CHAUDHARY IJAZ AHMAD, J.- Learned Sessions Judge, Chakwal, vide judgment, dated 29.10.1992 has convicted and sentenced the appellants for the murder of Ghulam Abbas s/o Noor Khan aged 50 years and Ata Shabhir, aged 45 years, as follows:- #tbs
(i) U/Ss.302/149 PPC #to #tbs
(3) Shaukat Hayat. #to #tbs Muhammad Sartaj Muhammad Iqbal #to Death on to counts with a fine of Rs.60,000/- each, on to counts, or in default thereof, three years', R.I. On .To counts.
(ii) U/Ss.324/149 PPC.
Five years' R.I. Each and a fine of Rs.5,000/- each or in default thereof, one year's R.I. Each on five counts.
(iii) U/S. 148 PPC.
Three years' R.I. Each and a fine of Rs.2,000/-, or six months' further R.I. Each.
(i) (ii) #tbs
(iii) Muhammad Nawaz
(iv) Gulbaz.
(v) #to
(vi) U/Ss. 302/149 PPC. ?
Life imprisonment each on to counts with a fine of Rs.60,000/- or in default thereof three years' R.I.
Each on to counts.
(vii) U/Ss. 324/149 PPC.
Five years' R.I. Each and a fine of Rs.5000/- each or in default of the payment of fine one year's R.I.
On five counts.
(viii) U/S. 148 PPC.
Three years' R.I. And a fine of Rs,.2,000/- each or in default thereof, six months' further R.I. Each.
2. The fine awarded under sections 302/149 PPC, if recovered from the accused, half of it shall be paid to the legal heirs of Ghulam Abbas deceased and the remaining half to the legal heirs of Ata Shabhir deceased as compensation. Similarly, the fine if recovered under sections 324/149 PPC shall be equally distributed amongst Allah Dad, Mansab Khan, Taj Muhammad, Mst. Shaffa Begum PWs and Mst. Kalsoom Bibi as compensation.
3. The convicts/appellants have filed Criminal Appeal No. 176 of 1992 against their convictions and sentences which is being disposed of alongwith Murder Reference No. 9 of 1993 seeking confirmation of the death sentence and Criminal Revision No. 41 filed by the complainant for the enhancement of sentence of Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz appellants from life imprisonment to death.
4. The occurrence took place on 8-11-1990 at 'Deegerwela' in the land of one Sarfraz Khan situated in Dhoke Galial Dakhli Mogla, District Chakwal, at a distance of seven miles from Police Station Tallagang. Allah Dad, real brother of the deceased, PW-10 reported to Sikandar Baig, S.I. PW-17, who recorded the statement Ext.PM of Allah Dad on the same day at 9-45 p.m. Subsequently, formal FIR Ext.PM/1 was recorded by Muhammad Asghar, S.I. PW-9 on the same day at 10-0 p.m.
5. In the F.I.R, the occurrence is reported to have taken place allegedly that on 8-11-1990, at about 'Deegerwela Allah Dad complainant and his brother Ata Shabhir were thrashing the peanut crop at their Thrashing Floor, West to Dhoke Galial Dhakli Mogla, within the jurisdiction of Police Station Tallagang while their brother Ghulam Abbas deceased and his daughter Mst. Shafia Begum / and the complainant's sons and daughter Mansab Khan, Taj Muhammad Mst. Kalsoom Bibi were busy in collecting the peanut crop in their nearby field and taking it to the Thrashing Floor. As Ghulam Abbas deceased while on his way to the Thrashing Floor with a heap of out peanut crop on his head, reached the deserted Well, Muhammad Nawaz with a Soti, Gulbaz accused with a hatchet, Shaukat Hayat accused carrying a Carbine, Muhammad Sartaj and Muhammad j Iqbal accused armed with guns suddenly appeared at the scene and raised a Lalkara challenging him to get alert. Ghulam Abbas threw away the bundle and started running towards his house. Shaukat Hayat accused fired at him twice hitting his left eye and fore-head, as a result of which he fell down. Allah Dad complainant and Ata Shabhir deceased rushed to the spot. Muhammad Sartaj accused fired and hit the chest of Ata Shabhir deceased who was also fired at by Muhammad Iqbal accused and received injuries on his right arm and neck before falling down. Mst. Shafia Begum PW advanced to attend her father Ghulam Abbas, but Muhammad Sartaj accused fired on her right arm and right thigh. She also fell to the ground. While Allah Dad complainant attended Ata Shabhir deceased and tried to help him stand, Muhammad Sartaj accused fired causing injuries On his right had and buttocks. Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz accused gave a blow each their respective weapons to Taj Muhammad PW on the head and left had while Muhammad Sartaj accused dealt a Butt blow on his back. Muhammad Nawaz accused inflicted a Soti blow on the head of Mansab Khan PW whereas Gulbaz accused hit his right arm with the wrong end of the hatchet. Mst. Kalsoom Bibi PW was given a Soti blow on - her head by Muhammad Nawaz accused while Gulbaz accused struck the back of left arm and left shoulder of Allah Dad complainant with the wrong side of his hatchet who was further injured by Muhammad Nawaz and Muhammad Sartaj- accused with Soti and Butt of the gun. It is also stated that Taj Muhammad PW pelted 2-3 stones at Gulbaz and Muhammad Iqbal accused who were also given a few blows with 'Trangle' (fork) by Mansab Khan PW during the occurrence. It is pertinent to mention here that Ghulam Abbas and Ata Shabhir succumbed to their injuries at the spot.
6. On 9-11-1990, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqui PW-13 conducted the post-mortem examination of Ghulam Abbas s/o Noor Khan and found the following injuries:-
(1) A fire-arm wound of entry 1/2" x 1/2" on the right side of fore-head, 1-3/4" above the right eye- brow and 1/2" right to the mid-line, directing inward and backward.
(2) A fire-arm wound of entry 1/2" x 1/2" on the left side of fore-head, 1- 3/4" above the left eye-brow, 1/2" left to the mid-line, directing inward and backward.
(3) A contusion 1/2" x 1/2" on the right side of fore-head, 1/2" above the right eye-brow and 1/4" below injury No. 1.
(4) A contusion "lx 1/2" on the right side of fore-head, 1" above the outer border of right eye-brow.
(5) A fire-arm wound of entry 1/2" x 1/2" on the inner angle of left eyeball, just left to the bridge of nose, directing inward and to the right.
(6) A fire-arm wound 1/2" x 1/2" on the mid-region of right ear. Skin was denuded over the wound.
In the opinion of the doctor, death occurred due to shock and haemorrhage and damage to the brain brought about by injuries Nos. 1, 2 and 5, which were grievous and dangerous to life and sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature. These injuries were ante-mortem and had been caused by fire-arm. Injuries Nos. 3 and 4 were, however, simple in and blunt in nature.
7. On the same day, Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqui PW-13 also conducted post-mortem examination of Ata Shabhir deceased and found the following injuries on his dead body:-
(1) Gun-shot wounds, each measuring 1/8" x 1/8" over an area 19" x 15", starting from both clavicles and extending to both illiac bones on the anterior aspect of the chest and abdomen. The wounds were 90 in number.
(2) 16 gun-shot wounds, each measuring 1/8" x 1/8", on the anterior aspect of right arm and fore- arm in an area 10" x 4", starting from the middle of the arm and extending to the right wrist joint about 3" above to it.
(3) Two gun-shot wounds, each 1/8" x 1/8" on the anterior aspect of the right shoulder joint.
(4) Three gun-shot wounds 1/8" x 1/8" each over an area measuring 2" x 1-1/2" on the left side of the base of neck, 2" lateral to the sternal fossa.
In the opinion of the doctor, the death resulted on account of shock and haemorrhage following the perforation of heart, left lung, stomach and left lobe of liver as a result of injury No. 1 which was grievous and dangerous to life and sufficient to cause death in the ordinary course of nature. It was a fire-arm injury. The other injuries were simple in nature and were also caused by a fire-arm. The time that elapsed between the injuries and death was sudden whereas between death and post- mortem examination was eighteen to twenty-to hours.
8. On 8-11.1990, lady Dr. Hameeda Khatoon PW-3 medically examined Mst. Safia daughter of Ghulam Abbas, and found the following injuries on her person:-
(1) A multiple gun-shot wound on the back of right had over an area measuring 3" x 6" with swelling all around the wound. X-ray of the injury was advised.
