Section 138 - Indian Evidence Act, 1872

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 be confined to the facts to which the witness testified on his examination –in-Chief.

Direction of re-examination - The re-examination shall be directed to the explanation of matters referred to in cross-examination ; and , if new matter is, by permission of the Court, introduced in-re-examination, the adverse party may further cross-examine upon that matter.