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2010 DIGILAW 2132 (RAJ)

Shankar Agrawal v. State of Rajasthan

2010-12-23

R.S.CHAUHAN

body2010
JUDGMENT Hon'ble CHAUHAN, J.—Aggrieved by the order dated 2nd November, 2010, passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track) No.1, Jaipur District, Jaipur, whereby the learned Judge has framed the charges for offences under Sections 148, 323, 324, 324/149, 325, 325/149, 307, 307/149 IPC against the petitioner, the petitioner has approached this Court. 2. Briefly, the facts of the case are that on 24th October, 2008, the complainant-respondent No.2, Rakesh Kumar, lodged a report at Police Station Chandwaji, District Jaipur, wherein he leveled various allegations against the present petitioner along with the other co-accused persons. In the report, he alleged that during the course of a meeting in between the partners of a firm, suddenly the petitioner, along with the other co-accused persons, assaulted Mukesh, Umesh and Mahesh with lethal weapons. Consequently, these three persons sustained a large number of injuries. The Police registered a FIR for offences under Sections 143, 323, 307, 147, 148 and 149 IPC. 3. On completion of the investigation, the Police submitted a charge-sheet before the trial court only against four persons, including the present petitioner, and the matter was kept pending under Section 173(8) Cr.P.C. against one Ramesh Patidar and others. Vide order dated 2nd November, 2010, the learned trial court framed the charges against the petitioner, along with other co-accused persons, for the above mentioned offences, while discharging the co-accused, Neeraj Verma. Hence, this petition before this Court. 4. Mr. Rajesh Goswami, the learned counsel for the petitioner, has vehemently contended that although eleven persons were named in the FIR, the Police had submitted charge-sheet only against four persons. The said charge-sheet was submitted against Shankar Agrawal, the present petitioner, Rajendra Sharma Master, Rizwan and Neeraj Verma. While submitting the charge-sheet against four persons, it has kept the investigation pending, under Section 173(8) Cr.P.C., only against Ramesh Patidar. However, vide order dated 2nd November, 2010, while the petitioner has been charged for the aforementioned offences, the learned Judge has discharged Neeraj Verma. Therefore, presently there are only three accused-persons who have been charged and the investigation against the fourth accused-person is still pending. Since there are only four accused-persons, therefore, no “unlawful assembly” was formed. Thus, the roping of the petitioner with the aid of Section 149 IPC is unjustified. In order to buttress this contention, the learned counsel has relied upon the cases of Gangadhar Behera & Ors. Since there are only four accused-persons, therefore, no “unlawful assembly” was formed. Thus, the roping of the petitioner with the aid of Section 149 IPC is unjustified. In order to buttress this contention, the learned counsel has relied upon the cases of Gangadhar Behera & Ors. vs. State of Orissa ( (2002) 8 SCC 381 ) and on Dhupa Chamar and Ors. vs. State of Bihar ( AIR 2002 SC 2834 ). 5. Secondly, according to the prosecution, there are three injured persons, namely Umesh, Mukesh and Mahesh. Although injured persons have suffered a large number of injuries, but most of the injuries are simple in nature. According to the injury report, although Umesh had suffered fifteen injuries, but only a single injury has been assigned to the present petitioner. Furthermore, Mahesh has suffered a single grievous injury. The injuries are neither “sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death”, nor “dangerous to life”. Therefore, the offence under Section 307 IPC is not made out against the petitioner. 6. Thirdly, since nothing has been recovered from the petitioner, during the course of investigation, there is no corroborative evidence to prove the fact that the petitioner had assaulted the injured persons with a sword. 7. Lastly, the complainant himself has submitted an affidavit wherein he has claimed that he had lodged the FIR under pressure. In fact, in his affidavit, he has resiled from the contents of the FIR. According to the learned counsel, since the complainant has backtracked from the FIR, the very foundation of the prosecution is demolished. Therefore, according to the learned counsel, the learned Judge was unjustified in framing the charges as aforementioned. 