Chapter 10

Question 1

Heading of chapter 10

Answer 1

Of examination of witnesses

Question 2

How many provisions are there in Chapter 10

Answer 2

135 to 166
31

Question 3

135

Answer 3

Order of production and examination of witness.
The order in which witness are produced and examined shall be regulated by the law and practice for the time being relating to civil and criminal procedure respectively, and in the absence of any such law, by the discretion of the Court.

Question 4

Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence.

Answer 4

136. Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence.
     When either party proposes to give evidence of any fact, the Judge may ask the party proposing to give the evidence in what manner the alleged fact, if proved, would be relevant; and the Judge shall admit the evidence if he thinks that the fact, if proved, would be relevant, and not otherwise.

If the fact proposed to be proved is one of which evidence is admissible only upon proof of some other fact, such last-mentioned fact must be proved before evidence is given of the fact first mentioned, unless the party undertakes to give proof of such fact and the Court is satisfied with such undertaking.

If the relevancy of the alleged fact depends upon another alleged fact being first proved, the Judge may, in his discretion, either permit evidence of the first fact to be given before the second fact is proved or acquire evidence to be given of the second fact before evidence is given of the first fact.

Question 5

Examination-in-chief.

Answer 5

137. Examination-in-chief.
     The examination of a witness, by the party who calls him, shall be called his examination-in-chief.

Cross-examination- The examination of a witness by the adverse party shall be called his cross- examination.

Re-examination- The examination of a witness, subsequent to the cross-examination by the party who called him, shall be called his re-examination.

Question 6

Order of examinations.

Answer 6

138. Order of examinations.
     Witnesses shall be first examined-in-chief then (if the adverse party so desires) cross- examined, then (if the party calling him so desires) re-examined.
     The examination and cross-examination must relate to relevant facts but the cross- examination need not to be confined to the facts which the witness testified on his examination-in-chief

Question 7

Cross-examination of person called to produce a document.

Answer 7

139. Cross-examination of person called to produce a document.
     A person summoned to produce a document does not become a witness by the mere fact that he produces it, and cannot be cross-examination, unless and until he is called as a witness.

Question 8

140

Answer 8

Witness to character.
Witnesses to character may be cross-examined and re-examined.

Question 9

Leading questions.
Leading question- Any questions suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive is called a leading question.

Answer 9

141

Question 10

When they must not be asked.
They means leading question

Answer 10

142. When they must not be asked.
     Leading questions must not, if objected by the adverse party, be asked in an examination-in-chief, or in re-examination, except with the permission of the Court.
     The Court shall permit leading questions as to matters which are introductory or undisputed or which have, in its opinion, been already sufficiently proved.

Question 11

When they must be asked.
Leading questions may be asked in cross-examination.

Answer 11

143

Question 12

144

Answer 12

Evidence as to matters in writing.
Any witness may be asked while under examination, whether any contract, grant or other disposition of property as to which he is giving evidence, was not contained in a document, and if he says that it was, or if he is about to make any statement as to the contents of any document, which, in the opinion of the Court, ought to be produced, the adverse party may object to such evidence being given until such document is produced, or until facts have been proved which entitle the party who called the witness to give secondary evidence of it.

Question 13

Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing.

Answer 13

145145. Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing.
        A witness may be cross-examined as to previous statements made by him in writing or reduced into writing and relevant to matter in question, without such writing being shown to him, or being proved; but if it is intended to contradict him by the writing, his attention must, before the writing can be proved, be called to those parts of it which are to be used for the purpose of contradicting him.

Question 14

Questions lawful in cross-examination.

Answer 14

146. Questions lawful in cross-examination.
     When a witness is cross-examined, he may, in addition to the questions hereinbefore referred to, be asked any questions which tend-
     (1) to test his veracity,
     (2) to discover who he is and what is his position in life,
     (3) to shake his credit, by injuring his character, although the answer to such questions might tend directly or indirectly to criminate him or might expose or tend directly or indirectly to expose him to a penalty or forfeiture-

Question 15

What does the price of 146 provides for

Answer 15

Provided that in a prosecution for an offence under section 376, section 376A, section1 376AB, section 376B, section 376C, section 376D, section 376DA, section 376DB or section 376E of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860) or for attempt to commit any such offence, where the question of consent is an issue, it shall not be permissible to adduce evidence or to put questions in the cross-examination of the victim as to the general immoral character, or previous sexual experience, of such victim with any person for proving such consent or the quality of consent.

