REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
INHERENT JURISDICTION
REVIEW PETITION (CRL.) NOS. 446-447 OF 2019
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS. 1174-1175 OF 2019
Manoharan ..... PETITIONER(S)
VERSUS
State by Inspector of Police,
Variety Hall Police Station, Coimbatore
.....RESPONDENT(S)
JUDGMENT
SURYA KANT, J.
These review petitions are directed against the judgment dated
01.08.2019 passed in Manoharan v. State by Inspector of Police1
, wherein
this three-Judge Bench had affirmed conviction of the accused Manoharan for
offences punishable under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 of the
Indian Penal Code (in short “IPC”) and by majority upheld the death sentence
confirmed by the High Court.
FACTUAL MATRIX
2. Brief facts of the present case are as follows:
1 (2019) 7 SCC 716.
Page 1
‘X’, a ten-year-old girl and ‘Y’, her 7-year-old brother were enrolled in Classes
V and II respectively in a private school at Coimbatore and would commute
around 7:45 a.m. in a pickup vehicle owned by one Kartikeyan (PW-2). On
29.10.2010 the children left as usual with their school bags and lunch boxes
and stood about two-hundred feet away from their home, in front of the
Vinayakar Temple. Around 8:00 a.m., PW-2 came to the designated pick-up
spot but did not find the children there. He contacted the children’s father,
Ranjith Kumar Jain (PW-5), over mobile to enquire about their absence. Being
in Hyderabad, PW-5 was unable to provide an immediate reply to the query of
PW-2 and hence called his wife, the children’s mother - Sangeetha (PW-8),
who informed him that both X and Y had already left home. Since the father of
the children (PW-5) was already on his way back to Coimbatore, he entrusted
his wife to look out for the children and co-ordinate with the van driver.
Sangeetha informed Karthikeyan that the children had already left the house,
whereafter she along with her relatives Vijay Kumar (PW-1) and Sanjai (PW-6)
started searching for the children.
3. Kamala Bai (PW-9), the paternal grandmother of the children had gone
to a Jain Temple around 8:00 a.m. in the morning. Upon returning home at
10:30 a.m. and finding Sangeetha in panic, Kamala Bai informed her that the
children had been picked up by a former van driver and it was conjectured that
the children must be in school. Vijay Kumar (PW-1) then went to the school
and found that the children had however not reached. After a frantic but futile
search, PW-1 lodged a police complaint (Ex. P1) with Vasuki (Sub-Inspector of
Page 2
Police, PW-42) at around 11AM under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code
(in short “IPC”).
4. The Investigating Officer (“IO”, PW-47), thereafter, took over
investigation and recorded statements of the informant (PW-1), the school’s
principal - Anthony Raj (PW-10), as well as of the grandmother (PW-9) and the
just returned father of the children (PW-5). First trace of the missing children
was received at 6PM when Anthony Raj (PW-10) informed the IO (PW-47) that
one Chinnasamy (PW-22) had called to inform that two school bags with
identity cards bearing names of X and Y were found floating in and later fished
out from the Parambikulam-Axhiyar Project (“PAP”) Canal. A second lead
came to the Police from Karthikeyan (PW-2) who received a call from his
erstwhile employee – Anbu @ Gandhiraj (PW-7) who conveyed that one
Mohanakrishnan had borrowed a Maruti Omni Van from him that morning.
This aroused Karthikeyan’s suspicion since Mohanakrishnan was his former
employee whose services were terminated after it had been discovered that
he was borrowing money from the parents whose children were being
transported to school by PW-2’s agency. The IO (PW-47) accordingly advised
both Anbu (PW-7) and Karthikeyan (PW-2) to immediately alert the police
whenever Mohanakrishnan came to return the Omni Van. At around 9:45PM,
Anbu alerted the police that Mohanakrishnan had come to return the Van and
he had also confessed to the kidnapping, rape and murder of the two missing
children along with his friend Manoharan. Pursuant to the information received
by Anbu, Mohanakrishnan was arrested and a confessional statement was
Page 3
recorded in the presence of Anbu (PW-7) and one Santosh Kumar (not
examined as a witness). The Maruti Omni Van along with one Nokia
Cellphone and the driving license of Mohanakrishnan were also seized. The
IO consequently sent a report (Ex. P-30) for alteration of charge from under
Section 363, IPC to Sections 364(A), 376, 302 read with Section 201, IPC
which was received by the Magistrate at 11:45PM.
5. Having observed certain saliva and yellow-coloured stains on the seized
van, the IO requisitioned forensic assistance of Sarvanan (PW-43), Deputy
Director of Mobile Unit of Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department. In the
presence Sarvanan (PW-43), Anbu (PW-7) and one Santosh Kumar
(unexamined), the van was thoroughly searched wherein a lady’s underwear
bearing the inscription “SBT Kidswear 75 c.m.” with hair strands was
recovered. Sarvanan (PW-43) further collected the betel nut saliva stains on
the left door of the van with a cotton swab for chemical examination, as well
as dried yellow-colour stains found on the seat and floormat, and the clothes
(namely pant, half shirt and underwear) worn by Mohanakrishnan (Mahazar
Exs. P-5 & P-6). Mohanakrishnan subsequently led a police team to the place
where he claimed to have raped X as well as to Deepalapatti, the place from
where the children had allegedly been pushed into the running waters of the
PAP canal.
6. The girl child’s body was found the subsequent morning in the PAP
canal by villagers near Palladam Taluk at 9:30AM, and the boy’s body was
later recovered from the canal around 12 kms from Deepalapatti. Postmortem
Page 4
was conducted by Dr. Jayasingh (PW-46) at the Coimbatore Medical College
and Hospital, wherein the following injuries were recorded on X’s body:
“The body was first seen by the undersigned at 02.15 pm on
30.10.10. Its condition then was rigor mortis present all over the
body. Post mortem commenced at 02.15 pm on 30.10.10.
Appearances found at the postmortem:-
Moderately nourished body of a female aged 10 yrs. Finger and
toenails bluish in colour. The body wearing blue colour “T” shirt with
white colour sticker named as “Suguna Rips” noted left side, black
colour track suit with white line order, white colour socks and white
colour shoes and rose colour shimmis. White colour frothy secretions
noted over both nostrils and mout. Water suddening noted over both
palms and soles.”
7. The following ante mortem injuries noted over the body:
“1. Liner vertical scratch marks 4 in numbers in varying size noted
over lateral aspect right elbow joint.
2. Transverse scratch abrasions 3 in number in varying size noted
over lateral aspect of left upper forearm.
3. A scratch mark 3 in number noted over lower part of left arm.
4. Contusion 2x1 cm x 0.5 depth noted over in the posterior
fourchettes and lateral wall of vagina. Hymen intact.
5. On examination of anus: - Anus found roomy measuring 3 cm
in diameter and mucosal tear 1x0.5 cm x mucosal deep noted over
left lateral aspect of the anus at the level of muco-cutaneous
junction.
On dissection of Thorax and Abdomen: Contusion 4 x 2 cm noted
over anterior aspect of lower end of uterus.”
8. Similarly, in Y’s postmortem examination, the following ante mortem
injuries were noted:
Page 5
“1. Bluish contusion 3 x 2 cm noted on middle of left side neck, 3
cm left to midline.
2. Bluish contusion 3 x 2 cm noted over outer aspect of right
forearm.
3. Bluish contusion noted over right side third intercostal space.
4. On dissection of scalp, skull and dura: sub scalpel contusion 20
x 10 cm noted over bi frontal region and bi parietal region. Diffuse
sub dural and sub arachnoid haemorrhages noted on both cerebral
hemispheres.
5. On bloodless dissection of neck: contusion 4 x 3 cm noted on
left side middle of neck. Hyoid bone found intact.”
9. The present review-petitioner, Manoharan (hereinafter “petitioner”) who
was stated to have perpetrated the crime along with Mohanakrishnan, was
arrested on 31.10.2010 at 7AM, as recorded in Ex. D-4. Manoharan made a
disclosure statement to the police (Ex. P-21) on the basis of which the IO
(PW-47) recovered lunch box of Y from his house. Further, after being
produced before the Magistrate the same day, the petitioner was sent to
judicial custody.
10. A Test Identification Parade was conducted on request of the IO
whereby Kamala Bai (PW-9) identified Mohanakrishnan as the driver of the
van in which the children had been kidnapped. Subsequently, both the
petitioner and Mohanakrishnan were medically examined on 04.11.2010
whereby samples of their blood and saliva were sent to the Tamil Nadu
Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA Analysis. A potency test of the petitioner
was conducted by Dr. J.R. Singh (PW-46), who in his medical report (Ex. PPage 6
56) found him potent and further noticed signs of injury around his private
parts.
11. During recovery proceedings under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence
Act (in short “IEA”), whilst in police custody, Mohanakrishnan shot and
wounded two police officers and was consequently shot dead by the Police on
09.11.2010. Thus, the trial against Mohanakrishnan was abated and the
petitioner alone was left to be tried as an accused.
12. Succinctly, the prosecution’s version of events is that Mohanakrishnan
using a borrowed school van, picked up two children (X and Y) who were
waiting to go to school at about 7:50 a.m. He further picked up his friend,
Manoharan from his house at 9:30 a.m. and subsequently, they took the
children to a remote location where after the girl child was raped and
sodomised. Subsequently, Manoharan and Mohanakrishnan purchased cow
dung powder (a poisonous substance) which was mixed in milk and then
administered to the children to end their life. However, both the children spat
out the substance and only ingested a small portion. Since poisoning did not
work, Mohanakrishnan and the petitioner threw both the children into the
turbulent waters of a nearby Canal, hence drowning them.
CASE HISTORY
13. Over the course of the trial, the prosecution examined forty-nine
witnesses in all including persons who witnessed abduction, purchase of milk
and cow dung powder and those having seen children in the custody of
Page 7
accused persons at various places. Further, various medical and forensic
evidence were produced, proving drowning and rape as well as injuries on
Petitioner’s body. A ‘last seen theory’ was built by the prosecution, in addition
to use of a confessional statement made by the petitioner under Section 164,
CrPC. The Trial Court ultimately held the Petitioner guilty under Section 120-
B, 364-A, 376, 302 r/w 34 and 201 IPC. Under Section 376, the Petitioner was
awarded life sentence and for offence under Section 302 IPC he was given
death sentence.
14. The Madras High Court set aside conviction of Petitioner under Sec.
120-B and 364A IPC but confirmed the sentences under Sec. 376, 302 r/w 34
and 201 IPC. After considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the
High Court confirmed death sentence awarded by the Trial Court.
15. Thereafter the Petitioner filed a Special Leave Petition under Article 136
whereby this Court dismissed his appeal and confirmed the death sentence by
majority, observing that the case fell in the category of the ‘rarest of rare’
cases. After considering all evidence on record and contentions of the
counsels, the majority opinion of this Court read as follows:
“In the circumstances, we have no doubt that the trial court and High
Court have correctly applied and balanced aggravating
circumstances with mitigating circumstances to find that the crime
committed was cold blooded and involves the rape of a minor girl
and murder of two children in the most heinous fashion possible. No
remorse has been shown by the Petitioner at all and given the nature
of the crime as stated in paragraph 84 of the High Court’s judgment it
is unlikely that the Petitioner, if set free, would not be capable of
Page 8
committing such a crime yet again. The fact that the Petitioner made
a confessional statement would not, on the facts of this case, mean
that he showed remorse for committing such a heinous crime. He did
not stand by this confessional statement, but falsely retracted only
those parts of the statement which implicated him of both the rape of
the young girl and the murder of both her and her little brother.
Consequently, we confirm the death sentence and dismiss the
appeals.”
16. Khanna J., in his minority opinion also upheld conviction under the
various offences concerned, but dissented on the quantum of sentence,
holding as follows:
“I would, therefore, uphold and maintain conviction of the appellant
under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 IPC and the
sentences awarded under Sections 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 IPC.
To this extent the appeal is dismissed. In view of the aforesaid
discussion and on balancing aggravating and mitigating
circumstances, in my opinion, the present case does not fall under
the category of “rarest of the rare” case i.e. there is no alternative but
to impose death sentence. It would fall within the special category of
cases, where the appellant should be directed to suffer sentence for
life i.e. till his natural death, without remission/commutation under
Sections 432 and 433 CrPC. To this extent I would allow the appeal.”