8. On the other hand, Mr. Javed Chaudhary, the learned Public Prosecutor, has strenuously contended that eleven persons were named in the FIR and the complainant claimed that there were other five to six persons who were strangers. Moreover, the Investigating Agency has clearly stated in the summary of the charge-sheet that it is keeping the investigation pending not only against Ramesh Patidar, but also against other named accused-persons. Thus, the learned counsel for the petitioner is not justified in claiming that the investigation is pending only against Ramesh Patidar. Moreover, he is unjustified in claiming that there are only four accused-persons who would be put on trial. Thus, the learned counsel for the petitioner is not justified in claiming that the investigation is pending only against Ramesh Patidar. Moreover, he is unjustified in claiming that there are only four accused-persons who would be put on trial. Considering the fact that both in the FIR and in the statement of the witnesses, at least eleven persons were involved, the learned Judge was certainly justified in framing the charge for offences under Section 307 read with Section 149 IPC. 9. Secondly, in the injury report of Umesh, one injury is already shown to be grievous in nature. Moreover, according to the medical opinion, Mahesh has also suffered a grievous injury. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, in order to bring a case under Section 307 IPC, it is not necessary that the nature of injury should be either “sufficient in the ordinary course of nature to cause death”, or “should be dangerous to life”. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, Section 307 IPC also deals with a case where “hurt” has been caused. Hurt can be caused even by a simple injury. In the present case, since two injured persons have suffered grievous injuries, the offence under Section 307 IPC is clearly made out. 10. Thirdly, in the case of direct evidence, the court need not look for corroboration. Merely because the sword has not been recovered from the petitioner, the non-recovery would not be fatal to the prosecution case. For, the statements of the injured witnesses are corroborated by their injury reports. Moreover, the injured witnesses have clearly attributed overt-act to the present petitioner. Hence, a strong prima facie case does exist against the present petitioner. Thus, the learned Judge was certainly justified in framing the charges for the aforementioned offences. 11. Lastly, at the time of framing of the charges, the learned trial court is concerned only with the existence of a strong prima facie case against the accused person. According to the learned Public Prosecutor, sufficient evidence does exist to establish a strong prima facie case against the present petitioner. Thus, the learned Public Prosecutor has supported the impugned order. 12. Heard the learned counsel for the parties, perused the impugned order, the charge-sheet, and the case law cited at the Bar. 13. The scope and ambit of powers under Sections 227 and 228 Cr.P.C. is no longer res integra. Thus, the learned Public Prosecutor has supported the impugned order. 12. Heard the learned counsel for the parties, perused the impugned order, the charge-sheet, and the case law cited at the Bar. 13. The scope and ambit of powers under Sections 227 and 228 Cr.P.C. is no longer res integra. Only recently in the case of Sajjan Kumar vs. Central Bureau of Investigation ( (2010) 9 SCC 368 ), the Hon'ble Supreme Court has reiterated the settled principle of law with regard to the exercise of the said powers. The Apex Court, in para 21 of the report, has observed as under : On consideration of the authorities about the scope of Sections 227 and 228 of the Code, the following principles emerge:- (i) The Judge while considering the question of framing the charges under Section 227 Cr.P.C. has the undoubted power to sift and weigh the evidence for the limited purpose of finding out whether or not a prima facie case against the accused has been made out. The test to determine prima facie case would depend upon the facts of each case. (ii) Where the materials placed before the Court disclose grave suspicion against the accused which has not been properly explained, the Court will be fully justified in framing a charge and proceeding with the trial. (iii) The Court cannot act merely as a Post Office or a mouthpiece of the prosecution but has to consider the broad probabilities of the case, the total effect of the evidence and the documents produced before the Court, any basic infirmities etc. However, at this stage, there cannot be a roving enquiry into the pros and cons of the matter and weigh the evidence as if he was conducting a trial. (iv) If on the basis of the material on record, the Court could form an opinion that the accused might have committed offence, it can frame the charge, though for conviction the conclusion is required to be proved beyond reasonable doubt that the accused has committed the offence. (v) At the time of framing of the charges, the probative value of the material on record cannot be gone into but before framing a charge the Court must apply its judicial mind on the material placed on record and must be satisfied that the commission of offence by the accused was possible. (v) At the time of framing of the charges, the probative value of the material on record cannot be gone into but before framing a charge the Court must apply its judicial mind on the material placed on record and must be satisfied that the commission of offence by the accused was possible. (vi) At the stage of Sections 227 and 228, the Court is required to evaluate the material and documents on record with a view to find out if the facts emerging therefrom taken at their face value disclose the existence of all the ingredients constituting the alleged offence. For this limited purpose, sift the evidence as it cannot be expected even at that initial stage to accept all that the prosecution states as gospel truth even if it is opposed to common sense or the broad probabilities of the case. (vii) If two views are possible and one of them gives rise to suspicion only, as distinguished from grave suspicion, the trial Judge will be empowered to discharge the accused and at this stage, he is not to see whether the trial will end in conviction or acquittal. 