence in court. Furthermore, in order to constitute the

offence of conspiracy, it is not necessary that the person involved has

knowledge of all the stages of action. In fact, mere knowledge of the

main object/purpose of conspiracy, would warrant the attraction of

relevant penal provisions. Thus, an agreement between two persons to

do, or to cause an illegal act, is the basic requirement of the offence of

conspiracy under the penal statute. (Vide: Mir Nagvi Askari v. CBI,

AIR 2010 SC 528; Baldev Singh v. State of Punjab, AIR 2009 SC

Supp. 1629; State of M.P. v. Sheetla Sahai, AIR 2009 SC Supp.

1744; R. Venkatkrishnan v. CBI, AIR 2010 SC 1812; S. Arul Raja

v. State of T.N., (2010) 8 SCC 233; Monica Bedi v. State of A.P.,

(2011) 1 SCC 284; and Sushil Suri v. CBI, AIR 2011 SC 1713).

32.An argument has been advanced by Shri S. Gopokumaran Nair,

learned senior counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant, that as the

witnesses PW.8 and PW.11 have admitted in their cross-examination,

that they have been the accused persons in certain other criminal

cases, their testimony should not have been relied upon by the courts

below. The argument seems to be rather attractive at the outset, but

has no substance, for the reason that the law does not prohibit taking

35

Page 36 into consideration even the evidence provided by an accomplice, who

has not been put to trial.

It is a settled legal proposition that the evidence provided by a

person who has not been put to trial, and who could not have been

tried jointly with the accused can be considered, if the court finds his

evidence reliable, and conviction can also safely be based upon it.

However, such evidence is required to be considered with care and

caution. An accomplice who has not been put to trial is a competent

witness, as he deposes in court after taking an oath, and there is no

prohibition under any law to act upon his deposition without

corroboration. (Vide: Laxmipat Choraria & Ors. v. State of

Maharashtra, AIR 1968 SC 938; Chandran alias Manichan alias

Maniyan & Ors. v. State of Kerala, AIR 2011 SC 1594; and

Prithipal Singh & Ors. v. State of Punjab & Anr., (2012) 1 SCC

10).

33.It has further been submitted that the prosecution failed to hold

the test identification parade. Therefore, the prosecution case itself

becomes doubtful.

In Vijay @ Chinee v. State of M.P., (2010) 8 SCC 191, this

Court, while dealing with the effect of non holding of a test

36

Page 37 identification parade, placed very heavy reliance upon the judgments

of this Court in Santokh Singh v. Izhar Hussain & Anr., AIR 1973

SC 2190; State of Himachal Pradesh v. Lekh Raj & Anr., AIR

1999 SC 3916; and Malkhan Singh & Ors. v. State of M.P., AIR

2003 SC 2669 and held that, the evidence from a test identification

parade is admissible under Section 9 of the Evidence Act, 1872. The

identification parade is conducted by the police. The actual evidence

regarding identification, is that which is given by the witnesses in

court. A test identification parade cannot be claimed by an accused as

a matter of right. Mere identification of an accused in a test

identification parade is only a circumstance corroborative of the

identification of the accused in court. Further, conducting a test

identification parade is meaningless if the witnesses know the

accused, or if they have been shown his photographs, or if he has been

exposed by the media to the public. Holding a test identification

parade may be helpful to the investigation to ascertain whether the

investigation is being conducted in a proper manner and with proper

direction. (See also: Munna Kumar Upadhyay v. State of A.P., AIR

2012 SC 2470).

37

Page 38 34.In the instant case, the witnesses, particularly Jose (PW.8),

Baiju (PW.9), Reji (PW.11) and Shanavas (PW.12), made it clear that

they were acquainted with the appellant since he was posted in the

control room of their city. Moreover, just after the incident took

place, the same being a sensitive case wherein the main accused was

a highly ranked official of the police department, wide publicity was

given to the same by the media. In light of the aforementioned fact-

situation, the holding/non-holding of a Test Identification Parade loses

its significance. It is also pertinent to note that the defence did not put

any question to B. Muralidharan Nair (PW.77), the investigating

officer in relation to why such TI Parade was not held.

35.The prime witness of the prosecution has no doubt been

Shanavas (PW.12), and in relation to him, the submission advanced

on behalf of the appellant that the High Court had entirely disbelieved

his testimony, is factually incorrect. In fact, the High Court re-

appreciated the evidence of the said witness and held as under:

“The act of identifying the victim from his

passport size photograph seems to be

unconvincing. But that does not mean that his

evidence in toto has to be thrown out. The fact

remains that atleast his evidence as regards the

act of accused nos. 1 and 2 and others in

38

Page 39 forcing a person from the motor bike into the

van has to be accepted.”

In view of the above, we do not find any cogent reason to dis-

believe the testimony of Shanavas (PW.12) in toto.

36.Be that as it may, when a statement is recorded in court, and the

witness speaks under oath, after he understands the sanctity of the

oath taken by him either in the name of God or religion, it is then left

to the court to appreciate his evidence under Section 3 of the Evidence

Act. The Judge must consider whether a prudent man would

appreciate such evidence, and not appreciate the same in accordance

with his own perception. The basis for appreciating evidence in a civil

or criminal case remains the same. However, in view of the fact that

in a criminal case, the life and liberty of a person is involved, by way

of judicial interpretation, courts have created the requirement of a

high degree of proof.

37.In view of the above, we do not find any merit in the appeal and

the same is dismissed accordingly. However, before parting with the

case, we would like to mention that the courts below have appreciated

the entire evidence meticulously, but it would have been desirable if

all the circumstances which completed the chain, rendering the

39

Page 40 accused liable for punishment could have been put together, to

facilitate better understanding of the judgment.

..………………………….J.

(Dr. B.S. CHAUHAN)

.…………………………..J.

(V. GOPALA GOWDA)

New Delhi,

February 4, 2013

40