17. The Petitioner then filed the present petition for review of the said
judgement and order dated 01.08.2019, which was heard at considerable
length in open Court following the parameters evolved in Mohd. Arif @
Ashfaq v. Registrar, Supreme Court of India2
, wherein a Constitutional
Bench of this Court held that in cases of death penalty, since the punishment
is irreversible and Article 21 of the convict is violated, it is necessary to provide
at least one opportunity for oral arguments on the question of sentence.
2 (2014) 9 SCC 737.
Page 9
SCOPE OF REVIEW
18. At the outset, it may be clarified that the scope of Review even in death
penalty cases has been narrowed down in Vikram Singh v. State of Punjab3
,
laying down that review can only be on a glaring error apparent on the face of
the judgement or order. A mere change or addition of grounds cannot be
allowed at the stage of review. This Court thus held as follows:
“23. In view of the above, it is clear that scope, ambit and parameters
of review jurisdiction are well defined. Normally in a criminal
proceeding, review applications cannot be entertained except on the
ground of error apparent on the face of the record. Further, the
power given to this Court under Article 137 is wider and in an
appropriate case can be exercised to mitigate a manifest injustice.
By review application an applicant cannot be allowed to reargue the
appeal on the grounds which were urged at the time of the hearing of
the criminal appeal. Even if the applicant succeeds in establishing
that there may be another view possible on the conviction or
sentence of the accused that is not a sufficient ground for review.
This Court shall exercise its jurisdiction to review only when a glaring
omission or patent mistake has crept in the earlier decision due to
judicial fallibility. There has to be an error apparent on the face of the
record leading to miscarriage of justice to exercise the review
jurisdiction under Article 137 read with Order 40 Rule 1. There has to
be a material error manifest on the face of the record with results in
the miscarriage of justice.”
19. The above cited decision was reiterated in Mukesh v. State of (NCT
of Delhi)4 where also similar restrictive principles were applied and re-affirmed
while considering the scope of review in death penalty cases. Reliance was
placed on the dictum in Kamlesh Verma v. Mayawati5
, prescribing that
3 (2017) 8 SCC 518.
4 (2018) 8 SCC 149.
5 (2013) 8 SCC 320.
Page 10
Courts should refrain from re-appreciating the entirety of evidence only to
arrive at a different possible conclusion, besides illustrating an inexhaustible
list of instances where review shall not be maintainable. The relevant part
reads as follows:
“20.2. When the review will not be maintainable:
(i) A repetition of old and overruled argument is not enough to reopen
concluded adjudications.
(ii) Minor mistakes of inconsequential import.
(iii) Review proceedings cannot be equated with the original hearing
of the case.
(iv) Review is not maintainable unless the material error, manifest on
the face of the order, undermines its soundness or results in
miscarriage of justice.
(v) A review is by no means an appeal in disguise whereby an
erroneous decision is reheard and corrected but lies only for patent
error.
(vi) The mere possibility of two views on the subject cannot be a
ground for review.
(vii) The error apparent on the face of the record should not be an
error which has to be fished out and searched.
(viii) The appreciation of evidence on record is fully within the domain
of the appellate court, it cannot be permitted to be advanced in the
review petition.
(ix) Review is not maintainable when the same relief sought at the
time of arguing the main matter had been negatived.”
20. It is, therefore, to be kept in mind that the scope of a Review is more
constrained than that of an appeal. A party cannot be allowed to reurge the
case on merits to effectively seek re-appreciation of evidence when the matter
has already been decided earlier, even if on different grounds. Interference in
the earlier judgement assailed in a Review is permissible only on the basis of
Page 11
an error apparent on the face of record or discovery of important new
evidence which has a direct bearing on the ultimate outcome of the case and
if not well appreciated, would cause manifest injustice.
21. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Siddharth Luthra has
made a deft challenge to our judgment, through a multifaceted attack on both
merits and procedure of the case. He forcefully urged for setting aside the
conviction and in the alternate, requested commutation of the sentence of
death.
VOLUNTARINESS OF CONFESSION & EFFECT OF RETRACTION
22. The arguments for the Petitioner begun with challenge to reliance by
this Court on confessional statement of the accused. Mr. Luthra strenuously
contended that strict compliance with the safeguards for recording a
confessional statement as mandated under Section 164 are mandatory, as
ruled in Shivappa v. State of Karnataka6
. He strongly disputed the
admissibility of the confessional statement made by the petitioner before a
Magistrate on 20.11.2010 on the premise that:
(a) Confession was coerced and involuntary, and in contravention of
Section 163, CrPC and Section 24, IEA for first, the petitioner had been
physically assaulted by the police whilst in custody, as evidenced
through answer to Question 8 posed by the Magistrate during
preliminary examination on 19.11.2010. Second, the petitioner was
6 (1995) 2 SCC 76
Page 12
under severe psychological stress owing to the in-custody killing of the
co-accused Mohanakrishnan on 09.11.2010; and third, circumstances
surrounding confession were suspicious, for the IO (PW-47) moved an
application stating that the petitioner was ready to volunteer a
confession when he was in judicial and not police custody.
(b) The Magistrate failed to comply with the mandatory procedure as
prescribed under Section 164, CrPC since he did not inform the
petitioner that he would not be sent to police custody after recording of
the confessional statement.
23. In light of the vehement attempt at assailing the confessional statement
as being non-voluntary and violative of the right guaranteed under Article
20(3) of the Constitution and in the alternate its reliance for having been
retracted by the petitioner, it may be briefly noticed that on a conjoint reading
of the confessional scheme comprising of Sections 163, 164 CrPC and
Section 24 IEA as construed in a catena of decisions of this Court, it is
obvious that even in the absence of an express provision for retracting a
confessionary statement once made, the Courts have preferred a rule of
prudence whereby in case of retraction, the Court reduces the probative value
of such confessionary statements and seeks corroborating evidence.
24. Hence, the cornerstone of a valid confession in India is only whether
such a statement was made in compliance with statutory provisions which
mandate that the same must be before the Magistrate after compliance with
Page 13
certain safeguards meant to ensure voluntariness and lack of coercion by the
police. This has been so noted by this Court in Bharat v. State of U.P.7
:
“7. ... Confessions can be acted upon if the court is satisfied that
they are voluntary and that they are true. The voluntary nature of the
confession depends upon whether there was any threat, inducement
or promise and its truth is judged in the context of the entire
prosecution case. The confession must fit into the proved facts and
not run counter to them. When the voluntary character of the
confession and its truth are accepted it is safe to rely on it. Indeed a
confession, if it is voluntary and true and not made under any
inducement or threat or promise, is the most patent piece of
evidence against the maker. Retracted confession, however, stands
on a slightly different footing. As the Privy Council once stated, in
India it is the rule to find a confession and to find it retracted later. A
court may take into account the retracted confession, but it must look
for the reasons for the making of the confession as well as for its
retraction, and must weigh the two to determine whether the
retraction affects the voluntary nature of the confession or not. If the
court is satisfied that it was retracted because of an after thought or
advice, the retraction may not weigh with the court if the general
facts proved in the case and the tenor of the confession as made
and the circumstances of its making and withdrawal warrant its user.
All the same, the courts do not act upon the retracted confession
without finding assurance from some other sources as to the guilt of
the accused. Therefore, it can be stated that a true confession made
voluntarily may be acted upon with slight evidence to corroborate it,
but a retracted confession requires the general assurance that the
retraction was an after thought and that the earlier statement was
true. ...”
25. The objective behind such a provision has been explored by this Court
in various decisions wherein it has been noted that provisions permitting use
of confessionary statements in criminal trials were statutorily included as an
acknowledgement of the possibility that in certain circumstances an accused
may voluntarily confess to his offence(s).
7 (1971) 3 SCC 950
Page 14
26. From a chronological analysis of the confessional statement of
Petitioner dated 20.11.2010 (Ex.P.18) as well as the preliminary examination
held on 19.11.2010, it is apparent that the learned Magistrate - S.S.
Sathiamoorthy (PW-28) duly complied with all procedural requirements for
recording of a confessional statement and affirmatively satisfied himself of the
voluntariness of the petitioner’s confession:
a. During preliminary examination, the petitioner informed the
Magistrate that he was brought from Central Jail, Coimbatore on
19.11.2010, hence abridging the possibility of any coercion or
influence by the police. Further, a perusal of the record shows that
petitioner was last in police custody only on 11.11.2010 and hence
there is no doubt that he had been in judicial custody for some time
prior to giving a confessional statement. Hence per Abdul Razak
Murlaza Dafadar v. State of Maharashtra8
it can be inferred that he
was not under the influence of the investigating agency.
b. In reply to Question 8 during preliminary examination on 19.11.2010,
when asked by the Magistrate whether someone tortured him, the
petitioner does say that he was beaten by the police. However, when
asked whether the “police tortured and compel you to give statement
like this”, the petitioner denied any such torture or compulsion.
Similarly, when the Magistrate asked him whether he was told some
sweet words such as “the confession statement will be beneficial or
8 AIR 1970 SC 283.
Page 15
where you threatened by police or by anybody else that if statement
was not given”, the petitioner specifically denied the same. He also
acknowledged the fact that he was not under compulsion to give a
confession statement and that he was aware of the fact that such
statement could be used against him. Further, when re-questioned
by the Magistrate if the petitioner was tortured, he answered in the
negative. Hence, not only was the petitioner inconsistent in his
claims, but further it is evident that the alleged physical assault by
the police, if at all, would have been committed weeks before the
confession. Vague and passing claims of police assault, supposedly
committed far before the confessional date, cannot be a ground for
holding the confession as coerced.
c. After preliminary questioning on 19.11.2010, the petitioner was
entrusted to the Prison Warden and sent back to judicial custody for
reflection “after duly informing him that he was not under obligation
to give confessional statement.” The petitioner was re-produced
before the Magistrate on the next day at 2PM and was again given
an opportunity to change his mind and not confess. The Magistrate
once more satisfied himself of the voluntariness of the petitioner and
the absence of any police influence. Hence, it is clear that an
adequate opportunity to recant was provided and the Magistrate
ensured that any possible lingering effects of alleged beatings or
psychological stress post encounter of co-accused, would have been
Page 16
mitigated. It is also apparent that the Magistarte duly informed the
petitioner about the repurcussions of his confessional statement, and
made no false assurance of it helping his case, as had been made in
State of Assam v. Rabindra Nath Guha9
, which has erroneously
been relied upon by Mr. Luthra.
d. The statement once recorded, was thereafter read out to the
petitioner who signed it to be correct. The Magistrate signed the
statement at 4:30PM on 20.11.2010, and afterwards sent the
petitioner to judicial custody. The Magistrate thus was fully conscious
of his statutory obligation and factually ensured that the petitioner
was not sent to police custody post the confessional statement. It is
further clear that the petitioner was kept in judicial custody for almost
twenty months after the confession, over the course of which there
was no likelihood of him being entrusted to police, and still no protest
or attempt to retract the confession was made by him.
e. The fact that the application to record the petitioner’s statement was
moved by the IO is inconsequential, as the petitioner was neither in
police custody nor, as acknowledged by him, the police officials
interacted with him during judicial custody. It is thus far-fetched to
use the fact that police put forth the request for recording of
confession to suggest that the confession was involuntary or secured
at the behest of police.
9 1982 Cri LJ 216.
Page 17
27. Further, it is essential to note that the petitioner failed to put forth any
protest against the confessional statement despite having multiple
opportunities during the course of trial. This Court has held earlier in
Shankaria v. State of Rajasthan10 that retractions must be made by the
accused as soon as possible, otherwise there would be a strong presumption
of voluntariness in the confession.
28. The confession, in the present case, was not challenged during stage of
framing of charge or over the course of examination of forty-seven prosecution
witnesses, but instead only partly disputed through a letter written in secret
just before petitioner’s examination under Section 313 of the Code. It is thus
evident that such retraction at the fag-end of the trial, was not natural but
rather meticulously formulated, perhaps as a part of defence strategy. Hence,
there remains no doubt about the voluntariness of the confession of
20.11.2010 or it being unaffected by subsequent retraction.
29. That apart, even if the confession dated 20.11.2010 were to be treated
as being retracted vide letter dated 25.07.2012 (as adopted during
examination under Section 313 of the Code), still the original confession can
be relied upon. Coupled with corroborating evidence, conviction can also be
secured on the strength of such confession. The rule regarding use of such
retracted confessions was noted by this Court in Subramania Goundan v.
10 (1978) 3 SCC 435.
