Fakru @ Fakrudeen @ Menu @ Monu vs. State of NCT of Delhi
Background
In 2011, a PCR police van intercepted a tempo suspected of illegally transporting cattle at night. According to police witnesses, the occupants threatened the officers, then reversed and rammed the tempo into the police vehicle before fleeing. The appellant was implicated later based on a co-accused's disclosure statement and was convicted of attempt to murder and obstructing public servants.
Decision Breakdown
The appellant cited minor inconsistencies among police witnesses, non-examination of a fourth officer, fog affecting visibility, and absence of injuries to police. The High Court held these were trivial discrepancies that didn't undermine the core, consistent account, independently corroborated by the damaged police van and a mechanical inspection report. Section 307 doesn't require proof of actual injury; intent can be inferred from deliberately ramming a vehicle into people after a threat. The conviction and sentence were upheld.
Lesson Learnt
Deliberately ramming a vehicle into people after threatening them can amount to attempted murder even if no one is actually injured: courts look at the intent behind the act, not just its physical outcome.