(2) A multiple gun-shot wound of entrance on the right fore-arm 3" x 4" on the back of right arm.
(3) A lacerated wound on the right upper thigh, 1/2" x 1/2".
(4) A lacerated wound on the Index finger of left had 1/8" x 1/8".
(5) A fire-arm wound on the middle finger of left had 1/8" x 1/8". The X-ray of all the injuries was advised.
After the X-ray report, all the injuries, were declared simple in nature. The injuries were caused with fire-arm within the duration of 4 to 6 hours before the examination.
9. The aforesaid lady doctor also examined Mst. Kalsoom daughter of Allah Dad and found the following injury on her person:-
(1) A lacerated wound on the right side of head 1-1/2" x 1/2" x bone deep. X-ray was advised.
The injury was kept under observation. It was caused with blunt weapon four to six hours before the examination..
10. On 8-11-1990 Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7 medically examined Allah Dad s/o Noor Khan PW-10 and found the following injuries on his person:-
(1) A multiple gun-shot wound of entrance on the back of distal 1/3rd of left arm and the elbow joint (about 18 in number), each measuring 1/8" x .1/8" superficially. Corresponding holes were on the.
Shirt of the examinee which was blood-stained. Wounds had bled on touching.
(2) A multiple gun-shot wound of entrance over an area measuring about 10-1/2" x 9" on the back and upper l/4th of both buttocks, comprising of about 30 wounds, each measuring 1/8" x 1/8" x superficial. Corresponding holes were present on the shirt, jacket and Chaddar of the injured, which were blood-stained. The wounds bled on touching.
(3) An abrasion with swelling 2" x 1/4" on the back of middle of left forearm.
(4) An abrasion 3/4" x 1/4" on the top of left shoulder.
(5) An abrasion 1/4" x 1/4" on the back of distal 1/3rd of proximal phalynx of right ring finger.
Injuries Nos. 1 to 3 were kept under observation whereas the others were declared simple in nature.
Injuries Nos. 1 and 2 -were caused by fire-arm while the rest by some blunt weapon. The duration of the injuries was four to six hours before the examination. After X-ray report, injuries Nos. 1 to 3 were declared simple in nature.
11. Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob PW-7 also medically examined PW-11 Mansab Khan s/o Allah Dad, aged 22 years, on the same, day, and the following injuries were found on his person:-
(1) A lacerated wound 1-1/2" x 1/8" x skin deep on the top of scalp, in mid-line 6" from the root of nose.
(2) An abrasion 1-1/4" x 1/4" swelling 2-1/2" x 2-1/2" round the wound, on the back and other side of the distal 1/3rd of right fore-arm.
The injuries were kept under observation and the same were declared simple in nature after receiving X-ray report. The injuries were caused with blunt weapon from four to six hours before examination.
12. On the same night, the aforesaid doctor also medically examined Taj Muhammad Khan s/o Allah Dad PW-12 aged about 18 years and found the following injuries on his person:-
(1) A lacerated wound 1/2" x 1/8" x skin deep on the left side of scalp, 4" above left ear.
(2) An incised wound 1-1/2" x 1/2" x bone deep on the back of distal half of middle phalynx and distal phalynx of left ring finger. Bone underneath and nail were cut and distal inter-phalyugeal joint dislocated.
(3) An abrasion 1/4" x 1/4" on the back of distal phalynx of fight little finger.
Injuries Nos. 1 and 2 were kept under observation while the third was declared simple in nature.
Injury No, 2 was caused with sharp-edged weapon while the remaining were caused by blunt weapon within four to six hours before examination. After X-ray report, middle phalynx distal third of left ring finger of Taj Muhammad was cut and as such injury No. 2 was declared grievance.
13. On 10-11-1990, Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7 also medically examined Muhammad Iqbal s/o Muhammad Nawaz accused, aged 40 years, and found the following injuries on his person
(1) A superficial lacerated wound with pusformation 1/2" x 1/4" on the back of middle of first phalynx of right index finger.
(2) A superficial lacerated wound 1/2" x 1/8" with pus-formation on the back of middle of first phalynx of the middle finger of right had.