Page 18
State of Madras11 as well as by a four-Judge Bench of this Court in Pyare Lal
Bhargava v. State of Rajasthan12
, holding that:
“A retracted confession may form the legal basis of a conviction if
the court is satisfied that it was true and was voluntarily made. But it
has been held that a court shall not base a conviction on such a
confession without corroboration. It is not a rule of law, but is only a
rule of prudence. It cannot even be laid down as an inflexible rule of
practice or prudence that under no circumstances such a conviction
can be made without corroboration, for a court may, in a particular
case, be convinced of the absolute truth of a confession and
prepared to act upon it without corroboration; but it may be laid down
as a general rule of practice that it is unsafe to rely upon a
confession, much less on a retracted confession, unless the court is
satisfied that the retracted confession is true and voluntarily made
and has been corroborated in material particulars.”
30. Still further, it is clear that even in the retraction statement, the petitioner
has made substantial admissions which read together with prosecution
evidence, are sufficient to convict him. Through the letter dated 25.07.2012,
the Petitioner merely restates his confession with certain omissions and a few
denials as compared to his earlier statement. Although he agrees to be at the
place of the occurrence along with the now deceased Mohanakrishnan
throughout the incident, instead of admitting an equal role in commission of
rape and murder, he portrays himself to be a mere helpless bystander. The
petitioner has attempted to justify his retraction by stating that he had told the
truth to the Magistrate but his statement was not read out to him and hence
the Magistrate’s affirmation under Section 164 of the Code is incorrect.
11 AIR 1958 SC 66.
12 AIR 1963 SC 1094.
Page 19
31. A comparison of the retraction with the confession dated 20.11.2010
further shows that it is merely an improvement. The Petitioner has admitted to
all the general circumstances of the incident, i.e. having been present at the
scene of all crimes, being friend of the co-accused and of the offences as
claimed by the prosecution to have occurred. However, he merely contends
that the crimes were committed by the co-accused and not by the Petitioner
himself. Regardless thereto, there are sufficient inculpatory admissions in the
letter dated 25.07.2012 to place a strong burden of proof on the Petitioner
under Section 106 of the IEA.
32. Moreover, we must note that the petitioner has not been convicted by
the Courts below or this Court, solely on the basis of his confession made
under Section 164 of the Code. The confession has been corroborated by
enough evidence and it would not be a stretch to state that even independent
of such confessional statement, this Court would nevertheless have reached a
firm conclusion of guilt.
INDEPENDENT RE-APPRECIATION OF EVIDENCE
33. The second contention raised by Mr. Luthra is that this Court decided
the appeal without independently re-appreciating all the material on record.
We are in strong disagreement with this contention. This Court critically
analysed all the material witnesses and documents exhibited on record which
were referred to during the course of arguments. A careful examination of
such evidence lead to a unanimous finding of guilt against the Petitioner. It
was noted by the majority that:
Page 20
“PW.20, PW.25 and PW.23 all saw the two accused together with the
children at different times on 29.10.2010. Indeed, even if one were to
read the confessional statement of the Appellant together with the
retraction thereof, the fact that he purchased milk at 1.00 p.m. from
PW.23 is clearly made out and the fact that Mohanakrishnan went to
meet the tailor, was also admitted by him in both the original
confessional statement as well as the retraction. It is clear therefore
that the evidence of PW.20 and 23 are corroborated by the
confessional statement and the retraction made by the Appellant and
therefore the factum of the two accused being with the two children
in the vehicle is clearly made out and thus the High Court’s
conclusion that the last seen theory can be relied upon cannot
possibly be assailed.”
34. Such an independent re-appreciation was also conducted by Khanna J.
in his minority opinion in para nos. 23 to 29.
INADEQUACY OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION
35. Mr. Luthra seeks to make a third core challenge by placing reliance on
Article 21 of the Constitution of India, claiming that it mandates adequate and
efficient legal assistance, the denial whereof would amount to condemning
one unheard.
36. There cannot be any quarrel with the cited proposition for it is a
fundamental tenet of criminal jurisprudence, least not because of our
Constitution, that every person has a right to effective legal assistance. In
case an accused cannot afford the same, then it is the responsibility of the
State to provide free legal aid, as definitively noted in Hussainara Khatoon v.
State of Bihar13. However, we feel that such a right has been protected in the
13 (1980) 1 SCC 98.
Page 21
present case and the legal representation accorded to the petitioner was not
inadequate.
37. At the outset, as noted in State v. Navjot Sandhu14 judicial scrutiny of a
counsel’s performance must be careful, deferential and circumspect for not
doing so would give rise to the dangerous possibility of convicts raising such
pleas of inadequate legal assistance after adverse verdicts. It would also be
useful to cite Strickland v. Washington15 wherein the Supreme Court of the
United States, laid down that to demand re-trial or acquittal on grounds of
inadequate legal representation, the accused must show both that the
assistance of the counsel was deficient per an objective standard of
reasonableness as developed by customary practice, as well as that such
deficiency has with a reasonable probability affected the outcome of the case,
such that had he received adequate representation, the result would have
been different.
38. It is clear that the petitioner has failed to demonstrate either of these
legs in the present case. Although it is correct that seven counsels refused to
defend the Petitioner and there was a resolution by the bar to not take up his
brief, but the Trial Court ensured the services of a legal aid counsel who ably
conducted petitioner’s defence during the trial. The record reveals that from
23.02.2011 till 18.06.2012, no effective proceedings were held and post
18.06.2012, legal aid counsel Mrs. A. Sharmila appeared on behalf of the
petitioner. The length and quality of cross-examination conducted by the court14 (2005) 11 SCC 600.
15 466 U.S. 668 (1984).
Page 22
appointed counsel testifies her legal acumen and professional ability. Hence,
there can be no question on the adequacy of counsel’s performance.
39. Notwithstanding the above determination, we must note that in the
present facts no prejudice has been caused to the petitioner for want of
adequate or proper legal assistance. Not only did the High Court reappreciate
the entire evidence, but it also conducted another examination of the
Petitioner under Section 313, CrPC. Furthermore, the High Court appointed a
Senior Advocate, Mr. A Raghunathan, in addition to Advocate Smt. Vairam, to
provide the best legal services to the Petitioner. Similarly, in appeal, this Court
both re-appreciated the evidence and ensured due legal representation. Even
in the present Review, the petitioner’s interests are protected by an
outstanding Senior Counsel and as a matter of abundant caution, we have
also conducted an elaborate analysis. We thus do not find this to be a case of
deficient legal assistance, affecting the Petitioner’s rights under Article 21 of
the Constitution.
40. The plea regarding absence of a counsel during proceedings before the
Magistrate under section 164, CrPC resulting into any prejudice, are
misconceived. What mandatorily is needed, as noted earlier, is that the
Magistrate must satisfy himself of the voluntariness of the statement and all
the statutory safeguards which includes bringing the repercussions and the
voluntariness of making confessions to the knowledge of the accused, must
be meticulously complied with. It is pertinent to take note of the first Proviso to
Section 164(1), added with effect from 31.12.2009, which specifies that:
Page 23
“Provided that any confession or statement made under this subsection may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means in the
presence of the advocate of the person accused of an offence.”
(emphasis supplied)
41. Section 164 of the Code thus does not contemplate that a confession or
statement should necessarily be made in the presence of the advocate(s),
except, when such confessional statement is recorded with audio-video
electronic means.
DISCREPANCIES IN ARREST & RECOVERY OF EVIDENCE
42. The next contention of Mr. Luthra revolves around the date of arrest of
the petitioner. According to him, the petitioner was arrested from his village
Anglapurchi post-midnight on 29.10.2010 and not on 31.10.2010 at 7:00 a.m.
The petitioner was not sent to custody after formal arrest till an alleged
confession was recorded before the Village Administrative Officer, S. Ganesan
(PW-30). Mr. Luthra relies upon the cross-examination of PW-47 where he is
stated to have admitted that the petitioner was caught in his village after
midnight of 29.10.2010.
43. Not only is the dispute re: the date of arrest immaterial for determination
of petitioner’s guilt in the present case, but we otherwise do not find any
substance therein. First, the petitioner’s arrest on 31.10.2010 at 7:00 a.m. is
proved by Exhibit D4 which is duly signed by his father (DW-1). P. Ramasamy
(DW-1) has admitted his signatures on the Exhibit D4, proving the date and
time of the arrest. Second, the plea at best assumes violation of Section 167
of CrPC which mandates production of the suspect before the jurisdictional
Page 24
magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. The adverse impact of such assumed
variation on the Judicial proceedings has also not been convincingly
demonstrated. Mr. Luthra’s contention would have carried some weight had it
been a case of making confessional statement by the petitioner before the
Judicial Magistrate on 30/31.10.2010, that is, when he was allegedly in police
custody.
44. Mr. Luthra very ably made an attempt to cast doubt on the recovery of
the underwear of the deceased girl as well as the presence of pubic hair of the
Petitioner on the said underwear. It was argued that the underwear worn by
the deceased remained in the custody of the police till 01.11.2010, therefore
plantation of hair on the panty cannot be ruled out.
45. Firstly, such a plea is at variance from the submission made before the
High Court where it was argued that police had planted the pubic hair on
04.11.2010. Secondly, there is no factual discrepancy in the prosecution case
as may be seen from the following facts:
i. The police found Mohanakrishnan in the house of one A. Anbu
(PW-7) on 29.10.2010 at about 9:45 pm. Pursuant to this, the
Maruti Van was inspected by the police in presence of PW-7 and
one Santosh Kumar. Appropriately, Mahazar (Ex.P.4) was prepared
by the police incorporating details of seizure of van and presence of
stains on its doors and floor mat.
Page 25
ii. Thereafter, A. Sarvanan (PW-43), Deputy Director of Mobile Unit of
Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department was called by the IO
(PW-47) at around midnight of 29/30.10.2010. PW-43 examined
the van whereby the underwear of the deceased girl (MO-1) was
found with hair strands. Cellophane tape was applied to the hair
strands by PW-43, to keep them at their spot and the MO-1 was
then put in a cover and sealed. Further, PW-47 sealed the same in
an ‘Angelform’ brassieres cardboard box, obtained from vicinity and
seized it as Mahazar (Ex.P.5).
iii. Accordingly, Ex.P.5 reached the Judicial Magistrate on 30.10.2010
along with Form 95 pertaining to the MO-1. This explains the delay
of one day in production of Ex.P.5 before the Judicial Magistrate.
iv. Moreover, since 30.10.2010 was a Saturday, the Judicial
Magistrate directed Ex.P.5 to be produced again on the next
working day i.e. 01.11.2010. Hence, the box was re-produced
before the Judicial Magistrate on 01.12.2010 and was then
forwarded to Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department for further
analysis.
46. PW-43 prepared his report (Ex.P.38) and sent it to the IO for further
forensic examination, wherein it was recorded that:
“a) A Pink coloured panty printed letters “SBT kids wear” “75cms”
with pale brownish starchy like stains with small hair pieces on its
inner surface was found beneath the back seat of the vehicle was
identified, collected. The place where the hair pieces were seen were
Page 26
marked and pasted with cellphone tape in order to safety transport
the vital cue materials for comprehensive Forensic analysis.”
47. Additionally, Mrs. Lakshmi Balasubramanian (PW-49), Deputy Director
of DNA Division of the Forensic Science Department stated in her crossexamination that the underwear was received by her for examination, in a
sealed parcel. She has said:
“It is correct to state that my first prerogative is to satisfy that the seal
of the container in which the items received for testing, is not broken.
It is correct to state that the items and the paper covers would be
sealed with the Medical Officer’s seal. The parcel received by me
contained the Medical Officer’s seal and not any Court seal. It is
correct to state that in my report I have not mentioned that the seals
were not broken.
XXX
By “correct seals”, I mean that the same seal on the letter and the
sample seal on the paper covers are the same.”
48. Analysis of the depositions as reproduced above prove that the
underwear was recovered and sent for forensic examination without any
tampering. The seal on the parcel containing the underwear was still intact
when PW-49 received it for forensic examination.
49. We find that the contention of the learned Senior Counsel, pertaining to
non-production of the property room Register is of no force since it has not
been raised before at any stage of the proceedings and thus cannot be
allowed to be argued afresh at the stage of Review. Furthermore, casting a
doubt on the identification of MO-1 by the father of deceased (PW-1) is also
baseless and holds no ground. Merely because PW-1 did not dress his
Page 27
daughter on the date of the incident does not imply that he would not
recognize a piece of clothing of his daughter. PW-1 has clearly deposed that
MO-1 belongs to his daughter.
