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THE STATE
...........Appellant
Vs.
RAMESH
.....................................................Respondent
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Index of Authorities
I. Acts/Statutes
II. Books
III. Internet Sources
IV. List of Cases
List of Abbreviations
Statement of Jurisdiction
Statement of Facts
Statement of Issues
Summary of Arguments
Arguments Advanced
Prayer
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
I. Acts/Statutes
Indian Penal Code
The Constitution of India
Code of Criminal Procedure
Evidence Act
II. Books
Ratanlal & Dhirajlals The
Indian Penal Code 33rd
Edition Reprint 2012
Ratanlal & Dhirajlals Law of
Crimes, A commentary on
The Indian Penal Code, 1860
26th edition.
Criminal Procedure- R.V.
Kelkars Criminal Procedure
by Dr. C.N.
Chandrasekharan Pilai.
Text book on Indian Penal
Code By Krishna Deo Gaur,
Fourth Edition.
Internet Sources
http://www.findlaw.com
http://www.indiankanoon.co
m
http://www.indlawinfo.org/
http://www.jstor.org.
http://www.judis.nic.in
http://www.lawsofindia.org
http://www.manupatra.com
http://www.scconline.com
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
The appellant has approached the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India under Article 132 and Article
134 of The Constitution of India, 1950. The case is listed for arguments before the Division Bench
of the Hon'ble Supreme Court.
Article 132 of The Constitution of India, 1950 reads as hereunder:
Article 132: Appellate jurisdiction of Supreme Court in appeals from High Courts in certain cases
( 1 ) An appeal shall lie to the Supreme Court from any judgment, decree or final order of a High
Court in the territory of India, whether in a civil, criminal or other proceeding, if the High Court
certifies under Article 134A that the case involves a substantial question of law as t the
interpretation of this Constitution
Omitted
Where such a certificate is given, any party in the case may appeal to the Supreme Court on the ground
that any such question as aforesaid has been wrongly decided Explanation For the purposes of this
article, the expression final order includes an order declaring an issue which, if decided in favor of the
appellant, would be sufficient for the final disposal of the case
an appeal under sub clause (c) shall lie subject to such provisions as may be made in that
behalf under clause ( 1 ) of Article 145 and to such conditions as the High Court may establish
or required.
Parliament may by law confer on the Supreme Court any further powers to entertain and hear
appeals from any judgment, final order or sentence in a criminal proceeding of a High Court in
the territory of India subject to such conditions and limitations as may be specified in such
law
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS
personally, through
phone and internet, as
well as follow her to her
tuition class.
Reema reported Ramesh's
behavior to her parents,
they rebuked Ramesh for
his acts despite their
warning and disinterest.
Reema's parents beat
Ramesh and ordered him to
leave.
Mahesh absconded and was declared a proclaimed offender while Ramesh was arrested by
police from his home and the bottle of acid and car, used in the crime, were seized from his
possession.
Ramesh was put to trial before the sessions court where he pleaded not guilty, Sessions Court convicted
Ramesh under Sec. 326A r/w Sec. 34 IPC, 1860 and sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous
imprisonment. He was also asked to pay compensation of Rupees two lacs to Reema. He was also
awarded rigorous imprisonment for 2 years under Section 354D, IPC. Both the sentences were to run
concurrently.
Ramesh filed an appeal in the High Court seeking acquittal, state filed an appeal seeking life
imprisonment and enhanced compensation.
The High Court adjudicated in Ramesh's favor, the court acquitted him from the charges under Sec.326A
r/w Sec. 34,IPC, and Sec 354D IPC, 1860 and dismissed the appeal of the State, being bereft of any
substance. It held that under the circumstances of the case the Sessions Court had wrongly held the
accused liable under Sec. 326A, IPC, by invoking Section 34 IPC,1860 as no common intention to
commit the offense of acid attack under Sec.326A could be proved. The High Court also held that the
offense of stalking under Sec. 354D was not made out against the accused. The High Court, however,
recommended the State Legal Services Authority to decide upon the quantum of compensation to be
awarded by the State Government to the victim as per Sec. 357A, CrPC within one month.
Aggrieved by the said judgment of the High Court, the State filed an appeal before the Supreme Court
on the ground that High Court has failed to take notice of the fact that common intention was present as
Ramesh and Mahesh agreed to the use of bottle of acid in their plan of abduction. Acid was thrown in
furtherance of that common intention.