14. Thus, this Court needs to examine the evidence produced by the Investigating Agency in light of the principles mentioned above. The complainant, Rakesh Kumar, has named the petitioner along with others in the FIR lodged by him. According to him, Ramesh Patidar, Neeraj Verma, Rizwan, Rajendra Sharma Master, Mahesh Sharma, Babu, Prateek, Devanand, Manoj, Guddu, Pankaj, Shankar Lal and five & six other boys had come together in different cars. He further claimed that upon a signal given by Ramesh Patidar, two boys brought two swords; one sword was given to Ramesh Patidar and the other to the present petitioner, Shanker Lal. According to him, Sharnkar Lal struck Umesh with a sword. He further claimed that Ramesh Patidar told other co-accused persons “to finish off Mahesh”. Consequently, others, carrying hockey, iron rods, attacked Mahesh. They also attacked Umesh and Mukesh. 15. Umesh in his statement, recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C., also claims that other co-accused had brought two swords of which one was given to Ramesh Patidar and the other to the present petitioner. He clearly states that the present petitioner “hit him with the sword on his head”. 16. They also attacked Umesh and Mukesh. 15. Umesh in his statement, recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C., also claims that other co-accused had brought two swords of which one was given to Ramesh Patidar and the other to the present petitioner. He clearly states that the present petitioner “hit him with the sword on his head”. 16. Mukesh in his statement, recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C., states that initially Ramesh Patidar, Sharnkar Agrawal, Neeraj Verma and few others came into the room and were discussing the dispute with regard to the money. Later on, Ramesh Patidar opened the door and signaled the other accused-persons. They brought two sword, one of which was given to Ramesh Patidar, and the other to the present petitioner. He also claims that the present petitioner hit Umesh with the sword, while he was attacked by Ramesh Patidar. 17. Similar statement was also given by Mahesh in his statement recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. 18. These statements are further corroborated by the injury reports. According to the injury report of Umesh, he has suffered fifteen injuries, one of which is grievous in nature. Similarly Mahesh has suffered eighteen injuries, one of which is also grievous in nature. Mukesh has suffered eighteen injuries. 19. Since it is a case of direct evidence, and since the statements of the injured witnesses are further corroborated by the injury reports, therefore, non-recovery of the sword from the petitioner would not be fatal to the case of the prosecution. The statements and the injury reports make out a strong prima facie case against the petitioner. 20. However, the moot questions before this Court are two-fold : firstly, whether the petitioner could be charged for offence under Section 149 IPC or not? Secondly, whether he could be charged for the offence under Section 307 IPC or not? 21. Section 141 IPC is as under : Section 141. 20. However, the moot questions before this Court are two-fold : firstly, whether the petitioner could be charged for offence under Section 149 IPC or not? Secondly, whether he could be charged for the offence under Section 307 IPC or not? 21. Section 141 IPC is as under : Section 141. Unlawful assembly An assembly of five or more persons is designated an "unlawful assembly", if the common object of the persons composing that assembly is- First-To overawe by criminal force, or show of criminal force, (the Central or any State Government of Parliament or the Legislature of any State), or any public servant in the exercise of the lawful power of such public servant; or Second-To resist the execution of any law, or of any legal process; or Third-To commit any mischief or criminal trespass, or other offence; or Fourth-By means of criminal force, or show of criminal force, to any person, to take or obtain possession of any property, or to deprive any person of the enjoyment of a right of way, or of the use of water or other incorporeal right of which he is in possession or enjoyment, or to enforce any right or supposed right; or Fifth-By means of criminal force, or show of criminal force, to compel any person to do what he is not legally bound to do, or to omit to do what he is legally entitled to do. Explanation-An assembly which was not unlawful when it assembled, may subsequently become an unlawful assembly. 