ERRONEOUS CONVICTION UNDER SECTION 376 IPC
50. In the judgment-under-review, it was argued by Mr. Luthra that even per
the confessional statement, the accused only committed anal intercourse
which is punishable under Section 377 IPC, and he has been wrongly
convicted under Section 376 IPC. Such a plea, however, does not find support
from the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. First, relevant portions of the
confessional statement need to be extracted:
“… I asked him to give me a chance. He asked me to do it with the
girl. Seated from the front seat, Mohan saw. I went and saw the girl
who was without a pant. I placed my penis on the front side when the
girl cried saying it was paining. Then I did through backside through
anus. Even that did not come good for me. Then I masturbated and
brought out semen. …”
51. The confessional statement lucidly reveals that the accused placed his
penis on the vagina of the deceased girl consequent to which she cried. This
act of the Petitioner satisfies all relevant ingredients of Section 376 as it
existed at the relevant time. The only dispute that remains is whether the
Petitioner committed peno-vaginal penetration or not. However, the medical
evidence shows that vaginal intercourse had been committed with X and that
there was a contusion on the petitioner’s private part. Relevant portions of the
post-mortem of X as deposed by PW-46 are reproduced below:
Page 28
“… The anti-mortem injuries that had been caused on the body are:
XXX
4) A contusion of 2 x 1 cm x 0.5 cm on the inner lower aspect of
Vagina and the inner edge of uterus. Hymen was in tact.
5) When anus was examined, it was found to be bigger in size, 3 cm
wide.”
52. Furthermore, following the orders of Magistrate on 04.11.2010, Dr.
Jeyasingh examined Manoharan and observed an injury on his penis in his
report (Ex.P.56) as:
“A dark colour contusion noted over proximal part of glands penis
around urethral orifice.”
53. It is evident from the deposition of PW-46 that the vagina of X was
penetrated. Also, Dr. Jeyasingh (PW-46), who conducted the autopsy on the
body of X had stated in his final opinion (Ex.P.50):
“The deceased would appear to have died of DROWNING. Injuries
noted on the vagina and anus due to forcible sexual assault.”
54. Furthermore, the evidence of his pubic hair found in the girl’s underwear
coupled with DNA Report that those were his hair belies his plea of not having
committed the ghastly crime. The DNA Report, as deposed by Mrs. Lakshmi
Balasubramanian (PW-49), affirms the pubic hair found in the underwear of X
to be that of the petitioner. Relevant portion of the statement of PW-49,
delineating the DNA Report reads as follows:
“Conclusion: From the DNA typing results of the above samples, it is
found that the pubic hair in item [8] belongs to a human male
individual and is that of alleged accused -2 Manoharan. The report
DNA 220/2010 is given and signed by me. The said report with four
annexures is marked as Ex.P.48B.”
Page 29
55. Considering the final opinion of Dr. Jeyasingh stating that the girl was
subjected to sexual assault; injury on the penis of petitioner; recovery of dead
body of X without underwear; recovery of underwear from the Maruti Van;
father of X recognising the underwear; finding hair on the recovered
underwear and matching of DNA of hair with that of Manoharan, we are of the
view that even in absence of the confessional statement of the petitioner, it is
established the petitioner committed offence under Section 376 IPC. The
retraction dated 25.07.2012 may merely eclipse some part of the inculpatory
evidence but cannot be construed to render the entire evidence exculpatory.
Hence, we do not find any substance in the contention of Mr. Luthra and are of
the view that the petitioner is justly convicted for offence under Section 376
IPC.
ERRONEOUS RELIANCE ON POCSO
56. It was then urged that this Court ought not to have relied on a recent
amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,
2012 to justify death penalty, as the new law was non-existent on the date of
occurrence and hence cannot be applied retrospectively in derogation to
Article 20 of the Constitution.
57. Although the plea is attractive at first glance, it must be noted that the
Petitioner has not been convicted or sentenced under the POCSO Act.
Instead, only a passing reference was made to pinpoint whether the present
case was rarest of the rare and whether it would shock the conscience of the
Page 30
society. It has been noted by this Court in Macchi Singh v. State of Punjab16
and various other judgments that in order to uphold the guarantee under
Article 21 and to reduce arbitrariness caused by discretion of judges in
sentencing, it should be the opinion of the society and not the personal
opinion of the judge which should be considered whilst awarding sentence of
death. Towards the same, a change in law during pendency of the case is an
apt indicator of societal opinion as legislated by elected representatives. It is
not the case here that Petitioner has not been convicted of an offence
otherwise not punishable with death.
SENTENCING
58. Lastly, Mr. Luthra impassionedly urged that this is not a fit case for
award of death penalty, especially when, the death penalty has been
confirmed only by way of 2:1 split decision. Relying on the minority opinion of
Thomas J. in Suthenraraja v. State,17 he vehemently argued that in a case
where one of the Hon’ble Judges did not deem it appropriate to award death
penalty, that in itself ought to be a sufficient ground to commute death
sentence in Review. He also urged this to be a case of ‘residual doubt’, as
evolved in Ravishankar v. State of Madhya Pradesh18
, which is also a
mitigating circumstance to be taken note of by the Court whilst considering
whether the case falls in the category of “rarest of rare cases”. He further
16 AIR 1983 SC 957.
17 (1999) 9 SCC 323.
18 2019 SCC OnLine SC 1290
Page 31
argued that neither the High Court or this Court gave due weightage to
mitigating circumstances such as:
(i) Lack of adequate opportunity to place on record material/evidence of
mitigating circumstances.
(ii) Young age (less than 30 years) of petitioner, and aged parents.
(iii) Absence of any previous criminal history.
(iv) Backward socio-economic background.
(v) Death ought not to be awarded in cases of circumstantial evidence.
59. At this juncture, it is necessary to highlight that the contention of Mr.
Luthra urging that death ought not to be awarded in case of a single dissent,
notwithstanding the opinion of the majority is unsupported in view of more
than one decisions of this Court. In Devender Pal Singh v. State of NCT of
Delhi19 and also in Krishna Mochi v. State of Bihar20
, a concurrent Bench
had refused to review the death sentence which had earlier been upheld in
appeal by two out of three judges of this Court. The reliance on
Suthendraraja (supra) itself is erroneous for the proposition relied upon was
delivered in a minority opinion, which was unsupported both by the order of
the Court and also was disagreed with by Quadri J., who noted:
“The ambit of Rule XL(1) of the Supreme Court Rules which provides
grounds for review, as interpreted by this Court in P.N. Eswara
Iyer v. Registrar, Supreme Court of India [(1980) 4 SCC 680] vis-àvis criminal proceedings, is not confined to “an error apparent on the
face of the record”. Even so by the process of interpretation it cannot
be stretched to embrace the premise indicated by my learned brother
19 (2003) 2 SCC 501.
20 (2003) 2 SCC 501.
Page 32
as a ground for review. That apart there are two difficulties in the
way. The first is that the acceptance of the said proposition would
result in equating the opinion of the majority to a ground analogous
to “an error apparent on the face of the record” and secondly in a
Bench of three Judges or of greater strength if a learned Judge is not
inclined to confirm the death sentence imposed on a convict, the
majority will be precluded from confirming the death sentence as that
per se would become open to review.
60. Further, even sans the aforesaid decisions, we are not inclined to
accept such a reasoning for it is contrary to the established jurisprudence of
precedents and interpretation of verdicts with multiple opinions. It is settled in
law that dissenting opinions have little precedential value and that there is no
difference in operation between decisions rendered unanimously or those
tendered by majority, albeit with minority dissenting views.
61. Although Mr. Luthra’s contention that the petitioner has not received
adequate opportunity to place material regarding his circumstances is
unsubstantiated, we have nevertheless re-considered sentencing. We have
re-visited the mitigating circumstances against aggravating circumstances, as
well as a report commissioned by this Court during the course of appeal and
submitted by the jail superintendent which reveals that the conduct of the
Petitioner is merely satisfactory and he has not undertaken any study or
anything else to show any signs of reformation.
62. It has been made clear in the preceding parts of this judgment that the
prosecution case has been established through numerous evidences in
addition to there being a clear confession, which proves the Petitioner’s guilt
beyond any residual doubt. Conflicting versions have been deposed by the
Page 33
Petitioner and the defence witnesses, and no explanation to discharge the
onus under Section 106 has been provided. Hence, it is not a case fit for
application of the theory of “residual doubt” as noted in Ravishankar (supra).
Accordingly, even the contention that death ought not to be awarded
considering that the present case is one involving circumstantial evidence is
unfounded. It is no longer res integra that there can be no hard rule of not
awarding death in cases based on circumstantial evidence owing to recent
developments in medical science and the possibility of abuse by seasoned
criminals.
63. Furthermore, there is nothing to support the characterisation of the
accused as being a helpless, illiterate young adult who is a victim of his socioeconomic circumstances. Far from being so, it is clear through the version of
events that the accused had the presence of mind to craft his own defence
and attempt to retract his confession through an elaborately written eleven
page letter addressed to the Magistrate and had further received adequate
legal representation.
64. Mr. Luthra’s reliance on the retraction letter to contend that in so far as
the statement shows that he stopped the co-accused from committing rape, is
evident of the fact that he has remorse which entitles him to commutation, if
not acquittal, is misplaced. As noted earlier, the retraction was extremely
belated and only a defence to shield himself. Further, medical evidence has
proved that rape was committed on the deceased girl. It is hence factually
incorrect to state that the Petitioner prevented the co-accused from raping the
Page 34
girl and is nothing more than a belated lie at the end of the trial. Hence, the
exculpatory parts ought to be excluded per Nishi Kant Jha v. State of
Bihar21
.
65. Even observed devoid of any aggravating circumstances, mere young
age and presence of aged parents cannot be grounds for commutation. One
may view that such young age poses a continuous burden on the State and
presents a longer risk to society, hence warranting more serious intervention
by Courts. Similarly, just because the now deceased co-accused
Mohanakrishnan was the mastermind whose offence was comparatively more
egregious, we cannot commute the otherwise barbarically shocking offences
of the petitioner. We are also not inclined to give leeway of the lack of criminal
record, considering that the current crime was not just one offence, but
comprised of multiple offences over the series of many hours.
66. Even if the cases involving confession merit some leniency and
compassion, however, as was earlier noted in our majority opinion, the
attempted retraction of the statement shows how the petitioner was in fact
remorseless. Such belated retractions further lay rise to the fear that any
remorse or repentance being shown by the petitioner now may be temporary
and that he can relapse to his old ways. Irrespective of the underlying reasons
behind such retraction, whether it be the fear of death or feeling that he was
not getting any benefit of his earlier confession, but the possibility of recidivism
21 1969 SCC (1) 347.
Page 35
has only been heightened and we can no longer look at the initial confession
in a vacuum.
67. Rather, the present case is essentially one where two accused misused
societal trust to hold as captive two innocent school-going children, one of
whom was brutally raped and sodomised, and thereupon administered poison
and finally, drowned by throwing them into a canal. It was not in the spur of the
moment or a crime of passion; but craftily planned, meticulously executed and
with multiple opportunities to cease and desist. We are of the view that the
present offence(s) of the Petitioner are so grave as to shock the conscience of
this Court and of society and would without doubt amount to rarest of the rare.
68. Hence, we find that there exist no grounds to review our judgment
upholding conviction and death penalty. The review petitions are accordingly
dismissed.
…………………………….. J.
(ROHINTON FALI NARIMAN)
………..…………………...J.
(SURYA KANT)
NEW DELHI
DATED : 07.11.2019
Page 36
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
INHERENT JURISDICTION
REVIEW PETITION (CRIMINAL) NOS. 446-447 OF 2019
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS. 1174-1175 OF 2019
MANOHARAN ….. PETITIONER(S)
VERSUS
STATE BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE,
VARIETY HALL POLICE STATION,
COIMBATORE. ….. RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
SANJIV KHANNA, J.
I entirely agree and concur with the reasons given by my
brother Surya Kant, J in dismissing the review petitions upholding the
conviction of Manoharan under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and
201 of the Indian Penal Code. On the question of sentence, I do not
see any good ground and reasons to review my observations and
findings in the minority judgment. Accordingly, the review petitions
are dismissed.
......................................J.
(SANJIV KHANNA)
NEW DELHI;
NOVEMBER 07, 2019.
Page 37
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
INHERENT JURISDICTION
REVIEW PETITION (CRL.) NOS. 446-447 OF 2019
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS. 1174-1175 OF 2019
Manoharan ..... PETITIONER(S)
VERSUS
State by Inspector of Police,
Variety Hall Police Station, Coimbatore
.....RESPONDENT(S)
JUDGMENT
SURYA KANT, J.
