Zeena @ Usha; Sasira Panicker; Sukumari Amma @ Suma v. State of Kerala

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE J.B.KOSHY & THE HONOURABLE MRS. JUSTICE K.HEMA TUESDAY, THE 1ST JANUARY 2008 / 11TH POUSHA 1929 CRL.A.No. 127 of 2004() ----------------------SC.24/1999 of ADDITIONAL DISTRICT & SESSIONS (ADHOC) JUDGE, FAST TRACK COURT-II, PATHANAMTHITTA. CP.35/1998 of JUDL.MAGISTRATE OF FIRST CLASS COURT-I, PATHANAMTHITTA .................... APPELLANT: ACCUSED NOS.1 TO 3: ------------------------------ 1. ZEENA @ USHA, AGED 25, D/O. VIJAYAKUMARI, CHUNKATHU VILAYIL VEEDU, NEAR M.C. DOWELL FACTORY, VARANADU,VARANADUMURI, CHERTHALA VILLAGE. 2. SASIRAJA PANICKER, AGED 47, S/O. KESAVAN, KANIYUMKANDATHIL HOUSE, POOKKODU, PARIYARAM MURI, ELANTHOOR VILLAGE. 3. SUKUMARI AMMA @ SUMA, AGED 29, D/O. KARTHYAYANI, KAVUMTHARAYIL VEEDU, MARAMON MURI, THOTTAPUZHASSERY VILLAGE. BY ADV. SRI.B.RAMAN PILLAI SRI.GEORGE PHILIP SRI.R.ANIL SRI.RAJU RADHAKRISHNAN SRI.ANIL K.MOHAMMED SRI.DELVIN JACOB MATHEWS SRI.T.G.RAJENDRAN SRI.M.S.FAIZI RESPONDENTS: COMPLAINANT: ------------------------- STATE, REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR, HIGH COURT OF KERALA, ERNAKULAM. BY PUBLIC PROSECUTOR SRI.NOBLE MATHEW THIS CRIMINAL APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 01/01/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: ## **J.B.KOSHY & K.HEMA,JJ.** **-----------------------------------------** ## **Crl.A.127 of 2004** ## **-----------------------------------------** ## **Dated this the 1st day of January, 2008 JUDGMENT** ## **Koshy, J.** Five persons were charge sheeted for the offence punishable under Sections 302 and 118 read with Section 34 IPC for allegedly murdering a 4 ½ year old child in SC.24 of 1999 on the file of the Sessions Division, Pathanamthitta. Accused 1 to 3 were convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC. Fourth accused died and the case against him was abated and 5[th] accused was acquitted. The allegation against accused 4 and 5 was mainly for the offence punishable under Section 118 IPC. First accused is a nurse, assisting second accused, who is a Homoeo Doctor. He has earlier married one Ponnamma, who was an Ayurvedic Physician. Second accused had three children in the above marriage. After their separation,third accused, who was an Ayurvedic Nurse, started living with the second accused. His real wife is residing separately with her children. In the relationship between accused 2 and 3, a female child, called Aswini, was born and the case against them is for the murder of said Aswini. Prosecution case is that on the belief that the departed souls 2 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ of the ancestors of second accused are present in the body of first accused and hence the predictions and declarations given by first accused are to be obeyed. Accused 2 and 3 obeyed those commandments and on the further belief that in the body of 4 ½ year old Aswini, daughter of accused 2and 3, evil spirits are present and on their belief that those spirits can be driven out only by harassing her and inflicting injuries by beating, by application of heated ladel and by not providing adequate food to her. Accused 1 to 3 inflicted injuries on Aswini on different dates from the first week of July, 1997 till 19.8.1997 with the belief and knowledge that death of Aswini will be the result, even though she was brought to the hospital. Accused 4 and 5 are daily visitors to the house of second accused and they did not do anything to dissuade accused 1 to 3 from such harassment and they concealed this aspect to the neighbours and also represented to the neighbours that the death of Aswini was caused due to some trouble while Aswini was vomiting and they also aided accused 1 to 3 by providing men and money for conducting 'poojas' and other rituals. PW17, a neighbour, gave Exhibit P6 first information statement, on the basis of which, PW27 registered FIR. Originally the case was registered for unnatural death. After obtaining postmortem report, investigation was conducted and final report was filed. Accused 1 to 3 were charge 3 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ sheeted for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC read with Section 34 IPC and accused 4 and 5 were charge sheeted for offence punishable under Section 118 IPC read with Section 34 IPC. 2. CW29 Dr.T.V.Velayudhan, Assistant Professor of Forensic Medicine and Deputy Police Surgeon Medical College Hospital, Kottayam conducted autopsy and Exhibit P15 is the postmortem certificate. As he was not available in