22. Section 141 IPC defines the term unlawful assembly as an assembly of five or more persons, who share a common object. Section 142 IPC defines what it means to be “a member of an unlawful assembly”. 23. Containing the concept of vicarious liability, Section 149 IPC is as under : Section 149. Every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object If an offence is committed by any member of an unlawful assembly in prosecution of the common object of that assembly, or such as the members or that assembly knew to be likely to be committed in prosecution of that object, every person who, at the time of the committing of that offence, is a member of the same assembly, is guilty of that offence. 24. 24. A bare perusal of these three provisions clearly reveal that in order to form an unlawful assembly five or more persons are needed who share a common object. In the present case, according to the FIR, there were eleven known persons, and six unknown persons who had invaded the room with lethal weapons. Thus, according to the complainant, an unlawful assembly was formed which trespassed into the room and assaulted the injured persons. The learned counsel for the petitioner is unjustified in claiming that the Investigating Agency had submitted charge-sheet only against four persons and is keeping the investigation pending only against Ramesh Patidar. A bare perusal of the charge-sheet clearly reveals that according to the Investigating Agency, they are keeping the investigation pending both against Ramesh Patidar, and against other named accused-persons. Therefore, even if one of the charge-sheeted accused-person has been discharged by the learned trial court, it would not make any difference. For, besides the three persons who have been charge-sheeted, the investigation is pending against other six persons who have been named in the FIR. Thus, according to the Investigating Agency, prima facie ten known persons are still involved. Hence, the contention raised by the learned counsel that with the discharged of Neeraj Verma, the number of persons has been reduced to less than five, therefore, the petitioner cannot be roped in with the aid of Section 149 IPC, such a contention is baseless. 25. The learned counsel has relied upon the case of Gangadhar Behera & Ors. (Supra). However, in the said case, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed as under : (21) Another plea which was emphasized relates to the question whether Section 149, IPC has any application for fastening the constructive liability which is the sine qua non for its operation. The emphasis is on the common object and not on common intention. Mere presence in an unlawful assembly cannot render a person liable unless there was a common object and he was actuated by that common object and that object is one of those set out in Section 141. Where common object of an unlawful assembly is not proved, the accused persons cannot be convicted with the help of Section 149. Mere presence in an unlawful assembly cannot render a person liable unless there was a common object and he was actuated by that common object and that object is one of those set out in Section 141. Where common object of an unlawful assembly is not proved, the accused persons cannot be convicted with the help of Section 149. The crucial question to determine is whether the assembly consisted of five or more persons and whether the said persons entertained one or more of the common objects, as specified in Section 141. It cannot be laid down as a general proposition of law that unless an overt act is proved against a person, who is alleged to be a member of unlawful assembly, it cannot be said that he is a member of an assembly. The only thing required is that he should have understood that the assembly was unlawful and was likely to commit any of the acts which fall within the purview of Section 141. The word 'object' means the purpose or design and, in order to make it 'common', it must be shared by all. In other words, the object should be common to the persons, who compose the assembly, that is to say, they should all be aware of it and concur in it. A common object may be formed by express agreement after mutual consultation, but that is by no means necessary. It may be formed at any stage by all or a few members of the assembly and the other members may just join and adopt it. Once formed, it need not continue to be the same. It may be modified or altered or abandoned at any stage. The expression 'in prosecution of common object' as appearing in Section 149 have to be strictly construed as equivalent to 'in order to attain the common object'. It must be immediately connected with the common object by virtue of the nature of the object. There must be community of object and the object may exist only up to a particular stage, and not thereafter. It must be immediately connected with the common object by virtue of the nature of the object. There must be community of object and the object may exist only up to a particular stage, and not thereafter. Members of an unlawful