These review petitions are directed against the judgment dated
01.08.2019 passed in Manoharan v. State by Inspector of Police1
, wherein
this three-Judge Bench had affirmed conviction of the accused Manoharan for
offences punishable under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 of the
Indian Penal Code (in short “IPC”) and by majority upheld the death sentence
confirmed by the High Court.
FACTUAL MATRIX
2. Brief facts of the present case are as follows:
1 (2019) 7 SCC 716.
Page 1
‘X’, a ten-year-old girl and ‘Y’, her 7-year-old brother were enrolled in Classes
V and II respectively in a private school at Coimbatore and would commute
around 7:45 a.m. in a pickup vehicle owned by one Kartikeyan (PW-2). On
29.10.2010 the children left as usual with their school bags and lunch boxes
and stood about two-hundred feet away from their home, in front of the
Vinayakar Temple. Around 8:00 a.m., PW-2 came to the designated pick-up
spot but did not find the children there. He contacted the children’s father,
Ranjith Kumar Jain (PW-5), over mobile to enquire about their absence. Being
in Hyderabad, PW-5 was unable to provide an immediate reply to the query of
PW-2 and hence called his wife, the children’s mother - Sangeetha (PW-8),
who informed him that both X and Y had already left home. Since the father of
the children (PW-5) was already on his way back to Coimbatore, he entrusted
his wife to look out for the children and co-ordinate with the van driver.
Sangeetha informed Karthikeyan that the children had already left the house,
whereafter she along with her relatives Vijay Kumar (PW-1) and Sanjai (PW-6)
started searching for the children.
3. Kamala Bai (PW-9), the paternal grandmother of the children had gone
to a Jain Temple around 8:00 a.m. in the morning. Upon returning home at
10:30 a.m. and finding Sangeetha in panic, Kamala Bai informed her that the
children had been picked up by a former van driver and it was conjectured that
the children must be in school. Vijay Kumar (PW-1) then went to the school
and found that the children had however not reached. After a frantic but futile
search, PW-1 lodged a police complaint (Ex. P1) with Vasuki (Sub-Inspector of
Page 2
Police, PW-42) at around 11AM under Section 363 of the Indian Penal Code
(in short “IPC”).
4. The Investigating Officer (“IO”, PW-47), thereafter, took over
investigation and recorded statements of the informant (PW-1), the school’s
principal - Anthony Raj (PW-10), as well as of the grandmother (PW-9) and the
just returned father of the children (PW-5). First trace of the missing children
was received at 6PM when Anthony Raj (PW-10) informed the IO (PW-47) that
one Chinnasamy (PW-22) had called to inform that two school bags with
identity cards bearing names of X and Y were found floating in and later fished
out from the Parambikulam-Axhiyar Project (“PAP”) Canal. A second lead
came to the Police from Karthikeyan (PW-2) who received a call from his
erstwhile employee – Anbu @ Gandhiraj (PW-7) who conveyed that one
Mohanakrishnan had borrowed a Maruti Omni Van from him that morning.
This aroused Karthikeyan’s suspicion since Mohanakrishnan was his former
employee whose services were terminated after it had been discovered that
he was borrowing money from the parents whose children were being
transported to school by PW-2’s agency. The IO (PW-47) accordingly advised
both Anbu (PW-7) and Karthikeyan (PW-2) to immediately alert the police
whenever Mohanakrishnan came to return the Omni Van. At around 9:45PM,
Anbu alerted the police that Mohanakrishnan had come to return the Van and
he had also confessed to the kidnapping, rape and murder of the two missing
children along with his friend Manoharan. Pursuant to the information received
by Anbu, Mohanakrishnan was arrested and a confessional statement was
Page 3
recorded in the presence of Anbu (PW-7) and one Santosh Kumar (not
examined as a witness). The Maruti Omni Van along with one Nokia
Cellphone and the driving license of Mohanakrishnan were also seized. The
IO consequently sent a report (Ex. P-30) for alteration of charge from under
Section 363, IPC to Sections 364(A), 376, 302 read with Section 201, IPC
which was received by the Magistrate at 11:45PM.
5. Having observed certain saliva and yellow-coloured stains on the seized
van, the IO requisitioned forensic assistance of Sarvanan (PW-43), Deputy
Director of Mobile Unit of Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department. In the
presence Sarvanan (PW-43), Anbu (PW-7) and one Santosh Kumar
(unexamined), the van was thoroughly searched wherein a lady’s underwear
bearing the inscription “SBT Kidswear 75 c.m.” with hair strands was
recovered. Sarvanan (PW-43) further collected the betel nut saliva stains on
the left door of the van with a cotton swab for chemical examination, as well
as dried yellow-colour stains found on the seat and floormat, and the clothes
(namely pant, half shirt and underwear) worn by Mohanakrishnan (Mahazar
Exs. P-5 & P-6). Mohanakrishnan subsequently led a police team to the place
where he claimed to have raped X as well as to Deepalapatti, the place from
where the children had allegedly been pushed into the running waters of the
PAP canal.
6. The girl child’s body was found the subsequent morning in the PAP
canal by villagers near Palladam Taluk at 9:30AM, and the boy’s body was
later recovered from the canal around 12 kms from Deepalapatti. Postmortem
Page 4
was conducted by Dr. Jayasingh (PW-46) at the Coimbatore Medical College
and Hospital, wherein the following injuries were recorded on X’s body:
“The body was first seen by the undersigned at 02.15 pm on
30.10.10. Its condition then was rigor mortis present all over the
body. Post mortem commenced at 02.15 pm on 30.10.10.
Appearances found at the postmortem:-
Moderately nourished body of a female aged 10 yrs. Finger and
toenails bluish in colour. The body wearing blue colour “T” shirt with
white colour sticker named as “Suguna Rips” noted left side, black
colour track suit with white line order, white colour socks and white
colour shoes and rose colour shimmis. White colour frothy secretions
noted over both nostrils and mout. Water suddening noted over both
palms and soles.”
7. The following ante mortem injuries noted over the body:
“1. Liner vertical scratch marks 4 in numbers in varying size noted
over lateral aspect right elbow joint.
2. Transverse scratch abrasions 3 in number in varying size noted
over lateral aspect of left upper forearm.
3. A scratch mark 3 in number noted over lower part of left arm.
4. Contusion 2x1 cm x 0.5 depth noted over in the posterior
fourchettes and lateral wall of vagina. Hymen intact.
5. On examination of anus: - Anus found roomy measuring 3 cm
in diameter and mucosal tear 1x0.5 cm x mucosal deep noted over
left lateral aspect of the anus at the level of muco-cutaneous
junction.
On dissection of Thorax and Abdomen: Contusion 4 x 2 cm noted
over anterior aspect of lower end of uterus.”
8. Similarly, in Y’s postmortem examination, the following ante mortem
injuries were noted:
Page 5
“1. Bluish contusion 3 x 2 cm noted on middle of left side neck, 3
cm left to midline.
2. Bluish contusion 3 x 2 cm noted over outer aspect of right
forearm.
3. Bluish contusion noted over right side third intercostal space.
4. On dissection of scalp, skull and dura: sub scalpel contusion 20
x 10 cm noted over bi frontal region and bi parietal region. Diffuse
sub dural and sub arachnoid haemorrhages noted on both cerebral
hemispheres.
5. On bloodless dissection of neck: contusion 4 x 3 cm noted on
left side middle of neck. Hyoid bone found intact.”
9. The present review-petitioner, Manoharan (hereinafter “petitioner”) who
was stated to have perpetrated the crime along with Mohanakrishnan, was
arrested on 31.10.2010 at 7AM, as recorded in Ex. D-4. Manoharan made a
disclosure statement to the police (Ex. P-21) on the basis of which the IO
(PW-47) recovered lunch box of Y from his house. Further, after being
produced before the Magistrate the same day, the petitioner was sent to
judicial custody.
10. A Test Identification Parade was conducted on request of the IO
whereby Kamala Bai (PW-9) identified Mohanakrishnan as the driver of the
van in which the children had been kidnapped. Subsequently, both the
petitioner and Mohanakrishnan were medically examined on 04.11.2010
whereby samples of their blood and saliva were sent to the Tamil Nadu
Forensic Science Laboratory for DNA Analysis. A potency test of the petitioner
was conducted by Dr. J.R. Singh (PW-46), who in his medical report (Ex. PPage 6
56) found him potent and further noticed signs of injury around his private
parts.
11. During recovery proceedings under Section 27 of the Indian Evidence
Act (in short “IEA”), whilst in police custody, Mohanakrishnan shot and
wounded two police officers and was consequently shot dead by the Police on
09.11.2010. Thus, the trial against Mohanakrishnan was abated and the
petitioner alone was left to be tried as an accused.
12. Succinctly, the prosecution’s version of events is that Mohanakrishnan
using a borrowed school van, picked up two children (X and Y) who were
waiting to go to school at about 7:50 a.m. He further picked up his friend,
Manoharan from his house at 9:30 a.m. and subsequently, they took the
children to a remote location where after the girl child was raped and
sodomised. Subsequently, Manoharan and Mohanakrishnan purchased cow
dung powder (a poisonous substance) which was mixed in milk and then
administered to the children to end their life. However, both the children spat
out the substance and only ingested a small portion. Since poisoning did not
work, Mohanakrishnan and the petitioner threw both the children into the
turbulent waters of a nearby Canal, hence drowning them.
CASE HISTORY
13. Over the course of the trial, the prosecution examined forty-nine
witnesses in all including persons who witnessed abduction, purchase of milk
and cow dung powder and those having seen children in the custody of
Page 7
accused persons at various places. Further, various medical and forensic
evidence were produced, proving drowning and rape as well as injuries on
Petitioner’s body. A ‘last seen theory’ was built by the prosecution, in addition
to use of a confessional statement made by the petitioner under Section 164,
CrPC. The Trial Court ultimately held the Petitioner guilty under Section 120-
B, 364-A, 376, 302 r/w 34 and 201 IPC. Under Section 376, the Petitioner was
awarded life sentence and for offence under Section 302 IPC he was given
death sentence.
14. The Madras High Court set aside conviction of Petitioner under Sec.
120-B and 364A IPC but confirmed the sentences under Sec. 376, 302 r/w 34
and 201 IPC. After considering aggravating and mitigating circumstances, the
High Court confirmed death sentence awarded by the Trial Court.
15. Thereafter the Petitioner filed a Special Leave Petition under Article 136
whereby this Court dismissed his appeal and confirmed the death sentence by
majority, observing that the case fell in the category of the ‘rarest of rare’
cases. After considering all evidence on record and contentions of the
counsels, the majority opinion of this Court read as follows:
“In the circumstances, we have no doubt that the trial court and High
Court have correctly applied and balanced aggravating
circumstances with mitigating circumstances to find that the crime
committed was cold blooded and involves the rape of a minor girl
and murder of two children in the most heinous fashion possible. No
remorse has been shown by the Petitioner at all and given the nature
of the crime as stated in paragraph 84 of the High Court’s judgment it
is unlikely that the Petitioner, if set free, would not be capable of
Page 8
committing such a crime yet again. The fact that the Petitioner made
a confessional statement would not, on the facts of this case, mean
that he showed remorse for committing such a heinous crime. He did
not stand by this confessional statement, but falsely retracted only
those parts of the statement which implicated him of both the rape of
the young girl and the murder of both her and her little brother.
Consequently, we confirm the death sentence and dismiss the
appeals.”
16. Khanna J., in his minority opinion also upheld conviction under the
various offences concerned, but dissented on the quantum of sentence,
holding as follows:
“I would, therefore, uphold and maintain conviction of the appellant
under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 IPC and the
sentences awarded under Sections 376(2)(f) and (g) and 201 IPC.
To this extent the appeal is dismissed. In view of the aforesaid
discussion and on balancing aggravating and mitigating
circumstances, in my opinion, the present case does not fall under
the category of “rarest of the rare” case i.e. there is no alternative but
to impose death sentence. It would fall within the special category of
cases, where the appellant should be directed to suffer sentence for
life i.e. till his natural death, without remission/commutation under
Sections 432 and 433 CrPC. To this extent I would allow the appeal.”