The State appealed for considering the offense as heinous and to award life imprisonment under Sec
326Ar/w Sec.34 IPC and Section 354D IPC and also to enhance the compensation awarded by the
Sessions Court, to Rupees three lac fifty thousand, to be paid by the accused to the victim under Sec.
326A, IPC, 1860, in addition to the compensation to be paid by the State Government under Sec
357A CrPC. The State also sought permission for addition of charge under Sec 366 IPC.
-Written Submission on Behalf of The Appellant-
STATEMENT OF ISSUES
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENTS
over six and a half lacs (6,50,000/-) and further treatment needs to be done which includes
fifteen more surgeries. The court is requested to enhance the compensation to three lacs and
fifty thousand (3,50,000/-) along with the compensation which the state needs to pay as per
Sec 357A CrPC.
Permission should be given to add the charge under Sec 366 IPC.
It is humbly submitted to this court that permission may be granted to add the charge under Sec 366 IPC
against Ramesh. Sec 366 IPC deals with kidnapping, abducting or inducing women to compel her
marriage. As per Sec 366 IPC Rameshs plan and actions clearly had the intention to forcefully marry
Reema against her will with coercion.
ARGUMENTS ADVANCED
(1) Whether the High court has failed to take notice of the fact that the common intention was
present as Ramesh & Mahesh agreed to use the bottle of acids in their plan of abduction and acid
was thrown in furtherance of that common intention.
It is humbly submitted to this court that common intention was present between Ramesh and Mahesh from the
moment Ramesh agreed to Maheshs plan of using acid to force Reema to marry him. As per Sec 34 IPC any act
done by several persons in furtherance of common intention makes each person liable for that act in the same
manner as if it were done by him alone. The honble HC fails to take notice of this common intention and the
actions by Ramesh which were clearly in furtherance of this common intention.
Intention is defined in R. v Mohan 1 as "the decision to bring about a prohibited consequence.. Intention A
range of words represents shades of intention in criminal laws around the world. The mental element, or
mens rea, of murder, for example, is traditionally expressed as malice aforethought, and the interpretations of
malice, "maliciously" and "willfully" vary between pure intention and recklessness depending on the
jurisdiction in which the crime was committed and the seriousness of the offense.
(ii) Actus Rea (Conduct): The actions or the conduct or the execution of malafide intentions is
Actus Rea. Posession
1
Concurrence: In general, mens rea and actus reus must occur at the same timethat is,
the criminal intent must precede or coexist with the criminal act, or in some way activate
the act.
Cause: Causation is the "causal relationship between conduct and result". That is to say
that causation provides a means of connecting conduct with a resulting effect, typically
an injury.
IV. In the case in hand, all four elements of crime are present without doubt, in furtherance of
that , attention must be drawn to the Common Intention aspect of this case the test of intention
for those who administer the criminal justice system is that, when planning their actions, people
may be aware of many probable and possible consequences. Obviously, all of these
consequences could be prevented through the simple expedient either of ceasing the given
activity or of taking action rather than refraining from action. So the decision to continue with
the current plan means that all the foreseen consequences are to some extent intentional, i.e.
within and not against the scope of each person's intention. In the given case, when Mahesh
suggested to Ramesh the use of Acid in order to intidate, threaten and forcefully marry Reema
Ramesh was fully aware of all the possible and probably consequences of using acid of which
one happened to be causing grevious hurt or even death of Reema. Knowing the possible and
probably consequences Ramesh agreed to Mahesh's plan this satisfied the test of intention,
which was clearly malifide and criminal in this case.
V. The fact that Ramesh did not resist Mahesh's plan as well as stood as a mute witness to Mahesh's
action of throwing acid on Reema clearly show the intention was common and equally malafide. It
can be said with certainty that Ramesh had the intention to inflict bodily harm on the victim otherwise
Ramesh would have disagreed of use to bottle of acid and would have not accompanied Mahesh to
abduct Reema with the use of bottle containing acid. Since the conduct of the accused Ramesh whose
presence at the scene of the occurrence stands proven beyond doubt, at the time when Mahesh was
throwing acid gives sufficient proof that both shared common intention and further Ramesh simply
watched to the accused Mahesh throwing acid on Reema neither tried to
intervene or save nor prevented the accused Mahesh from doing it so it is clearly
established that the accused Ramesh had intended to cause injury, disfigurements and
disabilities of the victim.
