Privilege not waived by volunteering evidence
Full Text
If any party to a suit gives evidence therein at his own instance or otherwise, he shall not be deemed to have consented thereby to such disclosure as is mentioned in section 132; and, if any party to a suit or proceeding calls any such advocate, as a witness, he shall be deemed to have consented to such disclosure only if he questions such advocate, on matters which, but for such question, he would not be at liberty to disclose.
Plain English Summary
Giving evidence in court does not automatically waive advocate-client privilege. Privilege is only waived if the client specifically questions the advocate about confidential matters.
Key Legal Elements
- Voluntary evidence by party is not waiver of privilege
- Calling advocate as witness is not automatic waiver
- Waiver occurs only if advocate is questioned on privileged matters
- Protects sanctity of Section 132
Practical Note
This protects clients from accidental waiver of privilege. Simply getting in the witness box doesn't mean your lawyer can now be forced to tell everything. Waiver only happens if you 'open the door' by asking your lawyer about those specific secrets.
हिंदी पाठ
साक्ष्य देने के लिए स्वयं को प्रस्थापित करने से विशेषाधिकार का अधित्यजन नहीं हो जाता — यदि किसी वाद का कोई पक्षकार अपने ही प्रेरणा पर या अन्यथा उसमें साक्ष्य देता है, तो यह नहीं समझा जाएगा कि उसने तद्द्वारा ऐसे प्रकटीकरण के लिए सम्मति दे दी है जैसा धारा 132 में वर्णित है; और यदि किसी वाद या कार्यवाही का कोई पक्षकार किसी ऐसे अधिवक्ता को साक्षी के रूप में बुलाता है, तो यह नहीं समझा जाएगा कि उसने ऐसे प्रकटीकरण के लिए सम्मति दे दी है, जब तक कि वह ऐसे अधिवक्ता से उन विषयों पर प्रश्न न पूछे जिन्हें, ऐसे प्रश्न के अभाव में, प्रकट करने के लिए वह स्वतंत्र न होता।