Lawgist153Exclusion of evidence to contradict answers 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 after wards 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.
Illustrations
(a) A claim against an underwriter is resisted on the ground of fraud.
The claimant is asked whether, in a former transaction, he had not made a fraudulent claim. He denies it.
Evidence is offered to show that he did make such a claim.
The evidence is inadmissible
(b) A witness is asked whether he was not dismissed from a situation for dishonesty.
He denies it.
Evidence is offered to show that he was dismissed for dishonesty.
The evidence is not admissible.
(c) A affirms that on a certain day he saw B at Lahore.
A is asked whether he himself was not on that day at Calcutta. He denies it.
Evidence is offered to show that A was on that day at Calcutta.
The evidence is admissible, not as contradicting A on a fact which affects his credit, but as contradicting the alleged fact that B was seen on the day in question in Lahore.
In each of these cases the witness might, if his denial was false, be charged with giving false evidence.
(d) A is asked whether his family has not had a bloodfeud with the family of B against whom he gives evidence.
He denies it. He may be contradicted on the ground that the question tends to impeach his impartiality.
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- 135 Order of production and examination of witnesses
- 136 Judge to decide as to admissibility of evidence
- 137 Examination-in-chief
- 138 Order of examinations
- 139 Cross-examination of person called to produce a document
- 140 Witnesses to character
- 141 Leading questions
- 142 When they must not be asked
- 143 When they may be asked
- 144 Evidence as to matters in writing
- 145 Cross-examination as to previous statements in writing
- 146 Questions lawful in cross-examination
- 147 When witness to be compelled to answer
- 148 Court to decide when question shall be asked and when witness compelled to answer
- 149 Question not to be asked without reasonable grounds
- 150 Procedure of Court in case of question being asked without reasonable grounds
- 151 Indecent and scandalous questions
- 152 Questions intended to insult or annoy
- 153 Exclusion of evidence to contradict answers to questions testing veracity
- 154 Question by party to his own witness
- 155 Impeaching credit of witness
- 156 Questions tending to corroborate evidence of relevant fact, admissible
- 157 Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact
- 158 What matters may be proved in connection with proved statement relevant under section 32 or 33
- 159 Refreshing memory
- 160 Testimony to facts stated in document mentioned in section159
- 161 Right of adverse party as to writing used to refresh memory
- 162 Production of documents
- 163 Giving, as evidence, of document called for and produced on notice
- 164 Using, as evidence, of document production of which was refused on notice
- 165 Judge’s power to put questions or order production
- 166 Power of jury or assessors to put questions