VI. However keeping in mind the facts that Reema had turned down Rameshs marriage proposal
and further Ramesh had accompanied Mahesh who was carrying the bottle of acid to the scene of
incident, it can be said with certainty that the accused Ramesh had the intention to inflict bodily
harm on the victim otherwise accused Ramesh would have disagreed of use to bottle of acid and
would have not accompanied the accused Mahesh to abduct Reema with the use of acid. Since
the conduct of the accused Ramesh whose presence at the scene of the incident stands proved
beyond doubt, at the time when Mahesh was throwing acid gives sufficient indication that both
shared common intention and further Ramesh simply watched Mahesh using acid to cause hurt to
Reema - he neither tried to intervene or save Reema, neither did he stop Mahesh from doing it so
it is clearly established that the accused Ramesh had the intention to cause injury, disfigurements
and disabilities of the victim. The silence on the part of Ramesh and failure to intervene goes to
show that Ramesh developed common intention with the accused Mahesh of throwing the bottle
containing acid. 2
VII. Perpetrators of the crime act cruelly and deliberately. Acid violence is a
premeditated act of violence as the perpetrator of the crime carries out the attack by first
obtaining the acid, carrying it on him and then stalking the victim before executing the
act supporting this act done to be premeditated the Hon'ble SC in Rajesh Govind
Jagesha v. State of Maharashtra, 3 has held:-"No pre mediation or previous meeting of mind is necessary for the applicability of Section 34 of
the I.P.C. The existence of common intention can be inferred from the attending circumstances of
the case and the conduct of the parties. No direct evidence of common intention is necessary. For
the purposes of common intention even the participation in the commission of the offence need
not be proved in all cases. The
Bengai Mandal vs. State of Bihar,[ para. 18]
2
IX. From the above circumstances it is crystal clear that they had common intention to commit such heinous
crime. Yes, the act of throwing the acid was clearly a manifestation of the plan and carrying the acid was an
essential and important action plan.
(2) Rameshs actions were fit for awarding of life imprisonment under Sec 326A r/w Sec 34
IPC and Sec 354D IPC.
It is humbly submitted to this court that Rameshs actions in connivance with Mahesh caused permanent damage,
deformity, burns, disability and dis-figuration amounts to grievous hurt by throwing Acid and as per Sec 326A
these actions of Ramesh and Mahesh are punishable by life imprisonment. It is also submitted that Ramesh may
be convicted under Sec 354D as it is a known fact that Ramesh had been following her, contacting her on phone
and internet despite her resistance, disinterest and warning by her parents these actions of Ramesh amount to
stalking.
1997IAD(Delhi)1, 1996(39)DRJ363
Acid throwing is an extremely violent crime by which the perpetrator of the crime seeks to
inflict severe physical and mental suffering on his victim. This kind of violence is often
motivated by deep-seated jealousy or feelings of revenge against an innocent woman.
Perpetrators of the crime act cruelly and deliberately. The act of using bottle of acid was a
premeditated act of violence as the perpetrator of the crime carries out the attack by first
obtaining the acid, then carrying it on him and then stalking the victim before executing the
act.
VI. The damage caused to Reema has been proven beyond doubt to be of grievous nature
which has ruined her life, career and future for her and her family. Reema has had to
undergo 6 surgeries and 10-15 more surgeries will need to be conducted, Reema has lost
vision in one eye, Reema has permanent scars on the skin of her hands and face. Reema
has suffered physically, emotionally and mentally beyond repair and the suffering can is
beyond measure.
VII. In the given case, Ramesh clearly caused the most severe degree of damage
possible and deserves the maximum punishment in order to set precedent which will
deter others from abusing and ruing lives of women.
VIII. Further, Ramesh's action prior to the attack on Reema on March 24th amount to
conviction under sec 354D IPC, which states that '354D. (1) Whoever follows a person and contacts, or attempts to contact such
person to foster personal interaction repeatedly, despite a clear indication of
disinterest by such person, or whoever monitors the use by a person of the internet,
email or any other form of electronic communication, or watches or spies on a
person in a manner that results in a fear of violence or serious alarm or distress in
the mind of such person, or interferes with the mental peace of such person, commits
the offence of stalking:
Provided that the course of conduct will not amount to stalking if the person who
pursued it shows
that it was pursued for the purpose of preventing or detecting crime and the person
accused of stalking had been entrusted with the responsibility of prevention and
detection of crime by the state; or
that it was pursued under any law or to comply with any condition or
In similar cases where a person threw acid on someone causing great amount of damage and dispair, the
courts have confirmed as well as awarded life in prison to
the accused one such case is of State of Karnataka vs Joseph Rodrigues 5, where the Karnataka HC confirmed
that such ghastly attacks are punishable by life in prison.
