Refreshing memory
Full Text
(1) A witness may, while under examination, refresh his memory by referring to any writing made by himself at the time of the transaction concerning which he is questioned, or so soon afterwards that the Court considers it likely that the transaction was at that time fresh in his memory:
Provided that the witness may also refer to any such writing made by any other person, and read by the witness within the time aforesaid, if when he read it, he knew it to be correct.
(2) Whenever a witness may refresh his memory by reference to any document, he may, with the permission of the Court, refer to a copy of such document:
Provided that the Court be satisfied that there is sufficient reason for the non-production of the original:
Provided further that an expert may refresh his memory by reference to professional treatises.
Plain English Summary
Allows witnesses to refer to contemporary notes, reports, or professional treatises to refresh their memory while testifying.
Key Legal Elements
- Allows a witness under examination to refresh their memory by referring to writings made by themselves or others contemporary to the event.
- Requires that any referenced writing was made when the transaction was fresh in the witness's memory.
- Permits using a copy of the document with court permission if there is a sufficient reason for not producing the original.
- Allows expert witnesses to refresh memory using professional treatises or standard textbooks.
Practical Note
This is a crucial rule for prosecuting and defending alike. Investigation officers (IOs) rely heavily on this to refer to their case diaries (CD), and medical officers use it to testify about post-mortem or injury reports. As an advocate, remember that a witness cannot simply read out a document word-for-word; they must first show that they do not remember the details and need to refresh their memory. Note that under Section 164 of the BSA (old Section 161 IEA), the opposing counsel has a statutory right to inspect the document used to refresh memory and cross-examine the witness on it. If you are cross-examining, always ask to inspect the document they referred to—you might find critical discrepancies or dates that help your case!
हिंदी पाठ
(1) कोई साक्षी, परीक्षा के अधीन रहते हुए, किसी ऐसे लेख को देख कर अपनी स्मृति ताजी कर सकेगा जो उसने स्वयं उस संव्यवहार के समय लिखा था जिसके संबंध में उससे प्रश्न किया जा रहा है, या उसके इतने शीघ्र पश्चात लिखा था कि न्यायालय इसे संभाव्य समझता है कि उस समय वह संव्यवहार उसकी स्मृति में ताजा था:
परन्तु साक्षी किसी अन्य व्यक्ति द्वारा लिखे गए और साक्षी द्वारा उपरोक्त समय के भीतर पढ़े गए किसी ऐसे लेख का भी निर्देश कर सकेगा, यदि जब उसने उसे पढ़ा था, तब वह जानता था कि वह ठीक है।
(2) जब कभी कोई साक्षी किसी दस्तावेज को देख कर अपनी स्मृति ताजी कर सकता है, तब वह न्यायालय की अनुज्ञा से ऐसी दस्तावेज की प्रतिलिपि देख सकेगा:
परन्तु यह तब जब न्यायालय का यह समाधान हो जाए कि मूल दस्तावेज को न प्रस्तुत करने का पर्याप्त कारण है:
परन्तु यह और कि कोई विशेषज्ञ व्यावसायिक ग्रंथों को देख कर अपनी स्मृति ताजी कर सकेगा।