Indecent and scandalous questions
Full Text
The Court may forbid any questions or inquiries which it regards as indecent or scandalous, although such questions or inquiries may have some bearing on the questions before the Court, unless they relate to facts in issue, or to matters necessary to be known in order to determine whether or not the facts in issue existed.
Plain English Summary
Allows the Court to prohibit indecent or scandalous questions unless they relate directly to the core facts in issue.
Key Legal Elements
- Grants the Court power to forbid indecent or scandalous questions or inquiries.
- Applies even if the questions have some logical bearing or relevance on the matter before the Court.
- Carves out an exception if the questions relate directly to 'facts in issue' or essential facts required to determine their existence.
Practical Note
Use this section to protect your client or witness from offensive, highly personal, or indecent questions during cross-examination. Even if the opposing counsel argues the question is logically relevant, if it is indecent or scandalous, you must raise an objection under Section 154. The Court is legally mandated to disallow such questions unless they are absolutely central to proving the core crime or civil dispute itself (the 'facts in issue').
हिंदी पाठ
न्यायालय ऐसे किन्हीं भी प्रश्नों या जांचों को निषेध कर सकेगा जिन्हें वह अशिष्ट या कलंकात्मक समझता है, भले ही ऐसे प्रश्नों या जांचों का न्यायालय के समक्ष के प्रश्नों पर कुछ असर पड़ता हो, जब तक कि वे विवादक तथ्यों से या ऐसे विषयों से संबंधित न हों जिनका जाना यह अवधारित करने के लिए आवश्यक हो कि विवादक तथ्य अस्तित्व में थे या नहीं।