XI. In Mahesh v. State of M.P 6. reported in the Hon'ble Supreme Court while considering death sentence
observed thus: It will be a mockery of Justice to permit the accused the escape the extreme penalty of law when
faced with such evidence and such cruel acts. To give the lesser punishment for the accused would be to render the
justice system of this country suspect. The common man will lose faith in Courts. In such
State of Karnataka by Jalahalli Police Station Vs.Respondent: Joseph Rodrigues S/o V.Z. Rodrigues, Criminal Appeal
Nos. 1065, 1066 and 1239/2004
MANU/SC/0246/1987 : (1987) 3 SCC 80
cases, he understands and appreciates the language of deterrence more than the reformative jargon.
Therefore, undue sympathy to impose inadequate sentence would do more harm to the justice system to
undermine the public confidence in the efficacy of law, and society could not long endure such serious
threats. The duty of every Court to award proper sentence having regard to the nature of the offence and the
manner in which it urns executed or committed etc. (see Sevak Perumal v. State of T.N.). The criminal law
adheres in general to the principle of proportionality in prescribing liability according to the culpability of
each kind of criminal conduct.
XII. In Jashubha Bharatsinha v. state of Gujarat 7 the Hon'ble Supreme Court observed: The Courts are
required to answer new challenges and mould the sentencing system to meet these challenges. The object
should be to protect the society and to deter the criminal in achieving the avowed defect of law by imposing
appropriate sentence. It is expected that the Courts would operate the sentencing system so as to impose such
sentence which reflects the conscience of the society.
XIII. In the case of Ravji v. state of Rajasthan 8 it is held that It is the nature and gravity of the
crime and not the criminal, which art germane for consideration of appropriate punishment in a
criminal trial. The Court will be failing in if duty if appropriate punishment is not awarded for a
crime which has been committed not only against the individual but also against the society to
which the criminal and the victim belong .
(3) Compensation awarded by the Sessions Court to the victim under Sec 326A IPC in
addition to compensation to be paid by the State Government under Sec 357A CrPC should
be enhanced.
It is humbly submitted to this court that the compensation awarded to Reema by the Sessions Court should
be enhanced as per Sec 326A the compensation should be
8
7
sufficient to support the medical treatment of the victim, however the given
compensation of two lacs (2,00,000/-) is not sufficient as the expenditure occurred is
over six lacs (6,50,000/-) and further treatment needs to be done which includes fifteen
more surgeries. The court is requested to enhance the compensation to three lacs and
fifty thousand (3,50,000/-) along with the compensation which the state needs to pay as
per Sec 357A CrPC.
As argued in argument 2 it is clear that Ramesh was guilty of causing grievous hurt by
throwing acid on Reema the damage is grave and beyond full repair. Physical, emotional
and mental damage aside there is a lot of monetary damage which Reema and her family
have suffered because of this attack. Reema has already undergone 6 surgeries which have
cost the family over six and a half lac Rupees (6,50,000/-), the doctors have stated that there
will be need for 10-15 more surgeries and further ongoing treatment. Reema has also lost her
left eye and has permanent scars on her hands and face. Reema's father has lost his job
because of extended leave for Reema's treatment. Reema's father also has 2 younger
daughters to support. The damage and distress caused to Reema and her family is beyond
measure and repair.
Although no amount of compensation will bring Reema's life back to as it was before the
attack, however it is her right under Sec 326A to get compensation from Ramesh to meet her
medical expenditure. The appellant submits to this hon'ble court to order the respondent to
three and a half lacs Rupees (3,50,000/-) as compensation to Reema, immediately for her
medical treatment.
IV. The appellant also submits to this hon'ble court to order the state authorities to pay
the compensation to Reema which she is entitled to under S357A (2) CrPC same was
ordered by the HC. Sec 357A (2) CrPC states that '(2) Whenever a recommendation is made by the Court for compensation, the District Legal Service
Authority or the State Legal Service Authority, as the case may be, shall decide the quantum of
compensation to be awarded under the scheme referred
-Written Submission on Behalf of The Appellant-
to in sub-section (1).'
