Witness unable to communicate verbally
Full Text
A witness who is unable to speak may give his evidence in any other manner in which he can make it intelligible, as by writing or by signs; but such writing must be written and the signs made in open Court and evidence so given shall be deemed to be oral evidence:
Provided that if the witness is unable to communicate verbally, the Court shall take the assistance of an interpreter or a special educator in recording the statement, and such statement shall be videographed.
Plain English Summary
Witnesses who cannot speak can give evidence via writing or signs in open court. This is treated as oral evidence and must be videographed with help from an interpreter.
Key Legal Elements
- Evidence by signs or writing if unable to speak
- Must be done in open Court
- Deemed to be oral evidence
- Mandatory videography
- Assistance of interpreter/special educator required
Practical Note
Known as the 'Dumb Witness' rule in old texts. BSA has modernized this (from IEA 119) by making videography and the assistance of a special educator/interpreter mandatory, ensuring better accessibility and record integrity.
हिंदी पाठ
बोलने में अक्षम साक्षी — कोई साक्षी, जो बोलने में असमर्थ है, अपना साक्ष्य किसी अन्य प्रकार से, जिसमें वह उसे बोधगम्य बना सकता है, जैसे कि लिखकर या संकेतों द्वारा, दे सकेगा, किन्तु ऐसा लेखन खुले न्यायालय में लिखना होगा और ऐसे संकेत खुले न्यायालय में करने होंगे और इस प्रकार दिया गया साक्ष्य मौखिक साक्ष्य माना जाएगा :
परन्तु यह कि यदि साक्षी मौखिक रूप से संसूचित करने में असमर्थ है, तो न्यायालय कथन को अभिलिखित करने में किसी दुभाषिए या किसी विशेष शिक्षक की सहायता लेगा और ऐसे कथन की वीडियोग्राफी की जाएगी।