assembly may have community of object up to certain point beyond which they may differ in their objects and the knowledge, possessed by each member of what is likely to be committed in prosecution of their common object may vary not only according to the information at his command, but also according to the extent to which he shares the community of object, and as a consequence of this the effect of Section 149, IPC may be different on different members of the same assembly. (23) 'Common object' is different from a 'common intention' as it does not require a prior concert and a common meeting of minds before the attack. It is enough if each has the same object in view and their number is five or more and that they act a an assembly to achieve that object. The 'common object' of an assembly is to be ascertained from the acts and language of the members composing it, and from a consideration of all the surrounding circumstances. It may be gathered from the course of conduct adopted by the members of the assembly. What the common object of the unlawful assembly is at a particular stage of the incident is essentially a question of fact to be determined, keeping in view the nature of the assembly, the arms carried by the members, and the behaviour of the members at or near the scene of the incident. It is not necessary under law that in all cases of unlawful assembly, with an unlawful common object, the same must be translated into action or be successful. Under the Explanation to Section 141, an assembly which was not unlawful when it was assembled, may subsequently become unlawful. It is not necessary that the intention or the purpose, which is necessary to render an assembly an unlawful one comes into existence at the outset. The time of forming an unlawful intent is not material. An assembly which, at its commencement or even for some time thereafter, is lawful, may subsequently become unlawful. In other words it can develop during the course of incident at the spot “eo instanti”. The time of forming an unlawful intent is not material. An assembly which, at its commencement or even for some time thereafter, is lawful, may subsequently become unlawful. In other words it can develop during the course of incident at the spot “eo instanti”. (24) Section 149, IPC consists of two parts. The first part of the section means that the offence to be committed in prosecution of the common object must be one which is committed with a view to accomplish the common object. In order that the offence may fall within the first part, the offence must be connected immediately with the common object of the unlawful assembly of which the accused was member. Even if the offence committed is not in direct prosecution of the common object of the assembly, it may yet fall under Section 141, if it can be held that the offence was such as the members knew was likely to be committed and this is what is required in the second part of the section. The purpose for which the members of the assembly set out or desired to achieve is the object. If the object desired by all the members is the same, the knowledge that is the object which is being pursued is shared by all the members and they are in general agreement as to how it is to be achieved and that is now the common object of the assembly. An object is entertained in the human mind, and it being merely a mental attitude, no direct evidence can be available and, like intention, has generally to be gathered from the act which the person commits and the result therefrom. Though no hard and fast rule can be laid down under the circumstances from which the common object can be called out, it may reasonably be collected from the nature of the assembly, arms it carries and behaviour at or before or after the scene of incident. The word 'knew' used in the second branch of the section implies something more than a possibility and it cannot be made to bear the sense of 'might have been known'. Positive knowledge is necessary. When an offence is committed in prosecution of the common object, it would generally be an offence which the members of the unlawful assembly knew was likely to be committed in prosecution of the common object. Positive knowledge is necessary. When an offence is committed in prosecution of the common object, it would generally be an offence which the members of the unlawful assembly knew was likely to be committed in prosecution of the common object. That, however, does not make the converse proposition true; there may be cases which would come within the second part but not within the first part. The distinction betweens the two parts of Sec. 149 cannot be ignored or obliterated. In every case is would be an issue to be determined, whether the offence committed falls within the first part or it was an offence such as the members of the assembly knew to be likely to be committed in prosecution of the common object and falls within the second part. However, there may be cases which would be within first offences committed in prosecution of the common object would be generally, if not always, with the second, namely, offences which