17. The Petitioner then filed the present petition for review of the said
judgement and order dated 01.08.2019, which was heard at considerable
length in open Court following the parameters evolved in Mohd. Arif @
Ashfaq v. Registrar, Supreme Court of India2
, wherein a Constitutional
Bench of this Court held that in cases of death penalty, since the punishment
is irreversible and Article 21 of the convict is violated, it is necessary to provide
at least one opportunity for oral arguments on the question of sentence.
2 (2014) 9 SCC 737.
Page 9
SCOPE OF REVIEW
18. At the outset, it may be clarified that the scope of Review even in death
penalty cases has been narrowed down in Vikram Singh v. State of Punjab3
,
laying down that review can only be on a glaring error apparent on the face of
the judgement or order. A mere change or addition of grounds cannot be
allowed at the stage of review. This Court thus held as follows:
“23. In view of the above, it is clear that scope, ambit and parameters
of review jurisdiction are well defined. Normally in a criminal
proceeding, review applications cannot be entertained except on the
ground of error apparent on the face of the record. Further, the
power given to this Court under Article 137 is wider and in an
appropriate case can be exercised to mitigate a manifest injustice.
By review application an applicant cannot be allowed to reargue the
appeal on the grounds which were urged at the time of the hearing of
the criminal appeal. Even if the applicant succeeds in establishing
that there may be another view possible on the conviction or
sentence of the accused that is not a sufficient ground for review.
This Court shall exercise its jurisdiction to review only when a glaring
omission or patent mistake has crept in the earlier decision due to
judicial fallibility. There has to be an error apparent on the face of the
record leading to miscarriage of justice to exercise the review
jurisdiction under Article 137 read with Order 40 Rule 1. There has to
be a material error manifest on the face of the record with results in
the miscarriage of justice.”
19. The above cited decision was reiterated in Mukesh v. State of (NCT
of Delhi)4 where also similar restrictive principles were applied and re-affirmed
while considering the scope of review in death penalty cases. Reliance was
placed on the dictum in Kamlesh Verma v. Mayawati5
, prescribing that
3 (2017) 8 SCC 518.
4 (2018) 8 SCC 149.
5 (2013) 8 SCC 320.
Page 10
Courts should refrain from re-appreciating the entirety of evidence only to
arrive at a different possible conclusion, besides illustrating an inexhaustible
list of instances where review shall not be maintainable. The relevant part
reads as follows:
“20.2. When the review will not be maintainable:
(i) A repetition of old and overruled argument is not enough to reopen
concluded adjudications.
(ii) Minor mistakes of inconsequential import.
(iii) Review proceedings cannot be equated with the original hearing
of the case.
(iv) Review is not maintainable unless the material error, manifest on
the face of the order, undermines its soundness or results in
miscarriage of justice.
(v) A review is by no means an appeal in disguise whereby an
erroneous decision is reheard and corrected but lies only for patent
error.
(vi) The mere possibility of two views on the subject cannot be a
ground for review.
(vii) The error apparent on the face of the record should not be an
error which has to be fished out and searched.
(viii) The appreciation of evidence on record is fully within the domain
of the appellate court, it cannot be permitted to be advanced in the
review petition.
(ix) Review is not maintainable when the same relief sought at the
time of arguing the main matter had been negatived.”
20. It is, therefore, to be kept in mind that the scope of a Review is more
constrained than that of an appeal. A party cannot be allowed to reurge the
case on merits to effectively seek re-appreciation of evidence when the matter
has already been decided earlier, even if on different grounds. Interference in
the earlier judgement assailed in a Review is permissible only on the basis of
Page 11
an error apparent on the face of record or discovery of important new
evidence which has a direct bearing on the ultimate outcome of the case and
if not well appreciated, would cause manifest injustice.
21. Learned Senior Counsel for the petitioner, Mr. Siddharth Luthra has
made a deft challenge to our judgment, through a multifaceted attack on both
merits and procedure of the case. He forcefully urged for setting aside the
conviction and in the alternate, requested commutation of the sentence of
death.
VOLUNTARINESS OF CONFESSION & EFFECT OF RETRACTION
22. The arguments for the Petitioner begun with challenge to reliance by
this Court on confessional statement of the accused. Mr. Luthra strenuously
contended that strict compliance with the safeguards for recording a
confessional statement as mandated under Section 164 are mandatory, as
ruled in Shivappa v. State of Karnataka6
. He strongly disputed the
admissibility of the confessional statement made by the petitioner before a
Magistrate on 20.11.2010 on the premise that:
(a) Confession was coerced and involuntary, and in contravention of
Section 163, CrPC and Section 24, IEA for first, the petitioner had been
physically assaulted by the police whilst in custody, as evidenced
through answer to Question 8 posed by the Magistrate during
preliminary examination on 19.11.2010. Second, the petitioner was
6 (1995) 2 SCC 76
Page 12
under severe psychological stress owing to the in-custody killing of the
co-accused Mohanakrishnan on 09.11.2010; and third, circumstances
surrounding confession were suspicious, for the IO (PW-47) moved an
application stating that the petitioner was ready to volunteer a
confession when he was in judicial and not police custody.
(b) The Magistrate failed to comply with the mandatory procedure as
prescribed under Section 164, CrPC since he did not inform the
petitioner that he would not be sent to police custody after recording of
the confessional statement.
23. In light of the vehement attempt at assailing the confessional statement
as being non-voluntary and violative of the right guaranteed under Article
20(3) of the Constitution and in the alternate its reliance for having been
retracted by the petitioner, it may be briefly noticed that on a conjoint reading
of the confessional scheme comprising of Sections 163, 164 CrPC and
Section 24 IEA as construed in a catena of decisions of this Court, it is
obvious that even in the absence of an express provision for retracting a
confessionary statement once made, the Courts have preferred a rule of
prudence whereby in case of retraction, the Court reduces the probative value
of such confessionary statements and seeks corroborating evidence.
24. Hence, the cornerstone of a valid confession in India is only whether
such a statement was made in compliance with statutory provisions which
mandate that the same must be before the Magistrate after compliance with
Page 13
certain safeguards meant to ensure voluntariness and lack of coercion by the
police. This has been so noted by this Court in Bharat v. State of U.P.7
:
“7. ... Confessions can be acted upon if the court is satisfied that
they are voluntary and that they are true. The voluntary nature of the
confession depends upon whether there was any threat, inducement
or promise and its truth is judged in the context of the entire
prosecution case. The confession must fit into the proved facts and
not run counter to them. When the voluntary character of the
confession and its truth are accepted it is safe to rely on it. Indeed a
confession, if it is voluntary and true and not made under any
inducement or threat or promise, is the most patent piece of
evidence against the maker. Retracted confession, however, stands
on a slightly different footing. As the Privy Council once stated, in
India it is the rule to find a confession and to find it retracted later. A
court may take into account the retracted confession, but it must look
for the reasons for the making of the confession as well as for its
retraction, and must weigh the two to determine whether the
retraction affects the voluntary nature of the confession or not. If the
court is satisfied that it was retracted because of an after thought or
advice, the retraction may not weigh with the court if the general
facts proved in the case and the tenor of the confession as made
and the circumstances of its making and withdrawal warrant its user.
All the same, the courts do not act upon the retracted confession
without finding assurance from some other sources as to the guilt of
the accused. Therefore, it can be stated that a true confession made
voluntarily may be acted upon with slight evidence to corroborate it,
but a retracted confession requires the general assurance that the
retraction was an after thought and that the earlier statement was
true. ...”
25. The objective behind such a provision has been explored by this Court
in various decisions wherein it has been noted that provisions permitting use
of confessionary statements in criminal trials were statutorily included as an
acknowledgement of the possibility that in certain circumstances an accused
may voluntarily confess to his offence(s).
7 (1971) 3 SCC 950
Page 14
26. From a chronological analysis of the confessional statement of
Petitioner dated 20.11.2010 (Ex.P.18) as well as the preliminary examination
held on 19.11.2010, it is apparent that the learned Magistrate - S.S.
Sathiamoorthy (PW-28) duly complied with all procedural requirements for
recording of a confessional statement and affirmatively satisfied himself of the
voluntariness of the petitioner’s confession:
a. During preliminary examination, the petitioner informed the
Magistrate that he was brought from Central Jail, Coimbatore on
19.11.2010, hence abridging the possibility of any coercion or
influence by the police. Further, a perusal of the record shows that
petitioner was last in police custody only on 11.11.2010 and hence
there is no doubt that he had been in judicial custody for some time
prior to giving a confessional statement. Hence per Abdul Razak
Murlaza Dafadar v. State of Maharashtra8
it can be inferred that he
was not under the influence of the investigating agency.
b. In reply to Question 8 during preliminary examination on 19.11.2010,
when asked by the Magistrate whether someone tortured him, the
petitioner does say that he was beaten by the police. However, when
asked whether the “police tortured and compel you to give statement
like this”, the petitioner denied any such torture or compulsion.
Similarly, when the Magistrate asked him whether he was told some
sweet words such as “the confession statement will be beneficial or
8 AIR 1970 SC 283.
Page 15
where you threatened by police or by anybody else that if statement
was not given”, the petitioner specifically denied the same. He also
acknowledged the fact that he was not under compulsion to give a
confession statement and that he was aware of the fact that such
statement could be used against him. Further, when re-questioned
by the Magistrate if the petitioner was tortured, he answered in the
negative. Hence, not only was the petitioner inconsistent in his
claims, but further it is evident that the alleged physical assault by
the police, if at all, would have been committed weeks before the
confession. Vague and passing claims of police assault, supposedly
committed far before the confessional date, cannot be a ground for
holding the confession as coerced.
c. After preliminary questioning on 19.11.2010, the petitioner was
entrusted to the Prison Warden and sent back to judicial custody for
reflection “after duly informing him that he was not under obligation
to give confessional statement.” The petitioner was re-produced
before the Magistrate on the next day at 2PM and was again given
an opportunity to change his mind and not confess. The Magistrate
once more satisfied himself of the voluntariness of the petitioner and
the absence of any police influence. Hence, it is clear that an
adequate opportunity to recant was provided and the Magistrate
ensured that any possible lingering effects of alleged beatings or
psychological stress post encounter of co-accused, would have been
Page 16
mitigated. It is also apparent that the Magistarte duly informed the
petitioner about the repurcussions of his confessional statement, and
made no false assurance of it helping his case, as had been made in
State of Assam v. Rabindra Nath Guha9
, which has erroneously
been relied upon by Mr. Luthra.
d. The statement once recorded, was thereafter read out to the
petitioner who signed it to be correct. The Magistrate signed the
statement at 4:30PM on 20.11.2010, and afterwards sent the
petitioner to judicial custody. The Magistrate thus was fully conscious
of his statutory obligation and factually ensured that the petitioner
was not sent to police custody post the confessional statement. It is
further clear that the petitioner was kept in judicial custody for almost
twenty months after the confession, over the course of which there
was no likelihood of him being entrusted to police, and still no protest
or attempt to retract the confession was made by him.
e. The fact that the application to record the petitioner’s statement was
moved by the IO is inconsequential, as the petitioner was neither in
police custody nor, as acknowledged by him, the police officials
interacted with him during judicial custody. It is thus far-fetched to
use the fact that police put forth the request for recording of
confession to suggest that the confession was involuntary or secured
at the behest of police.
9 1982 Cri LJ 216.
Page 17
27. Further, it is essential to note that the petitioner failed to put forth any
protest against the confessional statement despite having multiple
opportunities during the course of trial. This Court has held earlier in
Shankaria v. State of Rajasthan10 that retractions must be made by the
accused as soon as possible, otherwise there would be a strong presumption
of voluntariness in the confession.
28. The confession, in the present case, was not challenged during stage of
framing of charge or over the course of examination of forty-seven prosecution
witnesses, but instead only partly disputed through a letter written in secret
just before petitioner’s examination under Section 313 of the Code. It is thus
evident that such retraction at the fag-end of the trial, was not natural but
rather meticulously formulated, perhaps as a part of defence strategy. Hence,
there remains no doubt about the voluntariness of the confession of
20.11.2010 or it being unaffected by subsequent retraction.
29. That apart, even if the confession dated 20.11.2010 were to be treated
as being retracted vide letter dated 25.07.2012 (as adopted during
examination under Section 313 of the Code), still the original confession can
be relied upon. Coupled with corroborating evidence, conviction can also be
secured on the strength of such confession. The rule regarding use of such
retracted confessions was noted by this Court in Subramania Goundan v.
10 (1978) 3 SCC 435.