(3) A superficial lacerated wound 1/4" x 1/4" with pus-formation on the back of middle of first phalynx of the right index finger.
(4) A superficial lacerated wound with pusformation 1/2" x 1/4" on the outer side of base of right thumb.
According to the doctor, all the injuries were simple in nature and caused with blunt weapon to to three days before the examination.
14. On 10-11-1990 at 12-noon, Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan-PW. 7 also medically examined the convict Gulbaz s/o Ghulam Abbas, aged about 70 years, and found the following injuries on his person:-
(1) A superficial lacerated wound 1" x 1/8" x skin deep across the top of scalp. The wounds was full of clotted blood.
(2) A bruise 1" x 1/4" on the back of middle of scalp 2-1/2" behind injury No. 1.
(3) A bluish contusion 6" x 2" across the back of left shoulder.
(4) A bluish contusion 11" x 1" across the back of right chest. It was in oblique direction from the shoulder to mid-line.
(5) An abrasion 1/2" x 1/8" on the front of middle of right leg.
According to the aforesaid Medical Expert, all the injuries were simple in nature and caused with blunt weapon, to to three days before the examination.
14. Blood-stained earth was taken into possession from the places of the dead-bodies of Ghulam Abbas and Ata Shabhir on 8-11-1990 vide recovery memo. Ext.PU and Ext.PV respectively which were attested by Faruq Ahmad PW-15, Sikandar Baig PW-17 and Lal Khan (given up PW). On 9-11-1990, empty cartridge P-9 of 12-bore gun was also recovered from the spot vide recovery memo. Ext.PX.
It is pertinent to mention here that the reports of the Chemical Examiner and that of the Serologist were found positive.
15. Muhammad Nawaz, Gulbaz and Muhammad Iqbal convicts/appellants were arrested by PW-17 Sikandar Baig, S.I. On 10-11-1990. Shaukat Hayat and Muhammad Sartaj convicts/appellants were arrested by him on 18-11-1990 and 1- 12-1990 respectively. On 10-11-1990, blood-stained Kuna P-8 of Gulbaz was recovered vide memo. Ext.PD which was attested by Ghulam Haider PW-14 and Sikandar Baig PW-17. On pointation of Gulbaz convict/appellant hatchet P-10 was recovered, from his residential Kotha on 16-11-1990 which was attested by Sikandar Baig, S.I. PW-17, Faruq Ahmad PW-15 and Muhammad Ali (given up as unnecessary). On the pointation of Muhammad Nawaz appellant, Soti P-11 was recovered from his residential Kotha vide memo. Ext.PZ on 16-11-1990 and the attesting witnesses are the same. On 18-11-1990, Muhammad Iqbal convict/appellant led to the recovery of 12-bore single barrel gun P-12 from his house which was recovered vide memo. Ext.PAA and the attesting witnesses are the same. Shaukat Hayat appellant got recovered 12-bore carbine P-13 from his residential room on 23-11-1990 which was taken into possession vide memo. Ext.PB and the attesting witnesses are the same. On 4-12-1990, Muhammad Sartaj convict/appellant got recovered 12-bore single barrel gun P-14 from his residential Kotha which was taken into possession vide memo. Ext.PCC.
It is pertinent to mention here that the report of the Forensic Science Laboratory regarding weapon of offence recovered from Muhammad Iqbal appellant was found positive.
16. The motive as alleged by the prosecution in the FIR is that there is a dispute of land between the parties.
17. The prosecution produced as many as seventeen witnesses in all. Allah Dad PW-10, Mansab Khan PW-11, Taj Muhammad PW-12 and Mst. Shafia Begum appeared to prove motive and the actual occurrence whereas the evidence, of lady Dr. Hameeda Khatoon PW-3, Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7 and Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqui PW-13 was about the medical examination and the postmortem examination of the injured as well as the deceased. Mohsin Raza Shah PW- 2 prepared the site-plan of the place of occurrence. Faruq Ahmad PW-15 is a recovery witness of different weapons of offence recovered from the convicts/appellants on various dates and the Investigating Officer Sikandar Baig, S.I. PW-17 apart from the formal witnesses.