Question 16

Exclusion of evidence to contradict answer to questions testing veracity.

Answer 16

153. Exclusion of evidence to contradict answer to questions testing veracity.
     When a witness has been asked and has answered any question which is relevant to the inquiry only in so far as it tends to shake his credit by injuring his character, no evidence shall be given to contradict him, but if he answers falsely, he may afterwards be charged with giving false evidence.
     Exception 1
     If a witness is asked whether he has been previously convicted of any crime and denies it, evidence may be given of his previous conviction.
     Exception 2
     If a witness is asked any question tending to impeach his impartiality, and answers it by denying the facts suggested, he may be contradicted.

Question 17

Question by party of his own witness.

Answer 17

154. Question by party of his own witness.
     The Court may, in its discretion, permit the person who calls a witness to put any question to him which might be put in cross-examination by the adverse party.

Nothing in this section shall disentitle the person so permitted under sub-section (1), to rely on any part of the evidence of such witness

Question 18

Impeaching credit of witness.

Answer 18

155. Impeaching credit of witness.
     The credit of a witness may be impeached in the following ways by the adverse party, or with the consent of the Court, by the party who calls him-
     (1) By the evidence of persons who testify that they, from their knowledge of the witness believe him to be unworthy of credit.

(2) By proof that the witness has been bribed, or has accepted the offer of a bribe, or has received any other corrupt inducement to give his evidence.

(3) By proof of former statements inconsistent with any part of his evidence which is liable to be contradicted;

Explanation-
A witness declaring another witness to be unworthy of credit may not, upon his examination-in-chief, give reasons for his belief, but he may be asked his reasons in cross-examination, and the answers which he gives cannot be contradicted, though, if they are false, he may afterwards be charged with giving false evidence.

Question 19

Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible.

Answer 19

156. Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible.
     When a witness whom it is intended to corroborate gives evidence of any relevant fact, he may be questioned as to any other circumstances which he observed at or near to the time or place at which such relevant fact occurred, if the Court is of opinion that such circumstances, if proved, would corroborate the testimony of the witness as to the relevant fact which he testifies.

Question 20

147

Answer 20

When witness to be compelled to answer.
If any such question relates to a matter relevant to the suit or proceeding the provisions of Section 132 shall apply thereto

Question 21

148

Answer 21

148. Court to decide when question shall be asked and when witness compelled to answer.
     If any such question relates to matter not relevant to the suit or proceeding, except in so far it affects the credit of the witness by injuring his character, the Court shall decide whether or not the witness shall be compelled to answer it and may, if it thinks fit, warn the witness that he is not obliged to answer it. In exercising its discretion the Court shall have regard to the following considerations-

Question 22

Three considerations of 148

Answer 22

(1) Such questions are proper if they are of such nature that the truth of the imputation conveyed by them would seriously affect the opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter to which he testifies

(2)Such questions are improper if the imputation conveyed by them relates to matter so remote in time or of such a character that the truth of the imputation would not affect or would affect in a slight degree, the opinion of the Court as to the credibility of the witness on the matter to which he testifies.

(3)Such questions are improper if there is a great disproportion between the importance of the imputations made against the witness’s character and the importance of his evidence.

(4)The court may if it sees fit, draw from the witness’s refusal to answer, the inference that the answer if given would be unfavourable

Question 23

Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds.

Answer 23

149. Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds.
     No such question as is referred to in Section 148 ought to be asked, unless the person asking it has reasonable grounds for thinking that the imputation which it conveys is well-founded

Question 24

150

Answer 24

150. Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds.
     If the court is of opinion that any such question asked was without reasonable grounds, it may, if it was asked by any barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney report the circumstances of the case to the High court or other authority to which barrister, pleader, vakil or attorney is subject in the exercise of his profession.

Question 25

151.

Answer 25

151. Indecent and scandalous questions.
     The Court may forbid any question or inquiries which it regards as indecent or scandalous, although such questions or inquiries may have some bearing on the questions before the Court unless they relate to fact in issue or to matters necessary to be known in order to determine whether or not the facts in issue existed.

