06.02.202 2023 2.2025 BEERA v. CORAM: AM: HON’BLE
Case Details
CRM-A-12 1239-2023 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJ IN T CHANDIGA PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT DIGARH CRM-A-1239-202 Date of Decision: 06.02.202 2023 2.2025 BEERA …Applicant STATE OF TE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS …Respondents ersus Versus CORAM: AM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SU HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE H CE SUDHIR SINGH CE HARSH BUNGER Present : Ms. Simrat Kaur, Advocate for Mr. Gursewak Singh, Advo for the applicant. , Advocate Mr. Neeraj Madan, Sr. D.A.G. .A.G., Punjab. HARSH B SH BUNGER, J. The instant application seeki seeking leave to appeal is preferre referred against the st the judgment dated 03.10.2022 .2022 passed by the learned Judici Judicial Magistrate istrate 1st Class, Ajnala, whereby re by respondents No.2 to 8 have bee ve been acquitted o itted of the charges under Sections 420 ns 420, 467, 468, 471 read with Sectio Section 120-B of th B of the Indian Penal Code. 2. Vide order dated 28.11.2023, t
Facts
2023, the lower Court record was calle s called for and the nd the same was received in this Court Court. 3. The prosecution case, as per as per the complaint of complainan lainant- Beera, is th a, is that her father Piara Singh and h and one Didar Singh @ Dara Sing a Singh, both sons o sons of Sohan Singh had joint land m land measuring 52 kanala – 18 marl arlas situated at ted at Village Talla, Tehsil Ajnala, Di ala, District Amritsar. Both Piara Sing ra Singh and Didar S idar Singh @ Dara Singh, are stated stated to be truck drivers and married arried in Haryana. A ana. According to the complainant, up ant, upon the death of Piara Singh, sh ngh, she 1/9 GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh CRM-A-1239-2023 has succeeded to his entire moveable and immoveable property being his legal heir. It is alleged that respondent No.2 herein (Beero) in connivance with Iqbal Singh, Sulakhan Singh and Dheera, prepared a forged Will dated 10.06.1978 of Piara Singh in favour of Didar Singh @ Dara Singh, by showing that Piara Singh was unmarried. Complainant claimed that Piara Singh was married with Maan Kaur in Haryana and the complainant was born out of the said wedlock and that she was the sole legal heir of said Piara Singh. It is further alleged that taking benefit of the forged Will dated 10.06.1978; respondent No.2 (Beero) in connivance with respondents No.4 to 8, herein and one Surjeet son of Bagicha Singh prepared another forged Will of Didar Singh @ Dara Singh in their names and also made a forged Death Certificate dated 10.05.1982 of Didar Singh @ Dara Singh. It is also alleged that the accused persons in connivance with respondent No.9 (R.P. Minhas, Tehsildar, Ajnala) and respondent No.10 (Harjit Singh @ Billa, Patwari) prepared the forged Wills in order to grab the property of Piara Singh and Didar Singh @ Dara Singh because complainant had submitted a representation for not sanctioning mutation in favour of the accused persons; however, respondent No.9 (R.P. Minhas, Tehsildar, Ajnala) ignored the said representation and sanctioned the mutation, in favour of respondent No.2-Beero, vide order dated 19.11.2008. 4. In the preliminary evidence, the complainant examined the following witnesses :- Sr. No. Witness name Examined as 1 2 3 Beera (complainant) Ajmer Singh, Sarpanch Salwant Singh CW1 CW2 CW3 GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 2/9 CRM-A-1239-2023 4.1 The complainant tendered into evidence the death certificate of Maan Kaur as Ex. C-1 and death certificate of Piara Singh as Ex. C-2 and closed the preliminary evidence. 5. Thereafter, the accused were summoned to face trial under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code, vide order dated 19.05.2016. 6. After considering the pre-charge evidence and finding a prima facie case against the accused persons, the charge was framed only against respondents No.2 to 8, herein under Sections 420, 467, 468, 471 read with Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code. 7. To prove its case, the prosecution/complainant led oral as well as documentary evidence by examining herself (Complainant-Beera) as well as one Paramjit Singh. 