India for examination, it was proved through PW25 Dr.Girish, Professor of Forensic Medicine, Medical College Hospital, Kottayam who personally knew Dr.T.V.Velayudan, who was working as the Assistant Professor and conversant with the signature of Dr.T.V.Velayudan. The ante-mortem injuries noted in Exhibit P15 are as follows: “1. Superficial healing wound 9.5 x 7 cm on the front of face just above the chin. 2. Infected superficial wound with healing periphery 5 x 3.5 cm on the left side of face and neck just in front of the ear. 3. Infected superficial wound 8 x 1 cm horizontal on the front and right side of neck 7 cm below the right ear. 4. Infected superficial wound with healing periphery 11 x 8 cm involving the right axilla and inner aspect of right upper arm. 5. Infected superficial wound 6 x 3 cm on the front of right elbow. 6. Infected superficial wound with healing periphery 11 x 2.5 cm on the inner aspect of right forearm, wrist and hand, 10 cm below the elbow. 7. Infected superficial wound 4.5 x 4 cm on the front of right hand just below the wrist. 4 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ 8. Multiple linear supericial wounds with charred margins over an area 15 x 14 cm varying a size from 3.5 x 0.3 - 7 x 0.3 cm on the front of chest and abdomen 4 cms above the unbilicus. 9. Multiple infected superficial wounds with healing periphery over an area 16 x 15 cm varying in size from 3 x 2 to 7 x 4 cm on the front of lower abdomen, perineum, front and inner aspect of othings 3 cm below the umbilicus. 10. Multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter, reddish brown in colour over an area 43 x 12 cm involving the whole right lower limb just below the anterior superior iliac spine. 11. Multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter, reddish brown in colour over an area 35 x 15 cm involving the left leg just above the ankle. 12. Multiple infected superficial wounds with healing periphery over an area 23 x 6.5 cm varying in size from 2.5 x 2 to 64 cm involving the left forearm and hand 2 cm below the elbow. 13. infected superficial wound with healing periphery 13 x 8 cm on the left armpit, inner aspeect and front of left upper arm outer aspect of chest. 14. Infected superficial wound 16 x 15 cm on the back of sacrum and buttocks. 15. Multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter, reddish brown in colour over an area 19 x 13 cm on the back of truck 5 cm above the injury No.14. 16. Multiple hypopigmented areas over an area 9 x 5 cm on the back of right side of chest 6 cm below the top line of shoulders.” The opinion as to the cause of death mentioned in the certificate is that the child died of Septicemia following the injuries sustained. _**Crl.A.127/04**_ 5 Septicemia means, the spreading of bacterial infection throughout the body causing Toximia. PW25 explained that general heat injuries may be dry or moist. PW25 further deposed as follows: “Moist injuries are called scalds. They are usually caused by hot oil, fluids or steam. Common factures of scalds are presence of vesicles filled with fluids or serum. Base also will be reddish. In healing scalds vessels may burst and fluid will come out. Injury No.1 in P15 age is minimum 24 hours because it is a healing wound. Maximum age can come up to one week. This injury can be caused by a metal spoon or ------------- as MO1 (Q). Original nature of the injury is not clear. But probably of the injury sustaining due to application of dry hot with the help of -------------- cannot be ruled out. A) The size of injury and the size of the --------------- shown to me is perused. It is possible with this instrument. Injury No.II is an infected superficial wound with healing periphery. The minimum time of causation would be above 36 hours. It may also extend up to 1 week. II injury can also be caused with the same instrument. Injury No.III is horizontal superficial infected wound on the right side of neck. This injury is also possible with the application of the instrument in hot state. Possibility cannot be ruled out. Injury No.4 is a superficial sutured wound with healing periphery over the right axilla and right 6 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ upper arm. Size is 11 x 8 cm. Right axilla is the right armpit. The age may be minimum 36 hours. Being healing, it can extend up to one week. That injury can also be caused with the same weapon at hot stage. Injury No.V is superficial infection wound on the front of right elbow. It is infected wound. Time of causation would be above 36 hours prior to death. That injury can also be caused by the same weapon at hot stage. No.6 is an infected superficial wound with healing periphery on the inner aspect of right forearm, writ and head. This injury possible with a hot weapon like the same instrument. Injury No.7 is infected superficial wound on the front of right hand. Age in minimum of above 36 years extending up to 1 week. No.8 is multiple linear superficial wound with charred margins over an area 15 x 14 cm. Varying in size from 3.5 x 0.3 to 7 x 0.3 cm on the front of chest and abdomen 4 cm above the umbilicus. This injury also be caused within 24 hours prior to death. The injury can be caused with lighted cigarette (a)yes. Can be by application several times.