Question 26

152

Answer 26

152. Question intended to insult or annoy.
     The Court shall forbid any question which appears to it to be intended to insult or annoy, or which, though proper in itself, appears to the Court needlessly offensive in form.

Question 27

Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible

Answer 27

156. Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible.
     When a witness whom it is intended to corroborate gives evidence of any relevant fact, he may be questioned as to any other circumstances which he observed at or near to the time or place at which such relevant fact occurred, if the Court is of opinion that such circumstances, if proved, would corroborate the testimony of the witness as to the relevant fact which he testifies.

Question 28

157

Answer 28

Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact.
In order to corroborate the testimony of a witness, any former statement made by such witness relating to the same fact, at or about the time when the fact took place, or before any authority legally competent to investigate the fact, may be proved.

Question 29

158

Answer 29

What matters may be proved in connection with proved statement relevant under Section 32 or 33.
Whenever any statement relevant under Section 32 or 33 is proved, all matters may be proved either in order to contradict or to corroborate, or in order to impeach or confirm the credit of the person by whom it was made, which might have been proved if that person had been called as a witness and had denied upon cross-examination the truth of the matter suggested.

Question 30

Refreshing memory.

Answer 30

159. Refreshing memory.
     A witness may, while under examination refresh his memory by referring to any writing made by himself at the time of the transaction concerning which he questioned, or so soon afterwards that the Court considers it likely that the transaction was at that time fresh in his memory.

Question 31

160

Answer 31

Testimony to facts stated in document mentioned in Section 159.
A witness may also testify to facts mentioned in any such document as is mentioned in Section 159, although he has no specific recollection of the facts themselves, if he is sure that the facts were correctly recorded in the document.

Question 32

161

Answer 32

Right of adverse party as to writing used to refresh memory.
Any writing referred to under the provisions of the two last preceding sections must be produced and shown to the adverse party if he requires it; such party may, if he pleases, cross-examine the witness there upon.

Question 33

Production of document.

Answer 33

162. Production of document.
     A witness summoned to produce a document shall, if it is in his possession or power, bring it to the Court, notwithstanding any objection which there may be to its production or to its admissibility. The validity of any such objection shall be decided on by the Court.
     The Court, if it sees, fit, may inspect the document, unless it refers to matters of State, or take other evidence to enable it to determine on its admissibility.

Translation of documents-
If for such a purpose it is necessary to cause any document to be translated, the Court may, if it thinks fit, direct the translator to keep the contents secret, unless the document is to be given in evidence and, if the interpreter disobeys such direction, he shall be held to have committed an offence under Section 166 of the Indian Penal Code.

Question 34

163

Answer 34

Giving as evidence, of document called for and produced on notice.
When a party calls for a document which he has given the other party notice to produce, and such document is produced and inspected by the party calling for its production, he is bound to give it as evidence if the party producing it requires him to do so.

Question 35

. Using, as evidence, of document, production of which was refused on notice

Answer 35

164. Using, as evidence, of document, production of which was refused on notice.
     When a party refuses to produce a document which he has had notice to produce, he cannot afterwards use the document as evidence without the consent of the other party or the order of the Court.

Question 36

165

Answer 36

Judge’s power to put questions or order production.
The Judge may, in order to discover or to obtain proper proof of relevant facts, ask any question he pleases, in any form at any time, of any witness, or of the parties about any fact relevant or irrelevant; and may order the production of any document or thing; and neither the parties nor their agents shall be entitled to make any objection to any such question or order, nor, without the leave of the Court, The cross-examine any witness upon any answer given in reply to any such question;

Provided that the judgment must be based upon facts declared by this Act to be relevant, and duly proved;

Provided also that this Section shall not authorise an Judge to compel any witness to answer any question or produce any document which such witness would be entitled to refuse to answer or produce under Sections 121 to 131, both inclusive, if the questions were asked or the documents were called for by the adverse party; nor shall the Judge ask any question which it would be improper for any other person to ask under Section 148 or 149; nor shall he dispense with primary evidence of any document, except in the cases herein before excepted.

Question 37

Power of jury or assessors to put questions.

Answer 37

166. Power of jury or assessors to put questions.
     In cases tried by jury or with assessors, the jury or assessors may put any question to the witnesses, through or by leave of the Judge, which the judge himself might put and which he considers proper