18. While the appellants in their statements under section 342 Cr.P.C, controverted all the allegations and pleaded themselves as innocent in the matter and stated their on version except Shaukat Hayat appellant, as under:- "On the evening preceding the day of occurrence, Ghulam Abbas, Ata Shabhir deceased and Allah Dad, Mansab Khan and Taj Muhammad PWs came to our house in order to attack Muhammad Iqbal accused for his having beaten-up the children of Allah Dad PW but he was not there. I and my women-folk entreated with them on which they went away issuing threats that Muhammad'- Iqbal accused would not be spared.
On the day of occurrence, at about 'Kuftanwela', while in the house with the women-folk, I heard Muhammad Iqbal accused raising hue and cry near the well of one Muhammad Nawaz. On this, I rushed there with Mst. Sarwar, Qammer Sultana, Mst. Sadiq, Riffat and Mst. Kausar and saw Ghulam Abbas and Ata Shabhir deceased armed with hatchet and Soti respectively injuring Muhammad Iqbal accused, who was on the ground. Mansab Khan, Taj Muhammad PWs armed with 12-bore guns, Allah Dad PW carrying Soti and Shafia Begum and Kalsoom PWs also reached there from the complainant side. Mansab Khan and Taj Muhammad PWs started firing indiscriminately as a result of which the to deceased and Shafia Begum and Allah Dad PWs got injured. Allah Dad PW gave Soti blow to me. Muhammad Iqbal accused picked up the hatchet of Ghulam Abbas deceased and injured the had of Taj Muhammad PW with the same as he was about to fire at him. Women from either side hurled stones at each other resulting into injuries to Mansab Khan, Taj Muhammad, Allah Dad, Shafia Begum and Kalsoom PWs from the complainant side and Mst. Sarwar, Qammar Sultana, Mst. Sadiq, Riffat and Mst. Kausar from our side. I and the other injured, appeared before the police on the same night at about 10-0 p.m. At Police Station Tallagang and apprised them of the true facts. Police promised to take action against the complainant party but then backed out.
Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Sartaj and Shaukat Hayat accused were neither present at the spot nor did they participate in the occurrence".
Shaukat Hayat convict/appellant also controverted the allegations and claimed himself to be innocent and narrated his on Version as follows:- "Ghulam Abbas deceased developed illicit relations with his sister-in- law Sadiq Sultana. The latter's cousin Ghulam Rabani took exception to it and reprimanded the deceased. In sided with him on this issue and my relations with Ghulam Abbas deceased and his other relatives became strained. The incident took place differently and the present case was set up falsely by twisting the facts and the complainant party had me involved therein because of the said strained relations. A day prior to the occurrence, Muhammad Iqbal accused and I were going tc the former's Dhoke on his tractor. The children of Allah Dad PW were playing on the way. Their ball struck the tractor of Muhammad Iqbal accused who was taken by surprise and nearly lost control of the tractor. He and I abused the children and Muhammad Ghulam Abbas, Ata Shabhir deceased and Allah Dad, Mansab Khan and Taj Muhammad PWs went to the house of Muhammad Iqbal accused in the evening to attack him but he was not there. The women-folk entreated with them on which they came back leaving the threat that they would deal with Muhammad Iqbal deceased. This was also a reason for my false involvement".
19. Learned counsel for the appellants argued as follows:-
(i) It being a case of to versions and putting the same-in juxtaposition, the defence plea appears to be plausible and more near to the truth, therefore, benefit of doubt should be given to the convicts/appellants.
(ii) That Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz appellants of the age of about 76 years and 71 years respectively at the time of occurrence were not expected to participate in the occurrence and in fact being elder must have tried their level best to avoid any fateful incident.
(iii) According to the version of the defence, only Muhammad Iqbal and Gulbaz appellants were present at the spot and the remaining appellants did not participate in the occurrence.
(iv) The recoveries from the convicts/appellants having made on different dates in presence of same witnesses and in violation of Section 103 Cr.P.C, are not confidence inspiring to be used as independent corroborative evidence.
(v) All the eye-witnesses namely Allah Dad PW-10, Mansab Khan PW-11, Taj Muhammad PW-12 and Mst. Shafia Begum PW-16 are interested and inimical towards the appellants, therefore, need independent corroboration which is not available in the present case.
