Library/BSA/Section 13
Section 13PopularSubstantive

Facts bearing on question whether act was accidental or intentional

Full Text

When there is a question whether an act was accidental or intentional, or done with a particular knowledge or intention, the fact that such act formed part of a series of similar occurrences, in each of which the person doing the act was concerned, is relevant.

Illustrations.
(a) A is accused of burning down his house in order to obtain money for which it is insured. The facts that A lived in several houses successively each of which he insured, in each of which a fire occurred, and after each of which fires A received payment from a different insurance company, are relevant, as tending to show that the fires were not accidental.
(b) A is employed to receive money from the debtors of B. He makes a false entry showing he received less than he really did. The facts that other entries made by A in the same book are false, and that the false entry is in each case in favour of A, are relevant.
(c) A is accused of fraudulently delivering to B a counterfeit currency. The facts that, soon before or soon after the delivery to B, A delivered counterfeit currency to C, D and E are relevant, as showing that the delivery to B was not accidental.

Plain English Summary

Admits evidence of a series of similar acts to prove intent and rule out accident.

Key Legal Elements

  • Accidental vs Intentional question
  • Series of similar occurrences
  • Commonality of the actor
  • Proving knowledge or intent

Practical Note

Highly relevant in white-collar crimes and insurance fraud. It prevents the accused from claiming a "one-off" mistake.

हिंदी पाठ

जब यह प्रश्न हो कि क्या कोई कार्य आकस्मिक था या साशय, या किसी विशेष ज्ञान या आशय से किया गया था, तो यह तथ्य कि ऐसा कार्य समान घटनाओं की एक श्रृंखला का हिस्सा था, जिनमें से प्रत्येक में कार्य करने वाला व्यक्ति संबंधित था, सुसंगत है।

दृष्टांत:
(क) A पर बीमा राशि के लिए अपना घर जलाने का आरोप है। यह तथ्य कि A कई घरों में रहा जिनमें से प्रत्येक का उसने बीमा कराया था और प्रत्येक में आग लगी थी, यह दिखाने के लिए सुसंगत है कि आग आकस्मिक नहीं थी।
(ख) A को धन प्राप्त करने के लिए नियुक्त किया गया है। वह गलत प्रविष्टि करता है। यह तथ्य कि उसी बही में A द्वारा की गई अन्य प्रविष्टियां भी गलत हैं और प्रत्येक मामले में A के पक्ष में हैं, सुसंगत है।
(ग) A पर जाली मुद्रा देने का आरोप है। यह तथ्य कि A ने C, D और E को भी जाली मुद्रा दी थी, यह दिखाने के लिए सुसंगत है कि B को दी गई मुद्रा आकस्मिक नहीं थी।