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Section 148 - Indian Evidence Act, 1872
148. Court to decide when question shall be asked and when witness compelled to answer
If any such question relates to a matter not relevant to the suit or proceeding, except in so far as 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:-
(1) such questions are proper if they are of such a nature that the truth of the imputation conveyed by them would seriously affect the opinion of the Courts as to the credibility of the witness or the matter to which testifies;
(2) Such questions are improper if the imputation which they convey relates to matters 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 imputation made against the witness's character and the importance of his evidence;
(4) the Court may, if it sees fit, draw, from the witnesss refusal to answer, the inference that the answer if given would be unfavorable.
Related Sections
- Section 13: Facts relevant when right or custom is in question
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- Section 16: Existence of course of business when relevant
- Section 69: Proof where no attesting witness found
- Section 24: Confession caused by inducement, threat or promise when irrelevant in criminal proceedings
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