7.1 The entire incriminating evidence appearing against the accused were put to them; however, they pleaded that the case was false and that the complainant was not the legal heir of deceased Piara Singh and Didar Singh @ Dara Singh. It was further stated that the Civil Court had already decided the case in favour of accused-Beero (respondent No. 2, herein). It was also stated that Piara Singh and Didar Singh, were the maternal uncles of accused-Beero(respondent No. 2, herein). It was claimed that Piara Singh, executed a Will in favour of his brother Didar Singh on 10.06.1978 and thereafter, upon demise of Piara Singh, Didar Singh became the owner in possession of the property and subsequently, Didar Singh executed a Will in favour of accused-Beero (respondent No.2, herein). It was further claimed that Mutations no.917 and 918 had already been sanctioned by the Revenue GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 3/9 CRM-A-1239-2023 authorities in favour of said Beero (respondent No. 2, herein) and even the Civil Court has dismissed the suit of the complainant on 23.08.2013. 7.2 In defence evidence, the following documents were tendered :- S. No. 1 Exhibit/s D1 Document Jamabandi for the year 2017-18 2 3 4 5 6 7 D2 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 Plaint dated 23.09.2009 in Suit No.288 Order dated 23.08.2013 Mutation No.917 dated 19.11.2018 Pedigree table Mutation No.918 Pedigree table 8. After conclusion of the trial, the learned trial Court acquitted the accused persons. 9. The grounds considered by the learned trial Court for acquitting respondents No.2 to 8 herein, are as under :- “(i) The complainant in her cross examination admitted that she had no joint ration card, voter card or any other document with Piara Singh to prove that she is the only legal heir of Piara Singh. She also did not have any documentary proof of marriage of Piara Singh. She was not aware of sister of Piara Singh nor regarding her paternal and maternal relations. She admitted that she does not know about brothers and sisters of Maan Kaur. She was also not aware of the location of the property in question. She admitted that she had not brought any proof of driving of truck by Piara Singh and Didar Singh. She further admitted that the case which was earlier filed by her and Paramjit Singh, has already been dismissed by the Civil Court, Ajnala and that they have not filed any appeal or revision against the order dated 23.08.2013. It was admitted by her that the Revenue Record was prepared in 4/9 GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh CRM-A-1239-2023 the name of Beero. She had no marriage certificate of her mother and father to show that she is daughter of Piara Singh. She also did not know the date, month and year of marriage of Piara Singh or that of Didar Singh. (ii) Exhibit D-2 revealed that complainant along with others had filed a suit for declaration to the effect that they are owners of land measuring 52 kanals – 18 marlas situated at Village Talla, Tehsil Ajnala, District Amritsar and the alleged Mutation Nos.917 and 918 in favour of defendant No.1 in the suit, are null and void and are liable to be set aside and in the alternative, suit for possession; however, the said suit was dismissed in default vide order dated 23.08.2013. (iii) Neither the complainant had adduced any evidence to rebut the copy of plaint dated 23.09.2009 in Suit No.288 (Ex. D-2), certified copy of order dated 23.08.2013 (Ex. D-3) and no Civil Court has declared that Will as forged and fabricated. (iv) The complaint is silent on the aspect that all the accused had prepared forged and fabricated Will dated 10.06.1978, in respect of what property. (v) The ingredients of Sections 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC are not fulfilled and neither any evidence in that regard has been brought on record; therefore, the charge under Sections 467, 468, 471 and 120-B of the IPC cannot be established against the accused persons. (vi) The prosecution has miserably failed to fulfill the ingredients of cheating. 10.
