Former statements of witness may be proved to corroborate later testimony as to same fact
Full Text
In order to corroborate the testimony of a witness, any former statement made by such witness relating to the same fact, at or about the time when the fact took place, or before any authority legally competent to investigate the fact, may be proved.
Plain English Summary
Allows a witness's prior statements to be proved to corroborate their current courtroom testimony if made near the event or to competent investigators.
Key Legal Elements
- Allows a witness's previous statement to be proved to corroborate their current court testimony.
- Requires that the former statement was made either (a) at or about the time of the event, or (b) before an authority legally competent to investigate it.
- Establishes that such previous statements (like FIRs or police statements) do not constitute substantive evidence on their own but are highly valuable for corroboration.
Practical Note
This is a vital trial tool. Remember, an FIR (First Information Report) is not substantive evidence, but under Section 160 of the BSA, it is the primary instrument used by the prosecution to corroborate the informant's testimony. If your witness is testifying in court, you can prove their contemporary diary entries, letters, or statements given to the police or executive magistrate to corroborate and reinforce their version. To be admissible under this section, the statement must be made 'at or about the time' (ensuring no time for tutoring or cooked-up stories) or before a competent investigating officer.
हिंदी पाठ
साक्षी की गवाही की सम्पुष्टि करने के लिए, ऐसे साक्षी द्वारा उसी तथ्य से संबंधित कोई भी पूर्व कथन, जो उस समय या उसके आसपास जब वह तथ्य घटित हुआ था, अथवा उस तथ्य का अन्वेषण करने के लिए कानूनी रूप से सक्षम किसी प्राधिकारी के समक्ष किया गया था, साबित किया जा सकेगा।