As stated in the judgment by this hon'ble court by hon'ble Justice RM Lodha in the
case, Laxmi Vs. Union Of India & others 9- That the current compensation package of all states
and UTs ranging between Rs 5,000 and Rs 1.5 lakh is inadequate to meet costs of
treatment and rehabilitation. The judgment also reiterated that Rs. 1 lac of the compensation
must be paid by the authorities within 15 days of the attack being reported. The judgment says It cannot be overlooked that acid attack victims need to undergo a series of plastic surgeries
and other corrective treatment. With regard to this, the solicitor general suggested that the
compensation amount to be paid by states to acid attack victims must be enhanced to at least Rs
3 lakh, The balance of Rs 2 lakh shall be paid by the state or Union Territory concerned as
expeditiously as possible and positively within two months of the incident.
VI. Keeping this hon'ble court's judgment as reference apparent submits that the court may order the
state government to pay compensation to Reema immediately in addition to the compensation to be paid
by Ramesh under sec 326A IPC.
Permission should be given to add the charge under Sec 366 IPC.
It is humbly submitted to this court that permission may be granted to add the charge under Sec
366 IPC against Ramesh. Sec 366 IPC deals with kidnapping, abducting or inducing women to
compel her marriage. As per Sec 366 IPC Rameshs plan and actions clearly had the intention to
forcefully marry Reema against her will with coercion.
This honble Court has the power to add or alter any charge at any time before judgement is
pronounced under sec 216 CrPC.
and marry her forcefully. On 24th March Ramesh along with Mahesh executed this plan and found
Reema alone and attempted an abduction. This clearly proves that the intention to abduct was very
much present. This incident will come under the ambit of Sec 366 as a case of abduction as Reema
happened to be eighteen years, whereas kidnapping applies to only minors.
IV. This honble court held in the case of Khalil-Ur-Rahman and Hazarika v State of Assam that
once the necessary intention of the accused is established the offence is complete, whether or not
the accused succeeded in effecting his purpose, and whether or not in the event the woman
consented to the marriage or the illicit intercourse. 10
The given situation is strinkingly similar to cases cited - though accused did not successfully abducted Reema and
compel her to marry against her wishes but accused must be charged under Sec 366 IPC as the intention was clear.
The intention of the accused is the basis and the graveness of an offence under this section. The
10
Khalil-Ur-Rahman, (1933) 11Rang. 213, Moniram Hazarika v State of Assam, (2004) 5 SCC 120; 2004 Cr LJ 2553.
violation, the intention and the conduct of the accused determine the offence. The only bear upon
the intent which the accused kidnapped or abducted the woman, and the intent of the accused is the
vital question for determining the case. Intention is a matter of inference from the circumstances of
the case and the subsequent conduct of the accused after abduction has taken place.
VI. In order to constitute offence of abduction a person must be carried off illegally by force or
deception that is to compel a person by force or deceitful means to induce to go from one place to
another as judged in the case of Rajinder v state of Maharashtra 11.
VII. To constitute the offence under section 366, it is necessary for the prosecution to prove that the accused
induced the complainant woman or compelled by force to go from any place, that such inducement was by
deceitful means, that such abduction took place with the intent that complainant will be compelled to marry.
12
VIII. Knowledge on the part of the accused at the time of abduction or kidnapping that the woman
would be compelled to marry against her will is sufficient to constitue an offence under this section
13
IX. It is humbly submitted before the honble Supreme Court of India to add a new charge under
Sec 366 IPC in the trial of this case. As Ramesh had a intention and knowledge along with Mahesh
to abduct Reema and forcefully take her to the temple for marrying her without the information to
her parents.
This clearly shows that Ramesh used force to compel her to accompany him to the temple where he wanted
to marry her. This proves beyond doubt that Ramesh has committed the offence under Sec 366 IPC, the same
has been overlooked by the
Rajinder v state of Maharashtra
Ratanlal & Dhirajlals Law of Crimes, A commentary on The Indian Penal Code, 1860 26 th edition, Pg 2020.
(1953-54) 6 SauLR 329(333)(DB).
competent authority which framed the initial charges as well as the honble Sessions
Court and honble HC.
PRAYER
Wherefore in the light of the issues raised, argument advanced, reasons given and Authorities cited,
this honble court may be pleased to:
Pronounce Ramesh as guilty under Sec 326 r/w Sec 34 and Sec 354D IPC and sentence him to life
imprisonment.
Enhance the compensation to be paid by the accused under Sec 326A IPC to the victim to Rupees
three lac fifty thousand along with the compensation to be paid by the State Government under Sec
357A CrPC.
To grant permission to add charge under Sec 366 IPC.
To pass any other order which the Hon'ble Court may deem fit in the light of Justice, Equity and
Good Conscience.
For this Act of kindness, the respondent shall forever humbly pray.
All of which is respectfully submitted.