Legal Reasoning
prima facie illegal. Once the appellate court comes to the conclusion that the grounds on which the judgment is based is not perverse, the scope of appeal against acquittal is limited considering the fact that the legal presumption about the innocence of the accused is further strengthened by the finding of the court. At this point, it is imperative to consider the decision of the Hon’ble Supreme Court passed in the case of Mrinal Das versus State of Tripura, (2011) 9 SCC 479, it has been observed that : “13. It is clear that in an appeal against acquittal in the absence of perversity in the judgment and order, interference by this Court exercising its extraordinary jurisdiction, is not warranted. However, if the appeal is heard by an appellate court, it being the final court of fact, is fully competent to reappreciate, reconsider and review the evidence and take its own decision. In other words, the law does not prescribe any limitation, restriction or condition on exercise of such power and the appellate court is free to arrive at its own conclusion keeping in mind that acquittal provides for presumption in favour of the accused. The presumption of innocence is available to the person and in criminal jurisprudence every person is presumed to be innocent unless he is proved guilty by the competent court. 7/9 GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh CRM-A-1239-2023 If two reasonable views are possible on the basis of the evidence on record, the appellate court should not disturb the findings of acquittal. 14. There is no limitation on the part of the appellate court to review the evidence upon which the order of acquittal is found and to come to its own conclusion. The appellate court can also review the conclusion arrived at by the trial court with respect to both facts and law. While dealing with the appeal against acquittal preferred by the State, it is the duty of the appellate court to marshal the entire evidence on record and only by giving cogent and adequate reasons set aside the judgment of acquittal. An order of acquittal is to be interfered with only when there are “compelling and substantial reasons” for doing so. If the order is “clearly unreasonable”, it is a compelling reason for interference………” 13.1 In the case of Ghurey Lal Vs. State of Uttar Pradesh, (2008) 10 SCC 450 in para no.75, the Hon’ble Supreme Court re-iterated the said view and observed as follows : “75. The trial court has the advantage of watching the demeanour of the witnesses who have given evidence, therefore, the appellate court should be slow to interfere with the decisions of the trial court. An acquittal by the trial court should not be interfered with unless it is totally perverse or wholly unsustainable.” 14. Thus, an order of acquittal is to be interfered with only for compelling and substantial reasons. In case the order is clearly unreasonable, it is a compelling reason for interference. But where there is no perversity in the finding of the impugned judgment of acquittal, the appellate Court must not take a different view only because another view is possible. It is because the trial Court has the privilege of seeing the demeanour of witnesses and, therefore, its decision must not be upset in the absence of strong and GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 8/9 CRM-A-1239-2023 compelling grounds. 15. In view of the above, we do not find any illegality and perversity in the findings recorded by the trial Court. Accordingly, the judgment of acquittal passed by the learned trial Court is affirmed; resultantly, the present application is dismissed and leave to appeal is declined. (SUDHIR SINGH) JUDGE February 06, 2025 gurpreet (HARSH BUNGER) JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Whether reportable: Yes/No Yes/No GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 9/9
Arguments
Learned counsel appearing for the applicant/complainant, while assailing the judgment of acquittal passed by the trial Court, argued that there is sufficient material available on record which proves that accused/respondents No.2 to 8, in connivance with each other, had prepared forged and fabricated Will of Piara Singh (Will dated 10.06.1978) and Will GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 5/9 CRM-A-1239-2023 of Didar Singh and thereby, cheated the complainant. He further submitted that the commission of offence(s) by the accused persons was duly established and the trial court has wrongly acquitted the accused persons by discarding the prosecution case. 11. Upon consideration of the matter, the only issue which would arise for consideration by this Court is as to whether the prosecution/complainant had succeeded in proving the commission of offences by the accused/respondents No.2 to 8. 12. In the present case, the applicant/complainant has alleged that the accused/respondents No.2 to 8 had prepared forged and fabricated Wills of Piara Singh and Didar Singh and cheated the complainant of the property owned by Piara Singh, who is claimed by the complainant to be her father. The complainant has miserably failed to lead any evidence in support of her claim that she is the daughter of Piara Singh, having been born out of the wedlock between Piara Singh and Maan Kaur. That apart, the Civil Suit No.288 (Ex. D-2) filed by the complainant along with others, seeking declaration that she is the owner of the Suit property situate at Village Talla and Mutations No.917 and 918, sanctioned in favour of Smt. Beero were illegal, null and void and not binding on her; was dismissed in default vide order dated 23.08.2013 (Ex. D-3). Concededly, till date, the order dated 23.08.2013 (Ex. D-3) dismissing the suit of the complainant, has not been set aside nor any Civil Court has held the afore-said Wills, to be forged and fabricated. Even Mutation No.917 and 918, have not been set aside by any Court of competent jurisdiction. 12.1 It is well established that the findings of the Civil Court are not binding upon the Criminal Court, except under section 41 of the Indian GURPREET KAUR 2025.02.13 17:12 I attest to the accuracy and authenticity of this order/judgment High Court, Sector-1, Chandigarh 6/9 CRM-A-1239-2023 Evidence Act, however since the respondents no. 2 to 8 were sought to be prosecuted by the appellant/complainant by levelling serious allegations of forgery of a Will of Piara Singh, therefore, a duty was cast on the complainant to lead sufficient evidence in the form of expert evidence to show the forgery by the accused and / or other credible evidence, to prove the charges independently in a criminal trial; which is apparently lacking in the case in hand. 13. In criminal appeal against acquittal what the appellate court has to examine is whether the finding of the learned court below is perverse and