Page 18
State of Madras11 as well as by a four-Judge Bench of this Court in Pyare Lal
Bhargava v. State of Rajasthan12
, holding that:
“A retracted confession may form the legal basis of a conviction if
the court is satisfied that it was true and was voluntarily made. But it
has been held that a court shall not base a conviction on such a
confession without corroboration. It is not a rule of law, but is only a
rule of prudence. It cannot even be laid down as an inflexible rule of
practice or prudence that under no circumstances such a conviction
can be made without corroboration, for a court may, in a particular
case, be convinced of the absolute truth of a confession and
prepared to act upon it without corroboration; but it may be laid down
as a general rule of practice that it is unsafe to rely upon a
confession, much less on a retracted confession, unless the court is
satisfied that the retracted confession is true and voluntarily made
and has been corroborated in material particulars.”
30. Still further, it is clear that even in the retraction statement, the petitioner
has made substantial admissions which read together with prosecution
evidence, are sufficient to convict him. Through the letter dated 25.07.2012,
the Petitioner merely restates his confession with certain omissions and a few
denials as compared to his earlier statement. Although he agrees to be at the
place of the occurrence along with the now deceased Mohanakrishnan
throughout the incident, instead of admitting an equal role in commission of
rape and murder, he portrays himself to be a mere helpless bystander. The
petitioner has attempted to justify his retraction by stating that he had told the
truth to the Magistrate but his statement was not read out to him and hence
the Magistrate’s affirmation under Section 164 of the Code is incorrect.
11 AIR 1958 SC 66.
12 AIR 1963 SC 1094.
Page 19
31. A comparison of the retraction with the confession dated 20.11.2010
further shows that it is merely an improvement. The Petitioner has admitted to
all the general circumstances of the incident, i.e. having been present at the
scene of all crimes, being friend of the co-accused and of the offences as
claimed by the prosecution to have occurred. However, he merely contends
that the crimes were committed by the co-accused and not by the Petitioner
himself. Regardless thereto, there are sufficient inculpatory admissions in the
letter dated 25.07.2012 to place a strong burden of proof on the Petitioner
under Section 106 of the IEA.
32. Moreover, we must note that the petitioner has not been convicted by
the Courts below or this Court, solely on the basis of his confession made
under Section 164 of the Code. The confession has been corroborated by
enough evidence and it would not be a stretch to state that even independent
of such confessional statement, this Court would nevertheless have reached a
firm conclusion of guilt.
INDEPENDENT RE-APPRECIATION OF EVIDENCE
33. The second contention raised by Mr. Luthra is that this Court decided
the appeal without independently re-appreciating all the material on record.
We are in strong disagreement with this contention. This Court critically
analysed all the material witnesses and documents exhibited on record which
were referred to during the course of arguments. A careful examination of
such evidence lead to a unanimous finding of guilt against the Petitioner. It
was noted by the majority that:
Page 20
“PW.20, PW.25 and PW.23 all saw the two accused together with the
children at different times on 29.10.2010. Indeed, even if one were to
read the confessional statement of the Appellant together with the
retraction thereof, the fact that he purchased milk at 1.00 p.m. from
PW.23 is clearly made out and the fact that Mohanakrishnan went to
meet the tailor, was also admitted by him in both the original
confessional statement as well as the retraction. It is clear therefore
that the evidence of PW.20 and 23 are corroborated by the
confessional statement and the retraction made by the Appellant and
therefore the factum of the two accused being with the two children
in the vehicle is clearly made out and thus the High Court’s
conclusion that the last seen theory can be relied upon cannot
possibly be assailed.”
34. Such an independent re-appreciation was also conducted by Khanna J.
in his minority opinion in para nos. 23 to 29.
INADEQUACY OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION
35. Mr. Luthra seeks to make a third core challenge by placing reliance on
Article 21 of the Constitution of India, claiming that it mandates adequate and
efficient legal assistance, the denial whereof would amount to condemning
one unheard.
36. There cannot be any quarrel with the cited proposition for it is a
fundamental tenet of criminal jurisprudence, least not because of our
Constitution, that every person has a right to effective legal assistance. In
case an accused cannot afford the same, then it is the responsibility of the
State to provide free legal aid, as definitively noted in Hussainara Khatoon v.
State of Bihar13. However, we feel that such a right has been protected in the
13 (1980) 1 SCC 98.
Page 21
present case and the legal representation accorded to the petitioner was not
inadequate.
37. At the outset, as noted in State v. Navjot Sandhu14 judicial scrutiny of a
counsel’s performance must be careful, deferential and circumspect for not
doing so would give rise to the dangerous possibility of convicts raising such
pleas of inadequate legal assistance after adverse verdicts. It would also be
useful to cite Strickland v. Washington15 wherein the Supreme Court of the
United States, laid down that to demand re-trial or acquittal on grounds of
inadequate legal representation, the accused must show both that the
assistance of the counsel was deficient per an objective standard of
reasonableness as developed by customary practice, as well as that such
deficiency has with a reasonable probability affected the outcome of the case,
such that had he received adequate representation, the result would have
been different.
38. It is clear that the petitioner has failed to demonstrate either of these
legs in the present case. Although it is correct that seven counsels refused to
defend the Petitioner and there was a resolution by the bar to not take up his
brief, but the Trial Court ensured the services of a legal aid counsel who ably
conducted petitioner’s defence during the trial. The record reveals that from
23.02.2011 till 18.06.2012, no effective proceedings were held and post
18.06.2012, legal aid counsel Mrs. A. Sharmila appeared on behalf of the
petitioner. The length and quality of cross-examination conducted by the court14 (2005) 11 SCC 600.
15 466 U.S. 668 (1984).
Page 22
appointed counsel testifies her legal acumen and professional ability. Hence,
there can be no question on the adequacy of counsel’s performance.
39. Notwithstanding the above determination, we must note that in the
present facts no prejudice has been caused to the petitioner for want of
adequate or proper legal assistance. Not only did the High Court reappreciate
the entire evidence, but it also conducted another examination of the
Petitioner under Section 313, CrPC. Furthermore, the High Court appointed a
Senior Advocate, Mr. A Raghunathan, in addition to Advocate Smt. Vairam, to
provide the best legal services to the Petitioner. Similarly, in appeal, this Court
both re-appreciated the evidence and ensured due legal representation. Even
in the present Review, the petitioner’s interests are protected by an
outstanding Senior Counsel and as a matter of abundant caution, we have
also conducted an elaborate analysis. We thus do not find this to be a case of
deficient legal assistance, affecting the Petitioner’s rights under Article 21 of
the Constitution.
40. The plea regarding absence of a counsel during proceedings before the
Magistrate under section 164, CrPC resulting into any prejudice, are
misconceived. What mandatorily is needed, as noted earlier, is that the
Magistrate must satisfy himself of the voluntariness of the statement and all
the statutory safeguards which includes bringing the repercussions and the
voluntariness of making confessions to the knowledge of the accused, must
be meticulously complied with. It is pertinent to take note of the first Proviso to
Section 164(1), added with effect from 31.12.2009, which specifies that:
Page 23
“Provided that any confession or statement made under this subsection may also be recorded by audio-video electronic means in the
presence of the advocate of the person accused of an offence.”
(emphasis supplied)
41. Section 164 of the Code thus does not contemplate that a confession or
statement should necessarily be made in the presence of the advocate(s),
except, when such confessional statement is recorded with audio-video
electronic means.
DISCREPANCIES IN ARREST & RECOVERY OF EVIDENCE
42. The next contention of Mr. Luthra revolves around the date of arrest of
the petitioner. According to him, the petitioner was arrested from his village
Anglapurchi post-midnight on 29.10.2010 and not on 31.10.2010 at 7:00 a.m.
The petitioner was not sent to custody after formal arrest till an alleged
confession was recorded before the Village Administrative Officer, S. Ganesan
(PW-30). Mr. Luthra relies upon the cross-examination of PW-47 where he is
stated to have admitted that the petitioner was caught in his village after
midnight of 29.10.2010.
43. Not only is the dispute re: the date of arrest immaterial for determination
of petitioner’s guilt in the present case, but we otherwise do not find any
substance therein. First, the petitioner’s arrest on 31.10.2010 at 7:00 a.m. is
proved by Exhibit D4 which is duly signed by his father (DW-1). P. Ramasamy
(DW-1) has admitted his signatures on the Exhibit D4, proving the date and
time of the arrest. Second, the plea at best assumes violation of Section 167
of CrPC which mandates production of the suspect before the jurisdictional
Page 24
magistrate within 24 hours of arrest. The adverse impact of such assumed
variation on the Judicial proceedings has also not been convincingly
demonstrated. Mr. Luthra’s contention would have carried some weight had it
been a case of making confessional statement by the petitioner before the
Judicial Magistrate on 30/31.10.2010, that is, when he was allegedly in police
custody.
44. Mr. Luthra very ably made an attempt to cast doubt on the recovery of
the underwear of the deceased girl as well as the presence of pubic hair of the
Petitioner on the said underwear. It was argued that the underwear worn by
the deceased remained in the custody of the police till 01.11.2010, therefore
plantation of hair on the panty cannot be ruled out.
45. Firstly, such a plea is at variance from the submission made before the
High Court where it was argued that police had planted the pubic hair on
04.11.2010. Secondly, there is no factual discrepancy in the prosecution case
as may be seen from the following facts:
i. The police found Mohanakrishnan in the house of one A. Anbu
(PW-7) on 29.10.2010 at about 9:45 pm. Pursuant to this, the
Maruti Van was inspected by the police in presence of PW-7 and
one Santosh Kumar. Appropriately, Mahazar (Ex.P.4) was prepared
by the police incorporating details of seizure of van and presence of
stains on its doors and floor mat.
Page 25
ii. Thereafter, A. Sarvanan (PW-43), Deputy Director of Mobile Unit of
Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department was called by the IO
(PW-47) at around midnight of 29/30.10.2010. PW-43 examined
the van whereby the underwear of the deceased girl (MO-1) was
found with hair strands. Cellophane tape was applied to the hair
strands by PW-43, to keep them at their spot and the MO-1 was
then put in a cover and sealed. Further, PW-47 sealed the same in
an ‘Angelform’ brassieres cardboard box, obtained from vicinity and
seized it as Mahazar (Ex.P.5).
iii. Accordingly, Ex.P.5 reached the Judicial Magistrate on 30.10.2010
along with Form 95 pertaining to the MO-1. This explains the delay
of one day in production of Ex.P.5 before the Judicial Magistrate.
iv. Moreover, since 30.10.2010 was a Saturday, the Judicial
Magistrate directed Ex.P.5 to be produced again on the next
working day i.e. 01.11.2010. Hence, the box was re-produced
before the Judicial Magistrate on 01.12.2010 and was then
forwarded to Tamil Nadu Forensic Sciences Department for further
analysis.
46. PW-43 prepared his report (Ex.P.38) and sent it to the IO for further
forensic examination, wherein it was recorded that:
“a) A Pink coloured panty printed letters “SBT kids wear” “75cms”
with pale brownish starchy like stains with small hair pieces on its
inner surface was found beneath the back seat of the vehicle was
identified, collected. The place where the hair pieces were seen were
Page 26
marked and pasted with cellphone tape in order to safety transport
the vital cue materials for comprehensive Forensic analysis.”
47. Additionally, Mrs. Lakshmi Balasubramanian (PW-49), Deputy Director
of DNA Division of the Forensic Science Department stated in her crossexamination that the underwear was received by her for examination, in a
sealed parcel. She has said:
“It is correct to state that my first prerogative is to satisfy that the seal
of the container in which the items received for testing, is not broken.
It is correct to state that the items and the paper covers would be
sealed with the Medical Officer’s seal. The parcel received by me
contained the Medical Officer’s seal and not any Court seal. It is
correct to state that in my report I have not mentioned that the seals
were not broken.
XXX
By “correct seals”, I mean that the same seal on the letter and the
sample seal on the paper covers are the same.”
48. Analysis of the depositions as reproduced above prove that the
underwear was recovered and sent for forensic examination without any
tampering. The seal on the parcel containing the underwear was still intact
when PW-49 received it for forensic examination.
49. We find that the contention of the learned Senior Counsel, pertaining to
non-production of the property room Register is of no force since it has not
been raised before at any stage of the proceedings and thus cannot be
allowed to be argued afresh at the stage of Review. Furthermore, casting a
doubt on the identification of MO-1 by the father of deceased (PW-1) is also
baseless and holds no ground. Merely because PW-1 did not dress his
Page 27
daughter on the date of the incident does not imply that he would not
recognize a piece of clothing of his daughter. PW-1 has clearly deposed that
MO-1 belongs to his daughter.