(vi) The prosecution alleged motive in the FIR that there was a dispute of the land between the parties whereas in the statements of the PWs made before the Court introduced a new motive of Banna, the contradictory' story' of motive made it doubtful.
(vii) The convicts appellants Muhammad Iqbal and Gulbaz while acting in their self-defence in reply to aggression of complainants side did not commit any offence.
(viii) That the medical evidence being in conflict to the statements of the eye witnesses, the same does not provide independent corroboration.
(ix) The evidence of motive having given by the eye-witnesses, it even proved cannot be used as independent corroboration is the given facts.
That neither the place of recovery of empties is mentioned in the site- plan, nor the Deegarwaila time of occurrence as alleged by the prosecution finds mention in the medical evidence, which are strong circumstances in favour of defence.
20. The learned State counsel argued that the presence of injured eyewitnesses at the spot being beyond any shadow of doubt, they truthfully explaining the injuries of the appellants are trust- worthy. The presence of Gulbaz and Muhammad Iqbal convicts-appellants at the spot is admitted and ocular account of the occurrence of properly lodged is FIR duly corroborated by the evidence of recovery, motive and medical evidence.
Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz convicts/appellants are real brothers. Muhammad Sartaj and Muhammad Nawaz appellants are the sons of Muhammad Nawaz appellant, whereas Shaukat Hayat appellant is his nephew being the son of his maternal cousin. The daughter of Muhammad Iqbal appellant is married to a first cousin of Shaukat Hayat appellant. Mansab PW-11 and Taj Muhammad PW12 are the real brothers and PW-10 is real brother of the deceased. Mst. Shafia Begum is daughter of Ghulam Abbas deceased whereas Mst. Kalsoom is the daughter of Allah Dad PW-10.
The appellants as well as the deceased are also inter-related as Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz appellants are paternal cousin by relation of the deceased.
21. We have examined the evidence on record. There is no enmity existed between the parties except the motive as narrated in the FIR and in the statements of the appellants, who are related inter se. The place of occurrence is in the field and both the parties having not disclosed the true motive behind the incident and the original motive remained shrouded in the mystery. The respective versions put- forward by the parties are not appealable to mind to the happening of occurrence in true manner. Therefore, we are of considered opinion that it was sudden fight without premeditation. Rather it being a free fight, each of the appellant is responsible qua the role attributed to him. We are fortified by the principle laid down by the Supreme Court of Pakistan reported as Abdur Rehman v. Gadai Khan and 3 others (1972 SCM R 676) and relevant observation at page 681 is reproduced hereunder "The principles governing the right approach in a case of free fight were enunciated by this Court in Syed Ali Bepari v. Nibaran Mollah and others (PLD 1962 SC 502), it was pointed out that:- "In a case of this type the parties do not generally come out with the true story. It is a normal incident of an "adversary proceeding" to minimise one's on part in the incident. In such a case the Court must not be deterred by the incompleteness of the tale from drawing the inferences that properly flow from the evidence and the circumstances".
It is an admitted fact that the to convicts/appellants Gulbaz and Muhammad Iqbal were injured and all the eye-witnesses were also injured, therefore, their presence at the spot could not be doubted. It is also an admitted fact that the to deceased were died in the incident. The medical evidence corroborated with the eye-witnesses. The motive is' always a double-edged weapon and even without motive, the murder could have been committed. In this respect, reliance can be placed on 1987 SCM R 1136. Keeping in view the circumstances,. Manner of incident, injuries attributed to both the parties and the motive as alleged by both the parties, if put in a juxtaposition then it is crystal clear, as mentioned above, that it is a case of free fight, therefore, each and every one is responsible of his on individual act attributed to him.
Ghulam Abbas deceased was murdered by Shaukat Hayat appellant, therefore, his sentence under section 302 PPC on one count is maintained. Muhammad Sartaj appellant is attributed injury No. 1 to Ata Shabhir deceased which is grievous in nature and dangerous to life and are sufficient to cause the death in the ordinary' course of nature, as opined by Dr. Muhammad Iqbal Siddiqui PW-
13. Therefore, his sentence on this count under section 302 PPC is maintained.
Muhammad Iqbal appellant is also attributed fire-arm injuries to Ata Shabhir deceased, but the doctor opined that the injuries attributed to him were simple in nature and caused by fire-arm.
