Leading questions
Full Text
(1) Any question suggesting the answer which the person putting it wishes or expects to receive, is called a leading question.
(2) Leading questions must not, if objected to by the adverse party, be asked in an examination-in-chief, or in a re-examination, except with the permission of the Court.
(3) The Court shall permit leading questions as to matters which are introductory or undisputed, or which have, in its opinion, been already sufficiently proved.
(4) Leading questions may be asked in cross-examination.
Plain English Summary
Defines leading questions as those suggesting the desired answer, prohibiting them in chief and re-examination upon objection, but permitting them in cross-examination.
Key Legal Elements
- Defines leading questions as any question that suggests its own desired or expected answer.
- Prohibits leading questions in Chief and Re-examination if the opposing party objects, unless the Court permits them.
- Mandates the Court to allow leading questions for introductory, undisputed, or already proved matters.
- Expressly permits leading questions to be asked freely during Cross-examination.
Practical Note
This is the primary source of the common trial objection: 'Objection, Your Honor, leading question!' During examination-in-chief, advocates must ask open-ended questions (e.g., 'Where were you at 8 PM?') rather than leading ones (e.g., 'Were you at the market at 8 PM?'). However, leading questions are the primary weapon in cross-examination, allowing the cross-examiner to control the hostile witness and elicit specific admissions. Note that simple leading questions on introductory matters (like a witness's name or address) cannot be blocked by trivial objections.
हिंदी पाठ
(1) कोई प्रश्न, जो उस उत्तर को सुझाता है जिसे पूछने वाला व्यक्ति पाने की इच्छा करता है या पाने की आशा करता है, सूचक प्रश्न कहलाता है।
(2) यदि विरोधी पक्षकार द्वारा आपत्ति की जाए, तो सूचक प्रश्न मुख्य परीक्षा में या पुनःपरीक्षा में, न्यायालय की अनुमति के बिना नहीं पूछे जाने चाहिए।
(3) न्यायालय उन मामलों के बारे में सूचक प्रश्नों की अनुमति देगा जो परिचयात्मक या निर्विवाद हैं, या जो उसकी राय में पहले ही पर्याप्त रूप से साबित हो चुके हैं।
(4) सूचक प्रश्न प्रतिपरीक्षा में पूछे जा सकेंगे।