ERRONEOUS CONVICTION UNDER SECTION 376 IPC
50. In the judgment-under-review, it was argued by Mr. Luthra that even per
the confessional statement, the accused only committed anal intercourse
which is punishable under Section 377 IPC, and he has been wrongly
convicted under Section 376 IPC. Such a plea, however, does not find support
from the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. First, relevant portions of the
confessional statement need to be extracted:
“… I asked him to give me a chance. He asked me to do it with the
girl. Seated from the front seat, Mohan saw. I went and saw the girl
who was without a pant. I placed my penis on the front side when the
girl cried saying it was paining. Then I did through backside through
anus. Even that did not come good for me. Then I masturbated and
brought out semen. …”
51. The confessional statement lucidly reveals that the accused placed his
penis on the vagina of the deceased girl consequent to which she cried. This
act of the Petitioner satisfies all relevant ingredients of Section 376 as it
existed at the relevant time. The only dispute that remains is whether the
Petitioner committed peno-vaginal penetration or not. However, the medical
evidence shows that vaginal intercourse had been committed with X and that
there was a contusion on the petitioner’s private part. Relevant portions of the
post-mortem of X as deposed by PW-46 are reproduced below:
Page 28
“… The anti-mortem injuries that had been caused on the body are:
XXX
4) A contusion of 2 x 1 cm x 0.5 cm on the inner lower aspect of
Vagina and the inner edge of uterus. Hymen was in tact.
5) When anus was examined, it was found to be bigger in size, 3 cm
wide.”
52. Furthermore, following the orders of Magistrate on 04.11.2010, Dr.
Jeyasingh examined Manoharan and observed an injury on his penis in his
report (Ex.P.56) as:
“A dark colour contusion noted over proximal part of glands penis
around urethral orifice.”
53. It is evident from the deposition of PW-46 that the vagina of X was
penetrated. Also, Dr. Jeyasingh (PW-46), who conducted the autopsy on the
body of X had stated in his final opinion (Ex.P.50):
“The deceased would appear to have died of DROWNING. Injuries
noted on the vagina and anus due to forcible sexual assault.”
54. Furthermore, the evidence of his pubic hair found in the girl’s underwear
coupled with DNA Report that those were his hair belies his plea of not having
committed the ghastly crime. The DNA Report, as deposed by Mrs. Lakshmi
Balasubramanian (PW-49), affirms the pubic hair found in the underwear of X
to be that of the petitioner. Relevant portion of the statement of PW-49,
delineating the DNA Report reads as follows:
“Conclusion: From the DNA typing results of the above samples, it is
found that the pubic hair in item [8] belongs to a human male
individual and is that of alleged accused -2 Manoharan. The report
DNA 220/2010 is given and signed by me. The said report with four
annexures is marked as Ex.P.48B.”
Page 29
55. Considering the final opinion of Dr. Jeyasingh stating that the girl was
subjected to sexual assault; injury on the penis of petitioner; recovery of dead
body of X without underwear; recovery of underwear from the Maruti Van;
father of X recognising the underwear; finding hair on the recovered
underwear and matching of DNA of hair with that of Manoharan, we are of the
view that even in absence of the confessional statement of the petitioner, it is
established the petitioner committed offence under Section 376 IPC. The
retraction dated 25.07.2012 may merely eclipse some part of the inculpatory
evidence but cannot be construed to render the entire evidence exculpatory.
Hence, we do not find any substance in the contention of Mr. Luthra and are of
the view that the petitioner is justly convicted for offence under Section 376
IPC.
ERRONEOUS RELIANCE ON POCSO
56. It was then urged that this Court ought not to have relied on a recent
amendment to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,
2012 to justify death penalty, as the new law was non-existent on the date of
occurrence and hence cannot be applied retrospectively in derogation to
Article 20 of the Constitution.
57. Although the plea is attractive at first glance, it must be noted that the
Petitioner has not been convicted or sentenced under the POCSO Act.
Instead, only a passing reference was made to pinpoint whether the present
case was rarest of the rare and whether it would shock the conscience of the
Page 30
society. It has been noted by this Court in Macchi Singh v. State of Punjab16
and various other judgments that in order to uphold the guarantee under
Article 21 and to reduce arbitrariness caused by discretion of judges in
sentencing, it should be the opinion of the society and not the personal
opinion of the judge which should be considered whilst awarding sentence of
death. Towards the same, a change in law during pendency of the case is an
apt indicator of societal opinion as legislated by elected representatives. It is
not the case here that Petitioner has not been convicted of an offence
otherwise not punishable with death.
SENTENCING
58. Lastly, Mr. Luthra impassionedly urged that this is not a fit case for
award of death penalty, especially when, the death penalty has been
confirmed only by way of 2:1 split decision. Relying on the minority opinion of
Thomas J. in Suthenraraja v. State,17 he vehemently argued that in a case
where one of the Hon’ble Judges did not deem it appropriate to award death
penalty, that in itself ought to be a sufficient ground to commute death
sentence in Review. He also urged this to be a case of ‘residual doubt’, as
evolved in Ravishankar v. State of Madhya Pradesh18
, which is also a
mitigating circumstance to be taken note of by the Court whilst considering
whether the case falls in the category of “rarest of rare cases”. He further
16 AIR 1983 SC 957.
17 (1999) 9 SCC 323.
18 2019 SCC OnLine SC 1290
Page 31
argued that neither the High Court or this Court gave due weightage to
mitigating circumstances such as:
(i) Lack of adequate opportunity to place on record material/evidence of
mitigating circumstances.
(ii) Young age (less than 30 years) of petitioner, and aged parents.
(iii) Absence of any previous criminal history.
(iv) Backward socio-economic background.
(v) Death ought not to be awarded in cases of circumstantial evidence.
59. At this juncture, it is necessary to highlight that the contention of Mr.
Luthra urging that death ought not to be awarded in case of a single dissent,
notwithstanding the opinion of the majority is unsupported in view of more
than one decisions of this Court. In Devender Pal Singh v. State of NCT of
Delhi19 and also in Krishna Mochi v. State of Bihar20
, a concurrent Bench
had refused to review the death sentence which had earlier been upheld in
appeal by two out of three judges of this Court. The reliance on
Suthendraraja (supra) itself is erroneous for the proposition relied upon was
delivered in a minority opinion, which was unsupported both by the order of
the Court and also was disagreed with by Quadri J., who noted:
“The ambit of Rule XL(1) of the Supreme Court Rules which provides
grounds for review, as interpreted by this Court in P.N. Eswara
Iyer v. Registrar, Supreme Court of India [(1980) 4 SCC 680] vis-àvis criminal proceedings, is not confined to “an error apparent on the
face of the record”. Even so by the process of interpretation it cannot
be stretched to embrace the premise indicated by my learned brother
19 (2003) 2 SCC 501.
20 (2003) 2 SCC 501.
Page 32
as a ground for review. That apart there are two difficulties in the
way. The first is that the acceptance of the said proposition would
result in equating the opinion of the majority to a ground analogous
to “an error apparent on the face of the record” and secondly in a
Bench of three Judges or of greater strength if a learned Judge is not
inclined to confirm the death sentence imposed on a convict, the
majority will be precluded from confirming the death sentence as that
per se would become open to review.
60. Further, even sans the aforesaid decisions, we are not inclined to
accept such a reasoning for it is contrary to the established jurisprudence of
precedents and interpretation of verdicts with multiple opinions. It is settled in
law that dissenting opinions have little precedential value and that there is no
difference in operation between decisions rendered unanimously or those
tendered by majority, albeit with minority dissenting views.
61. Although Mr. Luthra’s contention that the petitioner has not received
adequate opportunity to place material regarding his circumstances is
unsubstantiated, we have nevertheless re-considered sentencing. We have
re-visited the mitigating circumstances against aggravating circumstances, as
well as a report commissioned by this Court during the course of appeal and
submitted by the jail superintendent which reveals that the conduct of the
Petitioner is merely satisfactory and he has not undertaken any study or
anything else to show any signs of reformation.
62. It has been made clear in the preceding parts of this judgment that the
prosecution case has been established through numerous evidences in
addition to there being a clear confession, which proves the Petitioner’s guilt
beyond any residual doubt. Conflicting versions have been deposed by the
Page 33
Petitioner and the defence witnesses, and no explanation to discharge the
onus under Section 106 has been provided. Hence, it is not a case fit for
application of the theory of “residual doubt” as noted in Ravishankar (supra).
Accordingly, even the contention that death ought not to be awarded
considering that the present case is one involving circumstantial evidence is
unfounded. It is no longer res integra that there can be no hard rule of not
awarding death in cases based on circumstantial evidence owing to recent
developments in medical science and the possibility of abuse by seasoned
criminals.
63. Furthermore, there is nothing to support the characterisation of the
accused as being a helpless, illiterate young adult who is a victim of his socioeconomic circumstances. Far from being so, it is clear through the version of
events that the accused had the presence of mind to craft his own defence
and attempt to retract his confession through an elaborately written eleven
page letter addressed to the Magistrate and had further received adequate
legal representation.
64. Mr. Luthra’s reliance on the retraction letter to contend that in so far as
the statement shows that he stopped the co-accused from committing rape, is
evident of the fact that he has remorse which entitles him to commutation, if
not acquittal, is misplaced. As noted earlier, the retraction was extremely
belated and only a defence to shield himself. Further, medical evidence has
proved that rape was committed on the deceased girl. It is hence factually
incorrect to state that the Petitioner prevented the co-accused from raping the
Page 34
girl and is nothing more than a belated lie at the end of the trial. Hence, the
exculpatory parts ought to be excluded per Nishi Kant Jha v. State of
Bihar21
.
65. Even observed devoid of any aggravating circumstances, mere young
age and presence of aged parents cannot be grounds for commutation. One
may view that such young age poses a continuous burden on the State and
presents a longer risk to society, hence warranting more serious intervention
by Courts. Similarly, just because the now deceased co-accused
Mohanakrishnan was the mastermind whose offence was comparatively more
egregious, we cannot commute the otherwise barbarically shocking offences
of the petitioner. We are also not inclined to give leeway of the lack of criminal
record, considering that the current crime was not just one offence, but
comprised of multiple offences over the series of many hours.
66. Even if the cases involving confession merit some leniency and
compassion, however, as was earlier noted in our majority opinion, the
attempted retraction of the statement shows how the petitioner was in fact
remorseless. Such belated retractions further lay rise to the fear that any
remorse or repentance being shown by the petitioner now may be temporary
and that he can relapse to his old ways. Irrespective of the underlying reasons
behind such retraction, whether it be the fear of death or feeling that he was
not getting any benefit of his earlier confession, but the possibility of recidivism
21 1969 SCC (1) 347.
Page 35
has only been heightened and we can no longer look at the initial confession
in a vacuum.
67. Rather, the present case is essentially one where two accused misused
societal trust to hold as captive two innocent school-going children, one of
whom was brutally raped and sodomised, and thereupon administered poison
and finally, drowned by throwing them into a canal. It was not in the spur of the
moment or a crime of passion; but craftily planned, meticulously executed and
with multiple opportunities to cease and desist. We are of the view that the
present offence(s) of the Petitioner are so grave as to shock the conscience of
this Court and of society and would without doubt amount to rarest of the rare.
68. Hence, we find that there exist no grounds to review our judgment
upholding conviction and death penalty. The review petitions are accordingly
dismissed.
…………………………….. J.
(ROHINTON FALI NARIMAN)
………..…………………...J.
(SURYA KANT)
NEW DELHI
DATED : 07.11.2019
Page 36
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
INHERENT JURISDICTION
REVIEW PETITION (CRIMINAL) NOS. 446-447 OF 2019
IN
CRIMINAL APPEAL NOS. 1174-1175 OF 2019
MANOHARAN ….. PETITIONER(S)
VERSUS
STATE BY INSPECTOR OF POLICE,
VARIETY HALL POLICE STATION,
COIMBATORE. ….. RESPONDENT(S)
O R D E R
SANJIV KHANNA, J.
I entirely agree and concur with the reasons given by my
brother Surya Kant, J in dismissing the review petitions upholding the
conviction of Manoharan under Sections 302, 376(2)(f) and (g) and
201 of the Indian Penal Code. On the question of sentence, I do not
see any good ground and reasons to review my observations and
findings in the minority judgment. Accordingly, the review petitions
are dismissed.
......................................J.
(SANJIV KHANNA)
NEW DELHI;
NOVEMBER 07, 2019.
Page 37
