Library/BSA/Section 128
Section 128PopularProcedural

Communications during marriage

Full Text

No person who is or has been married, shall be compelled to disclose any communication made to him during marriage by any person to whom he is or has been married; nor shall he be permitted to disclose any such communication, unless the person who made it, or his representative in interest, consents, except in suits between married persons, or proceedings in which one married person is prosecuted for any crime committed against the other.

Plain English Summary

Confidential communications between spouses during marriage are privileged. Neither spouse can be forced to disclose them, nor can they disclose them voluntarily without consent, except in disputes between themselves or crimes against each other.

Key Legal Elements

  • Applies to current or former spouses
  • Communication made during marriage
  • Protection against compelled disclosure
  • Protection against voluntary disclosure without consent
  • Exceptions: Suits between spouses or crimes against each other

Practical Note

This is 'Spousal Privilege'. It protects the sanctity of marriage by ensuring private conversations remain private. It continues even after divorce ('has been married'). However, it doesn't apply if one spouse is suing the other or if one has committed a crime against the other (e.g., domestic violence).

हिंदी पाठ

विवाहित स्थिति के दौरान की गई संसूचनाएं — कोई भी व्यक्ति, जो विवाहित है या रहा है, किसी ऐसी संसूचना को प्रकट करने के लिए विवश नहीं किया जाएगा जो विवाह की स्थिति के दौरान उसे उस व्यक्ति द्वारा दी गई थी जिससे वह विवाहित है या रहा है; और न वह ऐसी किसी संसूचना को प्रकट करने के लिए अनुज्ञात किया जाएगा, जब तक कि वह व्यक्ति जिसने वह संसूचना दी थी, या उसका हित-प्रतिनिधि सम्मति न दे दे, सिवाय उन वादों के जो विवाहित व्यक्तियों के बीच हों या उन कार्यवाहियों के जिनमें एक विवाहित व्यक्ति दूसरे के विरुद्ध किए गए किसी अपराध के लिए अभियोजित किया गया हो।