the parties knew to be likely committed in the prosecution of the common object. (See Chikkarange Gowda and others vs. State of Mysore : AIR 1956 SC 731 .) (25) The other plea that definite roles have not been ascribed to the accused and therefore Section 149 is not applicable, is untenable. A 4-Judge Bench of this Court in Masalti's case (supra) observed as follows: "Then it is urged that the evidence given by the witnesses conforms to the same uniform pattern and since no specific part is assigned to all the assailants, that evidence should not have been accepted. This criticism again is not well-founded. Where a crowd of assailants who are members of an unlawful assembly proceeds to commit an offence of murder in pursuance of the common object of the unlawful assembly, it is often not possible for witnesses to describe accurately the part played by each one of the assailants. Besides, if a large crowd of persons armed with weapons assaults the intended victims, it may not be necessary that all of them have to take part in the actual assault. In the present case, for instance, several weapons were carried by different members of the unlawful assembly, but it appears that the guns were used and that was enough to kill 5 persons. In the present case, for instance, several weapons were carried by different members of the unlawful assembly, but it appears that the guns were used and that was enough to kill 5 persons. In such a case, it would be unreasonable to contend that because the other weapons carried by the members of the unlawful assembly were not used, the story in regard to the said weapons itself should be rejected. Appreciation of evidence in such a complex case is no doubt a difficult task; but criminal courts have to do their best in dealing with such cases and it is their duty to sift the evidence carefully and decide which part of it is true and which is not." 26. The said citation does not come to the rescue of the petitioner. In fact, if the principles established in the said case were applied to the present case, the said citation would go squarely against the petitioner. For, according to the prosecution in total seventeen persons had come in three different vehicles. These seventeen persons were armed with weapons like swords, hockey sticks, and iron rods. Initially, few of the persons went into the room to negotiate about the amount in dispute with the injured witnesses. Subsequently, Ramesh Patidar gave the signal; the entire unlawful assembly, carrying lethal weapons, poured into the room and started assaulting the victims. Naturally, when the member of the unlawful assembly were carrying lethal weapons, they were well aware that these lethal weapons would be used or are likely to be used for a particular purpose. Considering the fact that two swords were carried, the use of which is likely to lead to the death of a person, the members of unlawful assembly had common object of causing death of a person. Thus, the common object was allegedly carried out by the petitioner when he struck Umesh on the head with the sword. Therefore, the principles enumerated in the above mentioned case go against the present petitioner. 27. The learned counsel for the petitioner has also relied upon the case of Dhupa Chamar and Ors. (Supra). However, the said case is distinguishable from the present one. Firstly, in the said case, no allegation was made that besides the seven accused-persons, there were any other accused-persons. 27. The learned counsel for the petitioner has also relied upon the case of Dhupa Chamar and Ors. (Supra). However, the said case is distinguishable from the present one. Firstly, in the said case, no allegation was made that besides the seven accused-persons, there were any other accused-persons. Hence, the Hon'ble Supreme Court had held that if out of seven accused-persons, three were acquitted, then the trial court was left only with four accused persons. Since the number was less than five, therefore, the trial court was unjustified in convicting the petitioners for offence under Section 149 IPC. However, in the present case, the injured witnesses have clearly stated that more than five persons, both known and unknown, were involved in the commission of the offences. Therefore, the learned trial court is justified in framing the charge of offence under Section 307 along with Section 149 IPC. 28. Secondly, the observation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court has been made after the conviction was recorded. However, in the present case, this Court is not dealing with “conviction”, but is dealing with “the stage of framing of the charge”. The parameters of framing of the charges and for conviction are vastly different. Therefore, the observations made vis-a-vis “conviction” are inapplicable for the purpose of “framing of the charge”. 29. As mentioned above, for framing of charge what is essential is the existence of a strong prima facie case which leads the learned trial court to believe that an offence may have been committed by the accused-persons. As mentioned above, there is sufficient evidence to show the existence of a strong prima facie against the petitioner. Thus, the learned Judge was certainly justified in framing the said charges. Thus, even this citation does not buttress the contention of the learned counsel for the petitioner. 