(A). Injury No.9 is multiple infected superficial wounds with healing periphery over an area 16 x 15 cm vary in size from 3 x 2 to 7 x 4 cm on the front of lower abdomen, perineum, front and inner aspect of thigh 3 cm below the umbilicus. Area mentioned as vast including public area. Time of causation would be above 36 hours extending up to 1 week prior to _**Crl.A.127/04**_ 7 death. It can be caused by flame (Q) yes (A). No.10 is multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter, reddish brown in colour over an area 35 x 15 cm involving the left leg just above ankle. The time of causation would be above 36 hours extending up to 1 week prior to death. Do not possible with a lighted push of incense sticks or other agarbethis (Q) possible (A). No.11 is multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter, reddish brown in colour over an area 35 x 15 cm involving the left leg just above the ankle. It could be caused above 36 hours extending up to 1 week prior to death. It can be caused by burning of bunch of incense sticks. No.12 is multiple infected superficial wounds with healing periphery over an area 23 x 6.5 cm vary in size from 2.5 x 2 to 6 x 4 cm involving the left forearmand hand 2 cm below the elbow. Perusal of causation could be above 36 hours and extending up to 1 week before death. It can be caused by lighted cigarette. No.13 is infected superficial wound with healing periphery 13 x 8 cm on the left armpit inner aspect and part of left upper arm and outer aspect of chest. The injury could be caused above 36 hours extending up to one week prior to death. That injury can be caused with the ------------------- put in hot. No.14 is infected superficial wound 16 x 15 cm over the back of sacrum and buttocks. Age of injury 8 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ would be above 36 hours can extend up to one week. This injury is possible by application of hot electric iron. The same injury can be caused with this ------------ also. No.15 is multiple small circular blisters with 0.3 cm in diameter reddish brown in colour over an area 19 x 13 cm on the back of trunk 5 cm above injury No.14. Age could be above 36 years prior to death. Can be caused by application of lighted 'agarbathi'. No.16 is multiple hypopigmented areas over an area 9 x 5 cm on the back of right side of chest 6 cm below top line of shoulder. This injury could be caused 5 to 7 days before death. Age of injury can also extend up to one month. These are healed injuries. Superficial healing wounds were present on the nostrils, mouth and chin. Age of these injuries are healing wounds above 24 hours extending up to 1 or two weeks.” 3. Accused 2 and 3 admitted that they were living together and deceased child Aswini was born out of their relationship and the child was residing with them. Even though neighbours were examined, they turned hostile and spoke against the police statement. In 313 statement, defence of accused 2 and 3 was that while boiling 'payasam', it fell down and injuries were caused to the child, who was standing in the kitchen. Exhibit P1 series is the photographs taken showing the injuries on the child, which shows 9 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ that heat injuries caused to the child in different parts of body. The ante-mortem injuries shown in the postmortem report, coupled with Exhibit P1 photographs, would clearly show that defence of the accused that the boiling payasam fell on her is false and injuries can be caused only as alleged by the prosecution. Exhibits P9, P12 and P22 note books seized from the house of second accused as well as from the hospital show the revelation first accused. The report of the handwriting expert shows the writing in those books are in the handwriting of accused 1 and 2, which also shows that the superficial belief of accused 1 to 3 and the revelations made through first accused to second accused