Therefore, his sentence of death from to counts is converted into life imprisonment on one count.
Muhammad Sartaj appellant inflicted fire-arm injuries to Mst. Shafia Begum PW-16 Lady Dr. Hameeda Khatoon, all the injuries were simple in nature as there was no fracture of any bone.
Muhammad Sartaj appellant also inflicted fire-arm injuries to Allah Dad PW-10 and according to Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW- 7, injuries Nos. 1 to 3 were caused by fire-arm and were kept under observation. But the prosecution failed to produce any X-ray report before the learned trial Court.
Muhammad Nawaz appellant inflicted Soti blow to Mst. Kalsoom on the right side of her head.
According to Lady Dr. Hameeda Khatoon PW-3, the injury was kept under observation and X-ray report was not brought on record. He also inflicted Soti blows on the head of Mansab Khan PW-11.
According to Dr. .Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7, the injuries were kept under observation and caused by a blunt weapon and the prosecution failed to bring on record any X-ray report. He also caused Soti blows to Taj Muhammad PW-12. According to Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7, injuries Nos. 1 and 2 were kept under observation while the third was declared as simple. The prosecution failed to bring on record any X-ray report.
Gulbaz appellant inflicted injury on the lady finger of Taj Muhammad PW-13 w Which was also kept under observations by Dr. Muhammad Yaqoob Awan PW-7.
22. The prosecution failed to bring on record X-ray reports regarding the injuries inflicted by the appellants to the injured witnesses. Therefore, these could be considered as simple in nature. In this behalf, reliance can be placed on Badshahzada v. The State (1993 P.Cr.L.J. (Peshawar) 699). The relevant observation is reproduced as under:- "No result of X-ray was brought on the file to show any fracture of the left had. So this injury can also be taken to be simple in nature".
23. Nevertheless, the question as to what offence had been committed by the appellants deserves examination. Therefore, section 324 of the PPC is reproduced hereunder:- "Attempt to commit Qati-i-Amd.-Whoever does any act with such intention or knowledge and under such circumstances, that, if he by that act caused Qatl, he would be guilty of Qatl-i-Amd, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine, and. If hurt is caused to any person by such act. The offender shall be liable to the punishment provided for the hurt caused: Provided that, where the punishment for the hurt is Qisas which is not executable, the offender shall be liable to Arsh and may also be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to seven years".
The bare reading of the afore-mentioned section of law, it would be thus appreciated that where hurt had been caused to any person, the offender was liable to the punishment provided only for the hurt caused and not for the attempt to commit Qatl-i-Amd. As we have observed above, that it was a free fight. Therefore, keeping in view the ingredients of section 324 PPC, the offenders are culpable and punishable not for attempt to commit Qatl-i-Amd but for the injuries actually caused by them on the injured witnesses.
Consequently, the convictions of the appellants recorded under section 324/149 PPC and punishment awarded to them thereunder are set aside. Resultantly, in respect of injuries on the injured witnesses, all of them except Muhammad Sartaj appellant, are convicted under Section 337-F(ii) PPC. Each one of them shall pay Rs. 5,000/- as daman to the injured person to whom they inflicted injuries as mentioned above and shall also suffer to and a half years' R.I. As 'Tazeer'. The fire-arm injuries inflicted by Muhammad Sartaj to Mst. Shafia Begum fall within the purview of sub- clause (iii) of section 337-F of the PPC: Therefore, he is convicted under section 337F (iii) of the PPC and is directed to pay Rs.'5,000/- as daman to Mst. Shafia Begum PW-16 and also to undergo to and a half years' R.I. As 'Tazeer'. The sentence of imprisonment shall, however, run concurrently.
The sentence and conviction of Shaukat Hayat, Muhammad Sartaj and Muhammad Iqbal appellants regarding fine is maintained and is not altered. However, conviction and sentence of life imprisonment to Muhammad Nawaz and Gulbaz appellants under Section 302/149 P.P.C.
The death sentences of Shaukat Hayat and Muhammad Sartaj on one count are maintained and Murder Reference qua Muhammad Iqbal appellant is replied in negative, therefore, his death sentence awarded on to counts is not confirmed.