30. As far as the contention with regard to Section 307 IPC is concerned, in order to fully understand the scope and ambit of Section 307 IPC, it is pertinent to look at the illustrations as well. Section 307, IPC along with illustrations, is as under : Section 307. 30. As far as the contention with regard to Section 307 IPC is concerned, in order to fully understand the scope and ambit of Section 307 IPC, it is pertinent to look at the illustrations as well. Section 307, IPC along with illustrations, is as under : Section 307. Attempt to murder Whoever does any act with such intention or knowledge, and under such circumstances that, if he by that act caused death, he would be guilty or murder, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, and is hurt is caused to any person by such act, the offender shall be liable either to (imprisonment for life), or to such punishment as is hereinbefore mentioned. Attempts by life convicts.- When any person offending under this section is under sentence of(imprisonment for life) he may, if hurt is caused, be punished with death). Illustrations. (a) A shoots at Z with intention to kill him, under such circumstances that, if death ensued. A would be guilty of murder. A is liable to punishment under this section. (b) A, with the intention of causing the death of a child of tender years, exposes it is a desert place. A has committed the offence defined by this section, though the death of the child does not ensure. (c) A, intending to murder Z, buys a gun and loads it. A has not yet committed the offence. A fires the gun at Z. He has committed the offence defined in this section, and if by such firing he wounds Z, he is liable to the punishment provided by the latter part of (the first paragraph of) this section. (d) A, intending to murder Z by poison, purchases poison and mixes the same with food which remains in A's keeping; A has not yet committed the offence defined in this section. A places the food on Z' s table or delivers it to Z's servant to place it on Z's table. A has committed the offence defined in this section. 31. Illustration (c) deals with the latter part of Section 307 IPC. The said illustration clearly makes a distinction between “preparation” and “attempt”. But most importantly, while the illustration uses the word “wounds” as a verb, it does not differentiate between an injury of “simple nature” or “grievous nature”. A has committed the offence defined in this section. 31. Illustration (c) deals with the latter part of Section 307 IPC. The said illustration clearly makes a distinction between “preparation” and “attempt”. But most importantly, while the illustration uses the word “wounds” as a verb, it does not differentiate between an injury of “simple nature” or “grievous nature”. All it requires that “hurt”, as defined in Section 319 IPC as merely causing pain, is sufficient to bring the case within the fold of Section 307 IPC. At the time of framing of a charge for offence under Section 307 IPC what the court is concerned about is to decipher if an act was committed with an intention or knowledge under such circumstances that by such an act death would be caused, or not ?. Interestingly, the said provision makes intention and knowledge as expressed through a failed act as punishable. For, even if the ultimate act is not achieved, even then the intention and knowledge, as manifested in the attempt, is punishable. Since the act of causing death i.e. murder is the most heinous offence, an act which reveals the intention and knowledge, through an act of attempt to cause death, is punishable under the law. Therefore, the said provision is divided into two parts : the first part, where no hurt has been caused by the act, for which the persons would be liable for imprisonment upto ten years; the second part, where “hurt” is caused, the accused person would be liable to a sentence upto life imprisonment. 32. A further issue arises in this case, if mere causing hurt is covered under Section 307 IPC then, how does one distinguish between Section 307 IPC and 323 IPC, 324 IPC ? In order to understand the distinction between these provisions, it is essential to first notice the definition of word 'hurt' as given under Section 319 IPC. According to Section 319 IPC, “whoever causes bodily pain, disease or infirmity to any person is said to cause 'hurt'.” 33. Sections 323 and 324 IPC are as under : Section 323. Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt : Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 334, voluntarily causes hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. Sections 323 and 324 IPC are as under : Section 323. Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt : Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 334, voluntarily causes hurt, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees, or with both. Section 324. Voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means: Whoever, except in the case provided for by section 334, voluntarily causes hurt by means of any instrument for shooting, stabbing or cutting, or any instrument which, used as weapon of offence, is likely to cause death, or by means of fire or any heated substance, or by means of any poison or any corrosive substance, or by means of any explosive substance or by means of any substance which it is deleterious to the human body to inhale, to swallow, or to receive into the blood, or by means of any animal, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine, or with both. 34. There is a clear cut distinction between Section 323 IPC, and Section 324 IPC, on the one hand, and Section 307 IPC, on the other hand. While Sections 323 and 324 IPC do not use the words “under such circumstances”, Section 307 IPC emphatically uses these words. Naturally, these words would refer to firstly the setting of the crime, the scene of the crime, the time of offence was committed, the type of weapon used by the assailant(s), the number of assailants, the nature of injury suffered by the victim, the background of the case, if any. It is these circumstances, which would clearly demarcate whether the case falls under Section 323, or Section 324, or Section 307 IPC. Therefore, the intention and knowledge warranted under Section 307 IPC is to be discovered from “the circumstances of the case”. If the circumstances of the case do not make out that the intention or knowledge was to cause the death of a person, then obviously the case would fall under Section 323 or 324 IPC. Therefore, the intention and knowledge warranted under Section 307 IPC is to be discovered from “the circumstances of the case”. If the circumstances of the case do not make out that the intention or knowledge was to cause the death of a person, then obviously the case would fall under Section 323 or 324 IPC. However, if the circumstances of the case are so glaring as to clearly reveal that the intention or the knowledge was to cause the death of a person, then causing of “the hurt” would bring the offence under the ambit of Section 307 IPC. Merely because the element of “hurt” is common to offences under Sections 323, 324 and 307 IPC, it cannot lead to the confusion between the three different provisions. 35. As mentioned above, intention and knowledge of the petitioner can be gathered from the fact that the unlawful assembly had gone to the scene of the crime fully armed with lethal weapons. Moreover, it had invaded the room and had assaulted the injured persons to the extent that while one injured witness suffered fifteen injuries, the others suffered eighteen injuries. The use of a lethal weapon and the causing of even grievous hurt on two injured persons is sufficient to bring the case within the ambit of Section 307 IPC. Hence, the learned Judge was certainly justified in framing the charges for offences under Sections 307, and 307/149 IPC against the present petitioner. 36. Although much has been made by the learned counsel for the petitioner about the fact that the complainant has resiled from the allegation made by him in the FIR, such a fact is a cause for concern. In fact, such an affidavit should alert the court about the safety of the complainant. For, in the affidavit, the complainant does not spell out as to what was the pressure, placed by the injured persons upon him, for lodging the FIR. In catena of cases, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that in case the complainant submits an affidavit stating that he had filed the FIR under duress, such a fact merely shows the muscle power of the accused-persons to pressurize the complainant for resiling from the FIR and from his statement given to the Police. In catena of cases, the Hon'ble Supreme Court has observed that in case the complainant submits an affidavit stating that he had filed the FIR under duress, such a fact merely shows the muscle power of the accused-persons to pressurize the complainant for resiling from the FIR and from his statement given to the Police. Therefore, this Court is of the opinion that the complainant may have submitted the affidavit because of the illegal pressure placed upon him by the accused-persons. Hence, this Court is concerned about his safety. Thus, this Court directs the learned trial court to ensure the safety of the complainant during the course of trial. If necessary, proper arrangement should be made by the trial court for the safety of the complainant. 37. With these observations, this Court does not find any illegality or perversity in the impugned order. This petition is devoid of any merit. It is, hereby, dismissed. 38. However, by way of abundant caution, this Court directs the trial court to objectively assess the evidence produced by the prosecution and led by the defence during the course of the trial. The learned trial court should not be swayed by any of the observations made by this Court mentioned above. After all, these observations are only prima facie in nature and cannot be used to adjudge the guilt or innocence of the petitioner.