by the ancestors of second accused goes to prove the case of the prosecution regarding the motive. Prosecution also has an allegation regarding the illicit relationship with accused 1 and 2 and intention to get away with the child. Such allegations are not proved. The prosecution case is corroborated by by recovery of MO1, MO9 and MO10 recovered on the basis of the disclosure statement made by accused 1 to 3 extracted in Exhibits P3, P4 and P5 mahazars. The medical evidence, and the injuries sustained and the fact the deceased was the child of accused 2 and 3 and the child was in their custody and the false explanation given by accused 2 and 3 regarding the incident and the recovery of note books clearly prove that accused 1 to 3 caused the injuries to the 10 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ child with the intention of causing only injuries and injuries are not accidental. These injuries were caused to the vital parts of the body of a 4 ½ year old child, which is sufficient in the ordinary course likely to cause death and therefore, the trial court has correctly convicted accused 1 to 3 for the offence under Section 302 IPC read with Section 34 IPC. We fully agree with the findings of the trial court. 4. The only point seriously pressed before us is that act committed by accused 1 to 3 is not murderous, but only culpable homicide not amounting to murder. It is argued that the injuries as such were not sufficient in the ordinary course to cause death and it was done not with the intention of causing death to the child, but due to the superstitious belief. The various heat injuries inflicting in various areas caused show that it was inflicted with the intention to cause such injuries and those injuries on a 4-½ year old are sufficient in the ordinary course to cause death. Act done by accused 1 to 3 are brutal especially considering the fact that it was inflicted on a 4 ½ years old innocent child who is helpless. Even vital part of the body was injured with heat injuries. Accused 2 and 3 are the parents and it is for them to give a proper treatment in the case of accidental injuries. It was not accidental injuries also and child was taken to hospital only at the last moment. She was also not given _**Crl.A.127/04**_ 11 food for subsistance. The trial court came to the following conclusion: “The acts done by A1 to A3 are not only the physical injuries inflicted on the body of the child but also withholding treatment and essential food amounting to illegal omissions. In such a situation it is natural that the child has developed Septicemia. A2 is a homoeo doctor, A1 and A3 are nurses. Still there cannot be an inference that the bodily injury inflicted by them was likely to cause the death of the child. Still the fact remains that the acts committed by A1 to A3 and their omission were done with the intention of causing such bodily injury and the bodily injury which they intended to inflict and which was actually inflicted namely the bodily hury by application of heated ladel, agarbathies, cigaretts etc, and the withholding of treatment and food is sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death of the child. Same is the opinion given by PW25 the doctor that the injuries noted in Exhibit P15 certificate if not treated in proper time would develop Septicemia. The acts done by A1 to A3 constitute the offence of murder falling within clause thirdly to Section 300 I.P.C.” We agree with the same. In _**Krishnan v. the State of Madhya Pradesh**_ ((1974) SCC (Crl.) 113) the Apex Court held that even if there is no intention to cause death causing injuries sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause the death of the victim if proved by material evidence is sufficient to attract the ingredients of Section 300 IPC. Similar view was expressed by the Supreme Court in _**Gudar Dusadh v. State of Bihar**_ ( (1972) SCC (Crl.) 438). In the above circumstances, conviction and sentence under Section 302 IPC passed against accused 1 to 3 are fully justified. 12 _**Crl.A.127/04**_ Even if the acts will amount only offence under Section 304 Part I as culpable homicide not amounts to murder as contended by learned counsel for the appellant, we are of opinion that these acts done by accused 1 to 3 on the child deserve maximum punishment. We find no reason for interfering with the sentence. The appeal is dismissed. ## **J.B.KOSHY, JUDGE** **K.HEMA, JUDGE** vgs. _**Crl.A.127/04**_ 13 **J.B.KOSHY & K.HEMA, JJ. -----------------------------CRL.A.NO.127 OF 2004 ------------------------------** ## **JUDGMENT** **1.1.2008**